Steph just pulled out of the driveway, on his way to his very last day of work with LeJeune Steel Company. This job has been such a dream job for him, being able to play a part in constructing Target Field for his all-time favorite team. Baseball has always been one of his great loves.
Many of you know Stephen pretty well. You're either related to him (the very lucky ones!), friends with him from childhood or the college days, you played ball or skated with him, or you have worked with him. It may have been McDonald's, Applebee's (that was me -- where it all began!), Cherne Contracting (southern CA; Lima, OH; Kansas City, KS; northern CA; or Toledo, OH) or within the last five years at LeJeune Steel Company.
Maybe you're part of our RVC (www.rivervalleychurch.org) family -- the church we're so thankful to call our "home." Maybe it's guilt by association -- we were friends originally and I wanted you to meet this guy that had stolen my heart. Or, quite possibly you don't know Stephen very well -- you've just learned about us and our Journey to Swaziland, and we have met along the way.
However you may know Stephen, you know that what you see is what you get. He's the same person at work that he is on the homefront, on the ball field, and will be in the mission field. He is such an amazing man. So incredibly grounded in faith, with so much integrity and an awesome sense of humor (two words: Arrested Development).
I never dreamed that we would be so blessed -- that life would be this wonderful. I am so thankful for Stephen and amazed -- that he would leave a challenging position, an awesome salary, a great life as we know it... the "American dream"... for what we'll begin to experience in just over forty days. To put everything aside and follow God's plan for our family in Swaziland, Africa. That can't be so easy for a guy at the "top of his game"... at the pinnacle.
However, we've figured out that it's not our pinnacle, but His. It's not what we do, but what He does through us. So, Steph -- thanks for being such a wonderful husband and father. Thank you for your obedience and willingness to move us to the kingdom (of Swaziland) to help build the Kingdom (of God).
Love the Lord and follow His plan for your lives. Cling to Him and serve Him enthusiastically.
-Joshua 22:5