I sat on the couch last night, looking at my husband while he read. Rob would rather I not always be so analytical (smile), but this once, as I watched him, I realized just how very much I love his soul. How beautiful it is. It brings life to his eyes and warmth to his body. I watch his soul seek God and “manage” his flesh. I can see the condition of his soul through his words, his touch, and his actions. With his soul, he loves me very well.

May His Spirit rest well within your souls this season, may He renew you daily and be greatly magnified as you seek His purpose for your life in the upcoming year!

Merry Christmas friends and family!
Rob and Carrie, Max and Isaac

My Mom

My mom, B. Irene Hinman, peacefully passed away on October 19th. God gave our family two wonderful weeks to step outside of the circumstances around us and care for my mom as she was ushered from this world and into the loving arms of her Father. I will miss her presence, her soft skin and blue eyes. I will miss her beautiful handwriting, her ability to remember every person she’s ever met, and her incredible sense of direction.

She sent Hallmark cards for EVERY occasion. They were always on time (her gifting, not mine) and sounded as if Mom wrote them JUST for you. When I asked the boys what it was that they would miss most about Grandma, Max answered “she always came to visit us, no matter how far away we lived.” You think that it’s the flesh you love, until you see the flesh without the soul, and then you know. It’s their soul you love.

A Weekend to Remember

The entire week before Rob and I attended the FamilyLife Weekend to Remember conference (this November), I had spoken hardly at all, other than the few words that were necessary for my day to day communication with my family and friends. I had something on my mind that I very much wanted to talk to Rob about … But the Lord had said, “No Carrie, remain quiet,” and I took that as my cue to remain quiet in all things. My family understood the silence, they knew it was necessary, but it was nearly unbearable for me. I wanted so much to voice my opinion, possibly fight for my position. I felt cut-off, isolated and helpless.

Stress had been causing my Crohn’s to be brutally active. (And it’s times like these that the priorities in my life become crystal clear. For me, managing my stress, really is a matter of life and death.) So, you can imagine how important it was for me to talk to Rob about the burdens I was unnecessarily carrying. I was hoping to receive his blessing to let some of those responsibilities go. It would also mean that Rob would have to take them over, and I was praying that he would do it willingly.

God met us at the conference that weekend. Rob came to me after the first session on Friday night and wanted to talk about the very things that had been heavy on my heart. He felt that he had encouraged me take on areas of ministry that had been intended for him … And that he was seeking God on how best to manage those responsibilities.

I received my answer to prayer that night, but not because of any words I used or stand I had taken. Our oneness with God provided the vehicle for us to experience oneness in our marriage.

At the end of the conference we all stood to renew our wedding vows. Rob and I held each other close and mouthed the words when our voices failed us.

“I Rob, take you Carrie, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

It’s Rob’s soul that attracts me. It’s our souls in unity with God that make us one, bring us joy, and give us purpose.

Year End

When we attended our FamilyLife conference, I had forgotten how powerful the message was. I had forgotten how blessed I was to be a part of that message. We sat in that arena for 3 days watching the hearts and minds of men and women turn towards His foundation for companionship, communication, commitment, passion and spiritual intimacy… His will for their marriage and family. We watched some hearts broken and some hearts mended. We watched the legacy of their children change. We even watched a few souls redeemed.

Over the years, Rob and I have found fault with any number of things within ministry … Not to mention how many times we have found ourselves unworthy. But God’s grace is present in our imperfection. And we want nothing more than to have you see for yourselves how effective the FamilyLife marriage conferences really are. We want to encourage you to attend one this coming year or send someone you love. Every time Rob and I have attended, God has worked in a miraculous way.

Last, but definitely not least, as we sat through the conference, I noticed how much of Rob’s work I saw everywhere around me. What a gifted and talented man he is! He had designed the covers for the manuals, the media clips that ran during the Speakers’ Presentation, and the promotional posters that hung all around! He had designed book covers, prayer cards, name tags, and ticket stubs … Not to mention the banners that direct your attention to every location imaginable! It truly takes an army of volunteers to put on a good FL marriage conference, and I am humbled by the part we get to play thanks to your faithful support!

P.S. One final, and somewhat selfish plug! If you find yourselves with a desire to give a year-end gift this year, we would love for you to consider giving to our family in support of our work with FamilyLife! It is often year-end giving that sustains missionaries throughout the upcoming year.
God Bless You!