To Boldy Go...

A few weeks ago, while visiting a church in North Carolina we had the privilege of visiting Kitty Hawk, the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright first experience flight. Many of you are probably familiar with the Wright brothers and their historic plane. As we walked through the museum at Kitty Hawk, I soon realized there was so much more to the Wright story. The Wright brothers were dedicated to there goal. They lived on site at the airfield for months. They built models and gliders and had numerous test flights. They failed and tried again, and had teams of people to help with their tests. And finally, they had success.

The past week and a half our family has been residing at the headquarters of OMS as we participate in CROSS Training (OMS's preparation for cross cultural ministry and living). We have learned alot about everyday life as a missionary, as well as various aspects of our ministry. What continues to amaze me is the incredible team that stands behind us here in the United States and supports our efforts to go! God has reminded us that He not only provides through finances and prayer, but also through the faithfulness and guidance of men and women in leadership and support at OMS. We could not be successful missionaries to Hungary without an incredible team! We are thankful and blessed to be part of such an organization.

While we were at Kitty Hawk, we enjoyed photographing Carter posing as an astronaut in the history of flight pavilion. It has been a long path from first flight to walking on the moon...and our journey in missions sometimes seems to reflect this idea. As ambassadors of Christ we strive "to boldly go..."

Our New Year's Resolution

On the eve of 2009, we cannot help but think of one American tradition...The New Year's Resolution. Historically speaking, these resolutions are usually grand in thought, but somewhat short lived. This year our family has but one resolution that we intend to keep long after the celebrations have ceased:

To walk in God's will in 2009, wherever or however He may lead.

We are excited to know that He does have plans for 2009, and those plans seem to be heading us toward Hungary in a short time from now. Much of 2008 has been spent in preparation for this journey. As we consider the past year, we see how God's provision and timing has been perfect. We originally had prayed that God would provide for us to be in Hungary by the end of January, but as we neared the end of the year, it was clear this was not God's plan. God has given us several more opportunities in January, February and March to share our ministry with churches and people across the country. Also, we still need additional people to come onto our support team so we can meet our financial goals. Therefore, we anticipate our transition to Hungary with take place the end of March. We are praying that God would provide all our needs so this can be possible. Things look very promising and we trust that God's timing is perfect in all things.

As you consider your resolutions for the coming year, we pray that 2009 would be a time for you to draw closer to God and to walk faithfully in His will for you life.

Looking Forward,
Jonathan and Corinne

The Long Awaited Arrival

The Long family has many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving - most importantly the arrival of our second child! Grant Oliver Long greeted the world on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 3:57pm. He weighed 9 pounds 11.5 ounces and was 19 inches long. He has a head full of blond hair, deep blue eyes, and an adoring big brother.

In the short first two weeks of his life, Grant has already had the opportunity to visit church for the first time and attend his first missions conference as the family travelled to Indian Falls, NY this past weekend. He already has 1000 miles under his belt and is well on his way to official MK status (missionary kid).

His birth has reminded us once again of the wonderful blessings God has given to us this past year. Not only have we been blessed with a beautiful and healthy child, but have experienced first hand the blessings poured out upon us as we travelled cross-country these past 6 months. We are so thankful for the many wonderful and caring people we have met along the way - the friends and families that have offered us their prayers, their support and their partnership in our ministry. As we trust for the future that God will continue to provide, we are too thankful for what is yet to be done! We have seen His hand at work in so many ways, and it excites us to see what He has yet to do!

Our hope for you this Thanksgiving holiday is that you too would feel God's blessing upon your lives and that you would be able to spend this time sharing in the hope for God's blessing in the days to come.

With Love and Thankfulness,
Jonathan, Corinne, Carter and Grant