Thanksgiving Day

I am so excited for Thanksgiving Day. I will miss my girls very much. The girls and I had a Thanksgiving dinner about a week and a half ago. Wow, it was good. I am so thankful for the people that God has placed in my life. My friend Eren, although we have not talked much, he has always been there for me in prayer and to listen. Thank you Eren for you enduring friendship. I love you Melissa, your funny laugh and bright smile turns a bad day into a good one. Most of all I am thankful for the life that God has given me. The blessing continue to come and God continues to be faithful in providing for my needs. May all who read this remember that God is the provider and that nothing is to big for him to accomplish in your life.

A Hard Day

October 10th, 2006 - Melissa and I lost a child 2 weeks before child birth.  This was tragic and it has been a long time.  For all those who have lost you can understand how hard it is to let go.  Everyone must find there own way to cope with and move on. 

October 10th, 2008 - It's been two years.  For my wife and I there is something that gives us comfort through each holiday and October 10th every year.  If it were not for the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would have given up trying a long time ago.  I thank my God for everything I have been able to get through.  Fathers and Mothers day are the hardest for us to get through.  I would ask for prayer that we would continue to rely on God's strength to get through every day.
The joys that children can bring are endless.  This past weekend Emily really started to pull herself up to a standing position.  How exciting to see a little one made in the likeness of Christ do something so simple yet so amazing.  I am excited for what God has in store for our family.  If you have struggled with the loss of a loved one my wife and I would like to hear your stories so that we may pray for you.

Above, Hannah is pictured enjoying an afternoon at a park in Eugene, OR.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  The memories that we create are permanent.  Day's like this one at the park reminds me of God's grace, the quiet pond, a light breeze and lots of smiles.

1 Peter 3:21 (New International Version)
21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge^[a] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

The Burden of Moving & The Joys of Change

Time to Move!

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I have moved so many times that I cannot begin to tell you how hard it can be. There are easy ways to move and hard ways. The B-Squad is moving this Saturday to another part of town. It is tedious work and we are packing like crazy. I want to publicly thank my Wife for all her hard work. This move could not be made without her unwavering commitment to the change being made. These are the joys that come out of moving. You realize how much your wife and children play a part in moving, not to mention the wonderful teamwork aspect of marriage.

Through prayers at work I learn about different areas of my life that God wants me to work on.  This last week I was touch when someone gave a devotion on trees.  Yes trees, comparing how trees sway and place roots but they are where God puts them.  It's amazing to think that God has me here at OMF International.  So here I am being a tree where God has planted me.  Are you staying and doing your best where God has planted you?

Suggestions

Since I last posted my family and I have been through some trials, some tough times. All of you who read this can probably relate to going through some tough times in your life. You can be praying for my Aunt who has cancer. You can also be praying about a place for us to move. At the end of September we need to move to save money on rent. Please pray that God provide a place to live close to OMF so we can also save money on gas. At OMF I am working on the help desk and fixing computers when they break. I am so glad that God has given me the ability to fix computers. Sometimes these computers can be such a hassle.

If you are reading this blog and would like to contribute to the work of the Lord please considering reading about become a partner. If you would like to know more feel free to select the "Become a Partner", link in the recommended sites section.

I would like to start to blog more and give you more of an insight to a family here on the home side serving as home staff at OMF International. I would like suggestions as to the subject or subjects that you would like to read about. If you have questions about computers or would like to see some technology reviews done on certain items please give some suggestions. Please respond to this post with comments of what you would like to see.

The Balance

My wife and I both enjoy photography and the joy it brings. To take pictures reminds us not only of our past but what God's creation is about. In the picture above that my wife Melissa took a few weeks ago, you can see the wonderful cloud formations that are there. Notice the bird near the bottom. With the trials we all are going through in this economy we can be reminded that God feeds even the birds of the air. I pray that we can all give over every ambition, and give control of everything over to Christ. I struggle with giving the Lord control of everything. So if you could pray with me that I can overcome this struggle and give control of everything to the Lord.

Luke 12:23-25
23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?

He will provide for all of us. So as you go on through your day remember that God is who he is, just that, God.

Pray that God will continue to provide for all our needs. This morning I was reminded about what God says in Haggai 2:3-9, that God will provide for those who are doing his work. God declares that the silver and god are His.

Haggai 2:3-9
3 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'

6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

New Look

For those of you reading my blog, you will notice the look of my blog changed. I have been working on a new look for sometime. The Japanese character you see stands for truth. Let the truth of Christ be heard to all the people. Remember tomorrow is the Mid Year Day of Prayer.

Prayer Requests
-Continued prayer for me as I balance ministry, school, work & family.
-That I can work out any family indifference's that we have against each other and that we can come to an understanding.
-Pray that God would continue to guide me to do his work.

Psalm 25:10 "Every path he guides us on is fragrant with his loving kindness and his truth."

French Toast

Have you ever got up on a Saturday morning and felt like French Toast. Well yesterday on June 11th my 4 year old decided she would make French Toast on her own. This would normally be ok except she tried to do it on her own. Let review the common ingredients for French Toast. You have eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon & bread. My daughter decided to use the same ingredients to include some pink sugar sprinkles. We had a large bottle of cinnamon and about 4 TB of vanilla left, well you guessed it, all gone. She dumped the entire bottle of cinnamon in the bowl and all 4 TB of vanilla. Let us be reminded how much our kids resemble us. I love to cook as most of you may know by now, but this is to good to be true. My own daughter trying to cook French Toast on her own.

Matthew 18:2-4
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Starting School

Well yesterday I started school again. This time I will finish and get my degree. I am working on my Associates in Applied Science of Computer Information Systems. I am excited to see what things there are to learn that I am not proficient at yet. Please pray that I would be able to balance my work, family, time with God, and my school activities.

End of May Update

Hello everyone. Welcome to the Daily Burden

I recently sent out our first support letter. I would like to give praise to God for already providing for our financial support and prayer support needs. God has continued to provide for me and my family in this rough economy. Its has been exciting to see how God is using me at OMF International. I enjoy fixing and troubleshooting computers for the employees at the office and across the US.

Hannah and Emily are both growing so fast. Emily is making lots of noises now. It is so exciting. I enjoy seeing how children view life. So care free and trusting. Please continue to pray that our Children would see Christ through us and that they would come to know Him as there Lord and Saviour.

Please pray for my mothers continued healing from her recent medical challenges. A cyst was removed and some lung clots have been dealt with. I believe she is on the road to a great recovery and is sounding better and better by the day. (If you are reading this Mom, thank you for staying strong and not giving up).

I have started to back to college online. I start classes on the 4th of June. I am going for an Associates in Applied Science of Computer Information Systems. I have never finished any degree because circumstances have not allowed me to concentrate on school. So please pray for me to be able to organize my time in order to get my school complete.

Pray that the Lord would lead me on how to manage my time. Trying to balance Family, Work, School, and everything else that life brings can be very difficult and sometimes mind challenging.

Till next time,

The B-Squad

Needed Prayer

Please pray for my close friend Eren. His grandmother went to be with the Lord this last week. Please keep him in your prayers during this time of mourning.

May Prayer Requests

Please Pray for…

- God to open up avenues for the gospel in countries that are not receptive to the gospel.

- God to open up the hearts of family members who do not know Him as their Lord and Savior.

- Friends who will be lead to pray for us and support us financially.

- God’s direction in our lives as we take on this new chapter.

- A sensitive heart to His perfect plan and timing in our lives.

May Support Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Colorado! With great excitement, I am delighted to share with you a recent development for the Burden household. It is amazing to look back and see what God has been doing in our lives over the past three years. At that time, Melissa and I were living in Oregon, wondering what the next chapter in our life would hold. We felt God leading us to the State of Colorado. Since arriving, there have been many changes in the Burden family. Hannah has grown into a playful 4 year old with endless energy. Our most recent edition, Emily, is growing fast and has started to bring joy with her playful attitude towards life. This April Melissa and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.

Throughout my life I always felt God was calling me to do something with the talents and skills that He gave me. After years of searching and waiting, God has shown me how I can use those gifts for His service. In February, through some amazing circumstances, I received an email about an opportunity to serve in the IT department at OMF International. OMF International (formally know as China Inland Mission), was started 140 years ago by Hudson Taylor. In the 1950’s, when the political climate in China changed, missionaries left China and China Inland Mission became Overseas Mission Fellowship. Today, OMF International seeks to serve Asians in East Asia. http://www.omf.org/omf/us

I applied for the position and was excited to see what the Lord might have in store for me. I was offered the position and was encouraged by friends and family that I would be a perfect fit for this job. After a week of prayer and follow-up phone calls, I decided, on March 3rd to accept the offer. I can still remember the peace I felt when I said yes. The next day I began ministering to the people of East Asia as a technical support analyst.

You’re probably wondering what it is that I do in my new role. I will be serving the home staff at OMF’s national headquarters office and missionaries abroad, by helping to ensure that computer systems, email, network, printers, etc…, run smoothly. Over the past twenty years technology has become critical to OMF and its members. My job is to connect and network missionaries to each other and their support systems-from churches and parachurch organizations to aid workers and staff to friends and family-when they would otherwise be virtually isolated by time and distance.

My family and I are excited to see how God is going to use us at OMF International. If you would like to partner with me in prayer and possibly financially, please send and email to me with your address and phone number and I will send you a yellow support card that you can fill out and return to OMF. I would love to meet and share with you or your church. May God open all of our eyes to His wondrous people across the globe and where we might serve His purpose.

In Christ, Dale & The “B” Squad