It's here!

"It's here," said my Joe, as he leaned back in his chair, let out a heavy sigh, and closed his eyes to relish in the thought.

What long-awaited and dreamed about event could he be referring to?

Why, the arrival of FALL, of course! We've finally experienced some cooler temperatures this week, and it looks like they're here to stay.

The man has been known to sing the diddy "It' the most wonderful time of the year" ....in October. He loves fall!

Certainly fall in Orlando is a far cry from fall in Baltimore, but the reprieve from the heat is exciting nonetheless.

Hope you are enjoying your fall as much as we are! It's time for some camping.

Welcome Katherine Ann Rich Hansen!

Welcome, baby girl! The Lord has given you a great family, so eager to get to know you! And your brother and sisters will be so good to you! May you know and serve our King all your days.

I guess we're big now.

I was reading the July 2010 issue of Christianity Today last night and found a little blurb about some latest Pioneers news. I looked up, glanced across the outdoor tables of the restaurant where I was resting, and thought very matter-of-factly to myself, "I guess we're big now."

I mean, I knew we passed the "large missions agency" mark several years ago. Internationally, Pioneers now supports over 1,900 missionaries around the world in some of the least-reached and least-served places. When compared to just over 500 in 2003, it's obvious that we have grown tremendously at an incomparable rate. The numbers are big.

In 2004, mentioning the name of Pioneers usually required a heavy dose of explaining; most had never heard of it. (Either that, or, truthfully, we were confused with Pioneers girls clubs or Pioneer Bible Translators, or even Frontiers. If I had only thought to count the phone conversations centered around these!) Today, Pioneers is at every major missions conference across the US. While visiting churches, I'm no longer surprised to run into a Pioneers missionary on home assignment. Little explaining is required. The reputation is big.

And now, our little announcement has become major news in the evangelical world. Well, it's clearly not a little announcement. (We merged with AWM.) But Christianity Today thought it worth including. Our news is big.

You see, my five years with Pioneers was during the "breaking out of the shell" period. During my time in the US recruitment office (with 5 particular heros: Alan Chantelau, John Downer, James Kim, Steve Ludwig, and Lauri Nevius), our team witnessed and participated in an explosion of growth that wielded tidal waves of effect on teams and ministries around the world. We didn't really know it then. We just had loads of fun working and praying together, traveling together (playing poker and singing karaoke together). We rode the wave with hearts and hands open to where God was leading us. It was an absolutely exciting time to be a part of what God was doing through Pioneers.

Now we look back - 3.5 out of 5 now serving the Lord in other capacities - with joy at the privilege of being a great team with a great goal. (Like that .5? That's you, Steve, working with Pioneers in England.)

But I wonder if others, like me, still think of Pioneers as the little guy. The little booth (awesome as it looked) next to the "big guns" of mission conferences. The young, smiling rep willing to listen to whatever hair-crazed mission idea the next generation dreamed about, praying with and encouraging him or her that the Holy Spirit's leading is worth following. The org whose name was not always known, but whose globe was.

Very good memories, indeed.

Very worthy work, indeed.

Very great King, whose Kingdom will never end - Indeed!

The purpose remains: Pioneers mobilizes teams to glorify God among unreached peoples by initiating church-planting movements in partnership with local churches.

Since 1979, so many others have joined this vision for the sake of the King and His Kingdom. So many have been willing to go, with Pioneers willing to send.

And so....we're big now.

PS...Love you, heros!

Holy Week

This is the holiest, most special, most glorious week of our year!

Oh, how much my heart needs to be turned toward these Sacred days, and away from the sin, the worldly worries and troubles, that so easily entangles.

Here are a few of the ways the Yoons hope to celebrate, meditate, and worship this week...

• Easter Decor - Joe laughs at my seasonal decor, but it brings delight to me! This year I'm embracing the egg motif because of the symbolism of new life. Other than that, the stores are not offering me much help keeping the true symbolism of the season. I finally found a cute little lamb to put as my table centerpiece - Behold, the Lamb of God! Next to the lamb, and throughout the house, I've added a lot of Scripture to memoralize the events of this week. Also, I'm a fan of the Easter Garland (an easy project for your kiddos!).
• Easter Tree - Better late than never...I'm working on an Easter Tree. That, and more great ideas, here.
• Passover Seder - some choose to always celebrate this the week of Easter, but the holiday actually falls within Holy Week this year (though not always). We're enjoying an evening of fellowship at our house with a few friends.
• Devotionals - I love the simple dinner devotionals here. This is designed for young kids, but we'll adapt it for us in this and other ways, too.
• Services - Our church offers several great services that minister to my soul.
• Family - Finally, we'll cap off the week with a backporch picnic at my parents' house. I like doing the picnic thing; it feels like spring and it's a restful way to spend the Lord's Day with great company.

Don't let the week pass without letting your soul soak in the rich Grace and Love we receive through Christ our Lord! I have found that if I don't consciously expect and plan for heart-enriching times like these, the days and celebrations pass by without even a memory of the Spirit's gentle touch.

In God's great, great Love and Providence, I have been made a part of His family. I am His. How could this be? I ask myself everyday. The answer is in Christ Himself, the humble sacrifice He offered in my rightly-deserved place. The judgment has been fully satisfied! It is finished!

May my heart and yours be warmed to exuberent joy over such glory this week!

Happy Birthday Sister!

Happy 30th Ashlee! Love you very much!

May the Lord bless you immensely in this next year, and the next decade!

From what I know, this year is gonna be a great one. ;)

Happy Birthday Jakey Boy!

Jacob Nels Hansen is a year old today! He has brought so much joy to the whole family and we just love him to pieces! He's such a happy boy. Here he is wearing his gift from his papa. :)

We're headed to Jax this weekend to help throw a party for both Jacob AND my SIL Ashlee who is turning the BIG 3-0!! Yes, I just announced that on my blog.

Love ya'll!

Free admission to Leu Gardens this Sat-Sun

Leu Gardens Camellia Show this weekend, Jan 16, 17 Sat/Sun -- FREE.

This is one of the main highlights of the year, with three miles of walkways, gardens, and fully mature trees full of different colors and flavors of camellias, and plant sale, food, music.

And what beautiful weather we've been given!

Click here for more info!

Weekend To Remember Conference BOGOF Through 1/18/10!!

I'm stealing this post from another website, but know that the Yoons HIGHLY RECOMMEND this too! We were so blessed by attending a conference last year and look forward to volunteering at the two Orlando conferences this year.

Seriously....think about it! Well worth every single penny.

I want you to take a look at: Weekend To Remember Conference BOGOF Through 1/18/10!!

Sidenote: I regularly visit this website and love the heart and message of it. Take a look around while you're there!