Tim Bettger praying over and passing the mantle of leadership for the North Country Hospitality House to Todd Beaudin.

It’s been an emotional week at the hospitality house to say the least.  Tim & Bobbi Bettger transitioning out, while we transition in.  Tim & Bobbi saying goodbye to all the servicemen they have ministered to all these years, and those servicemen seeing a new family arrive.  Our friends in Alaska missing us and we are missing them.  I’ve had a wet shoulder more than a few times this week as our girls and Penny work through the loss of friends and home.  You know, the average stuff that goes with a big transition in life…

…and yet, the peace of God has been present the whole time.

We’ve had several firsts this week also:  First time leading a hospitality house, first meal cooked for a bunch of hungry combat soldiers, first time to have an adorable dog (“Buddy”) in our home, first time Emily & Kelsey have EVER moved, first time for our family to have passes to get on an active military post, first time to attend church on an active military post as well as youth group for Kelsey.  The ‘firsts’ continue to ‘roll in.’

I was moved to tears this morning as we attended chapel with around 300 servicemen and their families at Ft. Drum.  A prayer request of mine was answered as worship music and the preaching were excellent.  We will miss Soldotna Bible Chapel, but God has provided a wonderful alternative!

Jesus is alive and well at Ft. Drum.  Everywhere we look we see new growth and people just wholeheartedly seeking God, not religion or a denomination, but a true relationship with God.  There were 6 baptisms this morning in Chapel.  6 new believers from this last week made a public proclamation of their faith through baptism!  Praise God!

I’ll leave you with some pictures from our week and ask that you continue to pray for transitions for everyone.  Pray for our girls to find meaningful relationships in the weeks ahead and for their parents to overcome their nervousness and insecurities as they step up and lead in a new way for our Lord and Savior.  Thank you for praying, please don’t stop!

Dinner is served! Penny’s first meal – stew and soda biscuits and a couple of wives brought salad, apple pie and monkey bread!

Praying over Tim & Bobbi as they PCS out.

A surprise wedding party and activites for newlywed couple Clinton & Alice.

Baptisms at Chapel

Worship in singing.

Passionate expository preaching from Chaplain Crosby. Jesus is being championed at Ft. Drum!

Baptisms

Kelsey Beaudin’s first Youth Group at Ft. Drum! 4 of these kids accepted Christ last week!

Babysitting ‘Buddy’ a very well mannered awesome dog who has a reputation for shredding just stuffed animals.

Deputation has been NO BUENO for Todd’s health! He started running again and will get back to lifting weights soon.