August - November 2008

It has been awhile since we've updated our website. Things have been busy once again. Liz started her job and Tim's been working hard at the church. There are many pictures on our shutterfly website. Now that shutterfly has updated their site, we have been able to add more information. Here is the website that gives updates on what's been going on in our lives.

http://www.timandlizdecker.shutterfly.com/

July 2008 - Missions Trip

It has been awhile since we’ve posted an article. Thing have been extremely busy around Beaufort. The last thing we shared was we were about to leave for our mission’s trip. Thank you for all the prayers during that time. We had a wonderful trip and praise the Lord for the opportunity He gave us to minister with the Ashcraft family.

The Ashcraft family has a ranch in Jimenez, Chihuahua, Mexico. We stayed on the ranch and traveled out to neighboring villages to hold an open air service. Before the service we went around door to door and invited everyone to join us. There were puppet shows, singing, skits, and the presentation of the gospel. Each night we a good number attend and several raise their hands wanting to be saved. Praise the Lord! It was so awesome to see the Lord work.


Brother Randy has started discipleship training in different homes. We were able to attend one meeting and were humbled to see the condition of the home. Pray for this family that they will continue to attend church faithful and the whole family will be saved.

Another highlight of our trip was eating “real” Mexican food. This was a highlight for Tim, not me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexican food but apparently only the Americanized kind. This food did not taste anything like I was used to.

I was able to catch up with Gwen (Randy’s wife) while we were there. We grew up together in Virginia but since she lives in Mexico we haven’t had a chance to get together in a long time. It was fun to hear stories of what life as a missionary is like and to see it first hand.

The week flew by and before we knew it we were on the plane headed back for the states. Getting out of the United States was a piece of cake but getting back in was a little harder. We had to wait in line several times, have our luggage checked and rechecked, answer questions, and fill out more paper work. It’s a good thing there were only four of us traveling. We finally made it back to Beaufort and were thankful to be back in our own beds with no rattlesnakes, Mother of Scorpions (a spider that looks like a scorpion), flying ants, or real scorpions. What a trip!!

Of course we have a lot more pictures than the ones I've posted. If you would like to see them they are at http://newhopebaptistchurch.shutterfly.com/ ENJOY!!

July 2008

Then end of the month has not arrived yet, but we will be out of town. Actually, we’re going to be out of the country! Tim and I are going on a mission’s trip with two other ladies from our church. We are looking forward to traveling to Mexico and working with Randy and Gwen Ashcraft. Pray for us as we travel and share God’s Word to those in Chihuahua, Mexico.

During the school year I couldn’t wait for summer to arrive so I could relax. Who knew that the summer months would be more busy than the others? Tim went to PBC for a week (June 22-27) to take a class for his doctorate. I worked at a summer Science camp while he was away.

July started with Andrea and Ryan McGhee coming to visit for the fourth of July. We went to the beach a couple times, cooked-out for the fourth, and went out to dinner one night. The pictures will tell the rest. It was good to see how much Ella has grown. She is extremely smart and even more talkative.

Ella loved the beach and didn't want to get out of the water!

She also loved playing in the sand. Covering her dad kept her busy for a long time!

Ella had to be put in time-out while we were out eating dinner. It was so hard not to laugh.

We miss you guys!! Can't wait to see you again!

July 7th we decided to meet my family at a camp ground for vacation. Our intentions were to stay for two nights and leave early Wednesday morning. We were having such a good time we decided to stay for another night, then another, then another. The next thing we know we’ve stayed the whole week and had a wonderful time relaxing. (Our first time on vacation since Christmas...a much needed vacation.)

Koda turning into a redneck! He is sooo cute!

Nathan, my brother, being a super hero as he jumped into the water. We had a good time!

A bad storm came up one afternoon. We had strong winds and heavy rain. The men had to hold on to the tents because they were blowing away. Praise the Lord no one was hurt and no damage was done to our campsite (besides flooding).

It seemed as though summer had just begun when I had a meeting for the new school year. What a blessing to have a job for the coming school year, but how sad to think the summer is almost gone.

July 15-16 - Tim and I had a surprise visit from Amy and Robbie Roscoe (along with the family). We enjoyed their company for the day they were here. The kids have grown so much! Blake is almost walking and the girls are excited to start first grade. A huge praise...Kaitlyn and Kayla are now part of the family of God. They accepted Christ as their Savior a couple weeks ago!!

Blake playing at the beach. He loved the water!

Kayla and Kaitlyn being sweet!

Amy, Robbie, and Blake

That weekend (July 18-20) Seth Campbell, from my home church, came to visit. Tim’s birthday was the 19th so one of the families in our church took us out on their boat to The Cape (Cape Lookout for all you who are not down with the local lingo). We had a cookout at their house with a surprise chocolate on chocolate cake for Tim. It was a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Tim!! I love you!

You can't tell from this picture but the water was so clear. It was a beautiful day to be out on the boat and at the beach!

The rain was about to come but it was gone in a matter of minutes! Praise the Lord!

Seth and Allie enjoying the boat ride!

Now we’re preparing to go to Mexico. Pray for us as we leave the country. We will give an update and lots of pictures when we return. Thanks for your support through prayer and financial giving!

May - June 2008

If you couldn't tell, Tim and I have been very busy. Two months have passed by and we haven't added a new post. Here are just a few pictures to show what has been going on out here in Beaufort!

First, God blessed Tim and I with a beautiful house to rent. We were so excited to get out of our apartment and live in quiet neighborhood. What a blessing!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Ronketto finally came to visit us. (May 28-June 3) Mom and Dad Decker came with them and enjoyed seeing our new house.

We went out on a boat. . .

Went to a beautiful Island to look at the Lighthouse from a distance. . .

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Decorated our new house . . .

In the midst of all the fun of moving into the house, school letting out and family visiting, Liz was offered a full time teaching job for this coming fall. God has been answering prayer after prayer!!

Two days after Tim’s family left, Granny and Papa Campbell came to visit. (June 5 –June 11)

Momma & Daddy Peters were not too far behind. (June 7-June 11)

We went out to Cape Lookout and spent a day. This was the best beach we had ever been to. For a few hours we had the beach to ourselves. What a way to start a summer vacation!!

Four days later we headed to Liz’s home church in Virginia to take our teens to camp. (June 15-19) During camp we were able to see family and close friends. Especially Dekoda!!!

Yay!!!

I love my Uncle Tim!!!


He is a cool dude!!! I just wanted to pinch his cheeks all week! :-)


He didn’t want us to leave.

Once we made it back home Todd & Natalie Bishop and Blair & Emma Bishop came to visit for a few hours. (June 20) Emma has grown so much in the past year we’ve been away. What a blessing to have them visit.

Saturday June 21 we had a church cookout at our house. Almost 40 people came for hotdogs and fellowship. It’s been almost a year since we came out here to be a part of New Hope Baptist Church and yet it seems so much longer. We feel as though we’ve known these people for years and they are now like family to us.

April 2008

Things have slowed down considerably since March. No family has come to visit lately. Subbing fulltime and helping out at the church has kept me busy enough. Tim is always busy preparing for his weekly lessons and sermons as well as visiting church family.

Tim and I did have the opportunity to go to Charlotte for a couple of days. We had a family dinner with Tim’s parents, Andrea, Ryan, Ella, Steve, Amanda, and Katie. It was so nice spending time with everyone. Tim and his dad had the chance to go to PBC for a conference with Dr. Charles Ryrie (one of Tim’s favorite theologians).

I, on the other hand, got to spend the day with Tim’s mom, sister (Andrea), and our wonderful nieces (Ella and Katie). This was well worth skipping work for a couple of days. Katie and Ella have grown so much and are becoming little ladies. Of course their favorite Aunt Iz (the neices pronunciations) and Uncle Tim miss them very much.

It was nice being back on campus at Piedmont Baptist College. I was able to go see one of my good friends, Blair, while Tim was in chapel, and then meeting another friend Christina and her two boys while waiting for Tim to finish up some research. It was so nice catching up and hearing all the news from Winston-Salem. Being with old friends again was a blessing. On our way home to Beaufort we stopped off in Greensboro to visit a friend I grew up with. Charity recently had her first child so it was nice to visit with her before going home. It was a busy three days but well worth every minute of it!

March '08

March was the exact opposite of February for Liz and me. This was the first time we were at New Hope on Resurrection Day. The choir sang a cantata on Palm Sunday. I even had a solo in it! For the small size of our church, we have a talented group of singers. The Thursday before Resurrection Sunday, the church had a midweek service where the choir sang the cantata again and we partook in the Lord's Supper just as Christ and His disciples did on the Thursday before His arrest. Then came Resurrection Sunday which was actually the first time I have ever preached on a Resurrection Day. Boy, I was fired up too (or so I was told). Needless to say, March was a busy month for New Hope.

The month didn't slow down away from church either. With Liz still subbing full-time, we hardly see each other until the evening.

We also were visited by a barrage of family this month. Nathan and Traci (Liz's brother and his girlfriend) visited us for a short weekend. Nathan was kind enough to haul down the bookshelf that PaPa (liz's maternal grandfather) made for me. It was the best looking, sturdiest, and heaviest bookshelf I ever did see (or carry). Thank you so much PaPa!

After a short break, Liz and I had the opportunity to entertain Granny & PaPa (Liz's maternal grandparents). We had a great time. After some site seeing and shopping, PaPa and I built a table for our new grill. Since PaPa built that bookshelf, this table wasn't a problem. And just to prove I am not as inept with tools as some might think, I helped a lot with the table. I even have the pictures to prove it. Liz helped too by painting it. It is the best table I have ever helped to make!

Happy Resurrection Day! It just worked out that we were all wearing green.

Good Job Tim, I'm proud of you! Thanks for all your hard work!

This was hard work but worth it all! We've enjoyed using it.

While the 4 of us were at the Sanitary Restaurant (yes that is the name of the seafood place where we like to eat), Amy (Liz's older sister), Dekoda (Amy's son & our nephew), and Lori (Liz's younger sister) came waltzing into the restaurant unexpected. It was a great surprise –especially seeing Dekoda. He is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. He is the best baby too. He barely ever makes a fuss (even when I am holding him). My 2 favorite nieces should take notes when their Uncle Tim and Aunt Liz are holding them. A few days later Granny, PaPa, Amy, Dekoda, and Lori all left back for Virginia.

Thank you Amy, Lori, & Koda for surprising us! It was the best gift you could have given! :)

I love this picture! Tim enjoyed having Dekoda around.

Now this is a cool dude!!!

Koda we miss you already!!! :-(

But the action didn't stop. That same day (almost the exact same time) that the first group left back for Va, Liz's parents Momma and Daddy and brother Nathan were on their way down to visit us. With the weather warming up, we got to go to the beach (something we were unable to do with the other set of family). Traci even came down for the weekend a day after Nathan arrived. We went to the local Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. It was a lot of fun. But all good things have to come to an end. After the morning service and lunch, Momma, Daddy, Nathan, and Traci left back for home. We are already missing all of our family that visited us. We can't wait to see you all again.

Daddy and Momma, you guys are so cute!

You're cute too, Nathan and Traci!

Of course we were happy, we had family around for a week! :-)

This is now my new friend!