Moving Update

“Well, it’s about time we heard something from those Rickerts!”

Dear friends and family,

Greetings from our winter wonderland!  Morris, PA is cold this time of year, but, oh, so beautiful!  Thank you for your faithful prayers during our move up last Thursday; we are thankful to the Lord for a safe trip. 

The journey and transition were rather hard on everyone.  As the Lord has been working mightily in our lives, so Satan mounted a proportionate attack.  Because of winter weather and family sickness, we had to delay our trip a couple of days.  When we finally left, Audrey and Duncan had come down with the flu and Clay was getting over a double ear infection, and by the time we arrived everyone had a cold, (including Grams and Grandad, who are still recovering)! 

Nevertheless, (and despite the cold), we received a very warm welcome here – plenty of help unloading, as well as 5 days of wonderful meals.  We are happy to report that the sniffles are now drying up, and we are all on the mend.  Little by little we are getting the boxes unpacked, and our house in PA is starting to feel like home.  We see the Lord’s providence in the timing of our move.  There are no guests scheduled to stay at the Inn until March, giving us ample time to settle in before things get busy.

We love our house – a favorite spot is the corner of our den, where two wall-sized windows overlook our front yard and the neighboring dairy farm.  The view is breathtaking, while the sunlight fills our den with warmth during these cold winter days.  Today, we met our neighbor Ken Hyler, a 5^th-generation dairy farmer.  He invited us to visit his farm “anytime” and told us we could help with the tree tapping (for maple syrup) which should begin in a few weeks.  We look forward to getting to know our neighbors (there are other families who live down Linck Hill road as well). 

We see our ministry here as multi-faceted, with opportunities to interact with the local farmers, our local church (Oregon Hill Grace Chapel), the Three Springs staff, the guests at Linck Hill Inn, as well as other branches of Three Springs Ministries.  We know we can’t do it all, but we are praying right now that the Lord will give us specific direction for the avenues of ministry He has planned for us.  We know He will!

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers, for the many words and notes of encouragement we have received, and for your financial support as well.

Our immediate prayer list follows:   

Ø Please pray with us as we seek the Lord’s direction in choosing which areas of ministry to invest our time.

Ø For the Lord’s grace and strength as we adjust to the distance from our friends and family and church

Ø For good health (especially for the children who are still recovering)

Because of His great love for us,

Doug and Kathryn,

(Audrey, Duncan, and Clay)

Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.    Psalm 143:8