The Ferguson Flyer - January Update

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THE FERGUSON FLYER
JANUARY 2015

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Click here (English) or here (Deutsch) to read our January newsletter.

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis

School Of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT)

On 23 December 2014, Lana and I received news our application was accepted by the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT)!  I will be going through a 1 year airframe & power plant (A&P) mechanics course so we can serve more fully as a pilot and mechanic family with Pacific Mission Aviation.  It brings us one step closer to "getting to the mission field" and is one we're both looking forward to!

The course starts on 28 August 2015 and runs through August 2016, with two weeks off for the Christmas holidays.  Most A&P courses are 2 years, but this program is compressed to better serve missionary mechanic needs.  Below is a short video explaining SMAT's mission of training future missionary pilots and mechanics.

Another great thing about SMAT is it's location.  I'm from Michigan, and SMAT is located in Ionia, MI...only 1.5 hours from my parents!  My parents' home is also my military home of record, so our last move will be paid for by the military and all of our belongings will be shipped there.  As we move forward towards missions, it's so cool to see how God has even the smallest little details taken care of!  Lord, continue to increase our faith!

Bludenz & Kitzbühel, Austria

Back in July this past summer, Lana and I organized a trip with two families from our church / Wednesday night Bible study to a small ski resort in Bludenz, Austria.  Then, a few months later the squadron planned a ski trip weekend to Kitzbühel, Austria the same time we had already planned on going.  So, we spent four days in the western part of Austria, then drove on Friday to Kitzbühel for a couple of days with the squadron.  It's great to be just a six hour drive from the Alps!

Sadly, this winter is proving to be one of the worst for snow in recent years so we were only able to snowboard two days of the trip and the kids weren't able to do any kid skiing.  They were able to sled one day though, so at least they were in the snow some.  It was a great time of relaxing with family and friends and enjoying some Christian fellowship!

We snowboarded in Sölden, Austria (where I learned to snowboard back in 2006 while stationed in Italy) and then in Kitzbühel (where we had our squadron Christmas party in 2008).  Part of the slopes were closed in Sölden because they were filming a scene from the next James Bond movie...maybe we'll be seen snowboarding through the background?!

Kitzbühel is quite close to Lana's grandparent's place and we were able to meet up for a coffee and walk along Lake Chiemsee.  It's one of the most picturesque locations in all of Europe and we're always in awe of God's creation when we visit!  We hit the road again and stopped by Munich to see Lana's mother, where we ended up dropping off two of our kids for a week.  This wasn't planned and really appreciate Gabi taking the kids for a few days!  Next up...Christmas 2014!

Thanksgiving In The Alsace Region of France

Thanksgiving 2014 was spent in the Alsace region of France with my bother-in-law and sister who are currently living near Paris, France.  We picked a spot about the same driving distance away to spend a few days together while we're both still in Europe!

We ended up renting an apartment in the city of Munster, France...a short drive from the towns of Colmar and Strasbourg.  Both of these cities are in the well known Alsace Region of France and have great Christmas markets.  While in the region, we also visited Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg.

On our way home, we stopped into Strasbourg for a quick tour of it's Christmas market as well.  We're going to miss family and the markets over here!

The Ferguson Flyer

THE FERGUSON FLYER

Family & Friends,

If you would be willing to receive our paper newsletter 3-4 times each year, we kindly ask you send us your current mailing address by leaving a comment below or sending us a message on Facebook.  While electronic media is easy and fast, sometimes it's nice to have a piece of paper in your hand!

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis



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