November 2026

We returned home a month ago from our trip back east, and the grass has not grown under our feet yet. Much of the busyness has been medical appointments for both of us. First, as we mentioned last month, was Elizabeth’s infusion. Then came several appointments for James with Neurology, EEG, and MRI to make sure nothing new has cropped up. Thankfully, the news for both of us is good: Elizabeth is recovering better this time from the infusion, and though James’ symptoms have increased again, the tests showed nothing new going on with his health.

We have also been covering more things at church for the Hartmans, as they have traveled several times for family and ministry this past month. James preached in Kemmerer on the first Sunday of the month so the Hartmans could be with their son for his birthday, and also covered jail ministry and a few Wednesday night services. In the midst of all that, he was also given the opportunity to put his tech skills to use, and was able to install and configure the local fire department’s network to earn a little extra income.

And it has not stopped there! After we returned from our trip, James was assigned an additional company with two locations for his chaplaincy job. This has added two more days of very early mornings and much more driving to his already-packed schedule. We rejoice in the fruit that has come from this opportunity. However, due to company policies changing with the political winds, and his medical issues being exacerbated by the hours of the work, it is becoming clear he will have to step away from this job soon. Please pray with us that God would guide and provide another source of income to help with various things and take some pressure off our normal expenses.

James logged even more hours of driving this past weekend, as he visited one of our supporting churches in Notus, Idaho. We are grateful for God’s protection as he drove eight hours there on Saturday and eight hours back the next afternoon, and for a great time of fellowship with the people there, sharing our burden and calling to the ministry of the Gospel in this region.

In addition to all of that, Elizabeth has a procedure this coming week to check her airway for constrictions. They will do surgery at that time if they find any problems. Please pray for her swift recovery, and that there will be a good report of no new restrictions or scar tissue buildup in her trachea and lungs.

We are also starting to prepare for holiday outreaches. Be in prayer for our Pie & Praise service in Cokeville this month, specifically for visitors to come and for opportunities to reconnect with some who have drifted away. Also be praying for our Christmas Song & Scripture services at both churches, both for our time of preparation and also that the services will bear Gospel fruit in hearts. We ask you also to continue praying for the salvation and growth of BR, RG, J&C, CH, B, R&R, R&B, BS, LC, and children.

Finally, a small update on our house situation. While we were away, the neighborhood we rent from moved in trailers on one side of us, and have since added more on the other side. We have lost most of our daylight and privacy, and all room for the dogs to move around. We have also been informed of another increase in our rent. This has led us to re-certify with our mortgage lender and pursue a couple of options to buy in town. They are not really what we have been looking for and are definitely smaller starter homes, but we are asking God to guide us clearly in this matter. Please pray for direction and wisdom; and if it is God’s time for us to move into a house of our own, for financial provision and holding off major snow until we can get it done.

In all these things, we are thankful to God for the strength He is giving, for the length now between both of our appointments, and that He enables us to be faithful in our calling to proclaim the Gospel in Kemmerer and Cokeville. We have no delusions that life and ministry will be slowing down anytime soon, but God gives more grace! And in this, we rejoice that it is not us, but Christ!