We were hoping for a more joyous announcement as we were approaching 14 weeks of pregnancy and were planning to make an announcement to all of you that our third child would be born the first week of May but that is not the news that we get to send. Rather, we are writing to ask for prayer for our family as the Lord both gives and takes away. Tuesday morning Karina went to have a specialized scan that is required in France for downs syndrome but we were confronted with the reality the the baby's heart had stopped. From all indications it had occurred within the previous day to two days. We have shed many tears, including the kids, and many more we be shed over the coming days. I am reminded of the song "Blessed be the name of the Lord" where the lyric says, "He both gives and takes away, He both gives and takes away but my heart will choose to say, 'Lord blessed be your Name.'"

Please pray for: 1. Healing emotionally and physically in the weeks to come.

2. Karina, as our doctor is out of town and the procedure to remove the baby is scheduled for next week. Our prayer is that she won't go into a miscarriage situation before then. We would like our Doctor to be able to walk us through this in English.

3. Jake and Katie as they had already gotten to see the baby and hear the heart beat.

4. Us as a couple and family that we will glorify God and possibly share the gospel with our Doctor and or the nurses.

Job 1:21-22 This was Job's response after God allowed Satan to kill Job's children.

21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Job 1:21-22). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Sincerely,

Willie, Karina, Jacob & Katherine

As this Thanksgiving Day approached the question came up, "What are you thankful for?" There are so many reasons to be thankful---family, friends, the one you love, grace . . . We are truly thankful for the grace that God has freely given (Rom. 1-3) for none of us are worthy, the fact that he allows us to proclaim it to the world, and he has chosen us before time for this great commission together.

Thanks for partnering with us,

The Servers Willie, Karina, Jake and Katie

Ministry in motion

The past few months have been a been full steam ahead in both ministry and life. We have jumped into ministry full force at IBC St. Paul and Nice with the worship team on Sunday mornings and Sunday School as well. Karina is going to host the, once a month, Ladies Tea in December to encourage/fellowship with the women of both churches. I (Willie) am involved with a Thursday night Bible study and have gotten to teach once this semester. I look forward to the possibility of increasing my load next semester. The other aspect of "Ministry in Motion" is our daily life, they are not separate but one and the same. The kids head to school at 8:30 and we are starting to see relationships built with some of the families that Karina and I have met at the school gate. Karina has even been invited to a group of ex-pats through this for a "book club." Though they self admittedly don't read a book anymore but just visit over dinner. I am being blasted with French class 3 hours a day/ 5 days a week and my ministry is the relationships being built there. Pray for Saleem (he is from Syria) and his wife are expecting their first child at the end of December.

On this Thanksgiving Day, as you celebrate we ask that you thank God for what he is doing, has done and will do here in France.

Thankfully Yours,

The Server Willie, Karina, Jake & Katie

To HELP encourage us as we are away for the holidays, please keep us on your Christmas Card List!!!

Our Address is:

Willie & Karina Server 21, Rue St. Michel 06140 Vence, France

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"Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

I went to the text and what I reminded her of was to read the passage in context, the verses before and after. As believers we can be assured that the Lord has his best in mind for us, but his best might not be what has been ingrained in us from the world's point of view.

What can we take from the first few verses of Proverbs 16 . . . 1. Commit our requests and concerns to God through prayer; 2. Remember from v. 2 that God weighs those requests and concerns by our motives (our heart); and 3. Finally, v. 4 "The Lord works out everything for his own ends-- even the wicked for a day of disaster." Notice the word "everything," that means everything, not most or some, but everything. He is in control, not us, no matter what we think.

So, what does success look like in God's Sight? Take the time to get in your Bible today and read Matthew 6:25-34 and take a glimpse of what it looks like. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Remember that we are not promised health and wealth but are called to seek him first and it is the Lord that weighs our motives and works out everything for his own ends. Today, I pray that you seek him first and strive for success in his sight and not the world's.