McKinstry E-News … Spring 2019
God Has a Better Plan Is God Messing with Your Plans? It’s been sixteen months since we transitioned from life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to life in Barcelona, Spain. We have followed God’s call on our lives carrying big dreams and big ideas with big faith. We knew God had called us, we were committed to…
Read MoreHome…where God provides
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” This weekend, I wanted…
Read MoreFall 2018 Update … It’s All About People
It’s “La Navidad” and many were eating “churros con chocolate” while breathing in the wonder of this beautiful city we call home; but not everyone.
Read MoreWhen You’re Standing Head to Head with Jesus, He Needs to Win
I was standing a top of my favorite place to visit in Barcelona, doing the touristy-thing with my parents, climbing the steps to the top of the Tibidabo, to see the view of Barcelona. Oh, and there’s a huge statue on top, of Jesus… every time we have gone up there we take a group…
Read MoreSummer 2018 Update
IT’S HAPPENING … TOGETHER! “Two are better than one…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9a) There’s something so very significant about “together.” Life is sweeter “together.” Burdens are easier “together.” And the impossible becomes possible “together.” Consider just a few of the examples of the power of together in Scripture. …if two of you on earth agree about anything…
Read MoreThe Nest is Empty
We reached another milestone as parents this week. WE MADE IT THROUGH THE TEENS! The day before our youngest’s 20th birthday, I sent her a celebratory text “It’s your last day as a teenager!” and she responded, “And your last day of being a mom of a teen!!” Wait! THAT news wasn’t quite as…
Read MoreGrowing Together for Twenty-Five Years
Twenty-five years. It’s so hard to believe. Twenty-five years ago a 19 year-old girl and a 22 year-old guy made vows to God and each other in front of more than 300 people that they would love, honor, and respect each other, for the rest of their lives. And here we are! I remember…
Read MoreSpring 2018 … Keep Climbing and Find a “Wow”!
[Jesus] went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him… (Matthew 5:1) Yes, we are climbing mountains here in Spain… The mountain of language learning The mountain of cultural adaptation The mountain of empty nesting The mountain of cross cultural ministry The mountain of introducing secularized people to Jesus To compare our transition from life…
Read MoreWalking a Tightrope
I’m a huge fan of “The Great Showman” I honestly think I’ve watched it… well, I’m sure more than you! One of the songs “Walking a Tightrope” has been going through my head, on repeat. In the movie as actress, Michelle Williams is singing this song, she is singing of the adventure of…
Read MoreLet’s Get Real…
Barcelona! Here we are. Here we have been, for just about 7 months. And for me, I’ve mostly stayed quite, because quite frankly, for me it’s been a battle. If you’ve talked to me for more than a minute, you know that I just say how it is… I’ve struggled to share my thoughts though,…
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