For friends and family and those in between otherwise known as framily. For those who we have failed to communicate with lately, let’s have a quick catch up on all things Collins.

Josiah is looking forward to the being outside as much as possible as the nights get lighter although he will miss his Dr. Who nights with Phil.

He is also looking forward to joining a new Parkour class this spring. Of course, you already know that Parkour is ‘the activity or sport of moving rapidly through an area, typically in an urban environment, negotiating obstacles by running, jumping, and climbing’.

Bella took to the stage this week in the school play Pinocchio. She enjoyed every moment! She is still dancing and of course smiling.

Jessica and Emily are heading down to LA today to take part in various outreach activities on Skid Row, Venice Beach and with Metro Kidz. Pray for 120 of our youth as they drive down to LA. That they will know travelling mercies and be a God given blessing to those they meet. Love their heart to serve.

Phil is loving leading church and preaching up a storm whilst dreaming of hiking enduring paths on various continents.

You probably know we applied for Permanent Residence last year. Not the best timing as they overhauled the system in January and we have to go through a number of steps to be ‘invited to apply’. These are all underway. One of the steps is for me to sit a 3-hour English test at the end of March (Phil already sat his) and also re-advertising Phil’s job to adhere to the new requirements. Many have said ‘but you’ve been here for 5 years – surely that counts for something’. True! But the new system requires us to prove that the Englishman is the right one for the job. We confirmed this with our MP who attends our church who just happened to be sitting with the Immigration Minister in Parliament. We like to get the facts from the top.

And me…

I have just started a new module for my writing course. The last module took far too long over the last year, 2014 a distant memory. Kinda…I am so excited about this module as it is my favourite writing subject ‘Life Writing’ so be prepared for my non-fiction to take on new a new level of creativity.

I am walking everyday, clocking up those 10,000 steps on the fitbit. Phil and I take every Monday to find a new mountain to climb or trail to run. Much ground is covered in every way miles and miles of praying…walking…talking. A healthy time for us in marriage, for our family and ministry. A friend commented on how fortunate we are to have that time together. It’s true, and like everybody else, we have a huge to do list. (Especially in our home – goodness). But at the top is the list is this intentional time.

And I get to snap great pics.

And I got new trail runners 😉

As the twins head off to LA, the remaining Collins 4 are going on a road trip down the Oregon Coast for Spring Break. Cannon Beach first then we see where the wind blows…

That’s all for now, thanks for reading and staying in touch.

Love and Prayers,

Michelle xo

This one is for you…

Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in us. Ephesians 3:20

Can you imagine living this?

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them…Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:4