It's a BOY!

Elliot Edward Diem was born!

Friday March 16, 2007 at 11:43pm. Becky was correct on her baby prediction. Elliot was born with a full head of dark hair. However she was a little shy on her weight guess, he was 7lbs 9oz. We praise God for a safe delivery and a healthy boy!

Doesn't Becky look great! (Fortunatley you can't tell that I lived in those close for a couple of days). Saturday morning Steve picked Josiah up from his sisters house, and after having special daddy time, brought him to the hospital. Josiah was his first visitor! You can see how much he enjoyed his new tools that were presents from his little brother.

On Sunday the 18th Becky and Elliot were able to come home from the hospital. Just when you thought we could not fit anything else in our car...

In His Time

Becky's due date is officially one week from today: March 9th. Everything is ready to go. Suitcases are packed and in the trunk, cell phone fully charged, video camera (with new tape), names picked out, care for Josiah figured out and now we are just waiting patiently for Baby #2.

Here is where we have been this month:
February 11 - rescheduled for June
February 18 - Hill Village Bible Church, Hill NH
February 25 - Epping Bible Baptist Church, Epping NH
~~Our support is at 33%!!

Thoughts from Becky:
I'm trying to look at each day that the baby doesn't come as a gift from God knowing Baby will come IN HIS TIME. For at least a couple weeks I won't have the energy to keep up with him Josiah, so I've been trying to spend extra special time with him. We have had lots of fun playing in the snow, painting, going on walks, taking trips to the library, reading books, watching special movies, and extra snuggles. Yesterday I had an ultra sound and the baby's weight was normal. My doctor had talked about inducing me early if the baby was going to be larger than 8lbs. I have been reading a book on intercessory prayer and the book of Job. I have come to realize what tough times really means and how often I through that phrase around too loosely.
It was neat to see the Lord work out our deputation schedule this month. Our one meeting out of state my doctor didn't give me the clearance to go to. But it ended up getting rescheduled for June. Our meetings this month have been in NH, which has been nice because car rides are a little uncomfortable these days.

Thoughts from Steve:
Our thoughts and attention have been directed toward the arrival of our new Baby. We still don't know if it is a boy or girl so we are anxious to meet our new little one. Thank you all for praying for Becky. She has been gaining weight steadily and so has Baby.
The class this semester at NSTM on Church planting was excellent. Our final was this last Thursday. The last two weeks of March I begin a two week class the principles and practice of missions taught by Henry Heijermans. I am thankful for the opportunity to take advantage of the teaching. If you have interest in missions and church planting these would be worth picking up.
The book list includes:
"Spontaneous Expansion of the Church" - Roland Allen
"Missionary Methods" - Roland Allen
"Communicating Christ Cross Culturally"
"A People for His Name" - Paul A. Beals

Last week I led music in our home church. It has been almost a year since the last time I had done that. Becky and I have enjoyed the preaching of our interim Pastor very much. Currently he is going through Philippians. And it was one of those messages that I felt was just for me and it was the first time in a while that a message made me emotional. It was on Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Sometimes deputation feels heavy and what a rest we have knowing that God will get us there IN HIS TIME.


Baby Predictions:
Dark Hair and eyebrows
8.5 lbs.
Boy/Girl?? (Everyone seems to think it is a girl)

Isaiah 26:3-4

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."
Isaiah 26:3-4

God's peace is:
1.) guarded - "Thou wilt keep him.."
2.) complete - by nature of the word used for peace - shalom encompasses a wide range uses regarding safety and wellness; health, prosperity,peace, rest, wholeness.
3.) unending - "the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

Our response then must be of:
1.) a mind stayed - literally "propped up by" or leaning on
2.) on God alone - "Whose mind is stayed on thee."
3.) that continually trusts. "Trust ye in the LORD forever."

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7


The new year has begun!
January 1 - Happy New Year
January 3 - Our three year anniversary!!
January 7 - Collinsville Bible Church, Dracut MA
January 14 - Baker River Bible Church, Wentworth NH
January 17 - Mountain View Bible Church, Dublin NH
January 21 - South Hope Community Church, South Hope ME
January 24 - Faith Baptist Church, Palmer MA
January 28 - Center Barnstead Christian Church, Barnstead NH

However, time in the car is starting to get a little more uncomfortable for Becky as her due date with the new baby Diem approaches (March 9th!). She is measuring up what she should and is at a healthy weight. We are praying for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

Steve has recently been in the emergency room. An infection on his leg went out of control and the redness was soon the size of his hand. From his knee down was entirely inflamed and swollen. They let him go that night from the ER but he had to return for 3 more visits to receive more of the IV antibiotic regiment. Under doctor's order he is took it easy for a few days. After which the swelling and redness is virtually gone they are confident he is going to be fine.

We Praise God for:
Steve is back to normal
A full schedule of meetings
We have heard from two churches: we are at 20%!
God's abundant provision

Please Pray for:
Good health
Becky's pregnancy
Our ministry to churches to challenge and bring about lasting impact
Our walk with the LORD to growing and abiding

No More Jelly Donuts and Welcome to Mexico

It is hard to believe that Christmas is Monday!
Here is where we have been this last month:



December 3rd – New Hartford, CT
December 10th – Litchfield, ME
December 14th – Missions Night: Mexico, ME
December 16-18 – Brewer, ME


We are looking forward to the next couple weeks home side to rest and reconnect with family and friends.


Becky’s Deputation Perspective:

I only have 10 weeks left before the new baby comes! Where we are going to put it in the car when we are on the road… I do not know. Josiah’s new thing is wanting to be held like a baby when he drinks from his sippy cup, he wants to be the baby. Josiah is handling nursery’s and over nights in new houses very well. The car seat is a different story. Our neighbors let us borrow their DVD player for our four hour ride to Maine last weekend. That was a blessing. The first hour I thought it was on and Josiah starred at the “play” menu. The music really was repetitive so I checked the screen and sure enough, I didn’t hit play yet! After this he learned to say “on.”


Dad’s Deputation Perspective:
I really thought Josiah would enjoy a jelly donut. I don’t need to finish this story it’s kind of self explanatory, you’d think I’d have some foresight. Anyways 10 wipes later we had him cleaned up and after 10 more wipes we had most of the car seat and his shoes somewhat less sticky.

January is going to be a big month for us. Many churches have their annual business meetings and we are going to be voted on by several churches. Please pray that the Lord would lead.


A verse that I have been clinging to is:

Psalm 62:5
“My soul, wait thou only upon GOD; for my expectation is from HIM.”

David’s confidence, defense, and deliverance came only from God. He knew that God alone was in control. Though man seemingly plans and proceeds, it is God whom David clung to. The unchangeable, all powerful, all wise God. David didn’t wait on man to come to his aid, David’s one expectation was that God would show up and take care of him. He waited only for God.

As men pursued David and planned mischief against him their plans were in vain because an Almighty God was on David’s side. In this chapter David calls God his rock three times and also his defense, salvation and refuge, He declares that power and mercy belongeth to God.

With this view of God David then exhorts:
“Trust in him at all times; ye people”

On deputation and in daily life many times we feel like we have to wait on man for things to happen and for things to get done. I am encouraged by this verse to:
1.) STOP being anxious
2.) PRAY without ceasing
3.) WAIT only on GOD
4.) EXPECT nothing from man and everything from GOD.
5.) PRAISE God as we see Him answer.

If we expect everything from man and nothing from God we will always be let down.
and Missionary William Carey said:
“Attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God.”