June 15, 2013
The picture above, taken of the sign Shannon has hanging above our kitchen pantry, is an apt summary
for the last few months for us! Life has been full with leading the region, normal Navy reserve work, a
40-week graduate-level joint reserve course that wrapped up at the end of April, and “regular” family
life. We are just beginning to come up for air, starting a much-needed, week-long family vacation
today. Here’s a snapshot of what the Lord’s been up to with us this past semester.
MINISTRY MINUTE
At the end of the Spring semester (May 3-5), we brought together the Nav laborers in our Mid-Atlantic
Collegiate (MAC) region for the MAC Family Gathering. During this time we reconnected and
celebrated what God had done among us over the course of the year. Cloaked in a Hawaiian theme, we
shared encouraging stories about students coming to Christ, the growth of Christ-centered community on
campuses, and the increasing heart of students for their peers. On the harder side, staff region-wide were
tired from the full pace of months of ministry, one campus was still recovering from the March
nightmare of losing a very involved student to suicide, and several were facing big transitions over the
summer. Having the opportunity to share life with our co-laborers helps keep us going in the work.
Region staff at our end-of-semester “MAC Family Gathering” Luau
And the work does keep going. Four single staff and three couples are launching out of MAC, most
having completed staff-in-training or EDGE (one or two year internship). Some are getting married,
others are moving on to support an urban campus initiative launch in Atlanta, and still others are
relocating to get further training in other regions. We are encouraged the MAC continues to send out
laborers into various areas of the Kingdom, but we’ll miss these friends and co-workers heaps. On the
other hand, we have three singles and one couple joining the region this summer, and five couples and
five singles taking on new roles within the MAC. Lot’s of change to navigate & assist with!
As our second year leading the region comes to a close this summer, catalysts like all these transitions
make us more mindful than ever of the privilege and daily challenges of getting alongside more than
sixty people scattered over five states & Washington DC. Someone always needs care, development, or
guidance, and special situations abound that demand more focused input. Certainly there is “Never a
Dull Moment!” We love this role, but we can’t do it without the wisdom of God, the partnership of
friends like you, and the other amazing MAC teams the Lord continues to build. Next time we’ll share a
bit about our MAC Regional Leadership Team, which the Lord raised up this year to guide the region.
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
The girls are officially done with school for the year, and they are very excited for the summer!
Moriah (15 on Tuesday!!!) – What a semester! God continued to bless me throughout the rest of my
freshman year, allowing me to keep up piano and enjoy learning how to compose music. I feel like God
has allowed me to discover more of myself this year and I am praying he will keep doing so. Summer is
already going by far too fast. This week, we traveled down to Florida for a beach vacation, and I am
looking forward to spending time as a family and winding down from the busyness of the school year.
Cana leaving for college has not yet become a reality in my mind, although I look forward to “taking
over her room!” She’s not too happy about it…yet. Please pray I will fall more in love with Jesus and
be a humble sophomore (translation: “wise moron”) next school year. Blessings & prayers, Moriah
Adalia (16) – My 10th grade year’s was quite a journey. College prep classes and being on a competitive
team sport made school stressful at times, but depending on God through all the homework, tests, meets,
and projects helped me pass all my State Assessments. I tried out once again for competition cheer this
next year and made it. I look forward to being part of the team and further developing friendships with
different girls around the school. Another recent highlight is traveling to Florida; the trip was very long,
but I helped in the driving and banked several hours towards getting my license. Hanging out with my
sisters over the summer at the beach and pool has been great fun already! I don’t want this summer to
end! I can’t wait for Cana to go to college to start working with horses, but I’m going to miss her a lot.
Please pray for continued growth in my relationship with God. Addie xx
Cana (18) – As of Friday, June 7th, I officially ended high school! God has done so much in my life
these last 13 years, using 10 different schools, dozens of friends, family, and teachers to grow not only
my knowledge, but also my character and walk with God. This coming fall, I’ll attend West Texas A&M
University in Canyon near Amarillo, studying Equine Industry & Business. Go Buffs! I plan to get
involved with The Navigator ministry as well as trying out for the Equestrian team and joining the
school’s percussion ensemble. Right now, I am just enjoying the freedom of summer, helping out with
pony camps at the equine therapy I volunteer at, and vacationing with my family before I have to leave
them for college . Thanks for all the prayers. Please continue to pray for me as I move forward into
the future God has planned for me. Have a wonderful summer! Love, CJ 
Spotswood grad with Distinction. Well done, CJ!
John grad - Joint Forces Staff College
PRAYER
"May the Lord Jesus Himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts
of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech."
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 (The Message)
Lord, we ask that the Fitzgerald’s would:
1. Consistently be surprised by the love and gifts You have for them as they rest in you.
2. Receive a freshness in the hearts this summer after finishing this academic year.
3. Be invigorated for Your work this summer and in the new academic year ahead.
Please let us know how you are doing and anything we can be praying for you on!!!
Love,
The Fitzgerald’s
Mid-Atlantic Collegiate (MAC) Regional Leader
240 Rachel Drive
Penn Laird VA 22846
(540)421-2388
[email protected]
www.navstaff.org/fitzgerald