May is always always busy for us. The sun is out....well, it was out for about four days....summer is coming. We are on the home stretch of the school year, both the kids and I are beyond done and ready for summer. It's time to switch out the sweaters for the shorts. Time to finish all the spring projects before the hot weather arrives----if it ever arrives.
In May we celebrate Mother's Day, Malachi's birthday and my birthday---along with my eldest niece, nephew, father in law, best friend, and best friend's son. Our schedule is full of celebrations, parties, and special family dinners.
On top of all the busyness of life, we've been busy with "missions stuff." All the stuff that goes along with being a missionary that is building relationships and raising support to return to the mission field.
This is just the beginning, things are just going to get crazier from here. The to do list is growing, and the calendar is filling up.
Today SJ Hill (a former professor of ours) said this: ""The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."//The best way to understand this quote is to replace the word "and" with "by.""
To bring God the most glory, to please Him the most, all I need to do is enjoy Him. Can it really be that simple? Yes, it really can. God is more interested in intimacy and fellowship with me than He is in how much I accomplish in a day's time.
So, as we head into summer, knowing full well that it's going to be a crazy three months, I am reminded to slow down where it counts. Slow down and enjoy God. Enjoy His presence, His love, His goodness.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
They need us.
I realize that my posts have been less than exciting the past several months. As things begin to rev up in our journey back to Africa, I am sure we will have more interesting and personal news to share.
We are looking at 9-12 months before we move to Africa, depending on God's provision and timing. It seems like plenty of time, but we know it will be here before we know it.
Once again, we are faced with the reality of what we are asking our children to give up. As adults, we understand and are at peace with giving up the comforts of America and the ease of living near family and friends. It isn't without some sadness, but the discomfort is temporary, the benefits eternal.
We talk about the Nations and those who have not heard about Jesus with the kids often. Now our conversations have shifted into preparing them to return to Africa, for longer this time. Sometimes these conversations are met with tears of sadness not wanting to leave their friends and family, especially their little cousin. Sometimes they are met with excitement, as they remember the adventures we had last time. And some times, they are met with understanding and maturity beyond their young age.
We have told our kids it is important that they are always honest with mommy and daddy about how they are feeling about being missionaries. It's OK to be sad. It's OK to be happy. It's OK to be both at the same time. It's OK to not want to go sometimes. It's OK to be excited to go sometimes. They have done a good job at being honest, expressing a wide range of emotions.
During bedtime prayer last night we asked the kids, how are you feeling about Africa. Daughter, whose answer changes from day to day, moment to moment, said, "I am feeling good!". We asked why, expecting the run of the mill answer of some fun memory from our last trip.
With sincerity and maturity she looked at us and said, "Because I realize there are people who don't have what we have. They don't have food or clothes, and they don't know Jesus. They need us."
Tomorrow her answer may be different, but I know that God has been ministering and speaking to her heart, bringing her comfort and understanding far beyond what mommy and daddy ever could.
Thank you, Father, for speaking and ministering to our daughter. Please continue to prepare and protect her heart for what lies ahead.
We are looking at 9-12 months before we move to Africa, depending on God's provision and timing. It seems like plenty of time, but we know it will be here before we know it.
Once again, we are faced with the reality of what we are asking our children to give up. As adults, we understand and are at peace with giving up the comforts of America and the ease of living near family and friends. It isn't without some sadness, but the discomfort is temporary, the benefits eternal.
We talk about the Nations and those who have not heard about Jesus with the kids often. Now our conversations have shifted into preparing them to return to Africa, for longer this time. Sometimes these conversations are met with tears of sadness not wanting to leave their friends and family, especially their little cousin. Sometimes they are met with excitement, as they remember the adventures we had last time. And some times, they are met with understanding and maturity beyond their young age.
We have told our kids it is important that they are always honest with mommy and daddy about how they are feeling about being missionaries. It's OK to be sad. It's OK to be happy. It's OK to be both at the same time. It's OK to not want to go sometimes. It's OK to be excited to go sometimes. They have done a good job at being honest, expressing a wide range of emotions.
During bedtime prayer last night we asked the kids, how are you feeling about Africa. Daughter, whose answer changes from day to day, moment to moment, said, "I am feeling good!". We asked why, expecting the run of the mill answer of some fun memory from our last trip.
With sincerity and maturity she looked at us and said, "Because I realize there are people who don't have what we have. They don't have food or clothes, and they don't know Jesus. They need us."
Tomorrow her answer may be different, but I know that God has been ministering and speaking to her heart, bringing her comfort and understanding far beyond what mommy and daddy ever could.
Thank you, Father, for speaking and ministering to our daughter. Please continue to prepare and protect her heart for what lies ahead.
Monday, April 26, 2010
And so it begins....
Yesterday was World Missions Day at our home church, True Life Church. It was a great time of being able to share the vision and burden God has given us for West Africa.
Over the past two months, we have been sharing and talking with others about Africa, but yesterday felt like a launching point. It's real now. We are really going to be full time missionaries.
The journey has begun. It is an exciting and nerve wracking time all at once. It takes a lot of faith to leave the familiar and live in a foreign land. It takes just as much faith to walk the journey of preparation. A journey of faith and trust in God as He prepares your heart, your families hearts, and the hearts of those who will partner with you. A journey of faith as you raise funds, trusting in God to provide for each and every need.
God is good, and He does good. All this is for His Kingdom, for the sake of the Gospel.
Over the past two months, we have been sharing and talking with others about Africa, but yesterday felt like a launching point. It's real now. We are really going to be full time missionaries.
The journey has begun. It is an exciting and nerve wracking time all at once. It takes a lot of faith to leave the familiar and live in a foreign land. It takes just as much faith to walk the journey of preparation. A journey of faith and trust in God as He prepares your heart, your families hearts, and the hearts of those who will partner with you. A journey of faith as you raise funds, trusting in God to provide for each and every need.
God is good, and He does good. All this is for His Kingdom, for the sake of the Gospel.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
World Missions Day this Sunday at True Life Church in Vancouver, Wa. Join us and learn more about AFN.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Child Trafficking
We must pray and bring the truth and love of Jesus to break the stronghold of poverty if we really want to see things like child labor come to an end.
http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-January-2-2010/Ghana-Child-Trafficking
http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_8583000/8583499.stm
http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-January-2-2010/Ghana-Child-Trafficking
http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_8583000/8583499.stm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)