As we near the end of our time here in Belize, people often ask me how I'm feeling. It is a bittersweet time in my heart. I am anxious to be near my older two children and my extended family. There are many things I cannot wait to once again have that I can only get in America. And AC will be so nice once again.
But I will miss most of all...my church family. LifeNet functions are the highlights of my week:)
Last night, the girls had their final dance for the group they are in. It was in LifeNet's facility and many of our church family came to see the girls. They would have come even if it was somewhere else. But we have such a support system here for our girls. It is the church where we walked through adding not one, but two more children to our family. And our church family has embraced and loved our girls through it all.
The past two Sundays (and most Sundays), we have enjoyed lunch with families from the church after service. The choices to eat are about two different restaurants, so it is not about the food. But the laughter and just enjoying being family has blessed my heart in such deep ways.
Living in a country with a lot of missionaries, I am surprised how many of them do not plug into a local church with complete dedication. It is not uncommon for missionaries to feel they served all week with a team so take a Sunday to go to the beach or pool. I am thankful that we are church planters and pastors. I see how it has grounded us more. We have always lived our life around Sundays. If it is a Sunday, we are in the house of the Lord. I see how it has grounded our children. My heart breaks for the next generation of children who have not been taught the importance of commitment to a local church The simple act of faithfulness. Because what I have seen it is in that faithfulness, that people have a support system when they go through hard times. It is in that faithfulness of going to church when you feel like it and when you don't feel like it, God can meet you in those hard places. It is something I see in young believers. When they finally commit deeply and become faithful, it is where they really begin to grow deeper in the Lord. There is something very powerful about faithfulness to the local body.
A while ago, I went monthly to a support group for foster and adopted children, but as this past school year started, I decided not to go anymore. I really wanted to shift to us just being a family...not so focused on the "adopted" part. There is a shifting that happens that is hard to explain. But sometimes you just don't want to focus on that part all the time anymore. Recently I ran into one of the other foster moms, and we caught up. Then she said if you don't come, how will you have any support? And I thought for a second, and said, but I do have support. So much support. From my family and from my church family. I have a village around me, who encourage me. I have a very strong family in my NetGroup that meets each Thursday. And I realize how blessed I am because of it.
As we go into this next season, I pray that the Lord quickly provides where we are to pastor next. I want to begin the process of building new church family. I want my girls to have the stability of one solid, consistent thing in their lives again. I am so grateful to parents who taught me from very little the importance of being committed to a church home. I am so grateful that I have been married to a man who also was raised with the same values. And my prayer is that as my children move out on their own, that they will also value that in their lives.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Sunday, March 11, 2018
What is He up to?
This morning, I am just in this strange place. Not knowing where we are going next. It is a new, deeper level of faith for us. We don't have any idea what is next for our family.
I am having dreams like crazy. God is doing new things in me spiritually. And all I can do is think, "What are you up to, God?"
I feel like He is stretching Lee and I in new ways. Once again, we are having to learn to be flexible. The nester in me is tired. I want a beautiful home with all the luxuries I have lived without for the past years...but I moreso want to be in the middle of where God wants us to be. I want my kids to be "safe", but then I see how much living here, where it wasn't always safe, was so good for my older two. It built trust in God. They have a very real relationship with their Father in Heaven because sometimes it is all we have had.
I have done so much reflecting over the past seven years, especially as we celebrated the Anniversary of LifeNet last week. God has done so many amazing things. But for every miracle, a battle in the spiritual realm preceded it. But every battle has been worth it. I have had many dreams of my "spritual children" lately. It is crazy, but I think God just reminding me that every sacrifice has been worth it.
In America, I was so protected from real, raw hurt. Here, I face it every time I leave my gate. It is all around me. I understand more why desperate people do desperate things. I have a greater understanding what poverty does to a person. And how it affects future generations. I struggle to understand the amount of money spent on drugs and alcohol when there are starving babies at home. But I see how those strongholds make people not care. Sometimes my heart is so heavy, that I feel it will burst. But then, I realize that is when the Lord is building deeper compassion and understanding in me.
There is a popular saying in the adoption world. "I can't change the world, but I can change the world for one child." Sometimes we deal with situations or we visit old living places of my adopted children and realize that their world is so different simply because Lee and I said yes. And our lives are different too. They are stretched and pulled. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed and wish for an easier journey, but then I see...God is birthing in me deep compassion and I am learning what the word Grace means.
This place of trusting God for our next steps. Selling all we have and not knowing where it is that we are going. Knowing that the next time we come back to Belize, we will not have this "home" we have lived in for seven years. It is a strange place. But also a place where God has every opportunity to direct our every step.
I am having dreams like crazy. God is doing new things in me spiritually. And all I can do is think, "What are you up to, God?"
I feel like He is stretching Lee and I in new ways. Once again, we are having to learn to be flexible. The nester in me is tired. I want a beautiful home with all the luxuries I have lived without for the past years...but I moreso want to be in the middle of where God wants us to be. I want my kids to be "safe", but then I see how much living here, where it wasn't always safe, was so good for my older two. It built trust in God. They have a very real relationship with their Father in Heaven because sometimes it is all we have had.
I have done so much reflecting over the past seven years, especially as we celebrated the Anniversary of LifeNet last week. God has done so many amazing things. But for every miracle, a battle in the spiritual realm preceded it. But every battle has been worth it. I have had many dreams of my "spritual children" lately. It is crazy, but I think God just reminding me that every sacrifice has been worth it.
In America, I was so protected from real, raw hurt. Here, I face it every time I leave my gate. It is all around me. I understand more why desperate people do desperate things. I have a greater understanding what poverty does to a person. And how it affects future generations. I struggle to understand the amount of money spent on drugs and alcohol when there are starving babies at home. But I see how those strongholds make people not care. Sometimes my heart is so heavy, that I feel it will burst. But then, I realize that is when the Lord is building deeper compassion and understanding in me.
There is a popular saying in the adoption world. "I can't change the world, but I can change the world for one child." Sometimes we deal with situations or we visit old living places of my adopted children and realize that their world is so different simply because Lee and I said yes. And our lives are different too. They are stretched and pulled. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed and wish for an easier journey, but then I see...God is birthing in me deep compassion and I am learning what the word Grace means.
This place of trusting God for our next steps. Selling all we have and not knowing where it is that we are going. Knowing that the next time we come back to Belize, we will not have this "home" we have lived in for seven years. It is a strange place. But also a place where God has every opportunity to direct our every step.
Friday, March 2, 2018
What Would You Do?
This weekend was a crazy one for LifeNet. We had a team of young people here from Seattle, and I believe it is a trip they will never forget.
We had the demonic manifest on Friday night, had an amazing move of the Holy Spirit at the Life Advance on Saturday, and then another manifestation on Sunday morning during our service. But you see, God is more powerful and mightier than any schemes of the devil. And that is our confidence as believers. Our leaders were stretched, but it was a growing experience for all of us.
But by Monday morning, Lee and I were just emotionally and physically wiped out. So we decided to take a day off and go visit Spanish Lookout. It is like a little piece of Texas and we have a family in our church, that we like to visit when we go. We always come back refreshed.
Lee and Erika had left a little before us to run an errand and drop off the van for mechanical work. So, the other girls are I were in the SUV on our way to pick them up and head out of town. As I was driving up the street, a local guy that I know, but would not normally stop for, waved me down. Not knowing what he wanted, I was a little unsure, but felt I was supposed to stop for him. A lady was on her way walking to the hospital (prob a 30 min walk from here) and was not going to make it. Could I take her to the hospital? Instantly, I knew it was the right thing. It is not America where you can just call 911 and even calling a taxi for her, I just felt there was no time.
I did not know this woman. I have never seen her before. I still would like to find the guy to see if he knows what happened.
As she got in my car, she was sweating profusely ( it is not that hot yet). She was barely breathing. Every breath was a battle. She smelled strongly of smoke, like she had been around it or just smoked. I immediately laid hands on her and prayed. I didn't even ask permission. Then began to drive, praying the whole way. Praying for God to keep me calm. I am not calm in emergencies. I began to think what will I do if she dies? Yes, it was that critical. The hospital has changed recently and I was not sure how to get her to the ER. I left the girls in the car so I could walk her in. It was just crazy. Noone there to help. No wheelchair to put her in. But God helped her walk in. But as soon as I got the security guard to open the door, (I had to scream at him that it was an emergency!!), the ER doctors were working on her immediately. I think she was having a heart attack. But the miracle and blessing is that I got her there alive. I pray that the few minutes she was in my car, she felt Jesus.
I also pray that I can see her again. That I can share Jesus with her. That I can tell her that it was not just a coincidence that I was driving by. That Jesus had me go at that very moment to help her because He loves her and cares about her.
We are in the final months of our time here in Belize...and it seems like God is just taking things up a notch as we go:)
We had the demonic manifest on Friday night, had an amazing move of the Holy Spirit at the Life Advance on Saturday, and then another manifestation on Sunday morning during our service. But you see, God is more powerful and mightier than any schemes of the devil. And that is our confidence as believers. Our leaders were stretched, but it was a growing experience for all of us.
But by Monday morning, Lee and I were just emotionally and physically wiped out. So we decided to take a day off and go visit Spanish Lookout. It is like a little piece of Texas and we have a family in our church, that we like to visit when we go. We always come back refreshed.
Lee and Erika had left a little before us to run an errand and drop off the van for mechanical work. So, the other girls are I were in the SUV on our way to pick them up and head out of town. As I was driving up the street, a local guy that I know, but would not normally stop for, waved me down. Not knowing what he wanted, I was a little unsure, but felt I was supposed to stop for him. A lady was on her way walking to the hospital (prob a 30 min walk from here) and was not going to make it. Could I take her to the hospital? Instantly, I knew it was the right thing. It is not America where you can just call 911 and even calling a taxi for her, I just felt there was no time.
I did not know this woman. I have never seen her before. I still would like to find the guy to see if he knows what happened.
As she got in my car, she was sweating profusely ( it is not that hot yet). She was barely breathing. Every breath was a battle. She smelled strongly of smoke, like she had been around it or just smoked. I immediately laid hands on her and prayed. I didn't even ask permission. Then began to drive, praying the whole way. Praying for God to keep me calm. I am not calm in emergencies. I began to think what will I do if she dies? Yes, it was that critical. The hospital has changed recently and I was not sure how to get her to the ER. I left the girls in the car so I could walk her in. It was just crazy. Noone there to help. No wheelchair to put her in. But God helped her walk in. But as soon as I got the security guard to open the door, (I had to scream at him that it was an emergency!!), the ER doctors were working on her immediately. I think she was having a heart attack. But the miracle and blessing is that I got her there alive. I pray that the few minutes she was in my car, she felt Jesus.
I also pray that I can see her again. That I can share Jesus with her. That I can tell her that it was not just a coincidence that I was driving by. That Jesus had me go at that very moment to help her because He loves her and cares about her.
We are in the final months of our time here in Belize...and it seems like God is just taking things up a notch as we go:)
Trusting God's Timing is Always Perfect
This Faith walk is at times, very puzzling. Often I feel like we are walking with a blindfold on. It seems as if each time, God stretches us a little bit more.
"Do you trust me?", He says.
We do, of course. We trust Him with our very lives. We trust that He will provide. That does not mean we sit back and do not do our part. Faith without works is Dead. We must trust and act, listening as He gently whispers in our ear. See, God doesn't ever give us the whole picture. Coming to Belize was purely obedience. We had to trust every little step. That He would find us a home. That He would bring people to build a church. But we had to go out, as well, and build relationships. But when He is in it, it is actually pretty smooth and pretty easy. That is how obedience is. Even with our children, it is always easier when they just listen. When they obey what we say without a fight, it is so much smoother.
I am in a time of stretching. God is stretching me in new ways. And a lot of it has to do with trusting this whisper of the Holy Spirit. Trusting that God truly is holding our family in His hands.
God's timing is crazy.
We have been trying to get in the building for years, and all of a sudden...it is coming to completion. Every day, Lee is excited to tell us the new thing that has been done. Every time I go to the building, there is something different. But the timing is perfect. Never early. Always right on time.
We have lived in the same house for seven years. Slowly, we are selling things and it is feeling empty. But God is providing buyers, so that we will have finances on the other side to start again. The very fact that the landlord is ready to take the house back now...right when we feel it is time to go. God's timing is so perfect.
Kailey's adoption was right on time. The very last day that it needed to happen, it did. And we are believing the same for Aviya. Although this blind faith is difficult at times, when we are walking through it, hindsight is always easier.
Please do continue to pray for the transition of LifeNet. We are in such an exciting time. Every week, I can't wait to see what God is going to do. Which also makes it sad to leave. But I am confident that God will take the church to even greater places once we leave. I am excited as I am seeing new leadership stepping up.
Also, please pray for the next place for our family. It is so nervous not knowing where God will send us next. But we do believe God holds our little family in the palm of His hand. He knows our hearts' desire to be close to our big kids and our parents. And we await the good plans He has for us.
"Do you trust me?", He says.
We do, of course. We trust Him with our very lives. We trust that He will provide. That does not mean we sit back and do not do our part. Faith without works is Dead. We must trust and act, listening as He gently whispers in our ear. See, God doesn't ever give us the whole picture. Coming to Belize was purely obedience. We had to trust every little step. That He would find us a home. That He would bring people to build a church. But we had to go out, as well, and build relationships. But when He is in it, it is actually pretty smooth and pretty easy. That is how obedience is. Even with our children, it is always easier when they just listen. When they obey what we say without a fight, it is so much smoother.
I am in a time of stretching. God is stretching me in new ways. And a lot of it has to do with trusting this whisper of the Holy Spirit. Trusting that God truly is holding our family in His hands.
God's timing is crazy.
We have been trying to get in the building for years, and all of a sudden...it is coming to completion. Every day, Lee is excited to tell us the new thing that has been done. Every time I go to the building, there is something different. But the timing is perfect. Never early. Always right on time.
We have lived in the same house for seven years. Slowly, we are selling things and it is feeling empty. But God is providing buyers, so that we will have finances on the other side to start again. The very fact that the landlord is ready to take the house back now...right when we feel it is time to go. God's timing is so perfect.
Kailey's adoption was right on time. The very last day that it needed to happen, it did. And we are believing the same for Aviya. Although this blind faith is difficult at times, when we are walking through it, hindsight is always easier.
Please do continue to pray for the transition of LifeNet. We are in such an exciting time. Every week, I can't wait to see what God is going to do. Which also makes it sad to leave. But I am confident that God will take the church to even greater places once we leave. I am excited as I am seeing new leadership stepping up.
Also, please pray for the next place for our family. It is so nervous not knowing where God will send us next. But we do believe God holds our little family in the palm of His hand. He knows our hearts' desire to be close to our big kids and our parents. And we await the good plans He has for us.
Monday, February 5, 2018
I am doing a new thing
In 2001, Lee and I had been married nine years. We had two beautiful children. Tori was 2 and Josh was 5. We had pastored two churches ( the second one was a plant). In May of that year, we released the church but did not have direction what the next step was. Ministry had been hard on us. We were weary. I did not want us to be in full time ministry anymore. We moved in with Lees parents for a time of just asking God what was next.
It was during this season that I remember feeling discouraged. It was during this season that we met a man who has remained one of our greatest mentors. He never could have known then, but what his words of encouragement did for us. Our lives could have gone a very different way. But he believed we could do it. We could try again. We could plant another church. And we went on to plant two more healthy churches and see both moved into a building before the Lord releasing us.
This weekend, Dennis and Patsy Easter came to Belize. It was their 49 th anniversary and they came and blessed us. They blessed me in such deep ways.
I kept looking at Dennis as he ministered to our leaders, took our pastoral staff to dinner and ministered again on Sunday morning and could not believe he was really here. And his wife, Patsy, so down to earth and loving and encouraging to me. How she understood things about my life that her words just breathed life and energy into me. Dennis is a brilliant man. His ministry was annointed. I hung on every word as I felt God speaking through him to me.
Sunday morning, he spoke on Isaiah 43:18-19
The message was for our congregation but so perfect for what Lee and I are walking through.
Right now, I am sitting on a beautiful balcony overlooking the ocean.
Dennis and Patsy have and continue to support Lee and I here in Belize. Their desire was to take our family on a vacation so we could recharge for this final sprint of our journey. The heartbreaking part is that Patsy got sick and they had to go home. But allowed us to still stay here lwith our girls.
We would not have had a vacation now. Not here. Not like this. But God used them to bless us so we could just be as a family. We have so many big changes coming.
God is doing a new thing at LifeNet. We are so excited. But he is also do a new thing in our family. And we are excited about that too.
We are so thankful that He goes before us. He prepares us for what’s coming. He prepares the place we are going.
I sat on the beach this morning watching my girls attempt to body surf and having the time of their lives. Feeling that we don’t deserve this. And God just smiled and told me to soak it all in. To enjoy what He is doing for us. So I am.
It was during this season that I remember feeling discouraged. It was during this season that we met a man who has remained one of our greatest mentors. He never could have known then, but what his words of encouragement did for us. Our lives could have gone a very different way. But he believed we could do it. We could try again. We could plant another church. And we went on to plant two more healthy churches and see both moved into a building before the Lord releasing us.
This weekend, Dennis and Patsy Easter came to Belize. It was their 49 th anniversary and they came and blessed us. They blessed me in such deep ways.
I kept looking at Dennis as he ministered to our leaders, took our pastoral staff to dinner and ministered again on Sunday morning and could not believe he was really here. And his wife, Patsy, so down to earth and loving and encouraging to me. How she understood things about my life that her words just breathed life and energy into me. Dennis is a brilliant man. His ministry was annointed. I hung on every word as I felt God speaking through him to me.
Sunday morning, he spoke on Isaiah 43:18-19
Isaiah 43:18-19 New International Version (NIV)
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Right now, I am sitting on a beautiful balcony overlooking the ocean.
Dennis and Patsy have and continue to support Lee and I here in Belize. Their desire was to take our family on a vacation so we could recharge for this final sprint of our journey. The heartbreaking part is that Patsy got sick and they had to go home. But allowed us to still stay here lwith our girls.
We would not have had a vacation now. Not here. Not like this. But God used them to bless us so we could just be as a family. We have so many big changes coming.
God is doing a new thing at LifeNet. We are so excited. But he is also do a new thing in our family. And we are excited about that too.
We are so thankful that He goes before us. He prepares us for what’s coming. He prepares the place we are going.
I sat on the beach this morning watching my girls attempt to body surf and having the time of their lives. Feeling that we don’t deserve this. And God just smiled and told me to soak it all in. To enjoy what He is doing for us. So I am.
Trust
I think of how as a child, if we grow up in a stable home, we just trust. As a child, I always knew my parents would take care of me. I never knew hunger. I always had a safe place to stay. Even during times of transition.
Several people have asked me how am I doing. Not knowing what’s next. And honestly, I am totally covered in His peace. I’m in a season of feeling God very close to me. Or I’m close to Him. I have no idea where I’ll live in six months, but I am peaceful. I love worship. You know that by now I’d you’ve read my blog. God speaks to me so powerfully as I worship at church or alone.
My current favorite song is, “I am no victim.” Here’s the link if you want to listen. I am no victim
This particular verse just keeps playing over and over in my spirit.
I do not know where we will go next. I know that my Father God knows Lee and my giftings. I know that He also knows the desires of my heart. I know that He has never let me down. And that He loves our family. And that is just the most beautiful place to be.
Several people have asked me how am I doing. Not knowing what’s next. And honestly, I am totally covered in His peace. I’m in a season of feeling God very close to me. Or I’m close to Him. I have no idea where I’ll live in six months, but I am peaceful. I love worship. You know that by now I’d you’ve read my blog. God speaks to me so powerfully as I worship at church or alone.
My current favorite song is, “I am no victim.” Here’s the link if you want to listen. I am no victim
This particular verse just keeps playing over and over in my spirit.
Cause He is my Father, I do not wonder
If His plans for me are good
If He'll come through like He should
'Cause He is provision and enough wisdom
To usher in my brightest days
To turn my mourning into praise
I do not know where we will go next. I know that my Father God knows Lee and my giftings. I know that He also knows the desires of my heart. I know that He has never let me down. And that He loves our family. And that is just the most beautiful place to be.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Mission Accomplished
This is what I feel the Lord telling me these days. It is a weird place to be...the transition. But I feel like He has been telling me thank you for doing what I sent you here to do.
Seven years ago tomorrow, we got up in freezing cold temps, with two kids throwing up, a dog in a carrier, an active preschooler and seven suitcases and many carry-ons and headed to the airport before dawn. Just a few hours later, we landed in Belize City. We were already weary, but thankfully were greeted by missionary friends who just loved on us and welcomed us into this new, very hot life that God has called us to. We spent the first night with them and it was a friendship that we really treasured over the years.
Even that first day, we felt the beginning of the spiritual battles that we would endure over the years. Our poor kids. But we survived and only were made stronger through each experience.
The next day, we came and moved into a hotel for seven days. We went and ate lunch at a restaurant of a couple that would become one of our first families in the church. I just met with her yesterday and she shared how they look to us as parents and how much they will miss us. God called us to be spiritual mom and dads to the Belizean people. To teach them what healthy, real, godly families look like. And we have many sons and daughters now here in Belize. So many young women that I love like a daughter. Lee has so many sons. So many marriages that we have walked through hard times with and seen them come out victorious. I think we have also taught what a healthy church should look like.
Today, Lee posted the newest picture of the new building. It is still a little surreal. For so long, we worked and worked on raising funds for the building. For so long, we prayed to be in the new building. Now, it is all happening. Lee and Kudzai are overwhelmingly busy as things are moving at the building and pastoring the church. But I am so thankful we are still here for this part. That we get to see the dream come to completion. To see what God asked us to do, come about. It is the most beautiful thing.
Coming and leaving. It is always such a long process. Today, I looked at an apartment for our final months here. I am not sure if we will get that one. But the landlord is who we had for a month seven years ago. She remembered us well. She couldn't believe how big Erika is. As we sell all of our things, figure out what to ship home, there are just so many details to deal with. Yet, I feel peaceful in the midst of it all. I feel God's arms around me in a deeper way than I have in a while. Just a sweet contentment in the season we are in.
I want us to leave in a healthy way. And I feel that we are. I feel that God has been in every step of the transition. I feel that the people at LifeNet are at peace, as well. There has just been such a sweet presence of the Lord in our services lately. The set up of our current sanctuary is intimate. Something that was lacking at George Price. I am thankful that we had someplace to rent all of those years, but there is something about worshiping in your own home. Being able to set the atmosphere. Not the sterility of a rented facility.
God is so amazing. I am so grateful to Him for the way He has been just so faithful to Lee and I all of these years. How He is faithful to Josh and Tori at their college. Tori calls me all the time and just tells me how thankful she is for where she is at. I love that she wants to share what she is learning in class or at chapel. God knew that SAGU would be the perfect place for our kids to land after years on the mission field.
Please continue to pray for LifeNet, that they will go to the next level without us!
Please pray for our family, as we don't know what is next. We pray that soon we will have some direction. Pray as we integrate our children into a very different culture over the next year. We are excited to see where God will use us next.
Seven years ago tomorrow, we got up in freezing cold temps, with two kids throwing up, a dog in a carrier, an active preschooler and seven suitcases and many carry-ons and headed to the airport before dawn. Just a few hours later, we landed in Belize City. We were already weary, but thankfully were greeted by missionary friends who just loved on us and welcomed us into this new, very hot life that God has called us to. We spent the first night with them and it was a friendship that we really treasured over the years.
Even that first day, we felt the beginning of the spiritual battles that we would endure over the years. Our poor kids. But we survived and only were made stronger through each experience.
The next day, we came and moved into a hotel for seven days. We went and ate lunch at a restaurant of a couple that would become one of our first families in the church. I just met with her yesterday and she shared how they look to us as parents and how much they will miss us. God called us to be spiritual mom and dads to the Belizean people. To teach them what healthy, real, godly families look like. And we have many sons and daughters now here in Belize. So many young women that I love like a daughter. Lee has so many sons. So many marriages that we have walked through hard times with and seen them come out victorious. I think we have also taught what a healthy church should look like.
Today, Lee posted the newest picture of the new building. It is still a little surreal. For so long, we worked and worked on raising funds for the building. For so long, we prayed to be in the new building. Now, it is all happening. Lee and Kudzai are overwhelmingly busy as things are moving at the building and pastoring the church. But I am so thankful we are still here for this part. That we get to see the dream come to completion. To see what God asked us to do, come about. It is the most beautiful thing.
Coming and leaving. It is always such a long process. Today, I looked at an apartment for our final months here. I am not sure if we will get that one. But the landlord is who we had for a month seven years ago. She remembered us well. She couldn't believe how big Erika is. As we sell all of our things, figure out what to ship home, there are just so many details to deal with. Yet, I feel peaceful in the midst of it all. I feel God's arms around me in a deeper way than I have in a while. Just a sweet contentment in the season we are in.
I want us to leave in a healthy way. And I feel that we are. I feel that God has been in every step of the transition. I feel that the people at LifeNet are at peace, as well. There has just been such a sweet presence of the Lord in our services lately. The set up of our current sanctuary is intimate. Something that was lacking at George Price. I am thankful that we had someplace to rent all of those years, but there is something about worshiping in your own home. Being able to set the atmosphere. Not the sterility of a rented facility.
God is so amazing. I am so grateful to Him for the way He has been just so faithful to Lee and I all of these years. How He is faithful to Josh and Tori at their college. Tori calls me all the time and just tells me how thankful she is for where she is at. I love that she wants to share what she is learning in class or at chapel. God knew that SAGU would be the perfect place for our kids to land after years on the mission field.
Please continue to pray for LifeNet, that they will go to the next level without us!
Please pray for our family, as we don't know what is next. We pray that soon we will have some direction. Pray as we integrate our children into a very different culture over the next year. We are excited to see where God will use us next.
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