We were supposed to leave today for Florida, but due to a slight delay we will leave Sunday. We have leased our house for a year, and the paper work will be signed Saturday.
Thankful for the delay.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Just a Glimpse into the "WHY?"
Disclaimer: With the move and all the talk of missions work, quite a few questions have come from some about the reasons we are doing this. I have several reasons I could share, and if time allows I will, not to get a thumbs up from people, but to clarify and explain our thoughts and reasons for doing what we are doing. It is part of our process and I think it worth sharing.
Toby and I were talking the other day about that moment in time where we just knew we were called to missions. We have heard so many people describe their "called moment" into ministry and usually they hear a voice, dream a dream, see angels descending, or some other great and marvelous moment in time. We thought and thought and there just wasn't one. I am not belittling anyone that has experienced anything like that, but it just didn't happen that way for us. It really evolved over time. God put us in places and opened doors until we are where we are today....at the door of launching into full time missions, living in another country, learning a language, and helping with an orphanage.
One of these "called moments" for us happened in Vietnam. We were there adopting our oldest daughter and our experience there had been blissfully happy until this particular night. We were taken to an wonderful Vietnamese restaurant for dinner in Ho Chi Mien City. It was a lovely evening and the heat of the day was slowly fading. Night life was in full swing, so we decided to walk a few doors down to check a little clothing store that specialized in handmade items for babies. The items were beautiful and I was drawn to the handmade quilts in the back of the store. As we stood talking to the store owner, we heard a banging on the glass front of the store. Looking up we saw a lady holding a dirty, practically naked, little boy up for us to see. She was frantically pointing at us and pointing at the little boy. Puzzled, we went back to our conversation. The banging started again, only this time louder and more frantic. Once again we turned to see the same lady and in greater flurry of frantic pointing and waving. Toby asked the shop owner what was going on and his reply was that she was poor and probably could not provide for the child, so she thought she would give him to us. The look on our faces must have been one of grief, because the owner sent a worker to shoo the lady away. We finished our purchases and exited the store. Two steps down the sidewalk and there she was standing before us. She asked in broken English, "You American? You American?" Nodding, we tried to side step her, but her pleas became even more frantic. Finally, she tried to put the little boy in Toby's arms. Not wanting to draw attention to us and make a scene, we told her no and tried to get way from her. She chased behind us until we were almost running. I guess we finally reached an area that she wasn't as comfortable or something, because we realized she was no longer there. Slowing, I turned to see her standing clutching the child. My heart broke. What would drive a mother to try to give her child to perfect strangers? What could be so terrible? This was not a case of neglect. It was not a case of I don't want this child. There was a desperation in her face I have never seen before or since, and her face still haunts my dreams at times.
No, we didn't see angels, we didn't hear voices, we haven't had dreams, yet we have had all three of these.
Our angels were not so angelic....they were dirty, hungry, and poor.
Our voices were frantic and desperate.
Our dreams, they have been haunted.
We have been asked, "Why GO?" Why leave the life we have? Why drag our kids to another country and culture? How could we not? There are many that are just as desperate as that woman was in this world. They are hungry, dirty, and spiritual poor. My heart aches. It is not an option. God has called, we MUST answer.
Toby and I were talking the other day about that moment in time where we just knew we were called to missions. We have heard so many people describe their "called moment" into ministry and usually they hear a voice, dream a dream, see angels descending, or some other great and marvelous moment in time. We thought and thought and there just wasn't one. I am not belittling anyone that has experienced anything like that, but it just didn't happen that way for us. It really evolved over time. God put us in places and opened doors until we are where we are today....at the door of launching into full time missions, living in another country, learning a language, and helping with an orphanage.
One of these "called moments" for us happened in Vietnam. We were there adopting our oldest daughter and our experience there had been blissfully happy until this particular night. We were taken to an wonderful Vietnamese restaurant for dinner in Ho Chi Mien City. It was a lovely evening and the heat of the day was slowly fading. Night life was in full swing, so we decided to walk a few doors down to check a little clothing store that specialized in handmade items for babies. The items were beautiful and I was drawn to the handmade quilts in the back of the store. As we stood talking to the store owner, we heard a banging on the glass front of the store. Looking up we saw a lady holding a dirty, practically naked, little boy up for us to see. She was frantically pointing at us and pointing at the little boy. Puzzled, we went back to our conversation. The banging started again, only this time louder and more frantic. Once again we turned to see the same lady and in greater flurry of frantic pointing and waving. Toby asked the shop owner what was going on and his reply was that she was poor and probably could not provide for the child, so she thought she would give him to us. The look on our faces must have been one of grief, because the owner sent a worker to shoo the lady away. We finished our purchases and exited the store. Two steps down the sidewalk and there she was standing before us. She asked in broken English, "You American? You American?" Nodding, we tried to side step her, but her pleas became even more frantic. Finally, she tried to put the little boy in Toby's arms. Not wanting to draw attention to us and make a scene, we told her no and tried to get way from her. She chased behind us until we were almost running. I guess we finally reached an area that she wasn't as comfortable or something, because we realized she was no longer there. Slowing, I turned to see her standing clutching the child. My heart broke. What would drive a mother to try to give her child to perfect strangers? What could be so terrible? This was not a case of neglect. It was not a case of I don't want this child. There was a desperation in her face I have never seen before or since, and her face still haunts my dreams at times.
No, we didn't see angels, we didn't hear voices, we haven't had dreams, yet we have had all three of these.
Our angels were not so angelic....they were dirty, hungry, and poor.
Our voices were frantic and desperate.
Our dreams, they have been haunted.
We have been asked, "Why GO?" Why leave the life we have? Why drag our kids to another country and culture? How could we not? There are many that are just as desperate as that woman was in this world. They are hungry, dirty, and spiritual poor. My heart aches. It is not an option. God has called, we MUST answer.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Just a Little Day Dreaming
I woke up this morning to cloudy skies.
The forecast for the weekend is cool and windy.
Can't help myself....day dreaming.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Bring the Dress or Wear Your Running Shoes
During this whole month we have been traveling around our lovely state preaching to gain supports for the orphanage and our funds. Traveling with a 2 year old with food allergies is interesting to say the least. Especially a two year old that will throw up at the drop of a hat.
A few weeks ago, as we pulled in to a church, she decided to bless us by throwing up all over the nice dress she was wearing. I wised up, put the ratty thing on and dress her in the parking lot before entering the church. Great plan if you don't forget her nice clothes.
Last night we were preaching in a town a little over an hour from here. As we pull in the parking lot of the church, I asked one of the kids to hand me Kamryn's clothes. I was met with blank stares. Oh, dear Lord, we had left her clothes at home and the spaghetti strap, sun dress was not going to work.
I told Toby to take everybody but Kaitlyn and Kamryn with him, and I would find Walmart. I have been to this town several times and I thought I knew where it was. Walmart was not where it was supposed to be. Turns out they had built a new one, but after a quick call back to the church we were back on track.
I am sure the people in Walmart wondered about us, because we were like sprinters. Rushed in, found an outfit, and got back to church only 35 minutes late. Hey, I think that was pretty good time.
Moral of the story: If you are going to forget the dress, wear running shoes.
A few weeks ago, as we pulled in to a church, she decided to bless us by throwing up all over the nice dress she was wearing. I wised up, put the ratty thing on and dress her in the parking lot before entering the church. Great plan if you don't forget her nice clothes.
Last night we were preaching in a town a little over an hour from here. As we pull in the parking lot of the church, I asked one of the kids to hand me Kamryn's clothes. I was met with blank stares. Oh, dear Lord, we had left her clothes at home and the spaghetti strap, sun dress was not going to work.
I told Toby to take everybody but Kaitlyn and Kamryn with him, and I would find Walmart. I have been to this town several times and I thought I knew where it was. Walmart was not where it was supposed to be. Turns out they had built a new one, but after a quick call back to the church we were back on track.
I am sure the people in Walmart wondered about us, because we were like sprinters. Rushed in, found an outfit, and got back to church only 35 minutes late. Hey, I think that was pretty good time.
Moral of the story: If you are going to forget the dress, wear running shoes.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Enjoying the Process
Have you ever been caught in the trap of always looking and planning for the future? The kind of planning that says "Yes, I may be doing this today, but in a few years...." A place of never being quite content with where you are in God's plan for your life because of rushing toward the future.
ME...ME...hand high in the air waving it all around!
I am guilty!
Through every adoption I have been guilty of saying, "After this baby comes home, then....."
Every phase of life has always been a rush to get to the next level, take the next step, plan the next big thing.
My kids had even gotten in a habit of playing the how old will I be in 10 years? 20 years? How old will mom be in 5 years? That wasn't the part of the game that I liked.
I know planning is good and needed, because without it we would never accomplish anything. I do wonder, many times, if I am so busy waiting, wanting, and planning that I forget to enjoy the process. Living each moment, savoring it, and never giving it back kind of enjoyment.
When we began this new adventure in our lives, I found myself saying when this is done, then......
This morning I felt the Lord gently speaking into my spirit, "Enjoy today, enjoy this season, enjoy this process.....step back and let me plan for a little while."
Could there be JOY in the day to day, while we wait for the future to unfold?
Several months ago I was faced with a very scary health situation. It looked like we might not get to do any of the things that God has for us to do. Broken hearted I went to Him in prayer and He reminded me that He orders our steps, He is in control, and to enjoy the process.
After prayer and going to Houston, TX, for a second opinion, I was told all was well. Just some old scars left saying I used to have a muscle disease that I was healed from. (That is another post for another time.)
I think it was His way of telling me He has us in the palm of His hand. Each moment in this journey is meant to be examined, held, and savored, because we will never be here at this point in our adventure again. I can sit back and let Him say what is next. I want to enjoy this process.
ME...ME...hand high in the air waving it all around!
I am guilty!
Through every adoption I have been guilty of saying, "After this baby comes home, then....."
Every phase of life has always been a rush to get to the next level, take the next step, plan the next big thing.
My kids had even gotten in a habit of playing the how old will I be in 10 years? 20 years? How old will mom be in 5 years? That wasn't the part of the game that I liked.
I know planning is good and needed, because without it we would never accomplish anything. I do wonder, many times, if I am so busy waiting, wanting, and planning that I forget to enjoy the process. Living each moment, savoring it, and never giving it back kind of enjoyment.
When we began this new adventure in our lives, I found myself saying when this is done, then......
This morning I felt the Lord gently speaking into my spirit, "Enjoy today, enjoy this season, enjoy this process.....step back and let me plan for a little while."
Could there be JOY in the day to day, while we wait for the future to unfold?
Several months ago I was faced with a very scary health situation. It looked like we might not get to do any of the things that God has for us to do. Broken hearted I went to Him in prayer and He reminded me that He orders our steps, He is in control, and to enjoy the process.
After prayer and going to Houston, TX, for a second opinion, I was told all was well. Just some old scars left saying I used to have a muscle disease that I was healed from. (That is another post for another time.)
I think it was His way of telling me He has us in the palm of His hand. Each moment in this journey is meant to be examined, held, and savored, because we will never be here at this point in our adventure again. I can sit back and let Him say what is next. I want to enjoy this process.
21 DAYS UNTIL.......
Each day is a blur. My mind races. There is so much to do to move this family of 7.
The house is packed except for the furniture. We are having to rent two storage units to house all this stuff. I did not have this much when I moved in here. Thankfully, we sold the living room furniture and a few other pieces to a friend.
We had a small hiccup on Monday. Our Suburban started acting up and had to be put in the shop. It was still under warranty and they will have it ready Thursday.
Last night we traveled down to Lafayette to visit with family before we leave. I think of all the things we are experiencing right now, leaving family is the hard part. We helped celebrate a 15th birthday while we were there and enjoyed an awesome time of wonderful food and great conversation.
I am trying to keep school limping along as long as possible. Have dropped all but the core subjects for the time being. We may have to do some major review once we get settled in and start school back up in Guatemala. The kids are so excited that it is hard to concentrate at times.
Praying daily for wisdom in what to take with us.
Kensli had to have two teeth pulled yesterday. She has had so much trouble with her teeth breaking and decaying even with proper care. When he was trying to pull them they broke into small pieces. The dentist checked her jaw because he was a little concerned due to her teeth being so brittle. All was well! Praying that her adult teeth are super strong and healthy.
The house is packed except for the furniture. We are having to rent two storage units to house all this stuff. I did not have this much when I moved in here. Thankfully, we sold the living room furniture and a few other pieces to a friend.
We had a small hiccup on Monday. Our Suburban started acting up and had to be put in the shop. It was still under warranty and they will have it ready Thursday.
Last night we traveled down to Lafayette to visit with family before we leave. I think of all the things we are experiencing right now, leaving family is the hard part. We helped celebrate a 15th birthday while we were there and enjoyed an awesome time of wonderful food and great conversation.
I am trying to keep school limping along as long as possible. Have dropped all but the core subjects for the time being. We may have to do some major review once we get settled in and start school back up in Guatemala. The kids are so excited that it is hard to concentrate at times.
Praying daily for wisdom in what to take with us.
Kensli had to have two teeth pulled yesterday. She has had so much trouble with her teeth breaking and decaying even with proper care. When he was trying to pull them they broke into small pieces. The dentist checked her jaw because he was a little concerned due to her teeth being so brittle. All was well! Praying that her adult teeth are super strong and healthy.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Count Down is On.....23 Days
I can't believe we leave Alexandria next week. The last couple of months has flown by and I wish I could have had time and Internet connection enough to post all the things we have done. Guess I will have to do some catch up posts in Guatemala.
We leave on November 1, for Napels, Florida, to do a leadership training seminar for a pastor friend. The kids should love that! The beach will be visited several times I am sure. Hopefully, I will get some time to sit, think, and drink in the beauty of the scenery.
November 14, we board the plane out of Miami for Antigua, Guatemala. I honestly can't believe we are this close. The kids keep saying, "I wish we were leaving tomorrow."
The house has to be completely packed up before we leave. That has been a very large task to live in a house and pack it up, too, while trying to keep it clean for showing. Ready for this phase to be over.
I know that we are in the palm of His hand and thank Him daily for allowing us to be called. He gives us strength!
We leave on November 1, for Napels, Florida, to do a leadership training seminar for a pastor friend. The kids should love that! The beach will be visited several times I am sure. Hopefully, I will get some time to sit, think, and drink in the beauty of the scenery.
November 14, we board the plane out of Miami for Antigua, Guatemala. I honestly can't believe we are this close. The kids keep saying, "I wish we were leaving tomorrow."
The house has to be completely packed up before we leave. That has been a very large task to live in a house and pack it up, too, while trying to keep it clean for showing. Ready for this phase to be over.
I know that we are in the palm of His hand and thank Him daily for allowing us to be called. He gives us strength!
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