One Year Ago Today….
We said goodbye to everything familiar, walked on to a plane and entered a whole new world. I remember how I felt walking off that plane hit by the heat and humidity. Tyler was begging to get back on the plane and in all honesty part of me was right there with him. We waited an hour the immigration line with two children who were so exhausted that they fell asleep on the dirty concrete floor. When we arrived at our home we all took a short nap. I was the first to wake up when there was a knock on the door. I opened the door and suddenly realized that I didn’t speak the language of the person infront of me… so I freaked out and just shut the door. In that moment the reality of my situation sunk in, I knew NOTHING about life here. This is how our year begin, but I would have never imagined how far God would bring us this first year.
This Past Year We Have Begun Learning…
A new way to eat, cook, drink, talk, clean, shop, listen, dress, travel, greet people, dance, drive and I could go on. Just about everything we do in life we have had to relearn how to do in a new way. However what is most amazing is what God has been teaching us this year.
- How to walk forward in uncertainty and trust that God will lead us in the right direction
- In times of darkness it is okay to just cling desperately to the truths God has given us
- Little blessings are always around when you look for them
- The hardest part of change is letting go of the familiar
- Some days it is okay to just scream!
- Becoming a learner is hard and humbling
- Prayer really makes a difference
It has been AMAZING YEAR and our journey has only begun.
Jesus Lead On…
You have been a great testimony of putting your faith and trust in God. You have experienced some great highs and lows that will carry you on. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Praise the Lord for the work he is doing in and through you and for the faithfulness he has shown you all. I think one of the many things I’ve learned from you this year is the power of prayer. God answers prayer, but there have to be prayers to be answered. Your open and honest sharing has enabled you and your family to be blanketed in prayer, and God has worked in amazing ways. I do not know if you could be standing where you are at today if it hadn’t been for all the prayers going up to the Father on your behalf. Thank you for reminding me of the power of prayer and the importance of continual, heartfelt sharing with the body of Christ. I have so much to learn, and I continue to learn from you. Thank you. I love you!
Thank you for sharing these things you have learned – they are so applicable for all, though we may not sense the urgency of them like you do. God has done such mighty work in you all in the past year. So many things to praise Him for – water, shelter, growth (spiritually, culturally, emotionally, in language, etc.), a great school situation for Tyler, a wonderful host family, Joel’s safe travel, etc., etc.! These updates are so precious for us and remind us to praise and pray. Thank you for writing so regularly. I am eager to hear what God is doing in all of you.
You have come a long way. You took God’s hand and He has lead you down a path of uncertainty. Yet you have grown closer to Him and become better through it all. I pray this next year will be smoother.