Nomads for the summer

The sun disappears towards our home in the east; the days of summer are longer and renewing our strength with each added hour of daylight. Our schedule has eased without the constraints of a rigorous work and school schedule. Family is within minutes and we often visit parks and the library along with lots of doctor’s visits with several crisscross trips across the nation to visit loved ones and fellowships.

Grocery runs now become a place of “It’s my turn, you went last time.” No more loud announcements and masses of people with interesting fishy smells. We actually find the trip to the local grocery store quite relaxing. I walk down the Asian aisle and I am immediately taken back to Chiner.I miss our home in the East. I miss dear friends and wish that facetime dates could be more consistent with sweet sisters back in Asia. I decide to add tofu to the dinner menu because there is just a hankering too strong to forgo. I grab soy sauce and head to get the cherry tomatoes for the pasta trying to grasp that life for our family feels like two completely different worlds.

A collision of our worlds.

My youngest daily request the Chinese dumpling, her favorite food, but in the same breath she begs me to let her in assisting me make a homemade apple pie. After 2 days of prepping for a not so fun procedure, I was craving everything (I believe I actually dreamt about food while under anesthesia) and so the next day after the procedure, I head to the store and purchase all the needed ingredients to meet this request. Apple pie and quality time with my girl seem like the perfect way to get back into normal life.

Our kids sure enjoy some jaozi (dumplings)



and apple pies!

We bake the pie and all seems to be well in our little world. I marvel at the gift of life and the friends and family that we have shared treasured moments with these past few months.  From college friends to best China friends visits, to holding our nephews for the first time, life seems to be passing quickly as we try and savor each moment.

A football scrimmage at my hubs alma mater, rollie-pollies found in abundance, Lewis, Clark and the dog adventures (little G thinks that the dog must be included as he was of utmost importance to the expeditions of the Missouri River). All of this has become a beautiful patchwork of a summer of memories.

The past two summers have been some of our busiest times, a husband with studies, others to take care of and a business to get rolling. My time was spent lugging our lemon-ish design Target beach bag and five kids back and forth from the pool. It was a brisk pace of life and we have needed a slower pace.

We are beginning to take deeper breaths, far away from pollution and bodies are beginning to heal from the wear and tear of city living. School is still in session in our home as we went from homeschooling three to five. After weeks of adjustment for all of us, the lessons being learned and the hearts being poured out in journals, makes it strengthening to all of our souls.

We are seeing again, that one is never away from the battle and to keep our gloves up, as the enemy looks to steal, kill and destroy no matter the continent. We have tasted His goodness and realized that even all the Tex-Mex that these last few months have offered truly can't satisfy a hungry soul. We have learned that someone can cause pain and hardship even with an ocean between us. We are stopping and seeing that our kids really are growing up way too fast and what a gift to see genuine joy spill out in their everyday life with big smiles and the sweetest little giggles. We realize that we appreciate a blue sky in ways we never did before. We are seeing our sin even when lots of big stressors have been taken out of the equation. Really it just makes us realize how much we are in need of His continued deep work in our hearts. We are sensing a love of a Father that envelops all of us as He pursues and pours out His generous love.

This summer is not about seamless days and ease. It is about us holding onto His promises, seeing Him in it all and us taking precious moments to sit with Him and with each other as we beg for mountains of mercy as we sojourn in this land.

The upside down rainbow seems like it fits pretty well for us the little nomads.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who call us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. Fort this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, with self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:3-7

 

 

Living the Foreign Life

The land was foreign. He was the foreigner.

It was a place of no familiarity but with each step Abraham headed to the place of promise. The journey was leading him further and further away from his home and closer to fulfilling the forever promise.  Each step led Him closer to God. The Lord spoke, “I will make you a great nation because I AM your God.”

 

The journey was long and rugged. Desert lands and waters crossed. Setting up camp and tearing down over and over again and spoken of as the stranger wherever he went.

 

Along the journey God gave him insights; this will be home for your people someday.

 Keep going.

It will be home…one day.
He did things like plant trees and build altars.
Gave a tenth of everything (which was quite a lot) and received visitors.
Pitched a tent and looked up to count the stars.

He worshipped the Eternal Creator.

 There were those who looked at his success and intimacy with God with awe. There were those who looked at him as the foreigner from Ur…or Haran.

I am sure there were times he felt unwelcome. I am certain there were days when all he wanted to do was go back to the home of his ancestors. No doubt he craved his grandma’s home-cooking.

The comfort of the familiar can lead us to a life of trying to pitch our tent in this our temporary home instead of living each breath with the hope of being with the One who sits enthroned forever.

Still the voice of the Lord was clear; Go out from your land. Leave your relatives.
Go out from where those who look like you and talk like you and eat like you.Go. And pitch that tent of yours.

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He might be calling to you…

Leave that neighborhood of yours…take that new job…adopt that sibling group…enroll in school...teach that children’s class…give that tax money away…stay right where you are.

The Lord’s callings so different for each of us though the promise of the His nearness and goodness are each of our guarantees.

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As a child He spoke that I was to go.

Leave your family and home.

You know those people who really get you and love you regardless of your mood or selfish ways. The ones who knew you when you were an awkward seventh grader with glasses trying to rock the plaid skirt. Those loved ones who embrace you each time you return home.

For six out of the seven past years we have planted our trees and dug wells in a foreign land. We have aimed daily at making this place our home away from home. Then somewhere along the way our hearts have made room for another place that we call home.

Though we continue to be the foreigner with the tall nose, something about the daily struggle to live in a strange land, and a deep love for the people, He does something un-natural for your being that doesn’t prefer change. Your family no longer next door, you begin to depend and treasure those whom just a year ago were strangers. The forever home becomes your view and a confidence that He can make even the foreign familiar on this earth renews your trust.

The foreign truly becomes familiar.

Then I see that tree we planted or read the journal entry when He said “Go”. I see how the Lord has held us during the hardest wilderness thus far. You count it joy that all of those things that used to feel culturally odd now start to feel normal and love pours out. The granddad starting his morning by hitting himself against a tree feels normal and healthy. The crowds of people that gather around your children to take pictures all those sausages hanging from your neighbor’s patio and riding my bike to meet up with a friend on a Monday night are just everyday life.

Then the countdown begins for how many more nights we have until we return

“home” and we can look up to the heavens and actually see the stars without the pollution stealing the glory of His nightly show.

 The days ahead of soaking up family time with parents, siblings, cousins and college friends feels way too good to even imagine. It seems a dream to have more than a few days. The Lord truly is the giver of all good things. We open our mouths wide and He pours out in abundance.

The packing begins and my mind and heart processes these past three and half years. They were so good and yet so painful.

 The Lord so near though there was some tearing. A glorious work in many hearts unraveled and wrapped up in Christ love. A deep working in my own heart as it was broken and re-broken. Lives were restored and friendships made. Healings performed and sisters bonded for life. Three new children added to our family. A marriage strengthened by the crushing’s and joys of life. Chinese food inhaled by each one of our children.

I think of the plane trip in less than two weeks. I realize that though Chipotle with all its tiny bowls of guacamole and parks of grass where our children can roam are ahead, there is a life that we have made here. Life doesn’t remain on hold just because we leave our other home. Friends will move on from this place, our apartment walls cracks from previous earthquakes will continue tearing off paint and our language abilities will most likely regress. What will relationships look like once we cross the pond? Will relationships with loved ones be distant or will we fit right back where we used to be?  What about the big Sunday service? Will we judgmental to those whom live above our set standard of living? Home now seems unfamiliar at parts.

HE has made ready our home…and with each step away we see promises fulfilled and God’s faithfulness revealed.

Home is with Him.

 
For the sake of the gospel, the status of foreigner, now seems sweet and though it can cause a culture day now and then, it brings a joy from above that as a girl He made it clear to me that His callings surpass our dreams of comfort and security.

All the while the longing for the eternal home satisfies this thirsty soul and keeps me pressing in so that my life will tell of His promises throughout all generations.

Goodbyes said and tears shed…Lord willing we will make that voyage west in just a few short days.

Get ready our tribe is headed your way! And we want to see you all!!!! We are EXCITED to GO home!!

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Gen 21:33-34; Gen 12:7; Gen 14:20; Gen 18; Gen12:8; Gen 15:5; James 1:17; Acts 7;

Rev 21:22-23; Isa 60:1-2; Ps 81:10; Jer 29:5-7;Ps 107:9; Ps 37;James 4:8; Ps 145:9

 

 

 

Before you cross

Pondering these days on this time two years ago, it still makes my heart flutter a little bit. I hold on with a greater grasp and with a deeper understanding that He certainly does guide and make all things new even in the midst of struggle.

-----I stood at the bank, the waters stopped and the rest of the journey was ahead.

My body weathered from a difficult pregnancy and c-section. Our tiny four week old baby preemie had just begun to find the source of provision and no longer was the bottle her place of safety. Weeks before her birth, we had brought home two boys that were worn from years of hardship and a sense of not being wanted and cherished. One floundered, the other surviving as both were trying to take on a new role, family, culture, language and country. The little boys scooted over and let these new big brothers fill their shoes. They graciously loved, yet at times struggled to know their place.

 My husband pushed us all to prepare for setting sails in a few days. Four months before I had packed bags in a day and took a language test to leave our home in Asia because of pregnancy complications. Now I was filling suitcases for seven with the basic necessities. I was still not quite comfortable with having a newborn as she was my first and I wasn’t sure what an eight year old would like to play with for the next three years.

Those on the outside might have believed we were blossoming. Pictures showed happy smiles and matching outfits on these once orphans, but we knew that they only showed us what was really going on in their storm-tossed hearts. We were all stumbling and looking for the Savior to grab us by the hand.

I stood there that day packing in weariness questioning, not His will, but how were we to survive the 60 plus hour return trip let alone living together in a foreign land away from family and familiar. We barely knew each other and there seemed to be more brokenness being spilled out then joy of a new family formed. My lot seemed especially heavy during that season. I begged Him to see me in my weakness and give me rest.

I stepped in the waters. The Father’s tender words reminding me of my covenant to follow and forsake myself; I had vowed these words eight years before as we became husband and wife on that hot and humid July day. No matter the voyage, I chose to follow.

Actually, it began as a six year old as I gave Christ my heart and then years after during my freshman year in college – I laid my life down and said, “I consider everything a loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus.” It is the phrase that has held me together on times when the wilderness seemed endless.

My heart will always be His so I want to follow even when it doesn’t feel good or seem like the easy path.

The waters parted and we crossed the ocean to follow His calling.

Leaving the wilderness does not mean that our days of suffering our complete, it means the abundant is ahead hidden with lurking enemies, mortal temptations and a land flowing with abundance.

As we step over we place that stone down and remember His workings, deliverance and promises fulfilled. Just as He hovered over us as we marched on in the wilderness so too His presence will be our sustainment as we begin to take possession.

We all have endured pain, whether it is a new land, ache of a lost family member, death of a loved one, a sister revealing her faith just wasn’t as genuine as we believed, a broken child, financial woes or a distant spouse.

Our faith remains constant even if our emotions and strength falter.

The path up until this point has been treacherous and thrilling. Day of hardship has been met with acts of provision and awesome works. The Sustainer of all meets the need even when complaining lips were the source of a request from a worn people. He knows our sufferings and though His heart detests our questioning of His goodness, He still hears.

 He is the means of rescue from the enemy, He hears our every cry.

It is through each of these that we see the Lord’s provision and goodness. He graciously gives us seasons in the broad places and there we rest and prepare for the journey ahead; because the giants have already been seen and we know that battles are ahead.

We must remind ourselves again and again that what we are really longing for are for our feet to be in our forever home.

Life is beautiful but there were (and are) certainly days of affliction. We cry tears of pain and we laugh with hearts full of thanksgiving. On our best days a little more life draws us together as we hope for what another day will bring.

This God in His ways surpass what we hoped and even knew possible.

He led us to barren places and to those with a view too beautiful to capture.

We are learning to trust Him again and again that He is truly good.

Trust Him that He is goodness. Trust Him as He ask you to take that step of faith resting confident ---that He is present in the storm and feast.
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A new year brings with it a new way to prepare for the glory unseen. Our family is choosing to embrace the journey and struggle in this year of great mercy.

From glory to glory…

 

Football on the east side

Fall was a special time for our family as we got to see our man in action.

 

My husband is a great coach. Years ago when he sensed the Lord telling us to move overseas he gave it up.I am certain he would be a college coach right now if he would have stayed on that path.

yet...

The Lord set him apart for something else these past years. For seven years he basically put this passion aside, though on an occasional sleepless night I found him awake dreaming up a new offense.

 

The Lord in His goodness...He gave it back to him in a completely different way than we could have imagined.

 

He became the coach of a new city team. This sport is pretty new to these parts. My browsing through a local magazine led him to inquire about the team and months later, he was their coach. Its not quite on the level of Texas, but these Chinese guys have taken this sport to heart.

 

As one player told my hubs after the season, "I thought I was joining the team to play football but in reality I learned so much more about a life of character from you."

 

The Lord gives us gifts and we get to use them for Him. He offered his passion and knowledge and used it as a gift for the Kingdom. 

 

What we thought was sacrifice becomes the gift.

 

The hubs remained faithful to a calling. He remained faithful to His Lord and the giver of all good things allowed what we thought was a dream of the past to be returned.

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This fall we also joined up with Children's Hope Chest. Our family is preparing to visit Ethiopia and as we wait we are looking for ways to pour love into that place. One of our favs was a Turkey bowl where a bunch of friends participated and raised a whole lot of money, that was then sent on to our boys homeland.

 

In the morning the hubs played QB for the Turkey Bowl, helping them win the championship! He then rushed over and coached the Mustangs to victory that afternoon.

 

 The QB and me

There he is in action.
He's still got it!

Lil G enjoying her fries at the game.

Half-time pep talk.
yep, the coaches voice came back



Team Ethiopia

 

Leave a message if you would like to partner with us to send love to Ethiopia.

Our summer vacay!!

School is back in session. The summer was mostly spent at home or poolside. Right before school began we traveled to an Asian country to the south of us. It is by far one of our top places ever. We love it there. Even the big city. Here are a ton of pictures from our wonderful, vacation.

 

This place is beauty. Take me back.

We took an overnight flight that was only 4 hours long and then the next day we hopped on bus for about nine hours. We were not all at our best at that point, but to see the view above, I would definitely do it all over again. Thank the Lord for the kind Chinese tourist who were sitting by us that so graciously moved seats, offered snacks to our screaming and whining children and even exchanged pleasant conversations about our shared love for their homeland. We just happen to be there on their big religious holiday. And the area of the country just happen to be where most folks travel back to so they can spend time with their families. It was a special experience for our family to see this culture, so family orientated. Boy, do I love their modesty. We shared many conversations with those whose beliefs differ from ours. One of the perks was a shared belief that children are a gift and hey you all should have more...you only got five kind of attitude.

 

The kids (and us) might just have enjoyed some ice cream every day!The boys put their creativity to work and well -showed the love of Jesus. We had just a few stares.



These two.
They are about as close to twins as you can get.

Umm...this is a favorite. On those days when I
feel overwhelmed at the needs of our five...
I should just look back to this and remember these moments. Pure beauty.




Yummy seafood. I do not allow myself to eat seafood in this area  (that requires a post by itself) so when I am less than feet from the ocean I make it a priority.

These kids live life to the fullest in their own big way

Hubs did this at least 1083 times per child

He is so adorable!

I have a thing for jumping



She is such a joy.
Pretty much all the time.

 

Thanks to a kind stranger we got a family picture

See there I go jumping again.

He is such a fabulous Dad.

Soak it up Marilla.

We built a city.
 Complete with garden, school, church and a great wall.
 

My love of ten years.

This thing was huge. How many times did I tell the kids to step
away and stop poking it with a stick. It was science lab 101 by the end.

Ok, she has her moments.

 

Oh, my baby boy. That smile is what made me ache for six moths
while waiting to go get them in Ethiopia.

He has a heart of LOVE

We got to see one of our favorite families.
Though my boys might have taught their sons some bad habits
I believe our short reunion was quite sweet and memorable.

Who would have guessed 7 years ago our (almost ) 9
children would be sitting together watching a movie and eating Chili's for dinner.
I love the Lord's ways.
So thankful for these precious friends!!