Turning our thoughts

Turning our thoughts to our Stateside assignment. It's that time again and while I've been back and forth all summer it's just not official until we are together as a family. I can't believe how fast 3 years have gone by and what these next few years will hold. Sometimes I stand amazed at why the Lord has chosen us to be apart of something so amazing. The Big country has been in our hearts for over 13 years. I remember in Little Ozark, Alabama how the Father began to really give us a burden for understanding the people of East Asia. I can't tell you how relieved I felt the night we knelt down on the floor of our kitchen in Wakeforest, NC and finally surrender to the call to go. Unified, together, Dwayne and I committed ourselves to serve the Lord in and among unreached peoples. That call never changes, however, we have learned that serving doesn't always mean where you think it ought to be. We've lived in so many countries, traveled to so many distant lands and yet, still we serve. I guess today as I wake up I'm in awe of the hustle and bustle of the streets, the sea of heads that swarm all around me, the loud voices saying, wei, ni hao.... The often times push or shove that comes as I enter a door way or try to exit. How cool it is that I know these people so intimately. I have seen the Word come to life in ways I don't think I could fully understand. I understand Paul's words when he says," I pray for you night and day". When he is in the midst of conflict and begs for unity. When he is broken over the lostness around him and the condition of the church. It always amazes me how much emotion swells up inside of me both good and bad when it's time to turn my thoughts to our stateside. Alot of mixed emotions.....

This next year will be a time of real reflection and appraisal for us. To seek the Lord and to see where it is we are to be next. Each term we do this and so we go before the Lord again and seek His will for the next chapter of our life.

These past 3 years and including this one we are heading into...will have been full of memorable moments. We will have sent off all our children to college. Hopefully be close to seeing one graduate from College.

It's time to turn our thoughts to new things, going stateside, eating western food. I'm already missing chinese! :) Thinking about what it will be like to drive where the road rules are actually obeyed. Taking care of monthly bills and learning how to budget our money in new ways. :) That's the worse part, making the money stretch!
Getting to see and enjoy family. Making new friends and deepening those we've made through the years. Fishing and Hunting and change of seasons..... I guess the list could go on! *I know you can't see me right now but I'm smiling pretty big*

Okay so we might be a bit more excited about this stateside than in previous years.

It's been a really hectic 3 years alot of firsts and some really difficult times too.

I'm thankful that it's been mostly about doing the Lord's work with some rabbit trails along the way!

Well, we are looking forward to heading stateside and being united!

Hope to post some pictures soon.. Now that it is just 3 of us our news isn't as big! :)