Quiet moments make for good reflection time. I love how the house settles down and the sounds seem magnified. Tick tock, tick tock, and the sound of the refrigerator humming along. Click and blow the heat just came on...... Haaaa peace and quiet. I am sitting here with the lights flickering on the tree, the weather is cloudy and drizzling rain, I'm reflecting on this past year and thinking about all the things that have happened in my life personally and in the life our family. Each one of us has had a year full of change. It seems as if that is the norm for our family. This life Christ has called us to live hasn't been anything short of AMAZING but even though it has been amazing it has had some very difficult times as well. I feel at times I fully understand what being a Sojourner really means. I have never felt more like an alien in my own country than I do now. While I love being in the states there are parts of me that says, I need to be in the midst of lostness. Some have said, " But we need people here in America too". I have often times said, "Yes, but are you and others ready to be taught and are you ready to live a life of obedience at all cost?" I fear not. Most aren't willing to give up their homes, the comfort of nice surroundings and don't ask them to leave their family or say good bye to their cars. I pray you didn't just hear that I don't have those problems... Because - BOY do I ever. I struggle with all those things and more. The fact is though that as I too sit in my comfortable little apartment and have a nice loner car, I feel that struggle wailing up inside me. I think honestly, it's more about striving to be Christ like that cause
Well what was 2007 like? In a word it would have to be said to be a year of TRANSITION.
Justin graduated from High School and started his first semester of College. He has settled into life as a College student and done so well his first semester of college. We couldn't be more proud. He's dating Blakely Harris and has truly grown to not just in stature but in his spiritual life as well. I love it when he challenges me in the things of God and asks me about my quiet time. He's had his challenges though- 2 accidents in his new car that weren't is fault was at times very disheartening. Trying to learn how to balance fun with study times was a bit of a challenge at first but all in all he's shown real maturity. Dwayne and I can see how Justin has grown and how his talents and giftings are being used in his life and in the life of others.
Joshua brought in 2007 with the joy of going off to Washington D.C. as an intern. He loved it and excelled and realized how much he loved being in the world of politics. He met so many people of importance and earned the right to speak and ask questions of those in High Office. It is remarkable to see how Josh has grown to be a Gentleman in his own right. He moved off campus at the start of this fall semester and is totally self sufficient. He's working a job and going to school and paying his own bills. He's had his struggles and his victories along the way as well. All of which is part of learning how to budget your money and make those tough decisions about what is next in life. Dwayne and I have enjoyed watching him move through these stages. His passion for music is growing as well and it will be neat to see what the Lord chooses to do with all of Josh's talents.
Kayla started school in Auburn and began getting into the routine of High school life. She really missed her friendships and the connections she had back in Thailand. I think that was a bit harder on her than she first thought it would be. Friends who are a bit more deep and have a bit more aware of life beyond themselves. It has been a good year for her though over all. She is dating Nick who is a bit older than her but Dwayne and I both really like him and love that he's such a good ole southern gentleman. She is also at the place where she is sending out applications to colleges and thinking about her future. She's been accepted to Embry - Riddle an aeronautical engineering school that specializes in flight training and aeronautical engineering. It's no small thing to get accepted but she's just not sure if she really wants to pursue that career choice. So as the Lord begins to lead her it is exciting for us to see her seek the Lord and counsel of others to make a decision. We are proud of how she has adjusted and seeks to do well in her academics. As with the boys we can't wait to see how the Lord uses her in the life He has for her!
This year we headed home to the States for some much needed time of rest and reflection. Dwayne has been supportive in allowing me to pursue my Nursing Degree. For me though- I am torn between the " Alter and the Door" . It's not that I don't want to do what the Lord is calling me to do it's that I feel torn between the options before me. Still I seek the Lord to give some conformation. As each day passes I feel He is slowly revealing HIS plans for us. I have to trust that as we move forward with what we think is His plan that He will direct us as we step out in Faith and Trust in Him. This is very comforting -
Last year we were in Thailand and thinking we would be in Asia one more year - however that changed very quickly in May - with in a month we were packing out the house, moving to China and I was on my way back to the states to settle the kids in for College and get Kayla registered for High school. It was a hectic summer full of separation and lots of travel for our family. The fall brought more travel and lots more separation for our family. Dwayne and I celebrated our 20th year wedding anniversary in October and November brought some much needed family time and fellowship with friends. December has been full of separation yet again and then reunion. Today it's December 22, 2007 and I am sitting next to my beloved, Kayla is fast asleep , the boys are at their friends house recovering from fun and late nights.
In just a few more days we will be in Florida with family we haven't seen all year and will be back in Auburn to bring in the new year.
I can't even believe we are already looking into the New year and
