Hello Again

Hi blog friends. It's been a while and I've missed you. Life has been moving full steam ahead for us the last couple of months. I didn't intend to be away so long, but here I am, two months later and finding it hard to believe it's really been that long.

Life has been full. Too full. And I really am better at saying "no" these days than in days past...but you probably won't believe me after you finish reading this post.

In the last two months, we've started and completed a soccer season, coaching two teams, by the way. The school year has ended and we find ourselves with a 1st and 4th grader now. Our paperwork deadline for mission service has come and gone. We are now in the waiting stage. Rick's birthday and Mother's Day have passed. Our girl has moved to Georgia. We've had a death in the family. And we've been blessed with a birth in the family. There's been a graduation in the family. And two bridal showers. Matthew accepted Jesus into his heart and was baptized.

We made two trips to the doctor/dentist for emergencies with Luke. He's now had his first experience with liquid stitches and he's lost both front teeth...little girls and playground are not really words he likes to hear in the same sentence these days. The new ones are being very slow to come through. So he will be front-toothless for wedding pictures this weekend....our girl's wedding ceremony. That is what is currently consuming my mind....programs and music and processionals and order and flowers and poems. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time, will be so glad when it's done.

And then for the next six days after that, I'll be thinking only of packing, preparing, and praying for our next trip to Africa.

We have this small issue of getting our house prepared to put on the market. I've had no time it seems to make any progress toward that particular goal. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. Rick lost his job last month and has been able to use that time to start fixing/cleaning/organizing. He's really worked so very hard the last few weeks changing our door knobs and hinges, painting, repairing, resealing the driveway, and cleaning. We hope to have the house on the market by mid-July.

The Lord has been so faithful to provide during all of this. Even in such small and seemingly insignificant ways. He's teaching us how to trust. He's allowing us an opportunity to stretch. He's reminding us that He is sufficient. As my dear friend Tina says often, "He's adding tools to your toolbox." Yes, He most definately is adding tools.....ones that we will surely need in the coming months.

I've felt myself pulling away.....from the blog, from work, from friends, from family....not permanently....but surely for this strange season I find myself in. My roots are being loosened from the soil they have been planted in for so long. My comfort zone is being stripped away layer by layer. It's been a bit lonely. But He's preparing me for what lies ahead. And I can feel His presence with me each step. He's good like that.

Thank you to the sweet friends and family who have reached out to let me know you are thinking about us and praying for us. Your love amazes and humbles me.

I'll see you again soon. Promise.