If I'm being honest, anticipating the month of August, I have thoughts of steeling away from everyone and everything. Avoiding 'that' cashier because I don't want to talk; waiting until the 'usual' people won't be there to get groceries; going to a different pharmacy because I just don't want to engage in one more conversation; letting Daryl take the van so I couldn't possibly leave the house; even avoiding 'my people' because my heart aches and needs to regroup. "Wait, what?! But you're a missionary, you love to share Jesus by serving and caring for others!" If 50-somethings threw tantrums, this is what it might look like ... "You can't make me love new people, You can't make me care for them, You can't make me invest in them personally and you most certainly can't expect me to say goodbye with a smile!" ... yup, you get the whole embarrassing picture! As I sat with my Table Companion this morning, coffee in hand, I lamented through tears, all the hard, unasked for goodbyes ... My heart thrives on investing, loving, and walking with these dear ones that He continues to place within arms reach, I just wish the goodbyes didn't feel so deep! As my tantrum-tears slowed, He filled my heart with His peace and gently reminded me of this beautiful liturgy I have read often ...
Lead me by Your mercies through these hours that I might spend them well, not in harried pursuit of my own agendas,
but rather in good service to You.
(even when I want to avoid)
Teach me to shepherd the small duties of this day with great love, tending faithfully those tasks you place within my care and tending with patience and kindness the needs and hearts of those people You place within my reach.
(even if only for a season.)
Nothing is too hard for You, Lord Jesus. I deposit now all confidence in You that whatever these waking hours bring,
my foundations will not be shaken.
(even in the goodbyes.)
At days end, I will lay me down to sleep knowing that my best hope is well kept in You and in all things Your grace will sustain me. Bid me follow and I will follow.
(even as I love, invest and launch ...yet again.)
In the hard goodbyes or in the gift of continued fellowship with those who are called to return, in the full days or in the not so full days, as I choose to trust His plan and purpose, His peace permeates my heart ... and by His grace, I continue to love, invest, and launch for His glory!
As you choose to trust, who might He be leading you to love, invest in and launch?
Life on the Mountain
July finished up Vida Missions, took Daryl safely to Kenya and back, engaged us in Kairos, prayed our people through L10 challenge, relaxed 2 days at the beach with these amazing humans, played hide and seek around San Rafael, giggled through an amazing talent show, celebrated a graduation and celebrated the acknowledgement of exclusive relationships (in God's time of course!), then sent them out to be world changers! August started with multiple airport runs and tear-filled goodbye hugs, sharing food and life around our table with dear ones who lingered in CR, washing the mountains of bedding and donations, enjoying sweet Eva snuggles, and letting the tears fall in acknowledgement of the deep joy it has been to love, invest and launch once again.
Praises
Daryl returned safely from Kenya with testimony of God's faithfulness!
Graduated 18 amazing students and leaders
A future focused job for Jedidiah
Heart connections even as we say adios
Provisions from Father in ways we didn't imagine
Opportunities to share Him daily
Prayers
August 12th travel to PA to see our boys and family!
Shoulders in need of relaxing
Details of taxes and finances
Seek Jesus first and trust (school, future, raising Adam)
Communication and connection in our marriage
Trust His plan as we love, invest and launch!
This One was such a gift to share life with, cry with and laugh with.
"We can't leave yet, we're in the middle of a one on one!"
Teaching them the importance of investing in friendship!
Happy birthday Mimi!
These boys bought her flowers!
His new look ...
Time will tell if it remains!
Cherishing these moments until we will be physically present with each other.
Vacation mode ...
No, I'm NOT!
No, they did not find me, nor see my grey hair and wrinkles ...
And, yes, Adam, an "old lady" can look cute and pregnant with the right amount of make-up and a wig! : )
These homeboys "hid" at the basketball court hoping no one
would ask why they were not in school!
Some of the hard goodbyes ...
We've walked through a lot of life in the last two years!
I like them A LOT!
"We part ways not in darkness,
but in the quiet knowing that Light still leads us forward
- just on different roads."
~ Luke Kramer
So incredibly blessed to watch them grow,
mature and develop into more of God's character as they served!
Always time for one more puzzle with this dear one
because a week of puzzling over Christmas wasn't enough!
Meeting her people softened the goodbye a bit!
Ohio, Honduras, Costa Rica and PA
Their worlds collided, so why not go thrifting together!
Kenya ...
Their worlds collided, so why not go thrifting together!
 |
| Adios amigos ... "This is the last time we'll see each other until January" ... But amazingly Father provided 2 more playdates before they all traveled! Launching them with this promise from Isaiah 58:11 ... The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. |
