In The Battle

I have been thinking for months about blogging again. I was reminded of it when someone I know said something meaningful. Part of what he said mentioned taking the next step, and the next step, and then another step. We don't always have the big picture. Sometimes we may know what we are setting out to accomplish but aren't sure of how or where to start. The way to start is by taking the next step. Many of you have probably been wondering where we are and what we have been doing for the last year and 2 months. That's almost exactly how long it's been since I have posted. We have been doing just that. Taking step by step by step toward what God has called us to do in life. The vision that he has put inside of us is clearer than ever and though we face challenge after challenge we are determined to to keep moving forward toward the mission set before us. 


As I look back on the last year... I can honestly say it has been stretching, trying, challenging, and utterly despairing all at the same time. We knew that God had told us to come home with no doubt. But WHY!! We prayed and decided not to make any major decisions the first 6 months we were in America. This was difficult. We wanted to make plans and push forward. Instead we were to sit and wait. To rest in God and trust his direction. Easier said than done ;) Actually, I think it's even hard to say :) We did it though. During that time we had several things put before us as far as directions we were to take once the 6 months were up. We weren't really sure what to do. Funny thing was.. during those 6 months of waiting and waiting and waiting God clarified our vision and what part we played in that vision. He gave us the key connecting all of the things he had placed in our hearts. WOW! Thanks God!!!!


It became clear to us that every step we had taken leading up to that time planted into us some type of wisdom or knowledge that prepared us for stepping into our mission. God made it clear he was moving us from training into the real thing. Not the warm up lap, not the trials,THE ACTUAL RACE! Let me tell you what that feels like in all honesty. YES!!! WOOOHOOO!!! OH NO!!! WHAT!!! ARE YOU SURE!!! YEAH!!!! You know the scene in the movie Tangled where Rapunzel first breaks free from the tower. Yep. sort of like that. Regardlesss of all of the fiery arrows and fleshly doubts that beat against us and even to this day. We are sure of our mission and know that God is the source of everything. All we have to do is be willing and believe. So, we are believing and we are willing. We are mixing our faith with action and following God even through some of the greatest challenge we have experienced yet.


If you are not sure where to go or what to do with your life. Be encouraged that God will show you if you only ask. Sometimes it's not as fast as we would like. However, if you are obedient and tuned into God's heart. You will not fail!


There will be more to come with details. For now though, I will say goodbye and thank you for  your love and support over the years. They have meant so much to us. Stay tuned! More to come.

Coming to America!

Well,

Happy Summer! Hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather. As I am sitting here typing this it's 10:30 p.m. our time. I am utterly exhausted but in a good place. Our house sits nearly empty. A shell of what it was 5 days ago. My clothes are being washed and folded getting ready to be packed along with various other items... like my favorite curtains... if they fit. I also unstuffed the couch pillows :) My home is nearly empty except for my family and the fullness of our hearts realising the impact we have had on the people around us here. We have done our best to love those around us... even in difficulty, as culture can often make it. As we have been saying goodbye to our neighbors, co-workers, students,and friends we have been shocked to find how much God has used us in their lives. Many of them were teary eyed at the news. Some of them.. we weren't for certain if they even liked us in the first place :) God has used us to love those around us in a culture where love and compassion for others is minimal. He has used us to plant many seeds and we are confident that those seeds will grow with the help of God. They are all sad to see us go. We are also sad to leave but God has shown us that He wants us in America for a time. As you have probably figured from the above said, we are in the process of moving back to America. We are not exactly sure what God has for us there. We were not expecting to leave Thailand so soon. However, we will follow where He leads us even if it is not in our plan :)Right now every day is one step at a time.

We will be leaving for Bangkok on Friday afternoon... Thursday sometime for you guys. There we will stay the night and catch a plane to Taiwan in the morning. From there we have a 4 hour layover and then we will be headed to L.A. We'll wait around for a bit longer and catch a flight to San Jose where we will be staying for a little over a week. After that we will be in Indiana! We arrive on July 4th! What a homecoming :) How many travel hours... let's just say I need more than two hands to count it!

Please be praying for us as this has been difficult on the little guys. Especially Maya, she's been quite upset having to say goodbye to her friends. We know she will be OK once she is back with her friends and fam in America but it's hard for her right now. Jet will turn 1 on July 3rd! He is hanging in there. It has been very busy as we have been getting ready. Jared's mom is currently in the states and will remain there. We will be seeing her in San Jose along with his younger sister, we hope! Let's just say.. this will be an unplanned but FUN family reunion!

We are looking forward to seeing our church family! We can't wait to get involved. We are very curious and looking forward to God's plan for us while we are in America!

Thank you for your prayers love and support! They mean the world to us!

Prayer Points For Our Family:
Safety and health during travel
Ease of travel
Ears to hear God's direction for our time in the States
Provision

God Bless! See you soon! Can't wait to give you guys our love in person!

God Time and Family Time!

For the first time in almost three years my family has had more than a week alone together! This has been an unexpected gift and blessing from God! Our home has been quiet from the outside bu there are deep works going on within. We are wrapping up our English teaching from home and transitioning to English parties twice a month to continue building relationships in a more fun and free environment. We just had our first English party where we made dumplings and pizzas together. We also played some of the games you guys sent. Uno stack was a hit!We will continue to host these parties not to entertain but purposed to continue to build trust and relationship with the students that the opportunity arises where we get to share Christ with them! The people here are so desperate for love. Jared was telling me today that one of the Thai staff asked him if he had problems with students drinking toilet water from the bathrooms. Keep in mind toilet water isn't what you're used to. He said apparently the students do it so that they become sick and get attention. How sad! We have a hope that these kids desperately need!

Today I am thankful that I am hungry. Hungry for God. Hungry to reach out in desperation for the things that He has for me. Hunger for God is such a gift! I am desperate for more of Him because I am surrounded by hopelessness. Christ is hope and I want more of Him to give more away. To be a blessing to those who cannot see the true reality . The reality that there is a God who loves them. That there is a God who fights for them! That there is a God who is Jealous for their love. God is amazing. God cannot be contained, summed up, or explained. He must be experienced, pursued, sought out like a beautiful treasure, dove into like a beautiful ocean of endless love, mercy, peace, and joy! In this season I am pressing in for more of Jesus in my life. More of His truth to manifest as reality in my life. Let the word of the Lord not only come alive in me even more but flow through me as healing waters to those around me to the glory of God! I need him even as the air I breathe!

God is not only doing transformational work in me but also my family. As we are pressing in He is exposing areas that need to be strengthened by the truth of His word. He is doing some deep works in mine and Jared's' life. He is drawing us together and into him. He is teaching us to stand together even more and work together even more. At times it is painful as we are clumsily learning to minister to each other and being cleansed of lies planted deep within. It is also joyful as He is planting in me visions for more of the work He has for us here. I can feel them and sense them as if they were already fulfilled! We are waiting on the Lord excited to see what He will do. Most importantly our family must be healthy and planted even deeper into God's word before we can reach out even more. In His time all of these things will come to fruition. Until then we will wait expectantly pressing into Him even more.

I want to encourage you to keep pressing in! It is so easy to become complacent but don't you want to dive deeper! How great is His love for us! How rich are His blessings! Take hold of them and with faith pull them into reality! Provision! Healing! Everlasting Joy! Peace! A relationship with the Holy Spirit, Jesus, our God! Eternal life and a Sea of Love! How blessed we are to know the truth! I bet some of those around you could use some of this also! Press in so that you are overflowing and can't help but give some of it away!

Hey,

Thanks for loving us and praying for us! You are amazing! Your prayers are powerful and we believe that when you pray God moves! We love, love, love it when you pray for us! Thank you also for giving! You help fill the gap financially that makes it possible for us to stay here! Please feel free to e-mail us! We would love to hear from you and answer any questions or curiosities you may have :) I've posted prayer requests below:

Divine protection, provision, and health!

More opportunity to love people!

Jared's transition to working full time with Thai high school students to go smoothely as there have been many challenges already!

The school processes our visas before we have to do another visa run! Jet and Maya fussed the whole bus ride last time :(

God Bless!

Sorry, I'll post pics next time... Jet's sleeping on my lap :)