Being Still

During our little retreat, we not only had lots of fun as a family (see post below), but also very sweet time with our Creator. One of the main reasons we wanted to 'get away for a little bit', was to be able to take time to "be still" and talk and listen to him concerning the future. These past months have been difficult ones for us, as we have been waiting, and waiting some more. Many times, both David and I would be discouraged, wondering if we should even 'keep-on' with trying to get back to T-land. Is that really where we are supposed to be? Even others would tell us, "Look, since it is so hard right now with the visa situation and everything, it seems that He doesn't want you there. Just forget about the work there, move back here, get a job, and take care of your kids." And, in all honesty, that sounds so nice to us! We often think about how nice it would be to have a house, a regular job, a trust-worthy school nearby for the kids, with lots of family and friends around. But, what if that is not what he has for us? or is it, and we just aren't seeing it???

So, during our retreat, whenever our kiddos were taking naps or in bed for the night, David and I spent time sharing together from our hearts, listening, and talking to him. He used that time to bless us, encourage us, challenge us, and revive us. It was SO good. We left our little bungalow in the woods with a renewed desire... that above all things, he would be glorified. Here are just a few thoughts that we were challenged/encouraged with:

• We need to do his will, even if it doesn't look "successful" or good to us and/or others.
• James 1: 2, "Consider it all joy... when you encounter various trials..." (The word 'joy' here is illustrated as a little lamb, frollicking in an open, green meadow.) Wow, this really 'hit home' for me! I definitely have NOT been doing this! I did not "consider it all joy" when we ran into visa problems. I did not "consider it all joy" when we were told Micah has hip displasia. I did not "consider it all joy" when our departure date for R-land kept getting pushed back and back. Rather, I began to indulge in "self-pity"... a terrible thing. Instead, I should consider all these things 'joy'! They are being used in my life to make me perfect and complete! In eternity, all these circumstances will no longer matter. Yet, what will matter is how I reacted to them.
• This life is not our own, but was bought at a price. Therefore, we should not live for ourselves... our own desires and what we want... but rather for him, whatever he wants. (2 Cor. 5:15)
• Get our focus off of ourselves, and onto him!
• We are not put here on earth in order to make our children happy. Our children's happiness is not the end goal. (Don't get us wrong... we love our children dearly, and desire that they will be happy. Yet, we need to remind ourselves that we were put here on earth for His happiness. That needs to be first place. Therefore, our lives shouldn't revolve around our children, rather around Him. And hopefully, in the process, our children will be happy as well.)

These are just a few of the main thoughts that we were encouraged in. I thought that I would just post them here so, not only will you know us a bit better, but also so that we as a family can later look at them and be reminded of them. All of that to say, we want to be totally open to wherever He would lead and guide us in the future. Right now though, we believe that we are supposed to continue on doing our best to get to T-land, stay there, and continue on with the work. We just need to take one day at a time and keep our focus on the right place!