Ghrrrrrrr!

Not my Happy face!

Ok, we all know that this season is not generally celebrated as it "should" be.  In fact, I just finished a very heated conversation with a customer service rep over a product that...well if I carry on it will this will become more of a diatribe about my issues, of which there are many!  Needless to say, with less than 8 days to go until Christmas, I haven't found the Christmas spirit.  Maybe I'm more lacking the Holy Spirit, but that goes beyond the scope of this post (and no this is not the beginnings of a theological discourse).  We have been elbow deep in THINGS, since we arrived back from Baltimore.  Elbow deep in our own things and elbow deep in others' things.  We who are supposed to be bringing the Light into the world, haven't stopped to look for the light in our everyday endeavors.  Then in the hustle and bustle of today this video popped up- thanks to family.



Can you imagine this story today?  How utterly scandalous.  How physically impossible.  How divisive this must have been.  Put yourself in Joseph's shoes, walk a moment with Mary's burden.  If God in His infinite wisdom had chosen us, how would this have affected us today?  How many of our own friends would we have lost, or been "de-friended" by?

As we have gone along this journey to MAF and to Indonesia, I have been constantly amazed that God chooses to use people in His redemptive plan for the world.  Not that He needs us, but that He chooses to step into our chaos, and through the labor of a teenage girl, bring Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

"Not by Might, Nor by Power, but by MY Spirit; says the Lord alimighty" ~Zechariah 4:6

And so as we have found ourselves a bit "lost" during these last weeks, overwhelmed by all that God is and has been doing in our life, we are comforted with the knowledge that even with something as crazy as packing up and re-locating to a far away land, He is here, in the midst of our chaos.  With the new found resurgence of the Chronicles of Narnia in our family, I am well reminded that as "Aslan is on the move,"  so is our great God.   And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,.......Prince of Peace.
 

A New Chapter (in more ways than one)

Well, yesterday was a big day in our household- Ethan had his first day of "school."  While we were in Baltimore we got a call that there was an opening in the preschool we had applied for in the spring. Since our lives have been pretty upside down and the routine has been different every day, we thought it would be really good for him to have a consistent place, with lots of kids and activities to learn and enjoy.



Even though it's only two mornings a week, I definitely felt the whole- "he's so grown up" thing and tried to keep my mind on the fun he was having.  Funny part was I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself in a kid-free house for a few hours yesterday!  He had a great time- they painted and played in the gym where he got to ride a motorcycle tricycle- he was one happy boy!  The next chapter is here!

On the MAF front- we are back in Charlotte.  Got back on Monday afternoon.  It's kind of a weird transition.  We knew it would be different to come back and yet the expectations are still there that it will be easy to return to your own home.  It is fabulous to sleep in our own bed and Ethan is sleeping better in his room, too.  But yesterday afternoon I was using the kitchen sink and noticed the sound of rushing water- sure enough one of the drain pipes had come loose from the sink.  So all the water I was using to wash the dishes was  pouring into the cabinet below.  Fortunately, I am married to an amazing and handsome fix-anything man so after a quick run to Home Depot and 30 minutes twisted under the sink we are up and running again.  All that to say, these little things are moving us both, helping to loose the grip we have on all our "stuff." 

As we were going through the mountain of mail, papers, etc. I came across a wad of information on Baltimore and now we have started a "Baltimore Life" file.  I don't know if that makes sense to you at all, but right now it feels like we are living in two cities- 500 miles apart.  That's part of this whole process I guess, getting a bigger picture of where "home" is.  It's a challenge to live where you are physically, enjoying, being present with friends and family, yet still miss your other home with other friends and family.  We really had a great time in Baltimore and at the end of the trip I can honestly say that now I can see us living there and thriving as a family.  Thank you to all of you who welcomed us with open arms, having us over for dinners, playdates with Ethan, you made Baltimore home for us.  We have been richly blessed by your love and encouragement. 

One of our friends that we went through MAF training with over the summer sent out an e-mail that said it beautifully (kudos Nick and Jocelyn!)- this is EXACTLY how I feel at this moment: "life is anything but normal, yet God is the same.  He speaks our language and knows our hearts.  And every time we get to a new a place it seems like we can't escape God's presence or God's people.  And thank the Lord for that!"

Amen and amen.  He is continuing to prepare us to go.  Most of the time it's exciting, sometimes it's painful as another string keeping us attached to our comfortable, safe life gets snipped, but I am so incredibly grateful that He is the same yesterday, today and forever- whether we're in Charlotte, Baltimore or Indonesia.  He stays the same faithful, good God.

Sorry for the long post, lots whirling around in my head these days.  Baltimoreans- thank you for a fabulous fall, Charlotteans- let's get together and have a beautiful Christmas!

Love you all-a