Moving Again...

Once again we are packing up boxes and preparing to move our lives from one place to another. It seems we do this quite often. I am hoping that soon we will stop making a habit of it, at least for a little while. We will be moving into a rental house one week from tomorrow. We are excited to unpack and see what we have packed away. We didn't really keep much here in the US when we moved to Africa except family heirlooms and photo albums but have been collecting things here and there since we decided to remain in the US. So it will be fun, kind of like Christmas. If you are interested in having our new address you can email us and we will send that out to you ASAP. Appreciate your prayers through this newest transition.

Bumps in the Road

Today the boys and I were driving along the road. Any of you that have lived in the north know that after a cold winter and then a few days of warm weather you get the wonderful pleasure of FROST HEAVES. We were bumping along over the frost heaves when Micah suddenly yelled out, "Is that all you've got America? Bring it on!" After bursting out in laughter I looked at him and asked, "What in the world are you talking about?" He says, "Mom, these frost heaves have nothing on the roads in Mozambique." I had to laugh. He's right. There is nothing quite as bumpy as the roads in Mozambique. Not even frost heaves in New Hampshire. My boy sure can make me smile.

Changes

Life is changing again for us. We are packing. We are moving soon. We will leave my sister's home in the next couple of weeks. Finally, we will be able to unpack bags that have been lingering for six months. We are excited but I am understanding that very soon things will never be the same. You see, my nephew is 17, a senior in high school and in a few short months he will be heading off to army bootcamp. I can't believe it. I was there the day he was born as my sister labored him into this world. Time has gone so fast. He is changing into a man before our eyes. I am watching my sister let him go so he can take off and become who he needs to be. It is so interesting to watch yet scary because I know before too long it will be my turn. I don't think I am ready but then I am not sure a mother ever truly is, right?

My nephew Tailor.

 

 The cousins together.

Life's Heartaches

This is a message I left on someone's blog today. They are a missionary couple to Haiti that lost their youngest daughter to cancer last week. She was four. My heart breaks for them. I can't imagine yet in a way I know some of their struggle. Not losing their child of course but the emotions of wondering if you will lose your child. After writing the message it occured to me that it really expresses how very much we all need Jesus. How He wants to walk with us through it all....carrying us, loving us, healing us, breathing for us. Remind me daily of that Lord, I pray.


"In many ways although we don’t know one another our lives are similar. We too were missionaries serving in a foreign land. We too have faced losing our child. We too have crumbled at the feet of Jesus needing Him to carry us because we couldn’t take another breath without Him. Although, we endured hardship and heartbreak we did not lose our son. He remains with us on this earth. We are so sorry that your little girl is not with you here. We pray for you. We pray for Isabella, your daughter remaining with you. We share the burden of your suffering as we carry it to the cross each day asking Jesus to strengthen you and fill you so you can keep walking in Him alone. Today as my husband and I were talking about your great suffering we were discussing how often in this life we think once we get to heaven we will have questions for the Lord of WHY things happened but really more than likely when we get to heaven with Jesus it will not matter the why because we will be fully absorbed in worship to Him who sits on the throne. Hallelujah! I encourage you take those quiet, resting times to just simply be in His presence so He can fill you and give you the strength to face each new day. It is obvious you do so….continue so He can linger with you in those quiet places and heal your heart. This is our prayer for you as well:


Is. 40:31

“But those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. “

May it be for all of us!

Forgetful, but Not Forgotten

So, lately I have noticed a disturbing trend with myself. I am forgetful of things in Mozambique. It all started quite innocently really. I was doing our taxes this week and had to riffle through our receipts of our life the past year. Receipts could tell a story that is for sure. Memories came flooding back but I had a hard time trying to instantly recall the names of restaurants, stores, and people. It made me sad. Then today my friend Esther, who is a missionary on furlough here in the US from Mozambique right now, called and I didn't recognize her voice on the phone. It disturbed me. Our life has been one of many changes and transition, especially in the last couple of years. I guess you could call us gypsies or nomads of sorts. It is hard at times to feel as though you have no roots and that your life is in constant motion. I am grateful that all along our paths God has always gifted us with friends and fellowship. It just makes me sad that some days you take a quick glance back and wonder did all that really happen? Were those people really a part of my life? So strange, yet although I may be forgetful those precious gifts from the Lord are not forgotten. Never.

Dissapointed

Not much to say except we are quite disappointed. We found out today that the bank did not accept our offer on the house we were hoping for but instead took one of the 5 other offers. Not sure what we will do next. I think we will likely rent since we are emotionally exhausted and feeling an urgency to find a place to call home. We will keep you updated.

A New House on the Radar...

So, it may not look like much but this is what our hearts are hoping for these days. It is a house that just came on the market this week and caught us by surprise. On a whim, we decided to go see it and voila it seems to be the house we have fallen for and would love to buy. Some places just feel like home right away. We currently have an offer in on it and should hopefully hear back next week.

We are just trying to keep hope and pray that it works out.

The front of the house at 102 Canterbury Road

The view from the driveway

 

The view from the back deck. That is a pool under all that snow.

 

Micah feeling right at home trapsing through the woods.

Looking at the house from the back yard.

Looking at the backside of the house from the side/back yard.

Choosing to Live Grateful

Like most people I know, I dwell on the difficulties, the missing things. I live ungrateful. I only see my "suffering." Being focused on all the wrong things. Choosing to think on the struggles of living as a family in a small room, feeling out of place here in the US, missing friends, desiring a true sense of fellowship, wondering what our future holds, and longing to find significance in our new reality.

Then I find others that are truly suffering.
 
An American couple that are missionaries to Haiti. Their youngest daughter, who is four seemed to be fighting a lingering case of malaria only to find out that instead she is dying of cancer that has ravaged her little body. I know only a glimpse of the pain that comes from seeing your child physically suffer and having to wonder if you will lose them. I can't imagine but I am humbled. Ashamed at my weakness, my pride, my sin.

A wife and mother in Canada that has suffered an unimaginable nightmare. She and her husband were driving with their four children when an oncoming car smashed into them. Her husband died. She and her children survived. They remain in hospital with casts, wheelchairs, broken bones, scars and bodies littered with shards of broken glass. How does she go on? Why do I take my husband and sons for granted all too often? Jesus forgive me.

I am brought to my knees, seeking to be different. Choosing to remember all I have that is wonderful and lovely in this life. Help me Lord to live grateful.