How do I feel about this?
Amazingly, God is giving me a great excitement and joy in starting this journey. This did not happen overnight. In fact, throughout much of our training, I dreaded the days when we would need to start doing paperwork for visas, passports, plane tickets, etc. I was always glad that we still had a few years of training ahead of us.
Now, we are down to one more year. Our training is almost done. And God has instilled in me a desire to be in Papua New Guinea!
Of course, I have always been on board with doing tribal missions, always been convinced that this was what God had for us--but still, deep in my heart there was a sort of dread to actually go.
I am so thankful that I am feeling joy and excitement now. And I do realize that these feelings will come and go (it will obviously be very painful to say goodbye next year!), but I am just trusting the Lord to keep growing me and causing me to depend fully on Him.
So now, as I look ahead to this next year...I am very aware that we will be experiencing our "lasts" before we are overseas. Our "last" Valentine's Day to go to our favorite restaurant on a date...our kids' "last" birthdays in the States, our "last" summer, "last" VBS, "last" Christmas...etc etc etc etc.
This is incredibly bittersweet. It reminds me of the kids' book Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury (have you read it? I highly recommend it--but be ready to weep while you are reading it to your kids!!) It is basically about a mother focusing on cherishing her kids' "lasts" instead of always focusing on their "firsts".
This year, my prayer will be that God will allow me to cherish each moment--and that I can pass this on to our kids, too. We want our kids to be aware of what our future will look like, and to be captivated by the direction that God is taking our family. We want our kids to catch the vision of the amazing things God is doing around the world--and that they will be so excited to be a part of it! But on the other hand, we want to be intentional with helping our kids to treasure moments here in the States before we go overseas.
Thank you for your prayers, dear friends! We feel them, and we thank you for joining us on this journey!
6 comments:
�� Sigh! What can be said? Enjoy every minute of this last year in the states! We love you.
Your family is such a testimony and inspiration to so many! We love seeing how God works things out... and we take comfort God will see you through the 'last moments' before you go overseas to be all GOD wants you to be! But never forget...when we go apart in person, we grow closer together in hearts. Your family will always be close and connected to those who know and love you!!:) May God continue to bless you with a peace and joy as you continue along... much love, The Carrico's
I'm thankful you are still passionate about going and doing your part for the Great Commission. Although I'm not exactly looking forward to 1 year from now, I am looking forward to coming over to visit you in PNG and doing what we can to help(especially after experiencing Wyumni).
Grandpa Jim
Yeah, it is tough to think about a year from now...but I agree with dad that it will be exciting to visit. So thankful that God continues to be our help and continues to pour His grace on us all. He will be here in a year and in the years to come too:)
love you guys
gma jan
Parting is such sweet sorrow...no way around it! We have been amazed by the sweetness that God pours into our souls (the "stay behind and pray" folks) and the souls of our "go-ers". It's really hard and really good all at the same time. Blessings to you in this special year of 2015! We love you!
Oops! Forgot to sign our names! Last post from Mike & Shari
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