The Rhythms that Steady Us

Picnic under the tree: 2022

We've been in our Miracle House in Wilmore for two and a half years now. There are days when it feels like we left Uganda yesterday and days when it seems like we've lived here forever. Time is weird... growing kids are weird too. Caleb is a junior, Seth is a sophomore, Elizabeth is in fourth grade and Bekah is in third. I am in my second year of seminary and still working on getting my Mental Health Counseling degree. I hope to graduate the same year as Seth. Josh and I are still working for the Francis Asbury Society. 

I was leading a parenting support group for class this semester and one of the skills I taught was having a gratitude practice. Preparing for that session sent me back to my gift list tag here on our blog. I haven't kept up with the numbering of my gratitude. And I miss it. Looking back hit me deep in the feels. And made me realize how steadying and life-giving that practice is. 

Our kids are also growing so fast. I can't believe Caleb will be a senior next year. We still open advent envelopes each day, and we will picnic under the Christmas tree again this year. But the minutes with all four under our roof are finite and dwindling rapidly. Our advent envelopes are a tradition that steady us and hopefully steady our kids when they begin families of their own. 

I left off on my gift list at #8029... so I'll pick up there and keep counting. It's never too late to return to rhythms that steady you. {speaking of returning- that was my word for the year - so maybe I'll write about that soon}

8030. all four kids laughing and playing in the basement of FAS

8031. seeing the Coppedges at church

8032. breakfast sandwiches after church

8033. friends who feel like family

8034. the glow of the Christmas tree 

8035. our growing collection of ornaments- like a trip down memory lane

8036. the gift of returning

8037. thousands of photos- invitations to return 

8038. the scent of cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven

8039. a circle of parents finding strength in one another's company

8040. the honor of bearing witness to stories of pain and triumph

 

Be Held- the practice of lament

Most days I am fine. I can feed the kids, cope with life, make it to the end of the day in one piece. And then there are some days I feel like I'm suffocating- like it's all too much- stuck. Unfortunately, our culture encourages us to suck it up, to numb the pain, to put on a happy face. None of that serves us; it keeps us broken instead of inviting healing. 

So what do we do with the pain? How do we survive in this world full of suffering? K.J. Ramsey has been teaching me that the psalms are the prayer book of the people of God, and that in the psalms we find words to give voice to our deep grief. The jewish people were well acquainted with grief and suffering, which then gave birth the practice of lament. Ramsey writes:

"The psalms offer a conversational means of uniting mind and heart, honesty and truth, despair and hope, humans and their Maker. We struggle to dwell in the tension between our pain and our need to praise, but the psalms hold us in a conversational traction."

I love that imagery: conversational traction. I can picture myself in a hospital bed with my leg suspended from some contraption intended to hold me in the right position to heal properly. Let that sink in. And then we can make the shift in our minds from "I feel stuck" to "I'm in traction". That's powerful. 

The psalms of lament give us words when we feel speechless. It's like when my girls are spiraling out of control and losing their minds and I invite them to climb into my lap and I hold them till they are calm enough to tell me what's going on. And sometimes I have to help them find words for the big feelings inside them- they are still learning. So am I. And the psalms help me find words.  

"O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down. You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again! You have made the earth tremble, You have broken it; heal its breaches for it is shaking. You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion." -Psalm 60:1-3

I don't know about you- but my heart echoes these feelings sometimes! And it's only as we come to God with honesty, revealing our hurting hearts in transparency (and finding Him kind and trustworthy) that we find healing. One more Ramsey quote: 

"The psalms show us how to acknowledge our pain with honesty. They teach us to approach God from the place of being undone instead of the prison of pretending we are self-sufficient and invulnerable. And in expressing our spitting frustration, derelict desperation and arresting anguish, we mysteriously experience being heard. Relating to God as needy, moody, exhausted children forms hope, praise and trust. Without vulnerability, the truth that God's love is steadfast remains abstract. Tears, groans, and sighs create the relational atmosphere where we can allow God to parent us. Weakness acknowledged and expressed forms trust." -K.J. Ramsey, This Too Shall Last

Just this week I found myself suffocating and stuck again. Thankfully, Josh whisked the kids off to the park so I could fall apart. So I wrapped myself in my Ugandan kikoy, climbed into the Father's lap and wept. I listened to Christy Nockels album: Be Held and it was just the thing I needed. In pouring out my heart to God, knowing my feelings were welcome, seen and cared for, I was able to take one more step towards wholeness. He is so gentle and kind. It's my prayer that you would find some time to do the same. We are all walking through a lot of loss and grief is a natural response. So let's turn to the psalms and find our way to the Father's heart where we can be held.

For more information on lament check out:

• podcast with Jonathan Trotter: Grief, Lament and the Psalms. 
• blog post by Mark Vroegop on the structure of lament- a how to

{Hesed} love

I want to share this morning a word that has become so precious to me in this season. I don’t know about you- but the past 5 months have been some of the hardest months I’ve ever faced. Not only are we dealing with a global pandemic, and racial tensions, but in the middle of all of that my family relocated back to New Jersey unexpectedly. We are still WGM missionaries, and are seeking the Lord for what He may be calling us to next. I read recently in the Titus Women’s Minsitry e-news an incredible call to prayer because many missionaries have returned to the USA this year unexpectedly and for various reasons- it feels as though God is amassing a huge missionary force here in America and I’m curious to see His purposes in these days! All that to say- these have been days of global grief and massive stress and anxiety, and as we look to the Psalms we see a word we can grasp hold of that may be just the anchor we need in this storm. 

 The Hebrew word hesed occurs 246 times in the OT. I heard Dr. John Oswalt teach on it last summer, and it has come to life this year for me. Some English translations use “kindness” “mercy” “steadfast love” “lovingkindness” “favor” “unfailing love” “devotion” but none of these are sufficient by themselves. It is a deep, rich word that doesn’t have a single, perfect translation in English.  A couple more definitions “faithful love in action” and “undeserved love from a superior to an inferior” “unmerited kindness that seeks to actively intervene to help a loved one”. 

Ralph Davis says, “The order is: love gives itself, in covenant, and gladly promises devoted love in that covenant; the covenant partner then rests in the security of that promise and may appeal to it.” Think of a faithful marriage, and a parent-child relationship all rolled into one (but don’t take this too far it gets weird). Or even faithful marriage and master and servant combined. The idea is God has pledged Himself to us in faithful love, but He is also in authority over us- He owes us nothing. Michael Card translated hesed as “when the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything.”

Understanding this word is not just important to us because it appears well over 100 times in the Psalms. This word is important because it is one of the words God uses to describe himself, as in Exodus 34:6-7, when he says to Moses, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in hesed and faithfulness, maintaining hesed to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” 

These have been the hardest days I have ever walked through. We hadn’t planned on being back in the USA indefinitely. Saying goodbye to the only life our little family has known was painful. And then comes the memory of this little five letter word “hesed”.  So I had to dig into why this word was so important.

 

Adrian Van Breda helped me understand “God’s hesed is experienced particularly when we are in the midst of adversity. Psalm 94:18 says, “When I said, My foot is slipping, Your hesed love, O Lord, supported me.” The sense here is that God’s hesed is grasped at while we are still in the adversity. Hesed does not necessarily remove the adversity or even the distress and anxiety that adversity evokes. Within each situation we have to seek out again God’s hesed and rediscover what it means to be loved while we struggle with life. Hesed becomes a lifeline or an anchor onto which we hold for dear life. While we struggle, someone may reassure us that God loves us, but actually that knowledge is something we have to find for ourselves.” 

 

I needed to not only know God loved me in this season- I needed to experience it. I experienced His hesed when Josh collected letters from people who love me for my birthday. I received His hesed when my brother drove to DC to pick us up from the airport, and when we arrived at an empty parsonage gifted to us from a church to quarantine in. I saw His love in action when people delivered meals to us while we were in quarantine. And I sensed His hesed every morning when I sat on the deck as the sun warmed my face and I spent time with the Lord. 

 

Psalm 103 gives us a beautiful illustration of hesed: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me; bless His holy name (can I pause here and say that bringing our whole selves- not just the pretty bits- but the hurt, the worry, the delight, the wonder is what blesses the Lord but that is another topic for another day)! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed, He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy {hesed}. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy {hesed} toward those who fear Him… “ 

 

Now what? How will I live differently because of God’s hesed towards me this week??

 

“I will give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His hesed endures forever” –Psalm 136:1

            Make a list of His love notes, His hesed towards you- every day!

 

I will remember the times He showed hesed towards me, unlike the Israelites “they did not remember the multitude of Your hesed but rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.” –Psalm 106:7

Could you write a timeline of the ways God intervened in your life and saved you or rescued you or people you love? I can’t wait to get to heaven and find out all the things He rescued me from that I had no idea were about to happen!

 

I will call out to God in my distress “But You, O God the Lord, deal with me for Your name’s sake; because Your hesed is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded with me… Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your hesed, that they may know that this is Your hand- that You, Lord have done it!” –Psalm 109:21-22, 26

Our lives don’t just become rosy and easy when we walk with the Lord- His hesed isn’t a magic wand to wave over our lives. However- I have found that His hesed shines on our darkest days. Because it is a covenant term, He has promised never to leave us or forsake us, He has chosen us as His people, His reputation is on the line- we can call out to Him and appeal to His hesed and trust Him to come through for us.

 

I will share my story with someone. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His hesed endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” –Psalm 107:1-2

Could you share your testimony with someone who needs to hear it this week? Or share how God has met a need in your life recently with someone feeling hopeless?

 

I will be glad. “Oh, satisfy us early with Your hesed, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. And establish the work of our hands for us, yes, establish the works of our hands.” –Psalm 90:14, 17

It’s easy to complain these days. This is not the story I would have written for 2020. But I can be glad- because He is my God. I can choose to start my day with Him- let Him fill and satisfy me and I won’t be looking for the world, or my circumstances or other people to satisfy me. He will satisfy my deepest needs as I meet with Him and I can be glad. And then I walk away from that time looking more like Him because Jesus Himself has filled me and is living His life in me- extending hesed love, faithfulness, kindness, mercy, compassion to those around me! When God’s people know they are loved- He is able to use them to love the world around them!

End of an Era

The world is in a state of chaos and uncertainty- challenging everything we have clung to for stability. COVID-19 has brought many communities around the world to their knees. We feel the weight here in Uganda as well. In addition to the weight of a global pandemic, just before Easter this year we were informed by WGM Uganda leadership that this would be our final term with WGM Uganda.

This chapter of our lives in Uganda has been one of the sweetest and one of the hardest. We have seen God draw our children closer to Himself. Our marriage has withstood the challenges of cross-cultural ministry and only gotten stronger. Students at Heritage are walking closer to Jesus, asking great questions, and giving testimony to His work in their lives. Our home fellowship is flourishing even during this quarantine (mostly on WhatsApp right now). Watching our home fellowship leadership team step into more responsibility and take ownership has been beautiful. We strongly believe God isn’t done with this home fellowship and can’t wait to see how He uses these men and women. 

There are many questions.  There are even more unknowns.  But through all of this, we know that God is still good, and God is certainly not done with us yet.  Once we return to the states, we will begin exploring with WGM leadership and seeking the Lord as to what our next assignment might be.  Right now, we are focusing on leaving Uganda well, saying necessary goodbyes, and leaning on His strength to do so during a global pandemic. We currently have flights scheduled for June 2nd; however, our airline has canceled all flights through May 31st.  We have no way of knowing if we will be able to leave on June 2nd or whether that will be pushed to a future date. Would you pray over that? Once we are able to return to New Jersey, we will begin the healing process needed after this sudden change and begin looking at what could be next.  We appreciate your prayers over us, continued financial support, and patience as we wait on God to reveal our next steps. 

We as a family are finding a lot of comfort in the story of Abraham these days.  During our family home church, we have begun walking through Abraham’s journey.  In Genesis 12 we read of God’s call to Abram to “Go…to the land I will show you.”  Abram obeyed God and left behind everything he knew, everything that gave him an identity, and trusted God to lead him.  Our family feels a lot like Abram.  While we may be returning to our “father’s land” in New Jersey as our next step, we don’t know how long that will be or what ministry will look like a year from now. But God knows and we can trust Him.  Thank you for standing with us for 9 years of fruitful ministry here in Uganda.  This is not the ending we would have written, but we are grateful for the privilege of being part of God’s work here in Uganda. We trust God to continue what He started, both here in Uganda and within our family.

Sent and Supported

We have been in Uganda for almost two weeks. In many ways we feel like we are home and have never left (besides the presence of our trunks begging to be emptied and put away). Despite feeling comfortable and “at home” there is still something that feels out of place or, for lack of a better word, different. That’s you!

During our year in the US we spent a lot of time praying for a solid team to develop around us. A team that would embrace this ministry we are called to and send us back with their support. We met a lot of people and saw many “get it” and grow very excited about being a part of what God is doing in Uganda. Now we are 6,000 miles apart and we miss you already. What we miss is your physical presence or at least knowing that you are within driving distance from us. We are now an ocean apart and we feel that distance. That being said- you have sent us and we still feel your support and prayers alongside us.

In Philippians 4 Paul is thanking the members of the church in Phillipi and he tells them in vs. 14 “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” Our team has shared in our troubles for sure. A week never went by towards the end of our Homeland Assignment without an email, phone call or conversation about how things were going and letting us know that someone was praying for us. Many of you really began championing this ministry in your realm of influence and working hard to get us back. Thank you! It was good of you to share in our troubles. 

Then in vs. 17 Paul tells the church, “Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.” It may not make much sense but in reality we were not looking for financial support while we were in the states and sharing in your churches. Yes, we let you know of the need and asked you to consider. Yes, we absolutely needed financial gifts in order to get back, but all along we knew God was going to provide and use many of you to do just that. What we have been looking for all along in you, our champions, was growth in your missions journey. We praise God that we have seen that growth in you and we hope and pray that you have seen it in us. We pray we continue to grow together in our participation in Gods work here in Uganda and around the world. 

We miss you and will miss you during these 4 years. However, you SENT us and we are so grateful for that. Though we do feel at home now and love the life Jesus has called us to here in Uganda. We feel at peace in this place and in this work. We look forward to continuing to grow together in our mission and watching God work through us all. Please keep in touch, keep praying and come on over any time! Know that you are in our prayers as well! -Josh

100%

We rejoice in how God has carried us and provided for all our needs!  And we are grateful for our champions who give sacrificially to God's work in Uganda!  Thank you!  We fly on July 17 to London and then on to Uganda- arriving late July 18!  Please pray as we travel as a family of five!

Here We Are: 95%

TBT 2011-100% the first time!

this might be how we feel about
moving a family of five to Africa.

That moment when you reach a goal, and look back on the faithfulness of God who has brought you there. We reached our first goal: plane tickets!  But we can't actually get on the plane on July 17 unless we reach our final goal of 100%.  And we know the God who has called us will get us there.

It has been easier and harder this second HMA (Homeland Ministry Assignment)- it's been shorter- our first HMA was t.w.o. y.e.a.r.s. long.  And we only had to raise half our budget this time.  But I think our expectations were too high- so when we hung out at 60% for months, it took it's toll.  And then we got to 80% and God told us to stop fighting.  What?!  I'm a doer.  I like getting things done.  I can have a very toddler-esque "I can do it mineself!" attitude at times.  And so, He wanted all the glory.  He said He would fight for us.  And we have reluctantly stepped out of the limelight, so He could steal our show.  And He is making a way!

I shouldn't be surprised.  He is good. He's got this.  Thank you for being a part of our story.  Thank you for carrying us this year.  Please don't stop!  We've got an incredible four year journey ahead of us!  Can't wait to keep you posted!

Entrusted

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. -2 Timothy 2:2

I am constantly humbled and honored to work alongside men and women who have a passion for the world.  This year of Homeland Ministry has been a blessing.  It has been hard, but it has been fruitful. We get to do ministry alongside the people who carry us while we're in Uganda!  

As we prepare to return to Uganda, we are confident in the team that God is raising up!  We can only imagine the amazing things God will do with the prayers and support of this team.  If our first term was good, this one is going to be amazing!  But that also means the enemy won't be happy.  I get the sense that this term is going to be harder in a lot of ways, which is why I am so grateful for the growth I've seen in our champions {not just growth in numbers, but growth in depth and commitment}!

We are seeing God take some of our engaged champions to the next level- they get it, the ministry is theirs, they are owning it!  It is so cool to see and be a part of.  As some have hosted dinners to spread the word, and others have fought for us in their churches- we are watching God do something big.  And we get to be here for it!  We don't have to watch from a computer screen.  

So thank you, to all of our champions who have invested in this ministry- it's ours- together, for the kingdom of God!  And in the words of one our champions, "Thank you, God, for raising up more members for our team!"

We have no doubt that God is going to do big things through our ministry, and in our lives as we participate with Him!  

meantime gratitude...

as we await our release from Homeland Ministry we could view these days as a delay, in limbo, a challenge or we could receive them as a gift.  four years is a long time.  we know He still has work for us to do here in us and through us.  but perhaps part of the reason God has us here until July is because He wants to bless us. In the meantime, while we wait, He has graciously allowed us to be near family and friends.  He has sweetly given us a new baby to snuggle and enjoy.  He has placed us near so many stores and restaurants.  The roads are full of cars, but not chaos. We can get almost every food we crave (except real african chai, and matooke and g-nut sauce, and truly ripe tropical fruit).

and so we say Thank You, or "webale nyo" as they say in Uganda.  and we count all the gifts He has given us #here:

7579.  friends gathered.
7580.  kids everywhere
7581.  laughter and sunshine.
7582.  s'mores roasted over a fire. oozing. sticky. delicious.

7583.  family gathered.
7584.  all my siblings under one roof. around one table.
7585.  all these boy cousins eating burgers and hot dogs.
7586.  funny stories

7586.  this pool that has seen generations of childhoods...
7587.  my boys and their cousins, like I did with my cousins...
7588.  freezing water. blue lips. shivering and loving it.

7589.  warriors gathered together with us.
7590.  fighting alongside us. in the same room.
7591.  storming heaven on behalf of the nations.
7592.  preparation for the days to come when we fight from two separate continents.

7593.  quick trip to the ocean.
7594.  baby girl in daddy's arms.
7595.  sea breeze. boardwalk food. gorgeous view.

7596.  You, here, on this side of the ocean. holding us.
7597.  You, fighting for us as we wait.
7598.  Your provision of 90%- the remaining 10% is nothing to You.
7599.  the beauty and the sweetness of wrestling my way to trust.
7600.  You, the trustworthy and faithful One.
7601.  You've never failed, and You won't stop now.

loosing its grip...

it was a bit of vacation from a harsh winter this weekend- temperatures soared into the 50's and my soul soared with them.  it was pure delight to get outside and bask in  the  sunshine.  it felt like my soul could breathe again. 

winter has yet to relinquish its grasp on the Northeast, but there are sweet signs that spring is on its way. the dry, crisp leaves from the year gone by skitter across my path- cheerily waving goodbye to winter. the trees are beginning to bud.  the robins fight the canadian geese for possession of the school yard.  the snow melt cascades down the drain, gurgling and sloshing.  and the sun. the sun warms my face and my soul.

the spring always gives me such hope.  and as we raise our funds and look toward May 1, I can't help but have a peace and hope that He will do it.  He will bring in the remaining funds.  Where is He asking you to have faith? what promise are you clinging to today?

here is a quote to ponder:

"The spring comes slowly down this way; but the great thing is that the corner has been turned. There is, of course, this difference, that in the natural spring the crocus cannot choose whether it will respond or not. We can. We have the power either of withstanding the spring, and sinking back into the cosmic winter, or of going on into those ‘high mid-summer pomps’ in which our Leader, the Son of man, already dwells, and to which He is calling us. It remains with us to follow or not, to die in this winter, or to go on into that spring and that summer." -C.S. Lewis

Are you content to stay where you are?  Or are you willing to go where He leads?  

Memory Making in the Snow

While everyone on the East Coast is tired of snow... we are trying to make the best of it... knowing we won't play in the frozen white stuff for the next four years while we're in Uganda! We can sit inside longing for the lovely, tropical weather of Uganda- or we can enjoy the fun of the season.

Tonight Josh told the boys at dinner that they could go build a snow fort...in the dark!  What a treat!  Such a sweet memory not only with Daddy, but also with Uncle Mark.  Here are the boys and Uncle Mark defending their fort- waiting to ambush Grammy and Poppy.  

As we raise funds to get back to Uganda it is such a tricky thing to balance wanting to be there and savoring our time here.  I am so glad Josh was able to just dive in and make a really special memory with the boys. 

How are you making the best of these cold, snowy days?

Thankful by Caleb

We've been having a tough time with C. this week.  Nothing we do seems to be enough.  He is constantly focused on what he doesn't have.  We've talked about it.  Prayed about it.  Read about it.  And hope to share some of the parenting lessons we're learning on the road later today... but for yesterday's gratitude post (sorry its late!) I wanted to share Caleb's prayer at dinner last night.  It gives me hope that what we're doing is making a difference at least for one day!

"Dear Jesus, thank you for the Air Zoo, for a new coloring book, for Mickey Mouse pancakes, for space food, and for such an awesome day.  Amen. Oh, and bless the food.  Amen."

Fall in America

We are totally enjoying filling our fall bucket list!  Hayrides. Pumpkin carving. Watching the leaves.  It's been so fun doing all these autumnal rituals with these boys who won't see fall again for four years!  I'm sad for our baby girl who will have no idea what seasons are in the North American sense... her idea of seasons will be rainy or dry.  But then we get the fun of introducing her to all the amazing seasons when she is four! 

This road trip was perfectly timed to enjoy all these fun fall things, in the midst of crazy ministry among our champions and churches!  It will definitely be a trip we will never forget!  If you missed the link to our Autumn Bucket List it's here!

Currently...{fall 2013}

it has been too long.  so here's to catching up.  saw this post idea here and LOVED it.

Currently listening to: this. a constant reminder of why i live and why i do just about everything.  i've got to have this reminder to keep eternity before me always.  He is Worth It All.
Currently reading:  Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson.  it just might be the first book that Josh and I have read together.  and i'm loving it!  a great challenge to walk God's ways alongside our kids. 

Current favorite: s'mores. i had forgotten just how delicious they are. yay for family bonfires in the crisp autumn air. 
Currently waiting for: this sweet baby girl to arrive {due January 4}
Currently trying: to settle on a name for her.  still waiting for that flash of divine inspiration.
Currently working on:  a missions prayer meeting kit!  i'm super excited about this project.  hopefully it will help you gather some friends and pray for the world!

 Currently enjoying: fall. the leaves are starting to turn.  pumpkins are out on doorsteps.  the sky is that super blue that seems to only happen in September.  loving it. 
Currently using: Prayer Notebook app for iPhone.  it is the best $1.99 i've spent in a long time. 

Currently wearing: tall boots.  scarves.  plaid.  have i mentioned how much i love fall?  very happy to be able to wear some cool weather clothing.  and happy that this baby bump will keep me nice and toasty.  my african blood just isn't thick enough!
Currently planning: our six-week road trip!  we leave Wednesday and will be visiting Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Canada {to see this woman!!!!}, and Kentucky.  school is planned.  winter clothes have been found.  snacks still need to be purchased!  Fall Bucket List found!
Currently starting: to wonder if all the things i want to bring back to Uganda are going to fit in our luggage.
Currently preparing: my heart for the Come to the Fire Conference.  are you going?? would love to see you there! and it's FREE!  i've never attended before.  but from what i've heard it's the most spirit-saturated time of worship, teaching, and praying most people ever experience. 
Currently wishing: that all my favorite people around the world could be in one place. but, i guess that's just another {small} reason heaven will be amazing!
Currently doing: my best to live my real life and not just a have a cute online life.  so if you don't see me very active on facebook, this is why.  i'll still be blogging best i can.  and i am trying to set aside one afternoon a week to schedule posts, and then be present in my real life.  i'll be happy to e-mail occasionally, just be aware that if you want a real response, you have to write a real e-mail :) 

Welcome

We have just been blown away by the kindness of God's people on this whirlwind Summer tour!  After our time at World Gospel Mission Headquarters, we have stayed in three homes in one week, and every single one has been such a blessing.  We really sense God's appointment at each one, where we could be a blessing and receive blessing as well.  The days have been full, but good.

It is sweet to be on this end of hospitality.  We loved our days of opening our home in Uganda and can't wait to get back there and do it some more!  But it is special grace to receive the gift of hospitality on this side of the ocean. 

As an introvert and a pregnant mama, I am beginning to get weary. As I look at the daily schedule for the two camp meetings ahead in these next two weeks, I could easily start feeling overwhelmed.  Or I can lift my eyes up to the hills, from whence my Help comes!  He has filled and appointed each day well so far, and He will continue to do so. 

Counting the gifts... instead of dwelling on the what-ifs

• friends praying about serving in Uganda
• excited questions about life in Africa
• happy kids in a basement full of toys
• new playmates everywhere we go
• family fun on a Monday
• abundant generosity
• Your joy reflected in Your people
• how You knit Your body together
• Delanco Camp friends opening their home
• a refreshing walk after dinner
• cooler air after a heat-wave
• women on this journey with me
• prayers of Your people carrying us
• $1 spaghetti dinner- Your people in action
• a church that welcomes the community
• space to rest and breathe

Tuesdays with... WGM

We were at World Gospel Mission (WGM) Headquarters for a week and a half, enjoying the time to meet fellow-workers and receive encouragement and training. 

The boys loved being with their cousins... Seth even said, "I wish we could live at WGM forever!" 

And we also got to meet other WGM Uganda families who have been newly appointed!  The great thing this time was a feeling of relief at not being the newbie, of having seen these forms before, of knowing the staff at least a little bit. And it was also really fun to be able to speak into the lives of the new missionaries who haven't hit the field yet.  We got to hang out with Scott and Meg, Lisa Fish, Nicole and Ray Leisure, Justin and Debby Williams, and we met Nathan and Jade Metz!

As a field we've made a declaration.  42 missionaries in the next 10 years.  And He is doing it!  God is raising up an amazing team and we are so blessed to be a part of it!  Missionaries have been praying for workers among prostitutes, for a field treasurer, for a movement of the Holy Spirit at Heritage International School... for so many years... and He is answering!

Would you join us in making that declaration over Uganda?  Would you pray that He would raise up 42 missionaries for Uganda and beyond? Would you be bold enough to ask if you are one of those 42??  

making memories

Road trips have a way of making strong memories.  We left New Jersey at 6am on Tuesday and drove 600 miles to Indiana, stopped half-way for a fabulous visit with new friends and arrived at WGM Headquarters safe and sound at 8pm.

Last week was our Re-Entry/Renewal time.  This week is our Homeland Ministry Assignment workshop- learning how to cultivate solid champions of missions this year!  After that we will stay in three homes in one week, and then we have two back to back Camp Meetings (Cherry Run Camp Meeting, PA and Portsmouth Camp Meeting in RI).  We'll get back home August 9! 

It's fun being on the road as a family.  We laugh about silly things no one else gets.  We create rituals and traditions that are exclusively ours.  We are shaping our family culture.  And I love it!  Our life as missionaries is very nomadic- and so we must learn how to be a family no matter where we are.

I want to make sure that gratitude is part of our family culture.  And so we list and we count, and we whisper thanks as we tuck boys in beds air-mattresses:

• sun rising over Philadelphia
• Your presence with us as we drive
• Your angels guarding our vehicle
• a sweet family to welcome us
• boys being boys in the backyard
• time to stretch our legs and fill our bellies
• Tom and Jerry.  classic entertainment.
• little boy giggles in the backseat
• cousins who understand our life
• boys all growing together
• a playground here at headquarters
• being here in summer (not winter, as usual)
• family trip to the movie theater
• meeting new friends
• how You call us so uniquely and bring us together as one body
• Your vision for Uganda
• so. many. kids.  LIFE!
• whipped cream, berries and brownies
• the story You are writing that we get to be a part of

the world sings

the alarm is about to sound.  but i win.  5:57am.  my sneakers are at the end of the bed.  I slept in my running clothes.  so I was without excuse at 6:00am.  2 miles.  some days it feels like drudgery.  other days the world sings and i get to join in the chorus.  today was a symphony. 

counting the gifts. singing His song.

•  the sun rising to greet the day
• creatures stirring in morning light
• praise ringing in my ears
• my heart beating the staccato of joy
• flowers turning faces to sun
• blades a grass bedecked in sparkling jewels
• how You are calling me to the High Places (this book for Kindle $1.99)
• the rewards far outweighing the risks
• friends willing to risk intimacy 
• a getaway weekend with my man

what we've been up to

been wondering what we've been up to?  we're enjoying having Daddy home.  we've been reading books.  we've been playing with our cousins.  we've been creating our school room for the fall.  we've been coloring. a lot.  we've been running outside in the glorious world.  we've been wrestling Daddy every chance we get.

we've been living life.  and it is good.  thanks for rejoicing with us over the new life we're adding to our family!  thanks for praying us through this transition.  thanks for being patient while we figure out life here in the U.S.  we'll get into a new blog rhythm soon!  stay tuned- tons of ideas floating around in my head!   

One heart...Two Continents...

Left half my heart in Uganda on Wednesday.  It has been hard doing life without my favorite person on the planet.  But I am grateful for all the ways we are growing and stretching in these days.  Jesus is carrying us each in the ways we need Him to.  And the boys are doing great- I don't know what I would do if they were a mess. 

Our travel was SMOOTH.  Thank you- it was only by prayer.  We got to security in London and had just 20 minutes to get to our gate!  And all our luggage made it!  Our God is good.  And we are sleeping through the night- starting at 7:30pm.. but straight through!  Praise Him! 

We're getting ready for my sister's wedding on Saturday- the reason I came home before Josh- and it is going to be a fabulous day! 

Once Wedding Weekend is over I hope to find a new blogging rhythm.  I'm excited to learn alongside you how to "do missions" from this side of the ocean!  There will be tons of resources and challenges, throw-back posts, and family updates. 

The transition has been good; I'm sure there are still waves of good and bad ahead.  Keep praying for us- He is answering!  How can we pray for you?