Entering into a season of reflection and Thanksgiving, I felt it time to
share our hearts and growing pains with all of our friends and family {YOU}.
Carl and I have officially been in Thailand for 5 months now, and would you
believe it? What everyone said was true- The honey moon period is over
and we are homesick. Before we left, we received the wisdom from
numerous sources telling us hard truths of seasons on the mission field.
“Months 1-4 are fun and new, typically months 5-9 are hard and trying, and
from there life tends to mellow.” Well, we are in month 5 and this could not
be truer for us. Carl and I miss our friends, our family, American food ,
green space for Tripp to play, and simple conveniences from America.
However, James 1:2-8 tells us Gods truth in trials and the steadfast faith
and love that they will produce. So it is with this truth that we will rest in
Gods will for us to be here in Bangkok.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under
heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Homesickness aside this season God continues
to be faithful to simplify our lives. Carl and I believe that God desires
simplicity in our household in order to create a culture of discipleship and
worship for our family. God is calling us to simplify our home, to no longer
desire “the best” home, but the home that best serves the Lord. He is daily
teaching us to die to our own plans, desires and control. He is teaching us
to see the world through his eyes and love others well. In this season we
are learning how to be on mission together as husband and wife, and how
to support each other in our ministries. God is simplifying our “wants” and
prioritizing our needs. He is truly stretching our family like never before. 1
Peter 1:6-7 states:
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been
grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your
faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by
fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation
of Jesus Christ.
We rejoice that God would see fit to test us in the fire. We are so
thankful for the love and support of this season from all of you. We are so
encouraged by your emails, texts, and financial support. We couldn’t do
this without you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my family to yours!!!