Count Your Many Blessings

We've finally done it!  For months, we've promised the creation of a blog where friends and family can keep up with our move to the Ulpan Valley, and today we've launced our site which will hopefully be a fun and productive way to keep connected with the people we love here at home!

We are four sleeps (as we like to tell our boys when they are gauging time before a vacation) from leaving our comfortable home in Williamson County to move to a remote location in Guatemala.  When I say remote, think outer edge of nowhere and a little bit further past that.  No electricity, no indoor plumbing, none of the comforts we have come to expect in our culture.  As a mother, before any travel, I get restless thinking about the "what ifs" a few days before we leave.  Imagine the amount of "what ifs" that are rolling through my mind right now as I prepare our family to move to a developing country for a year!  As is custom, I am usually too busy during the day to think about these things, but as I lay my head on my pillow at night, they begin to creep into consciousness and threaten my sleep.  Over the past few nights, as the old song suggests, I have found it helpful to count my blessings.  Last night as I lay thinking about all the people who have blessed us over the past several months, I became overwhelmed with gratitude.  Here are the people that came to my mind:

1.  Family
I'm thankful for a sister who is so excited about what we are doing that she is willing to commit social suicide and live in Franklin in our home for the next year.  When we leave on Friday, Sam, Zaac and Ben will leave their house just as it is and will be able to come home to their beds at Christmas.  I'm thankful for parents who are not only supporting us but who are genuinely excited about what lies in store for us this year.  I'm thankful for Kevin's father who lived out his life in such a way as to encourage Kevin's desire to use his talents for a world in need.  He would be over the moon about our upcoming adventure!! 

2.  Friends
For the prayers that have been offered up on our behalf since the very first mention of moving.  For the many people who have offered to help Mel in any way she needs while caring for our house.  For the offer to mow our lawn or to watch the kids so I can get things taken care of before the move.  I am grateful for friends who are willing to keep our gecko Gilly for an entire year (you can't just ask anyone to keep your gecko)!  For the promise to try and come see us while we are there.  Not only have we received monetary support from so many friends, they have offered us encouragement along the way, and it means more than we can say. 

3.  Church Family
For the genuine interest shown by so many people at church.  For a ministry team who cares enough about what we are doing to devote a Sunday to letting the congreagation know about our call to live in the valley.  For Steve and Magda Sherman who are our cheerleaders and mentors.  For the shepherds who are not only devoted to praying for our family each time they meet, but who are also individually praying for us on a daily basis. For teachers who have taken a genuine interest in my children and their spiritual growth. For Joe Haubenreich who gave Sam and Zaac his businnes card so they can email him about their adventures.  For Gail Srygley who had Ben's class surround him on Sunday and offer a blessing for his journey.  For Miss Janet and Miss Melanie who love my children and work each week to make sure that all the kids who come to church don't just have fun but also learn about God and His love for us.


4.  A God who loves us enough to make us uncomfortable
I'm thankful that I serve a God who loves me so much that He makes me uncomfortable in my current situation.  A God who wants me to grow as I learn to see His world through different eyes.  A God who has very tangibly cleared our way as we have overcome potential obstacles to our move.  There are very few times in my life that I have felt like I know where God wants me to be and what He wants me to be doing, but this is one of those times.  It's thrilling, and a little bit scary, but there is peace in riding the wave of His will!

So, here we are just days away from dramatically changing our lifestyle!  Please continue to pray that there will be peace during the days (and nights) leading up to our journey as well as peace in the Ulpan Valley. We are excited to share with you our Guatemalan adventure!