Encouragement

This past weekend was something I've been anticipating ever since Dennis booked the ticket to Skopje, Macedonia. I had the privilege of spending the weekend with our colleagues, Matt and Sarah, and their daughter, Sabina. 

Friday morning came and I was packed and ready to go. As it usually goes as we head to the airport via taxi, the driver asked which terminal I needed to be dropped off at. There are only two terminals at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. 2A or 2B. Before we even rounded the first corner from our flat onto the main road, my taxi driver looks in his rear-view mirror and asks, "2B or not 2B?" with a silly smirk on his face. I laughed and quickly found out that his English was quite minimal, so I told him how impressed I was with his little joke. It was a quiet ride to the airport after that, but I knew it was the start of a great weekend. 

I arrived at Matt and Sarah's apartment with a special welcome. As soon as I stepped foot into the living area, seven-year-old Sabina began to play a song on her recorder and a Welcome Miss Gwen sign taped to a little pole was wedged between the couch cushions. Sabina graciously let me have her bedroom, sharing a room with her Dad and Mom, while I got to share a room with Humphrey, Sabina's pet hamster. :)

We had a fun weekend just hanging out and catching up on life. These guys are night owls just like me (as I type this at 1:45 a.m.:), so late-night-talks ranged anywhere from Matt explaining new computer apps to Sarah and I just talking life. I was so glad to be there over a weekend so I could attend the church in which they serve. They are working with the children, among other things, and have been encouraged to see kids understand concepts about God for the first time. I loved learning more about Macedonian history and the context in which they live.

No joking taxi driver on the way home, but I certainly had a thankful heart for the opportunity to have spent time with Matt, Sarah, and Sabina. I appreciate their gracious spirits, their ability to make others feel warm and welcomed, their perseverance, and their love for God and the Macedonian people.

I thought of how important it is to encourage.

encourage |enˈkərij; -ˈkə-rij|
verb [ trans. ]

• give support, confidence, or hope to (someone)

• give support and advice to (someone) so that they will do or continue to do something

• help or stimulate (an activity, state, or view) to develop

How fun to live out these verses over the weekend:

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. - Romans 1:12

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. - 2 Corinthians 13:11

Feeding Humphrey

Having fun in Skopje's city center

Dinner out celebrating a long journey in sorting through visa issues

So encourage each other and build each other up... - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Sometimes I wonder...

On a taxi ride to the airport today, I found myself in awe of who God is. How did He ever get me out of the rural farming area I grew up in, take me to the other side of the world, and have me jetting all over Europe?? And, even sometimes by myself! It just goes to show... His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Zooming in on Life with a Word

Every year for at least 20 years now I've been choosing a word for the year. Last year it was perspective. This year is it love. I know. Love, love, love. Seems like an easy word to choose, but really, it's not. I almost chose the word others. But, it didn't define the theme I was looking for. So, then I thought, ultimately it's about loving others, thus the word love.

Last year, the word perspective took me in places I never expected. I chose that word because I felt I needed a better perspective on our life of frequent travels. I thought it was as simple as learning how to navigate the coming and going more practically. Like packing simpler, packing right. I duplicated all my toiletries so that I didn't have to load from what I used every day and replace everything every time we returned. Upon a return trip, I'd refill, restock, and presto, everything was ready to go for the next trip. Toiletry bag on the shelf. Simply had to pull it down and load in the suitcase. But, perspective took me much deeper than that.

As I zoomed in on the landscape of my life, certain objects, or should I say matters, began to emerge. It was like God focused on an area that was completely effecting my perspective on life. I hadn't seen it before, but there it was, looming in the distance. Then it became clearer and clearer. It changed everything. Maybe someday I can share my story at length, but let me just suffice it to say, God took that word and went beyond my imagination. He knows the desire of our hearts. Choosing a word for the year is opening yourself up to what God wants to do in the midst of that word in your life. It creates a theme that is about being rather than doing. Then, we begin doing out of the being, which is the way it should be anyway. It's what's on the inside that counts.

So, more to come on love. My theme comes from Galatians 5:6. Paul challenges the believers that the important thing - what really counts, what really matters, something that is far more interior -  is that we express our faith in love.

2012... learning to love. If it goes anything like last year, this should be quite the journey.

Oh Life!

As the new year begins my heart beats to the melodic rhythm of contentment. Peace in the now. Wonder of what's ahead. Trust in the God who holds my life in His hands.

Reflection on 2011 makes my heart grateful. Grateful for a year of discovery. Those moments when God breaks into the reality of life. At just the right time. And everything changes. Time seems to stand still. He is always near, but there are times when he uniquely shows up in the ordinary of life. No questioning. You know so.

It was in May that I was reading a book a dear friend gave to me during a visit to Europe. Not far into the book, God was in the words. Clarity to a situation in life. As clear as a sunshiny-blue-sky-day. 

That same month I met someone for the first time, now a new friend from Switzerland. His love splashed from her in so many ways, giving refreshing hope and renewed strength.

In June I reflected with another new friend in Scotland. He was there in our conversation, reviving the soul.

In July he spoke of life through a bowl full of cherries. He reminded me of the sweetness of His Word in a jar of honey.

Through some timely networking in June, I meant another new friend who continues to have a huge impact on my life with her listening ear, a discerning heart, and wise counsel. The God of restoration joins us in every conversation.

No doubt these moments will make a difference in 2012. Moments that have made an impact. Something to learn. A place to grow. A new perspective.

These kind of moments are hardly neutral. They leave their mark. They shape us. They become a part of who we are.

There were moments, and even seasons, in 2011 that weren't so sweet or perfect. These, too, shape us.

The most difficult one was our loss of Margot on March 24. Life tragedies that don't make sense. Exceptions don't apply in life. We never know. Even in the shadow of death, He is there. I choose to find beauty in ashes.

Oh life! As 2012 begins my heart beats to the melodic rhythm of contentment. Peace in the now. Wonder of what's ahead, and trust in the God who holds my life in His hands.

A Dedication, Prayers, and a Send-off

We headed down to San Diego with Mike, Joni, and Miles after the family gathering in Pasadena. Julie, Clint, Jamie, and the girls came down a couple days later for Sunday services at Grace San Diego where Mike and Joni serve. Dennis preached, and after the service he had the privilege of dedicating Iris - a parental commitment to raise her in the ways of the Lord.

A joy for Dennis to dedicate Iris

Monday afternoon we spent some time in prayer together for Clint and Jamie's new season of ministry in Christchurch, among other things. Time well spent. There's something about praying together that is rich and meaningful. 

Tonight we head back to Pasadena. We'll be sending Clint and Jamie off tomorrow. Tears expected, yet content with God's leading in their lives. The recent earthquakes in Christchurch can be a bit nerve-racking, but we trust God in all things. Tis' so sweet to trust in Jesus... as Jamie relays in her recent blog post.

Below are some photos of our days in San Diego. Once again, we enjoyed having Regina and Rachel around - fondly referred to as our other daughters. 

Hangin' out at LeStat's

Watching Wallace & Gromit

Jamie & Regina

Couples

Sisters

Rachel & Julie

Goodbyes