Changing Expectations

 How was your 2020 Thanksgiving celebration? Did you have the usual spread of turkey, stuffing, and casseroles and pies? Did your family gather in front of the television to watch football or a parade? 

   OR

Were you isolated from family and friends because of a shelter in place order? Did you play a pick up game of football in the front yard or watch a local parade from the inside of your car? Did you watch the livestream of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on You Tube?

Our Thanksgiving traditions have changed a lot over the years, but this year was pretty unusual for me. Maybe it was the lack of colder weather or the fact that I went sugar free this year. Perhaps moving to another state in August set the stage for the unfamiliarity that made our plans seem uncertain this Thanksgiving. We thought about going on a weekend trip to Phoenix or Tucson. But in the end, we just stayed home like it was any other weekend (with a few extra days off work).

My new home has a wonderful kitchen and lots of electric appliances-some we brought and some we rent. The refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove are recent models, probably the same age as the house. We have enjoyed using the appliances. There is one drawback....

I react strongly to gas: natural gas or propane, diesel or jet, any petroleum product. Someone told me my symptoms sound like a migraine. So unless I want to be in bed for the day, I don't cook on the range that comes with our house. In fact, I asked the landlord to turn off the source of gas to the stove/oven completely.

How do you cook a turkey without an oven? Moreover, how do you cook any part of Thanksgiving dinner without an oven? We didn't. We grilled mesquite chicken. 

We managed to cook one pumpkin pie in our toaster oven (which is remarkable that a pie dish can fit inside). It was a little dry perhaps, but my family enjoyed the custard. 

Another blow to my celebration was the lack of extra people in my home. I love being home with my immediate family and I'm an introvert to boot. Still, I grew up with the tradition that family (no matter how much you fight with them) got together for holidays. Thanksgiving was the exception: my dad couldn't take time off to travel 12 hours to spend Thanksgiving with my grandparents. My mom found a way around that limitation: we adopted grandparents! We always invited our "adopted" grandpa or grandma over for Thanksgiving dinner. I loved those memories of special times with special people. It made living far away from family not so lonely. 

Later in my life, my mom's family all moved to the same town. We spent every holiday at my grandma's house making memories over a big meal and a game of Royal Rummy or Taboo. After my grandma passed away, my cousin rose to the occasion and began hosting our family holiday gatherings. I always made the mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.

This year, I still made the mashed potatoes but I didn't need as many pounds of potatoes. 

I felt like my expectations of Thanksgiving were shaken because we didn't have family over (too far away to visit), we didn't eat turkey, and we didn't watch a parade. I didn't even eat pie because I used a recipe that called for ingredients I can't have. What made Thanksgiving a day that was different from any other Thursday? Was I really any more grateful that day or the month of November? Or was I feeling less grateful than other days because my expectations were unmet?

Another question was raised in my mind: what makes a specific day a holiday? Is it the traditions and the cultural expectations we meet? Is it the gifts or the people? the food or the activity?

What is holy about these days we call holidays? Do we give thanks to God more on Thanksgiving or celebrate the life of Jesus Christ more on Christmas? How do we emphasize the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and Easter Sunday? How does our celebration become holy in the midst of the food, family, and festivities?

Is your holiday celebration more holy than the other days on the calendar? Does God's presence fill your mind and your interactions with others more on these holidays? I can't say that I see the distinction in my heart and mind; moreover, shouldn't every day look holy like this?

Our family is on the verge of another move. This move will place before us life change for which we have no way to fully prepare. We don't know what to expect! We are leaving the familiar and entering a new climate, new culture, new language, new government system, new way of life. How can we have appropriate expectations? What will we do when our expectations are not met?

God has been reminding me through the counsel of those whom he loves and who love him: my attitude matters more than my circumstances. What good are expectations that go unmet? What is worse? to have plans change and expectations be unmet? or to complain, pout, and grumble over some situation that didn't turn out how I wanted it to?

Joy is a choice that awaits me in the midst of unmet expectations. It is a choice to look beyond the immediate circumstance to the awaiting opportunities: opportunities that can pass by if my attitude is focused on what didn't happen instead of what could happen. Joy is choosing to delight in the Lord's presence in the "what is happening now" rather than "what should have happened".  Joy is choosing to delight in God's wisdom and and trust his authority over my life in each situation regardless of the circumstances I face.

Expectations. What were your expectations for this year? Have you changed your plans a few times since January? I think the rapidly changing situations we encountered this year have reminded me I need stability. I need something unchanging to cling to...

I need God.

In a world that is so uncertain, God has never changed. Neither have his plans for humanity and the world he created. From before time began, God's character was and remains stable and dependable. God has revealed himself to humanity clearly and consistently. He wrote his story and has preserved his words for thousands of years in one book, the Bible. His truth never changes and his loyal, faithful love never disappoints. I can trust the truth of God's Word and my expectations will always be met. How can I be this confident? Because God has proved his character throughout history, and he has kept every promise he has made (or will keep those that remain). The birth of Jesus Christ was promised thousands of years before it happened. All those who believed in God's promise of a Savior, a redeemer, the Messiah were not disappointed. Many died before they saw this promise fulfilled, but God still kept his word. Galatians 4:4 reads, "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son," NASB or "But when the right time came, God sent his Son." NLT 

We are starting a new tradition this year to turn our Christmas focus toward our unchanging, faithful God and his son, Jesus. We are celebrating the names of Jesus, the ways his names reveal who he his and what he has done to show his love to us. We are making an Advent month paper chain. Every day we read a verse or passage of the Bible that explains one of the names given to Jesus. Some of the names we have learned this month are Immanuel "God with us" and Messiah "Anointed One". We read in John 4 a conversation where a woman is given the opportunity to find out who Jesus is. She mentions her people's hope in the promise of the Messiah.  "The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 4:25-26 NASB God kept his promise to send the Messiah who would crush the deceiver, Satan. Jesus kept that promise. God has also promised to rescue a broken world, groaning under the weight of sin. He will keep that promise too. 

I thank God for the truth I can cling to when my expectations of life in this broken world are disappointed, truth that hope in God will not disappoint me... ever. And hope that someday all the promises will be kept just like he has kept promises in the past. That is worth celebrating every day, no matter whether the feast is traditional or guests have arrived. Maybe I will learn how to celebrate the hope of the gospel in a tropical climate where it never snows and pine trees can't be found. It will still be a Christmas worth celebrating.

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:1-5

When life gets smelly

Something you may not know about Allison is she has some unusual reactions to smells. Those who grew up participating in theater with Allison may remember how her skin turned funny colors when painting sets for play scenes. 

How does this relate to moving overseas? In a letter from the allergist Allison saw last December, the doctor stated Allison should avoid all chemicals that cause irritation to her sinuses. (It felt like the letter was stating Allison should stop breathing.... then what?) In reality, life goes on whether you get a migraine, a sinus infection, or a dizzy spell just because you inhaled a chemical smell or fragrance right? 

One of the challenges our family is facing is how to cook without a gas stove. Once we move to a foreign country, we will no longer have the stable electricity that we have enjoyed in the United States. Will we be able to purchase an electric range and have it shipped to our host country (the country in which we will serve)? Propane gas (LP) is the normal means for fueling a stove/oven (or anything else) in these parts of the world. This was the first issue that Ethnos360 Aviation leadership posed when we investigated the possibility of working with this organization. After discussing the potential problems and solutions, the leadership stated, "we admire your faith in God to provide the solution to this problem and we will stand behind you as you walk forward to see how God will lead." We love the fact that our health challenges are not a deterrent to this team to welcome us and stand behind us. We love the truth that God is not daunted and this health challenge is not a surprise to him. Rather, this is an opportunity directly from the hand of God to teach us to depend on him for life and breath and to trust him as he leads us forward to obey his commands.

Flash forward to the present:
Housing on the Ethnos360 Aviation International Headquarters is provided (for rent) to all those in transition between fields. The women who arrange for housing contacted Allison in July to discuss the options for housing with or without an electric range. We chose housing without an electric range. While our current housing is the best possible situation for our family, it does have a gas stove. We requested the maintenance team turn off the gas to the range before we arrived in August.
We have been navigating how to cook without a stove or oven. We have the benefit in the US of using a variety of electric appliances (Instapot, toaster oven, electric kettle, even an electric burner), each of which can cook a portion of a meal or a whole meal. Not only have these appliances allowed Allison to feed our family without triggering a migraine; we also have enjoyed sharing our meals with others. 

We took the opportunity over Thanksgiving weekend to bake a pie in our toaster oven and make gingerbread cookies. We may only be able to fit four cookies in the toaster oven at one time so that makes baking time a lot longer.... I think our family is grateful for the options that exist to feed our family and even make some special treats.

We are choosing to trust the Lord for the next step in the journey: how to cook our meals using similar appliances when the electricity is 220V/50Hz (depending on the country 220V/60Hz or 127V/60Hz) and power may go out at unexpected moments!

Bloom in the desert

 I wanted to include a picture of the prettiest yellow flower that volunteered to bloom in our yard the first week we lived in McNeal, Arizona. Unfortunately, it died before I took the photo. I found a different flower. Even in a drought year there is still the possibility of flowers in the midst of barrenness. Anything else you see growing on the McNeal center is the result of diligent watering. Who knew you could have a beautiful grass lawn or a garden in the desert?

I feel like the contrast of bare dirt, patches of weeds (most of which poke and impale you), and flowers is a picture of my personal life. I have a lot of barrenness in my heart: places where what I chose to believe has led to attitudes and choices that display ugliness and death. But Jesus has begun the process of watering my heart with his truth. The more water I receive, the more growth can happen in my barren desert. 

There are so many areas of life that Jesus is watering in 2020. I think I've been feeling like ground that has been growing weeds so long it hurts to uproot these things. Some of the deepest roots shoot up and wave in the breeze during seasons of stress and transition. Our current career really creates the opportunity to grow some weeds! The past two years we have moved twice, spent every December and June through August living out of suitcases in someone else's home, and facing a variety of changes in family size and community. We have said so many goodbyes, made new friends, said goodbye again, and enjoyed reconnecting with friends from previous seasons. 

Kind women ask how my family is handling the transition. Not well is usually my answer. The kids are not sleeping soundly. No one is calm and well rested. Stress abounds as we hurry to get settled and unpacked, can't find what we had packed several months ago, wonder which state or home we left some possession in, try to figure out where to buy the foods we can eat (special allergies make life different every location), and adjust our expectations. 

If you have moved towns or states, you understand these realities. New doctors, new stores, new acronyms for state/government functions. Is it the DMV, MVD, or BMV that does car registration? We cling to the few things that remain a constant: God, his words in the Bible, our family of four, and creation. Even the necessities of life change in a move. Do you need pizza as a staple in your house? What about tamales? Do you use a public restroom that provides toilet paper or do you have to bring your own? Is clean (or any) water readily available or do you have to drill deep for a well?

How do you handle major life changes? Our family is learning how deeply we need God's word to be a part of every day. We need to remind ourselves of his presence and his promise to be with us wherever we go. We have to stop and read his Word or quote the part of the Bible we remember speaks to our sadness in the middle of the moments when we just don't like one more difficult thing to figure out.

This transition has been very difficult for our family. Among the temper tantrums, lack of green things, blistering heat, and new relationships, God continually reminds us that this is the place he wants our family to dwell. He placed us in a home that allows parents and children to have their own personal space when we get upset and need time to think or pray. He set us under leadership that reminds us through their words and their example of the privilege and expectation we have from God to "honor one another above yourselves." He provided indoor and outdoor means to allow our kids to let out their energy and stress through play. He provided us with mentors who have listening ears and hearts that have wrestled with God's word and responded in obedience over the years.

I think I grew up with the misconception that life was supposed to be comfortable and easy if you do the right thing. Unfortunately, I think this is one of the ways Satan has taken the truth of God and twisted it to a deceptive and attractive alternative. The best life is a content life that is dependent on the Creator God who gives us life itself-life abundant, life eternal, life complete. Contentment doesn't depend on our circumstances (how our day is going, whether we are where we wanted to be, whether our plans worked out or our goals were accomplished). Contentment is much more stable an attitude than worry because it is based on our God and his character; who he is and what he has and will accomplish does not change. 

Our God is dependable and he intends for us to depend on him. I have been reading through Deuteronomy about God's instructions to the Israelites. My two favorite things about this book are related: God reveals the reasons why he led Israel through the wilderness in chapters 5-8 and he gives reasons for various instructions for living in community. God is giving the Israelites a glimpse of how to accept and enjoy the life he has planned for them.

I am learning the secret of being content (Philippians 4:11-13) is God himself. God led the Israelites through a difficult experience that required trust and endurance. But this experience was purposeful and intentional. Read Deuteronomy 8:2-6 God did not design life to be bleak, empty, and full of strife. Neither did God design man to live independent of relationship with God himself or separate from other humans. Relationships are beautiful and rich, but here in our sin-twisted world, relationships are messy. Relationships require me to be crying out to God and seeking to let his power be at work in my life and his truth replace the lies. I am learning that the relationships I persevere in and continue to fight for are the most rewarding and valuable relationships I have. They teach me that what is easy is not what is most often best; they teach me to depend on God to accomplish the impossible and to adore how he can give grace when I am inadequate. Messy but humble and dependent on God-I choose relationships that will point out how much we all need God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, his grace and forgiveness. I want to learn to be content depending on God to change my barrenness. I choose to bloom in the desert. This is a daily choice and a long, costly commitment. 

There are plenty of things that could squelch the growth and beauty of a heart surrendered to depend on Jesus. But there is one thing that has become obvious in a month of living in the desert. All it takes is enough water to resurrect life. I'm heading to the living water and source of life (John 4:10-14): Jesus and his Words. 

Will you join me?

Unfailing Love and Tantrums

 

I am confident that God knows our weaknesses. Psalm 103 says that he is tender and compassionate like a Father is with his children. Verse 14 and following describe us like grass that withers and dies and is blown away by the wind. Out in the desert, that picture is a vivid daily reminder of how fragile we humans are.

My emotions are fragile, raw, edgy. I often don't know what to post because I need to refrain from sharing the rawness of my heart. I want to be real and transparent, to be accountable to those who care for our family and pray for our work. God knows the fragility of my emotions. The Psalm continues that the unfailing love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him and he extends salvation to me, to my children, when I/we choose him.

God is gracious and compassionate with me. I know he is bringing our family through each of these stages of transition to teach us our need for him and to remind us of how gentle he is when we are fragile and feeling blown away. I need these trials of many kinds to test and prove my faith will endure the fire, prove to me that God will make my faith stronger through each trial no matter how mundane the trial seems. This week the trial is testing my obedience to love sacrificially. I lost sleep every night to comfort my son through the wee hours of the morning. I stayed up making food and doing dishes so I could give the kids time to explore our neighborhood in the mornings. I made breakfast for our family at 6am in the morning and sent David off with fresh coffee. I bathed kids and washed laundry after multiple accidents. I even slept on the floor in our four year old's room last night. I have been screamed at and endured other harsh comments from my child who is learning to live without naps. I have responded like I was the child dropping a nap. Does this sound familiar to you? Does this sound like the way that Jesus loved his disciples and those who nailed him to a cross? Does this sound like the sacrificial love Jesus showed me on that cross?

Through each painful and tear filled day, I keep thinking that what God wants to teach me is so simple and so hard. I cannot make the situation easier. I cannot change the things that I wish were different or go back to life before this move and this career. I cannot make life better by jumping ship and leaving all this difficulty behind. I have a choice to make, a simple but incredibly hard choice. I need to choose joy. I need to choose gratitude. I need to choose to believe I can trust God to be choosing what is best for me and for my family.

I am choosing to love my family through my actions and my tone of voice. I am choosing to be gentle and patient with wildly distraught children. I am choosing to change from quick anger to slow responses. I am choosing to change from bitter resentment to what I can thank God for providing in his incredible goodness. I am choosing to stop throwing temper tantrums when I don't get to choose what my day holds or how my family responds and love them with actions and grace.

God is asking me to choose to control what he has placed within my control : my attitude, my words, my tone of voice. God is asking me to trust him with the rest.

I've heard our daughter express several times this week the sentiments that God is challenging me to reverse in my thinking:

"I wish this were not that way"

"I don't like the things you choose for me! I wish you would let me do what I want to do"

I am learning from my own words as I teach my toddlers to choose joy.

Still, the three of us (really every human) are slow to trust and find change very hard. We are fragile.

God is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love for us.

God is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love for you. Do you trust him?

Plan for the Future

Where did you picture yourself when you dreamed about life in the year 2020? I (Allison) don't remember any of my daydreams of the future looking like my life does right now. Is God not gracious to us in this unique way? I appreciate God's wisdom and sovereign control over the broad and complex details of my life and the world he created. I marvel at how patient God is when I worry about the future or try to have control over what my life experiences are or will be.
This past year, I have continued to learn a very important lesson. My future is not going to look like I expected or planned. My role in God's kingdom expansion is not going to look like I anticipated. Our four months of training last spring involved several transitions and interviews that were hard for me. My anxious and angry responses revealed I was not accepting God's control over my future. I was not responding with a submissive and respectful heart despite my efforts to have the outward appearance of obedience. I was willing to move forward without understanding what God was requiring of me, but I was not happy about it.

David and I struggled with taking another year to make our decision when we know how desperately the aviation team needs maintenance personnel overseas. We struggled with questions of whether the urgency of people dying without hearing the gospel required we move forward with a decision more quickly.  Were we being selfish?  The additional time we have spent making a decision about future ministry has been worth every minute. We are growing in faith, knowledge, patience, unity, and confidence in God's leading and his sovereignty.  This decade, I am learning how to be ok with God's will and actually enjoy trusting in who God is and his promise to be with me whatever he calls me to do. David and I have also been learning how to approach God with our requests and show respect for his control over our future. Maybe I can explain it like this: when we train our children, we expect young children to obey our authority without questioning our direction first. In our parenting, David and I hope to establish the grace and permission for a respectful question to come after immediate obedience. We believe it is healthy for our daughter to understand why we make decisions and how to discern what choices are best. Ultimately, we need her to obey first and ask questions second for two reasons: we believe this demonstrates trust rather than resentment of our authority, and we know that there are instances in which slow responses could mean imminent or immediate danger.
When checking both ways before you cross the street, situations arise when you don't see what others see and you need to act quickly when warned by someone you trust. We know that there will be many opportunities for traffic, snakes, coconuts or any number of situations that will put our lives in danger if we do not see and avoid those dangers. Our responsibility is to watch for and warn our children of danger; if they obey our instruction quickly, dangers are no longer a threat to their lives. Disobedience creates a very different result. David and I realize we are the children learning to obey God's commands like our children are learning to trust and respect our authority. God directs our lives to provide what is best for us whether we see impending danger or understand why we need to "Move!" immediately. God also desires to train us to make wise decisions according to his wisdom; he is teaching us how to understand what really matters in life and how to value the things that have eternal value.  This is counter cultural, foreign to our self-centered, temporal nature. We have also gained a lot of practice making significant decisions as a team rather than two individuals.

We are so grateful for the grace and patience God has shown us. We are confident that this journey is as much about our lives becoming a reflection of his glory as it is about the lives of those yet to hear God's truth in their own language. Thank you all for praying with us and trusting God to draw our hearts closer to his.

What's My Motivation?

What is the number one thing that would prompt you to die on behalf of another person? What motivation does it take to make such a significant personal sacrifice?

Don't be confused that I'm going to lump the corona virus into a group with Ebola and the Bubonic Plague. But I do want you to watch this video and think about what the motivation for heroic sacrifice was in the story this Vietnam veteran shares:
Leadership and Responsibility- Richard Pimentel

My husband, David, asked me to sit down and watch this documentary with him last month. I had posed the question to David, "What is your motivation for the career you are pursuing?" I'll be honest, I wasn't asking nicely. I've been wrestling with this question as I ponder my own answer. Our family is facing a lot of change, a lot of transition, a lot of goodbyes. We are giving up close ties with family, milestone moments we want to be a part of, friendships and relationship with people we have loved, an "American dream" or idyllic life, possessions, familiarity, even just knowing how to ask where the bathroom is....

I'm not complaining. I'm contemplating. It is complete and utter foolishness to embark on a journey or set a goal without counting the cost. You can't run a marathon without training for it.
Jesus Christ said this to his disciples in the Bible. I think this hit a chord with these men too since it is recorded in more than one account of Jesus' life.  {Here is a link to the NET Bible where you can read Luke 14:25-35 (NET Bible Luke 14) or you can pull out your favorite version and read the paper copy. I like the way the pages feel; I especially enjoy the notes I've written in the margins from previous "aha" moments of reading a passage of God's word.}
Jesus uses two illustrations of major events that bear significant cost to those who undertake them. First, he captures the audience's attention with an idea they most closely relate to... beginning a building project. How many of us have driven by a partially erected building only to shake our heads at the company that ran out of budget to complete their project. "Foolishness..." we think to ourselves.
I think the next illustration hit pretty close to home in Jesus' day also. So many of these simple working people would have been among the 10,000 men numbered in this king's army. They were the ones who would face the onslaught of the enemy army. They are the ones who would suffer the casualties and defeat. They are the families who would lose their provider, their home, their ability to have necessities to survive if their men died in battle. Notice the king's response when he weighs the odds of his army against a much stronger opponent. He decides the best course of action is not to undertake the offensive and instead to make an attempt to negotiate peace. He may still face a situation that is against the odds if his offer of peace is rejected, but he is going to make the wisest decision he can in the situation and hope that it resolves the conflict without as great a cost.

Jesus doesn't use these illustrations to set aside the risk of entrepreneurship or emphasis there is a better way to negotiate than battle. Look at his parting comment in verse 33, "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own." That comment reveals my true issue with the cost I am counting: greed, self-preservation, my worship of possessions, comfort, people, happiness...

Jesus used these illustrations to make a clear, simple point. Don't start something you can't finish.

That is exactly what I am questioning these days. Can we see this career choice through to the finish? Can we expend our lives in the cause we believe Jesus Christ has set before us? How will our choices affect our children, our marriage, our sanity, our faith, our health, etc? What if we set out to begin this journey and can't complete it? What then?

The veteran, Richard Pimentel, stated three "C"s from Aristotle's teaching that define a leader: Content, Competence, Character. Those three words describe the kind of leader who is worth following: one you can trust. The reason you trust this leader: because he cares about you.
Those three "C" words describe the leader I'm following, even to the point of death on the cross. I believe Jesus Christ, both God and man, is the only person in the entire world who could truly be ascribed these three qualities in absolute perfection. Wouldn't that be someone worthy of devoted obedience? Is this not the kind of person you want to follow into battle regardless of the terrors you might face? Is this the person who is worth dying for?

Richard Pimentel quotes his Sergeant from a particular situation in the war in Vietnam, "Responsibility is a word made up of two words, the word response and the word ability....
We all find ourselves looking at situations, we all find ourselves with abilities. What we have to ask is given my abilities, what then will be my response to those abilities?"

Romans 5:1-11 puts this another way that describes the deep joy that prompts those who believe in Jesus to endure suffering with a hope that does not disappoint. Please, please read the verses in the entire passage. I'll only include the last two.
"10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."

There are more passages in Scripture that add to the clear picture that Jesus Christ, whom God the Father sent to die on our behalf and raised to life, is the ONLY person worthy of complete obedience and surrender.  (Parables-treasure of God's Kingdom)

Revelation 5: 4-11
"4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 

9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb."

What did David want me to remember from watching this inspirational speech? How did this speaker capture the motivation that drives him to lead our family toward great sacrifice?
"It's our responsibility..."

The theme that has been ringing with truth in my heart and mind for the past year has been,
"He alone is worthy..."
Maybe this is what God has been teaching me through all the stress and the transition and the unknown about the future. It is good that we remind ourselves of this truth.
Is He Worthy by Andrew Peterson

Does our family have the ability to do what Jesus has called us to do?
Only by his grace and through his power (2 Corinthians 3:4-6a; 3:18-5:21 NET Bible)

What will our response be? to follow him to the ends of the earth
(Matthew 28:16-20 NLT, Acts 1:8 NET Bible)

"What abilities do you have and, more importantly, what is your response to those abilities?" Richard Pimentel

Stand Firm

We continue to rest in the grace that God has shown us this past year. We are confident that much of the growth he has allowed in our hearts and minds will be continued until it is completed and we stand before Jesus face to face. Here are some of the things we have been learning lately.

1. David is learning how God is faithful in the midst of uncertainty.
2. Allison is learning to trust that God is good in the midst of difficult circumstances, and he can be trusted with the decisions we make and decisions our leadership will make about our future.
3. Allison is learning how to recognize and change the thoughts and deeply rooted assumptions about life and God that have been developed through experiences from childhood and reinforced throughout adulthood.
4. We are learning how to love each other in the midst of busy schedules and not merely be ships passing in the night (to and from the bedroom of whichever kid is crying). We are learning to practice intentional acts of kindness and forgive whether or not the other person is changing his/her behaviors.
5. Our daughter is learning how to trust the authorities God has placed in her life. She is beginning to listen to our explanation of why there is sin in the world and how our disobedience toward God earned our consequences, especially the consequence of death. She understands that "Jesus died so that we wouldn't have to die". Jesus placed himself under God's punishment for our sin so that we who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection would be forgiven and not experience spiritual death. My favorite evidence of how this truth is penetrating our daughter's heart comes from her prayers for the little four year old girl in a village in Papua New Guinea. The families in the Pei village are beginning to gather regularly to hear teaching from God's word, beginning with the truth about how God created men and using every Bible lesson to point to the one who died "so we wouldn't have to die". Join our family in praying for the people of Pei and those teaching the truth of the gospel to them this year.  The names we are specifically praying for are Pol (40), Tema, Tamalis (7), Telma (5), Akwilta (4), Aitsiluse (2), and Seseli (9 months). 
6. Our son is learning that his parents always come back to pick him up from childcare and naps have a good purpose. He is also learning that it takes hard work and lots of practice to learn new life skills. He is learning to be a fine cook who stirs hot pots, uses sharp knives, and washes his dishes later. Finally, he is discovering that what goes up must come down, including himself....

Ephesians 6:10-18 is on my mind tonight. This is the piece that sums up our thoughts about standing firm in the midst of uncertainty because of our faith in God and our hope of salvation

Paul wrote,

"13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."