Worship in Singapore

Well, it is 5pm Sunday afternoon here and it is 4am Sunday morning where most of you are. You still have a wonderful day of worship to look forward to. What will you bring to your day of worship? Will you just be looking for what “church” can give you today? You know, one thing I have learned is that my worship doesn’t depend on where I am on Sundays. In Africa, we went to some pretty interesting churches. Many times I couldn’t understand the language. Sometime I couldn’t appreciate the music. However, I could ALWAYS worship. Because worship isn’t dependent on those things. It comes from inside you. Oh, those things can enhance your worship but they can’t take away from it. What will you take to worship today? A clean heart? A spirit ready to praise your Creator? Don’t leave home without those.

Today our worship experience was definitely enhanced. We went to a progressive Baptist church here in the city of Singapore. The church is so big it is held in a pavilion – like a great hall in the superdome. As we got off the subway we were joined by many others making their way to this church service. When I say there were THRONGS of people, I’m not kidding. I’m sure there were at least 5000 people in the service. As we made our way to our seat, the three worship leaders were already leading the crowd in the song “I am a Friend of God!” Behind them were two choirs of young adults and they were dancing and singing as well. Yes, there were bright lights everywhere and many of you would have thought we were at a Chris Rice concert! The air was absolutely electric! We sang praise songs for nearly an hour and it was incredible. One song we sang that I had not heard before was “Divine Exchange”. Oh, my, did it touch my heart. Be sure and look for that one at your local music store.

After the singing, two offerings were taken (at the same time). One was the regular offering and one was a mission offering. A blue bag and a red bag were passed and they were clearly marked.

The regular pastor and his family were traveling today so we heard a guest pastor. He spoke from God’s Word concerning a harmonious family. There were three main points:

1. In the relationship between wives and husbands, switch your mind on to submit and love. (Wives, submit to your husbands. Husbands, love your wife as Christ loved the Church.) You know I always get a little itchy when pastors start preaching about submission. I understand what the word means, but so many times, we, as women, just hear the submit part. That was not true today. He spoke on submission but actually spent more time speaking to the husbands on loving their wives sacrificially. I was pleasantly surprised. (You know, submission is easy when sacrificial love is evident.)

2. In the relationship between children and their parents, turn your emotions on to obey and encourage. (Children, obey your parents for it is fitting in the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children.)

3. In the relationship between families and God, act on your will to remember and restore. Remember God’s Word and HE will restore your family in the last day.

It was a great sermon and the Lord spoke to me so much during it. I was reminded of the blessing my family is to me. I have a husband who loves me sacrificially on every count. Therefore, it is easy to submit to him as the leader of our family. Our children have blessed us by being obedient and continuing to glorify God in all that they do. God’s Word is important to Rick and I as a couple and we have tried to pass that importance on to our children. God has continued to keep our family close and ever searching for His will for our lives.

By the way, after the sermon this morning, many came to know Christ as their personal Savior. PTL!

Well, I didn’t MEAN to preach today. But it was such a great worship service this morning. I hope your worship this morning is heart touching and life changing. The chorus of that song, “Divine Exchange” said this:

I live to worship You

I breathe to worship You.

You are all I need and I will ever seek Your face.

As I worship you

You lead me to the place

To the place of Divine Exchange.

Find that place today and have a great worship experience.

Found popcorn

Yesterday we finally found a place to take our clothes to launder. Okay, at our temporary abode there is no washer or dryer (and boy is it humid here). We have washed out a lot but there are just some things – that need to be in the washing machine – jeans, slacks, shirts, etc. So we taxied to a laundry that we found in the phone book. It costs S$13.40 (about $9) for between 1 – 4 kg. We had just under 4 kg so that was good. The lady asked if they could all be washed and dried together – we said “yes”. Then she said come back after 5pm. We told her that we would probably just come in the next day and get them and she was fine with that.

This morning Rick went to pick up the laundry and it was very nicely folded and wrapped in plastic. They did a great job and we will use them again (until we have our own place with our own laundry!)

Last night was pretty uneventful. We walked along the front street of Chinatown and I saw lots of good shopping opportunities but Rick wasn’t in the mood for that. We found a little sidewalk café to eat at. It was nice. The weather here in the late afternoon is very nice – it cools off and there is even a sea breeze.

October is right around the corner and it is a custom of our family to start playing Christmas music on October 1. I have a lot of Christmas music on my computer and am waiting patiently. Of course, I will be playing it before any of my kids because of the time difference! I think it will make me miss them a lot but it will be fun knowing that they, too, are getting in the Christmas spirit.

I know you will also be getting into the Christmas spirit there as soon as Halloween is over. The stores will be decorated for Christmas and shopping season will be underway.

If any of you have old Woman’s Day magazines (or others) you want to send me, I’ll be glad to take them off your hands. You’ll have to email me for my address but I will be glad to give it to you.

Haven’t heard from a lot of you. Write soon. You can’t know what a lifeline it is.

Oh, yea, yesterday we found Popcorn. I can make it here now.

Friday is here again!

It is so hard to believe that we have been in Singapore for a week now. Wow! We have discovered so much and explored much of the city (still have 99% more to go!) Last night we ate at a place down from our neighborhood called “Fish Head Steamboat”. It is a local place and there were many Singaporeans eating there. It was an outside restaurant so we sat down at a table and a young girl brought us the menu. Of course, Rick asked “what do you recommend”. Oh, she recommended the fish head steamboat! And Rick said, “Fine!” We also ordered some stir fry vegetables. Another girl came over and took our drink orders. We both ordered Pepsi Light. The funny thing was we had to pay for the drinks separately!

Anyway, soon the fish head steamboat arrived. Here is what it looked like! There was burning charcoal down in the “steamboat” looking thing and it kept the soup and vegetables hot. Yes, there was fish head in there and also seaweed (the black stuff you see there on the left). Although I had to pass on the fish head part (Rick ate that), the soup part was delicious. And last night it was slightly raining and cool and just the right weather for soup! There was also plenty with the rice bowls that were also served. We are practicing with our chopsticks!

I forgot to tell you that Wednesday night we went to the movie. The theatres here are the same except for this. When you buy your ticket, you go ahead and pick out your seat and reserve it. Now one theatre we saw last week even delivers your popcorn and drink to your seat after you are already in there! It was nice to sit back and watch a movie (we saw “The Invasion” – a remake of “The Body Snatchers”). We found out that Tuesday night is bargain night – tickets are S$6.50 each PLUS free drinks with your popcorn! (That’s about $4.50 in U.S. currency). It is regular S$7.00 ($4.90).

Anyway, after we ate at the Fish Head Steamboat we went back to our apartment and watched an old black and white movie on my computer. What a relaxing evening we had.

Today we are in town (after getting on the wrong bus and taking about 2 hours to get here – supposed to take about 15 minutes!). But we got to see more of the town and the bus is air conditioned and there are seats so…what a way to explore.

Don’t know what’s in store for tonight. Will tell you all about it next time!

Ugly Tuesday

Missed another day in there, didn’t I? Well, there was good reason. Tuesday – two days ago – I think I really came to a crisis of belief point! I had so many feelings that day – feeling of desperation about what in the world we were doing here. I felt swallowed up by this big city and all the unfamiliar around me. Brownsville was looking pretty good and I wouldn’t have minded waking up in it on Tuesday morning. There was such a feeling of heaviness on me that I could hardly stand it. I wanted to curl right up in this apartment and never go out the door again. It was scary out there. People were different. People looked at me differently. New food, new languages, new customs. So much new and not much familiar. So Tuesday, I stayed in. I know Rick was concerned about me but probably felt just leaving me on my own would be the best idea. He headed off to explore on his own. I curled up on the uncomfortable rattan sofa and escaped. I was discouraged, distracted, and deceived. I felt overwhelmed and just about at the end of my rope. I missed my kids. I missed friends and family. But most of all, I just missed the familiar.

Do you ever feel that way? Maybe you have a new job or maybe a new baby. Maybe you’ve just moved to a new community or a new church. Or maybe you just feel like you would rather just curl up in your room than face the day ahead. Believe me, I KNOW how that feels. I’ve been there.

I lost myself on Tuesday. I gave in to the lies that Satan loves to tell me. I am insignificant. I am weak. I am not able to be used. I am too unworthy. I am not strong enough to do that. I can’t do this. I can’t pass this test. I can’t take this job anymore. Sound familiar?

I lost myself Tuesday. I hid away in my shell, afraid, discouraged, and deceived. Poor pitiful me. If anybody can have a great pity party, I’m telling you that I am the one to plan that out for you. I can throw a doozy! Praise God that He puts up with all of that in me and loves me anyway.

Do you realize what a big God we have? Do you realize how much He loves you for YOU. You don’t have to pretend with Him. No, He already knows all of those feelings and fears. He made you and He knows you through and through, good and bad. I’m glad He loves me anyway, in spite of my MANY unbecoming characteristics. I can be pretty UGLY. But He loves me, UGLY and all!

Tuesday was UGLY. But Wednesday… there is always a new day with Him. “The steadfastness of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, therefore, I will trust in Him.” Wednesday was a new morning… a new day.

After we talked to our kids and family on the phone Wednesday morning (and I had a good cry because I missed them so much)… Rick and I headed out. I have to tell you that the first step out the door was the hardest but I MADE myself do it. And you know what, it wasn’t nearly as scary as I had envisioned it on Tuesday. I saw the Lord’s hand many times yesterday – His hand of love showing me that HE was there and that HE was in control of everything and that I was right where He wanted me.

Give yourself permission to have a bad day. Go ahead and have it. Cry. Have a good pity party and invite others if you want to. It’s okay. Every day is not a great day. Some days are hard. Tuesday was a hard one for me. But I made it through (because you were praying for me) and Wednesday looked a lot different.

Thanks for your faithfulness to pray.

Chinese Gardens

Did I miss a day? Yes, and I don’t apologize for that. No way I can write every day. And nothing exciting happens EVERY day, you know.

However, last night we did do something special. We went to the Chinese Gardens here in the city. This is the season of the Malaysian New Year and the gardens were decorated with lanterns and it was absolutely beautiful. I will do my best to put some pictures on as soon as I can. The gardens alone were breathtaking but with the lanterns everywhere it was marvelous.

Today Rick ventured off by himself while I stayed in to wash clothes. WE don’t have a washing machine in this apartment so we are trying to do what we can at home and hopefully find a laundry somewhere close.

No word on registration yet. Rick has a meeting with the lawyer on Wednesday afternoon. Will continue to keep you posted.

Thanks to those of you who have written. The “new” is wearing off and the culture shock is setting in. We are getting over our jet lag and that is a good feeling. But other feelings are setting in and we could easily be discouraged. Thanks for your prayers.

Lori

New friends

I wish I could say we had a great worship service this morning but, in fact, we just about missed it. We took the bus, missed the right place to get off, a monsoon came (downpour), we had to stop and buy umbrellas, and we finally got the church about halfway through the sermon. BUT afterwards, we met a nice American couple who we invited us out to lunch! Then we went to their home for coffee and had a delightful afternoon visit! They have been in Asia (Hong Kong and China, mostly) for the last 12 years. So they gave us a lot of tips on the culture here and that really helped. Their kids are all grown, too, so they will be a great couple to do things with here. They travel a lot though, so we will just have to catch them at home!

When we got home, we just relaxed, read the paper, and listened to the radio. Did I mention that we don’t have a TV yet? It was a quiet Sunday afternoon.

We did receive a note from our son about his weekend adventures, though. He accidentally broke his nose at a driving range! That, in itself, is a whole ‘nother story!

By the way, Sunday was a great day.

Telling the future

It just hit me today that we are finishing up with Saturday and you in the states are just starting it. So in a way, we can tell you the future! Saturday is going to be a great day!

I was able to sleep right on until about 6am this morning. However, Rick was up at 3:30am. “While I was sleeping” he rearranged the whole living room and set up our office space! And he did all of that and didn’t even make a peep! He is good!

I checked my email and had heard from some of you. If nothing else, I hope the blog helps remind you to pray for us AND to write! If you want my new postal address you will have to email me and ask me for it!

My quiet time with the Lord this morning was sweet. As if He needed any help remembering, I reminded Him of how He had granted compassion on Nehemiah and provided him with the permit from the king he needed to go and rebuild the wall. Without that permit, look what would have happened. We are in the same boat with our permit. We have to have it before we can do anything! I want to remind YOU all to pray about that without ceasing!

Today we hit yet another set of stores in our exploration. I promise we ARE going to do more than shop while we are here. We are just trying to familiarize ourselves with the bus and subway system. It is so much cheaper to do that than to get a taxi everywhere. We left at about 10am and stopped off at our new favorite little internet café down the street from our apartment complex. We had coffee and a sort of strange omelet that was pretty good.

We went to the grand opening of the MRT mall. The MRT is the bus system here. There were all kinds of stores and I was even able to pick up our first Christmas present for one of our kids! Since Rick is headed that way early October, I will have to get my Christmas shopping done early!

We had lunch in another food court. I had bean curd soup (delicious!) with rice and Rick had friend prawns (shrimp). Later we got a fried scrambled yam. Okay, I can’t explain it but it was delicious, too.

Our next bus trip took us out to the IKEA store where they sell furniture. There is actually one of these in Nashville so some of you may have heard of it. However, this one was at least three stories tall – each story about the size of a super Walmart! We walked and looked and planned. We will have to buy several large pieces of furniture including some chairs, a dining room table and chairs, a bedroom suit, a washer and dryer, and possibly a small refrigerator. We also have to set up the office so we looked at desks and cabinets, etc. IKEA had some really beautiful stuff.

Next door to it was a COURTS megastore which was a lot like IKEA and just as big. Across the street there was a GIANT – yes, a grocery store, but we didn’t make it over there. By the time we had walked through both of those BIG stores, I was pooped and ready to head towards home!

We caught a bus outside the stores and it was packed. In fact, every bus and subway we got on was FULL and we had to stand most of the time. So that made me even more tired. By now our jet lag was really kicking in and I didn’t know if we were going to make it. We still had to stop for supper – remember we don’t have much set up in our little apartment kitchen yet. We stopped at a mall on the way home (got off the subway, walked up to the mall) and had supper. I had the most delicious cup of broccoli and cheddar cheese soup PLUS two pieces of garlic bread. Rick had some kind of ham and cheese puff balls (local food) which he enjoyed. He is much braver than I am at trying all of this new food. He could have also gotten octopus puff balls but decided it might be too late in the evening to have that!

We have now arrived home and I am bathed and ready for bed. I even managed to color my hair – which was in bad need of it – so I am ready for Sunday. I know that the Lord has a wonderful day planned for us as we have our first worship service here! And I’ll let you know how that goes!

Lori

Jet lagged

I slept right on through until about 6am. Wow. That was pretty incredibly sleep. However, Rick woke up at midnight. He worked on some emails he needed to answer (no, we didn’t have internet – he was just answering some that he had already received.) Bless his heart, he didn’t get back to bed until nearly 4am. Again, you just can’t imagine what jet lag is like.

We ate a nice breakfast at the YMCA dining room. Again, there were things that would have been a lot better to me served at lunch or supper but Rick loved them all. So many different tastes and textures – it is really something.

We gathered up all of luggage and headed out to catch a taxi to take us to our new “temporary” home. It was moving in day! We got there and began to unpack all of our things. (There is no telling when we will be able to move into our own place so we might as well settle in here and get comfortable for awhile.)

All of our luggage was in good shape except for one. Now I blame myself because from all of the packing I have done in my lifetime, I should know to put things in Ziploc bags. However, I neglected to put this particular item in one and I am so sorry! And you will never guess what it was – one can of my favorite GFIC coffee – French vanilla! That was going to be my treat to myself. Oh, well. I don’t know if I was sorry that I wasn’t going to get the coffee or that it had gotten all over everything in that suitcase. Guess what was in that suitcase – all of our DVDs and CDs – and Rick’s clothes, of course! It was like sand and all of the DVDs and CDs had to be hand washed and air dried! Poor Rick. He volunteered for the job and it took him several hours to complete this one bag! But he finally got it done.

Around 10am we headed back out for another exploration. Rick had another mall in mind – and we were going to look for a simple cell phone to buy without a contract just to get us through until we have our resident permit. This mall has four stories and I think you could be in there a week and still never go in all of them!

One of the most fascinating places we went was the “food court” for lunch. All around the sides there were all kinds of Asian food booths. There were pictures on the wall of the different items available. We walked all the way around and STILL didn’t know what we wanted. Finally, we just got something and looked for a place to sit down. It was pretty good food and there was a whole lot in one portion so I was glad we just shared the one.

After lunch we walked around the mall more. This particular mall is called Suntec and it has A LOT of computer and cell phone stores in it. By the end of the day we were the new owners of a simple cell phone (which is being charged up right now!) We went outside to catch a taxi home and saw the line of people waiting for a taxi. It was so orderly (not anything what we experienced in Africa). We probably stood in line 45 minutes before it was “our turn” to get the taxi. When we arrived at our apartment I literally thought I was going to have to drag my own self to the door. By the way, we live on the 8^th floor (there is an elevator!) We came home and put away the few things we had purchased (shampoo, soap, yogurt, granola, etc.)

Rick still needed to “top off” our bus cards for tomorrow and he wanted to pick us up something for supper. Meanwhile, I took a hot bath – that did wonders for me. Soon he came home with the topped off cards and supper – rice with some kind of sauce and some kind of fried shrimp cakes. They hit the spot and now I am ready to hit the hay! Tomorrow is another big day!

Rice for breakfast!

We got up and dressed and headed down to the YMCA dining room for our complimentary breakfast. Now this was an experience. Okay, it was right up Rick’s alley but there’s some thing that are just not meant to eat for breakfast. RICE IS ONE OF THEM! I tried several new items including a chicken sausage that wasn’t half bad. There was fried rice and noodles and several things to go on top of that. Rick finally led me to the TOAST and coffee and I was glad for something familiar. There was also fresh fruit – little finger bananas (like we had in Africa), pineapple, watermelon, and such. After breakfast, we headed out to explore the world. Little did we know but the rest of the world in Singapore (stores and shops) don’t open until 10am! We did meet with the lawyer who is working with us to get our company registered. Still nothing there so PLEASE let that be a matter of prayer. We can’t really do anything without our resident permit. We can’t

· sign up for any kind of internet service

· get a local cell phone with a contract

· have any kind of television service

· look for an office

· look for an apartment

So you can see how IMPORTANT it is that we get that registration! PLEASE remember to pray about that.

That morning we also got the keys to the apartment where we will be living temporarily until we can find our own. It is three bedrooms (about 1300 square feet of living space). There is a nice air conditioner in our bedroom and in the living room (but not in the kitchen). It has two full baths which is nice, although one of them has a really bad odor so we just keep that door shut. It is partially furnished. There is a bamboo type living room set (couch and two chairs). There is a small dining room table. And we have what we believe to be a queen size mattress! What else could we need? The kitchen doesn’t have much so I guess we won’t be cooking too much! Aw!

We left the apartment and walked for a ways and found a very small café in our new neighborhood which I am sure we will frequent. We had a club sandwich (with egg mayo – sort of like egg salad). It was good. But the best thing was the mango smoothie. Oh, my was it delicious.

After lunch we headed to one of the MANY malls here in the city. We took a bus there and was able to see a lot. I think we will really enjoy not having a car and letting someone else do the driving.

The city was so clean and the weather was nice, too. It was probably about 85 degrees, more humid than we left things in Tennessee, for sure! The mall was incredible! There were so many different levels and so many different stores. We walked and walked and walked. We promised ourselves that we would not go home until 6pm so we wouldn’t be tempted to nap. Most people say you can get over jet lag quicker if you just take on the sleeping habits of your new environment with no afternoon naps. I’m sure this is wise, but by about 3pm my body really started to IDLE. We pushed ourselves more and left the mall about 5pm. We got on a bus and headed home. We thought we might stop and eat but we both were fighting sleep and decided we better head back to the YMCA before someone had to scrape us off the ground! I’m so glad that Rick had reserved our room for two nights. We had a nice shower and then hit the pillow. I don’t even remember a thing! I know it was about 7pm when we both got to bed. Sweet dreams!

Feelings

Wow, we have so many feelings hitting us it is hard to even think. First of all, even though we are awake, our bodies are not quite all there. I’m talking about jet lag, of course. It is very hard to explain if you have never experienced it. I sort of feel like a car stuck in idle. My mind wants to “DRIVE” but my body just won’t do it. There are times when my mind is just flitting about but my feet will not move. I almost feel paralyzed sometimes. The kind of tired I’m talking about is just not explainable. Okay, I remember how a friend of mine described it. It is like trying to walk in Jello! Can you even get a picture of it?

Another feeling that has hit me is the fact that we are SO FAR AWAY from our family! I told Rick as we went to bed the first night – I feel somewhere between FEAR and EXCITEMENT! We are so excited about being here and we are SO READY to get started on this adventure. But I sure do miss my kids. And knowing that we are separated by a big ocean makes it that much more difficult. I know that they are all in good hands but waves of missing them come over me frequently. I can’t even write anymore about that. I think the fear we are feeling is wondering if we will really be able to do what He has called us here to do. It is such a big job and responsibility and we feel so inadequate!

The other feelings we have already experienced involve culture shock. I’m sure we have not seen the last of these feelings but here are a few we have already run across:

· the food (as I have already stated)

· no KLOVE radio station (or any other Christian radio station that I can find)

· just being among so many Asian people

· seeing very few Africans (if any)

· hearing many different languages throughout the day

· riding the bus and trying to figure out which ones go where

· people driving on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road

· the use of wash cloths (I think we only use those in America! Even the hotel didn’t have any.)

just to name a few!

I hope this will give you a clue as to how to pray for us!

Goodbye!

Goodbyes said, we found ourselves at the airport excited about the adventure ahead. We had carefully packed up our 4 check in bags + 1 excess piece and our carry on bags. To be honest, when I picked up the bags I was sure they all weighed 100 lbs. each. The limit was 50 lb. each and anything over that up to 70 lbs. would be $50 for each piece!

I wish you could have seen us! Rick has figured out how to link lots of big suitcases together so we sort of looked like a small train when we came in the door! I’m sure we looked funny.

When we got to the airport all of the pieces were under 50 lbs. except for the excess piece! Believe me, that was miraculous! There was some discussion about the 70 lbs. bag but eventually they took them all and didn’t charge us anything extra.

Rick had bought me a nice computer bag that doubles as a purse and I had one pull bag. He had a HEAVY backpack with his computer in it and a pull bag. They all checked through fine and finally we arrived at our gate – the last one in the Memphis airport – and settled down. We made a few last calls to folks to say goodbye again. Rick had forgotten to have our phones cut off so we ended up taking them with us.

The plane to Minneapolis/St. Paul was uneventful. In fact, I managed to doze off for a little while (which is highly unusual for me). We arrived and had about an hour to get to our next flight. That gate was packed and I immediately began to have a culture shock! There were many Asians surrounding me and they were all speaking something besides English! And we were still in the U.S.!

I don’t mind telling you that I was really dreading this leg of the flight – the 13 hour leg! I had promised myself that I would get up and walk often on this flight to prevent my feet from swelling. I did so well. I know many of you were praying for me and no feet were swollen at the end of the journey! PTL! I didn’t sleep any but my feet did not swell. Rick slept nearly the whole flight. We finally arrived after being served fried rice and teriyaki chicken for breakfast on the plane! It was delicious but certainly not anything I have ever had for breakfast.

We didn’t get to see much of Tokyo since it was about 5:30 pm when we arrived and already getting dark. Our flight from Tokyo to Singapore was delayed by an hour. But once we got on the flight it was only 40% full so we were able to take a whole row and relax. I was even able to put my feet up and sleep a little. The flight was not bad at all. When we arrived in Singapore it was about 2am here. We got all of our luggage and piled in a taxi headed for the YMCA hotel where Rick had made us reservations. I don’t mind telling you that a hot shower and the bed looked pretty good to both of us. AND YET, we both woke up about 6am! Go figure out jet lag and you will be a millionaire!

I’m going to stop here because I think my next blog is going to be about some feelings we have had so far.

Lori

Just thought you'd like to see the picture we made last Sunday when we were all together!

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He Makes All Things Good

We returned last night from saying goodbye to my mother. While we have been here in the states, He has made all things good! My sister and I were able to get my mom moved into a "retirement village"! Moving could have been a very distressing time, but He made it so GOOD for my sister and I. We had so much fun "decorating" my mom's apartment and made a lot of memories. And getting my mom settled was a priority. She is now surrounded by lots of friends and is having the time of her life. Truly He made it all good.

While we have been here at the church, Rick has been able to work with the senior adults. Today they gave us a going away luncheon and it was spectacular! It is so hard to believe that our time here among this sweet church is about over. We want to continue sharing with all of them because through them - we are the arms of love around the world. So even in our leaving - we are an extension of them "in His name". He has made it all good.

We are almost at a stalemate at the packing stage. Rick has made the goal of having everything packed up before we go to bed on Saturday night! That is a pretty high expectation but I will do all I can to meet the goal (I am so goal oriented!) Things are nearly finished upstairs except for some cleaning. This area (upstairs) is where our youngest daughter "lived" these two years. The walls ring with her presence up there. It makes me miss her so much. We will say goodbye to her tomorrow. I know you will be praying for us then. He will make it all good.

Many of you have asked how to respond to this blog. If you scroll on down, you will see "post a comment". Just click on that and you will be able to post an answer. And you will be able to read the comments of others (should you choose to do that). I'm telling you that so that you will know that this is a "public domain". So don't write anything you don't want others reading. One way or the other HE WILL MAKE IT ALL GOOD!

This time is different.

Monday, September 10, 2007

This time is different.

So many of you have asked questions about our new adventure overseas. What will we be doing? Where will we live? I decided to create a blog for those of you who want to know the specifics. And it will also give you much more detail (probably more than you want). It is also a way for me to express all that I am feeling these days - these exciting, difficult, days. As I have told many of you - the "going" is so exciting but the "leaving" is so hard.

This time is different. First of all, we are leaving all of our children on "this side of the big pond" (not to mention that it is a whole different POND!) But we are leaving them healthy in their relationships with Him. Our oldest daughter and her husband (and Jackson, the dog) are in Nashville. They will soon celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Our son is a junior in college and our youngest daughter is a freshman in college. They are all spiritually strong and ready to face their own adventures in life. But it feels funny not packing for them. It feels funny not sewing in labels in all their clothes to go off to boarding school. It feels funny to just pack for two. This time feels different.

This time is different. This is our third "furlough" in the states since we went to Africa in 1993. The other two times we crated up things to take with us. The first crate included four years worth of Christmas and birthday presents, clothes and shoes for three growing children for four years, major appliances, household wares and bedding, and even a few air conditioners! We literally crated up pretty much everything that we owned. The second time we crated Christmas and birthday presents and clothes and shoes and lots of special food items we liked that were unavailable in West Africa. This time is different. There is no crate. No need for one. Our crate will come from Africa - where we packed up the household items two years ago before we came back to the states. It cannot be shipped until we have resident permits so we will be lucky to see it before Christmas! This time is different. No crate. Just suitcases. No toys. No presents. Just clothes. A few special items like the picture our son made for me for Christmas this year. The two special teddy bears the girls gave me for Mother's Day this year. This feels really different.

This time is different. The past furloughs ended with tough goodbyes. Last time I said goodbye to my Dad for the last time here on this earth. We left knowing we would not see extended family again for years. This time is different. We know with our new job we will come back to the states at least once a year. That makes the goodbyes a little easier (but they are still very difficult).

This time is different. We are leaving our African culture and going to an Asian culture. Thank goodness the national language is English! That is different. We will be learning a new culture, a new way of life. We will not be in a third world country but will be in a country which in many ways, surpasses our American culture. We are going to a place where no electricity is unheard of. That is different.

This time is different. We are with a new company. We are setting up a brand new international office. Our job descriptions aren't even written down. There are a lot of blank spaces. I feel like a learner all over again. And I'm up for a good stretching. These stretching times are the times I learn to go deeper with Him - to depend on Him more.

This time is different. There are so many things about it that are different. It feels funny. It feels sad. It feels exciting. It is hard. How can so many emotions be wrapped up in one decision - that decision is to be obedient to Him - above all? Even though it feels funny and unfamiliar. Even though it feels sad to be separated from our wonderful children who continue to bless us with their obedience to Him. Even though it feels exciting. Even though it is a time of stretching. Even though it is hard - maybe the hardest thing we've done so far - harder than leaving our families back in 1993 - harder than leaving our kids in boarding school year after year - harder than facing war at our front door or burglars in our home - yes, maybe this is the hardest thing I've ever done.

Yes, this time is different. There is no doubt about that. But in all of the DIFFERENCE - He is the same - yesterday, today and tomorrow. I can count on Him to lead me, push me, pull me, stretch me, comfort me, and love me. I know He will put His big Old arms around me and whisper my name. He is worthy of all my obedience. He is worthy. What a pitiful thing I am and what I have to offer seems menial in contrast to His greatness. But I give it wholeheartedly - my obedience. He said it is better than sacrifice.

Yes, this time is different, but that's okay. We will all be okay because He is the focus. It's not about me.