Deeply Rooted

Deeply Rooted

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

I am 25 years old. I have been married to a great, God-fearing and God-following man for almost 3 years. I have two beautiful and healthy babies. I am 4.5 months pregnant. I live in a country thousands of miles away from all my family.  And I love and serve a God who is faithful.

These are facts. I have to remember the facts during the storms in my life. The facts are what keep me grounded; deeply rooted. This life is not easy. Not just my life, your life. Every day is either a day to be thankful for, or a day to wish would end. But, can’t we also be thankful in those days? Thankful for a Father who is always faithful to His word. We are coming into a new season of life at the moment. Less relying on jobs, more relying on support. Less planning for the future, more planning for the day. Less worry, more faith. But with it, comes doubt and hopelessness sometimes. I don’t know what lies ahead. I don’t know what next year looks like. I don’t know what it will be like to have 3 children under 2 years old. I don’t know what friendships will last and which ones will flounder. I don’t know who or what the enemy will throw at me to discourage our work and vision out here. I don’t know where the money will come from. However, I do know some important facts. And if I hold to these facts, I can be thankful and joyous throughout all of these uncertainties.

Fact #1: GOD is my father, my provider, my comfort, my joy, my strength, my light, my word, my Lord.

Fact #2: This same God—hears and loves me.

Fact #3: God has provided in the past for our family’s uncertainties and will provide in the future no matter our doubt.

Fact #4: My reason for living is to love and serve my Creator and those around me, starting with my HUSBAND and my children. When I honor, respect, and love them, I honor, respect, and love God.

Fact #5: God has provided me with a partner who also loves and serves Him and who I can find joy in every day of my life. He earnestly seeks the Lord and we find Him together as one. He loves me.

Fact #6: My children are healthy, provided for, and sweet. They laugh every day.

Fact #7: We have chosen to serve the Lord and the people of Israel for such a time as this.

Fact #8: God promises that He works everything for the good for those who love and serve Him.

Fact #9: Paul and I are healthy and thankful.

Fact #10: I have a passion, desire, and talent to work in the field of education and God has provided the opportunity for me to do so now.

What are the facts of your life? When I scroll back up to those uncertainties, they look scary. It can be like a dark hole I crawl through, hoping there is a way out. But when I remind myself of the facts of my life (and there are many more), everything else seems so clear because the answer lies in the truth. And the truth is: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 And so we prepare for the rain by digging our heels in the truth so deeply that no amount of wind can sway us.

Remembering Why We Are Here

            Wow, what a month of change! Well, some things are very much the same…I’m still a momma, but now there are almost 3 little ones! I’m still volunteering at the school, but my time commitment is shortened by whenever I can actually get out of the house. And our desire to enter into the community has grown tremendously since we returned from a short visit to the states (for those of you we didn’t get to see around Christmas time, I hope you understand. It was just BUSY).

            Coming back this time was difficult for me especially. I would like to blame the negative feelings I had on being pregnant, but I don’t know for sure if that was it. Basically, I had my first breakdown, ever. Leaving the warmness of California, the beauty of the landscape, the opportunities in our city, and most of all, the wonderful families behind was extremely difficult for me this time. Then coming to a cold, empty home, with no one to hug and greet our two little babies, no heaters to warm their little hands, and a forgotten “purpose” of our life out here made it almost impossible to remember the reasons we were here in the first place. I cried, a lot, those first two weeks. I wanted rejuvenation from the Lord. I asked Him to show me why we were here. Selfishly, I didn’t stop to think about the dozens of people who had been waiting the whole time we were away for us to come home. I didn’t think about the impact that the Lord has made through us being here in the lives of the community. I didn’t even think of the friends we have made out here who treat our kids as if they were members of their own family. I just thought about warmth, and sun, and California, and my family. I guess it was not a good combination of events.

       Nevertheless, the Lord is faithful today, tomorrow, and He was during that time for me. Through talking with multiple people, He showed me that just our presence here has made an impact on the people of this region. So much so that if we were to never come back, we would be breaking a lot of hearts. Friendships out here are so very important because relationships are all these people really have. Not warmth, not opportunity to travel, not a lot of money, not lakes and beaches. So if we are here building relationships through love, support, and just sharing our families, that seems to be enough. The Lord reminded me of that. And slowly, the cloud of depression lifted and the sun begun to shine again. Now He is changing our hearts towards a new ministry opportunity that will most definitely change our lives, as we know them. As this little one grows inside of me, I can again be confident that Jesus is here with us, and He knows what we need to keep us not just surviving out here, but thriving. Even if at times, that may just look like a beautiful, sunny day.