Nations Apart

-

 Currently, I am cruising at 30,000 feet in the air somewhere between Colorado and Nashville. Much has happened since I last wrote. We were in the valley of indecision for months regarding if we should/could fly to the USA for an annual leave. More importantly, for our oldest son’s wedding. After much prayer and contemplation, we finally felt at peace to fly and purchased our tickets 1 ½ weeks prescheduled flight.

We chose to spend our first week in America in Walla Walla, Washington so that we could intentionally connect with our sons and their girls. We know that the wedding, though special, will not be time for quality conversations and peering into their lives. So, with 105+ degree weather we managed to create some fantastic memories just hanging out, in rivers, under windmills, on cliffs, in homes and eating fun food. We met the pets. We saw and heard about things that were important to our oldest sons and we simply were present, something that we do not take lightly living nations apart.








Aubrey has one year left of a mechanical engineering degree and Mia is already graduated with her B.S. degree in nursing.  Andrew is running through one door after another in his career as a filmmaker, along with juggling full-time school. Somehow, he makes time for his sweet girlfriend Meredith who is studying also and a successful songwriter and performer.

We were graciously hosted by Jan (our former neighbor in Papua, Indonesia). She spoiled us with the freedom to come and go as desired and with breakfast’s (and more) that were plentiful and delicious as only Jan can do. She also gave us bowls full of peaches that were divine.

IMG_7278

The count down to the wedding is on, as it will happen on the 28th of August in a mountain meadow in North Carolina. I am loving working with Mia on a few of the details.  It will be a small gathering as we wade through the most unusual year to get married. We decided to drop the reception due to pandemic complications.   We are so sorry that we cannot all celebrate together.




In addition to a wedding we will also support Jacob and Nathaniel leaping from nest on August 9. They will be attending boarding school here in the USA. This has been a long thought out decision. Perhaps fast forwarded by our move to Lebanon, but not entirely as they had begun this idea pre-Middle East move. They are grateful for their year in Lebanon and have many rich experiences that will be an important part of their story.  I, their mother, am particularly grateful for this year with them. We spent hours together and it really was a gift in time that I will always cherish.


                                    Celebrating finishing a another year of school (homeschool). 


We are extraordinarily grateful to be traveling during this time and to be able to witness and help during some significant life changing events in our children’s lives. Please join us in praying for Aubrey and Mia as they begin their lives together. Also, for Jacob and Nathaniel as they transition from living overseas for the past 9 years, to school in the USA.

IMG_7191

Darron and I plan to return to Lebanon (Inshallah- God willing) at the beginning of September. A new chapter for us, as we will go home, alone.

All those people were right, who told is, “enjoy your children, it will go by so fast”. So many spoke these prophetic words over us, that I knew they must be true. To think we have had children in our home for the last 22 years and soon to be only on occasion. All those people were right. Thank you for the warnings and reminders. I treasured every stage and I will choose to believe that the best is still ahead. Therefore, with open hands we release the treasures that were given to us for just a moment in time. May the Lord watch between us as we will soon be nations apart. I am ever grateful that I can trust His hands and His timing.

(This was written one day prior to the devastating explosion that happened in Beirut, Lebanon.  Though we are nations apart from Lebanon currently, our hearts are already bonded to this place that has only been our home for one year. Therefore our hearts mourn for this nation that just experienced a blow that they did not need. May good come from this turn of events.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Last Flight

-
Image
Bob and his daughter, Stephanie, flying on a different day in Papua . Jan and Bob It was another ordinary Wednesday in Papua.  The rain had come down all night.  Leaving the runway soggy.  6 a.m. I had finished reading my Bible and I hear Bob take off on first flight.  I think, “Wow, he is early this morning!”  Then the typical morning craziness starts in my house.  The cooking of a hot breakfast.  Packing school lunches.  Signing forms.  Arranging pick ups.  Off to school.  Exercise.  Home. Unfortunately, the freezer has frozen over so much that the door is on longer sealing.  It’s a forced, defrost the freezer day.  Out comes all the food.  Towels are laid everywhere.  Drip. Drip.  Jacob is on his 3rd day of not feeling well.  It has been a week of no routine.  No home school.  POP a video into the DVD player for Jacob and lucky little brother to watch.  I go into the office...
Read more

Change Never Happens Fast, Except Today it Did

-
Image
Today (Wednesday, Nov. 1),  Darron and Gary were leaving on an afternoon flight to the Philippines.  The nicer of our two cars had just been picked up from the repair shop ( it was an alternator this time).  They are at that stage.  Always, something falling apart.  With the mission mobile, we can’t complain.  It is 21 years old!!!!  Darron just popped down to the hanger to fill up the tires with air and I heard him pip the horn at the gate, to indicate he was read to go to the airport.  Yet, he had a different message.  The tire needed repaired…..or more probably replaced. Groan.  There is ONE thing, I disdain as a woman and that is handling car problems.  It’s hard enough to do it in your home country and a language you are fluent in.  Try doing it in a foreign country.  Also to me, it is a MANS world.  If you want to plop me in my discomfort zone, tell me I have to get the car fixed. So off we drive.  Air hiss...
Read more

Anguished Hearts

-
Image after image flashes through my mind.  I see little but “growing bigger and stronger” two and half year old Azarya coming towards me on the gravel runway.  Wanting to give me a high five and nothing warms my heart more.  Knowing that this is the little boy who drank his way back to life with goats milk.  More images of all over campus this little boy waving at me and smiling shyly, running and playing like normal children should.  Every time I saw him, I rejoiced in the second chance that Jesus had given him.  More images of being with his Mommy and Daddy and their JOY and gratefulness in Ayarya’s strength and change as he transformed before their eyes from being severely malnourished to vibrant.  Ida, his Mommy, is my closest Papua friend, and I see so many images of her and I chatting and laughing together and enjoying her new fat little baby boy, now two months old.  Despite that Ida was still morning the unexpected loss of her father and ...
Read more