Well, furlough is almost done. I am having to really pause and pray through those words.
Our time in America has been full and we have enjoyed just being here, but now our sights our set on the very near future-like hugging our son!!!!-and with that future comes some uncertainty and LOTS of emotions. We are all ready to feel settled once again, and I guess that is because God has called us to Thailand, so until we get back to where He has put us, we feel a little out of place. Yet, some of us (no names) aren't quite as ready as others. This is natural, though. It is kind of like the end of summer break. You have enjoyed your time with your kids, but you are ready for routine and order again, but during that first week of school, you sure miss the laziness of summer mornings! (Even homeschool moms feel this way!)

Since the end of furlough is rapidly approaching, I want to take a little time and share the blessings of our time here in America.

1.Preaching. In English. I have learned to listen to podcasts, so at least I am not leaving this behind. 
2. Singing hymns in church with brothers and sisters in Christ! I always love this is Thailand, too.
3. Speaking of brothers and sisters--family! Oh, my sweet nieces and nephews-I am going to miss you so very much! Our time with family has been limited, but treasured.
4. Hot water in the kitchen sink.
5. Central AC. Although, for several months, I was praising God for central heating. 
6. Walmart. So easy. So cheap. So wonderful. 
7. Friends! Ahmet and I have enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones, BUT we have really loved watching our kids spend time with their friends. They are so blessed to have friends who lift and encourage them!
8. Family vacation-and the sweet church that provided for this once in a lifetime trip!
9. Being able to step away from the mission work and look back on all God did. Sometimes it is hard to see what God is doing when you are in the thick of battle. You can miss His victories, even though you KNOW He is winning the fight. 
10. In that stepping back, we have had the chance to re-evaluate and make new plans. Most are spiritual (at least for me) but some are practical. Rest days, new routines, future goals. 

These next two months will rush by--full of packing, finishing appointments, and lots of goodbyes. Most likely, everything won't get done, and we will wonder if we spent our time doing the most important things. When we get to Thailand, being with AJ will pretty much fill our joy cup, and we will transition back into being in one place all the time. (Believe it or not, this is harder than you think!) Our hearts will fill when we see old friends and hear how God has worked while we were gone, and at the same time, we will miss our family and friends here in America. It is incredible the way God has given us such huge capacities for love! We are blessed to have people we love spread all around the world!

     Hi there! A new site and a new post. It's about time, right? Getting the new site up, transferring domains, figuring it all out...well, it took a lot more time than I wanted or anticipated. Such is life.
     We had a great time in America in October. I love Walmart. You can hate it all you want, but I love it. I loved how friendly everyone was, how different everyone was, and how easy life was for those two weeks. I brought back a big jar of peanut butter, and we still have not finished it. That's just a nice thing! A very nice thing.
     Anyway, the first Sunday we were back in Thailand, our youngest got sick. Really sick. She spent 3 days in bed. Poor thing. Then two weeks later, she and her sister got sick. I thought it was just viral (and it was) but after high fevers for two and a half days, we took them to the doctor. It was the flu! Ack! They spent a total of 5 days in bed, and are just now starting back at school. Believe me, there was not a two week school break planned!! Guess they will work through Christmas now. 
     Then, the following week Ahmet got sick! The flu, high fevers (scary high) and 5 days in bed. Aj and I were praising the Lord for not catching anything--until yesterday, when I woke up not feeling well at all. Today, I am living off of Advil and trying to rest. I am a horrible sick person, though, because I get so mad about being sick. 
     Five weeks of illness, and my home feels more like a hospital than a home. To top it all off, we have about 43 days until we move out of our house, and then about 14 more days before we fly back to America for furlough. If you want to come help, please feel free to just show up! 
     You know, in the stress of illness, moving, packing, and planning, it is easy to lose sight of the purpose and reason behind it all. I begin to wonder why I am the only one doing anything, why no one else is paying attention and helping, and when am I going to catch a break!!!! (Whine alert!) The truth, though, is my goals have not changed. I am still serving God, the one who gave His life for me, in whatever way He gives me to serve. Whether it is rubbing oils on fevered heads, sorting and packing household goods, or giving my husband the peace and quiet he needs for an afternoon nap, I am still serving Jesus! As we finish Thanksgiving and approach Christmas, I do not want to lose the spirit of gratitude in my heart. I also do not want to lose my joy. So, in the rush, chaos, and exhaustion that is filling my days right now, I make it even more of a point to spend time with Him! I hope you do, too! 
     Extra coffee and chocolate help, also!

When Ahmet and I were dating, he would not share his food. Ever. I can remember his grandma getting on to him because he would not give me a small, single bite of his cheesecake. I, of course, knew he wouldn’t, but it made me laugh to hear her get on to him.
I didn’t expect sharing to be such a big part of being a missionary, yet, it is. I share my food, share my husband, share my kids, share my home, share my time, and sometimes, I don’t want to. I need a grandma here to get on to me! Want me to share my Jesus? Okay! But can we do it when it cuts into your time, not mine? At times, this has even been a struggle as a mom and wife. No one warned me, though. I often think back to Jesus, and how He chose to be surrounded by twelve men all the time. And over and over, He welcomed the crowds and their demands. I realize I am not Him, so my heart will probably never be as generous and unselfish as His, but I sure do try. How about you? What part of your life do you find hard to share? How have you been able to let Him grow you?
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3