Have you met these people? If not, you should. Each and every one of them. They are truly the most amazing people I've ever met. We're beyond blessed to call them family.
There has been lots of major things going on lately. We've been over to their side of the state more than we've been in our own home the last few weeks. Somehow, in the last month, our family has gone from being able to ignore most things 'war' and 'middle east' (because 9-11 seems so long ago so much of the time...)to wanting to know and understand more. Which seems to be undeniably followed by tears and stomachaches. About a month ago, we found out that our brother-in-law, Chad, is unexpectedly being deployed this week. And, in trying to keep things real, it sucks-especially for Maggie and Chad. But, even through this, God has been faithful. A few verses I've come across during my quiet times lately are:
"Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace." 2 Corinthians 4:16
"Have I (the Lord) not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
I know I write on here all the time about how great life is in Kansas City and how thankful we are for the people here and all of that is true. But, lately, I just want to live closer to 'home'. I want to be around to help and support my family in all the exciting, scary, and new things they are going through. I crave time at the St. Louis Zoo and Science Center with Addilyn's aunts and uncles. I'd love to be able to attend major events (or even just the new family game nights) without a 4 hour drive. Those people in the picture are truly the most wonderful people I know (and I'm not just saying that!) and I'd love to live closer to them all. So, why aren't we selling our house and looking for homes and jobs closer? Because God doesn't want us to. We both feel very strongly that God has us here (away from family) for a purpose. He's called us here. We really are so thankful for the community we have here- I even found myself craving it when I was at my parents for so awhile. We learn so much about truly becoming a family with our church because we don't have a choice. If we lived closer to biological family-would we feel as close to our church community? would we see God's work in our lives as often? would we be as close as a family of three? would we have the desire to meet and know our neighbors and tell them of our faith? or, would we have more of a tendency to fall into our introverted ways and spend more of that time with family we know, love, and are comfortable with? I don't know the answers to any of these questions-but for now, I'm trying to learn to be content with God's plans (and, honestly, praying/hoping that someday God will want us to live closer).
