Teacups in the Jungle

This day next week, God willing, my parents will be flying into San Francisco to see Izzy (and her mummy and daddy too, I hope!). This is a totally unexpected reunion for us all and it got me thinking about a definite pattern in our lives……

When I was 18, I decided to be a missionary, leave college, a degree, possible career, family, friends, and head to the mission field. I was single, young, immature and penniless. All I knew was God wanted me to be a missionary. I didn’t know how to do it, I didn’t know where I was going, but I was sure of the fact, that God would go with me wherever I went and I was prepared to get on a boat and sail to Africa, if that is where he lead me. I envisioned lonely days, endless homesickness, difficulty, sacrifice, sickness, hardships and singleness. Boy was I wrong. I had a lot to learn about our loving and gracious God who over these past 14 years has given me blessing upon blessing. I started out in a path of obedience thinking of all the things I would be giving up. I didn’t think of all the things I would receive. I am a dreamer, and I had dreams, things i wanted to do someday. When I decided to be a missionary I thought I gave those up too. I was wrong again. As I look back, we (yes God gave me a wonderful husband to keep me company and entertained out in the jungle) have got to do so many things and see some amazing sights that I would probably never have got to do. Paris, Singapore, Grand Canyon…the list goes on. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. Yes, there have been days of hardship and times of sickness but we have had wonderful friends from all around the world to pray for us, encourage us, help us and take care of us. Not to mention the people we live with in the jungle, our new family, brothers and sisters in Christ who bless us daily as we watch them grow in the Lord.

So what started this walk down memory lane? Izzy. Since we have been home I have moments were I think of all the things she will not get to experience, or eat or see or do. Life for her is going to be a different road than many other kids, and when I start to think of all the ‘sacrifices” I feel sad for her, but I am learning that this is not where we are to let our imagination run. God has great things in store for her, just like he has had for her mum and dad. That is what I want her to think on, that is what I want her to learn from us, that obeying God is always the right road to take, and though it is often the more difficult road to start out on, the views along the way, and the fellowship with our Savior far out weigh the sacrifices.

One of those blessings starts next week. I never thought I would ever have a photo with Izzy and ALL her grandparents together, but yet again I was wrong. This is a memory we will cherish, and put in our growing box with all the other wonderful memories. Thank you Lord.

Izzy in Yosemite, a place Danny has always wanted to take her, because of his fond childhood memories.

“Commit your way unto the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”.