I'm Here But Really Still There

Here it is Friday morning. Already. I’m sitting in the waiting room while Grady Lee has his therapies and I’m taking a deep breath and enjoying my coffee and the quiet. Since arriving back in Charlotte early Monday morning, this week has been a blur of, well, a blur of just regular life.

I have a cold. Grady has poison ivy. My kids have need-constant-attention disorder. The laundry pile hasn’t been a party. And really, how did my entire pantry of groceries dwindle in one week?

In between nose blows and folding clothes, I found moments to read blog updates from Bolivia team members and to look at their online photo albums. Usually these moments started off as a quick scan but somehow 20 minutes later I would snap back to the present and realize Annalyse was decorating with markers, Micah needed help in the bathroom, or Grady Lee was lost and confused in his math work.

The boys had a great time looking at some of the team pictures from Bolivia. “Why does that house have long grass on the ceiling?” “Dad, what are you chopping with that long knife?” “How come those cows are in the road?” “Did you really eat that food? Did you get a treat after you ate it all?” At random times this week stories have come to mind and it’s been precious to share them with the boys and watch their reactions and see their young minds try to grasp the huge differences between life as they know it and life in rural Bolivia.

And the things my boys have prayed from this week! Truly, from the mouths of the young ones come praise and encouragement and powerful teaching! “Dear Jesus, Please help all the boys and girls in Bolivia to learn about you and to know that you love them. Please help their dads and moms to stop going to church with idols. Help me to save my money so that I can go to Bolivia, too, and play with new friends. Thank you that dad and mom are home safe and that we had a lot of fun with all our babysitters. Amen.”

It seems that each evening this week has either had something happening or else I was just too lost in where-in-the-world-do-I-begin when I sat down to blog. I want to share details about the precious Bolivian friends I now have. I want to tell you how motivated I am because of their desire to love Jesus and reach their communities with his love. I want to show you the rugged beauty of Bolivia and how the tasks of everyday life become big undertakings and hard work. I want to praise my team mates and share special moments of profound learning they all experienced.

Mostly though, mostly I want to share, in words and with pictures, what a Mighty God we serve. In one week I saw His people bow before him and I saw those who don’t yet know Him turn a curious eye and a listening ear toward His truth. I saw the beauty of the Bolivian heavens and earth burst in praise for him. And in the midst of it all, I was there. I was there to see and hear and worship and touch and praise and experience God’s mighty work in Bolivia.

And I’m not the same because of it.

Maybe this weekend I’ll beg Grady for a couple of hours alone at Starbucks and I’ll manage to sort through the thousands of pictures I have and the many stories I’ve journaled. I can’t wait to share details with you because I can’t wait for you to worship God with me by reading and seeing what He’s up to in Bolivia.

Home

We arrived in Charlotte around 1:00 this morning, made it home around 2:00 this morning, and our heads hit the pillow around 2:30 this morning after quick hugs to some groggy kids and a much-needed shower.

It was up-and-at-em by 7:30 this morning so I'm functioning on very little sleep. As soon as I hit "Publish" I'm on my way to bed. I might dream in Spanish. I know I'll dream of precious people that hold deep areas of my heart.

Thank you is inadequate to express how grateful we are for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support. A ministry opportunity like this is a wholehearted team effort and you were an important part of that team.

My heart is full - overflowing, in fact. My mind is racing - so much to process and think through. Our time in Bolivia was incredible. Amazing. Blessed. Life-changing. Motivating. Energizing.

Once again, God captured Grady and I and we felt his embrace as he confirmed for us our place and priority in ministry. The intense rush from serving other people and the immense sense of wonder from watching God do what only he can do is mind-altering and life-changing.

Between all of us on the team, there are thousands of pictures and hundreds of stories. But for all of us, there is only one God and we each are overwhelmed with the incredible opportunity to have seen his mighty work in the church on Bolivia.

It will take time to get my thoughts organized and share them with you, but when I do, sit back and hold on tight. It's impossible to be relaxed and nonchalant when God is involved.

Adios de los Estados Unidos... Hola Bolivia!

Our bedroom has been in a state of organized chaos this past week. Chaos because Grady's method of packing is, well, throw-things-in-piles-as-he-thinks-of-them-and-then-make-it-all-fit-in-the-suitcase-the-day-we-have-to-leave kind of way.

And organized because my method of packing is a little different. Just a tad more systematic and calm. But hey, as long as my dear man has a change of the essentials I'm good with whatever method he needs to get himself packed.

Being one of the Team Leaders, and being the only female leader, prompted me to take on the be-prepared-for-most-medical-and-physical-problems role. As I was paying for things at Target the other day, the cashier matter of factly said, "Gosh, you are a well-prepared traveler." We can only prepare so much, but having been on overseas trips without medical help when we needed it most, I've learned a thing or two. Please join me in praying for good health and safety for the team?

We fly all night and arrive in Santa Cruz, Bolivia early Sunday morning. Based on the schedule we've been given, I think we hit the ground running with the opportunity to attend and speak in a small church that morning.

Monday we'll be busy interacting with college students at a local university. They'll practice their English and we'll give our best shot at returning the conversation in Spanish. And, I think our new Bolivian friends will appreciate learning some tried-and-true American games like Uno and Spoons.

Tuesday we get a good look at the Bolivian countryside via an 11-hour bus ride on unpaved roads as we travel to San Ignacio. We'll be staying a hostel there and appreciate the convenience of electricity and an occasional shower. Each morning, however, we'll load up in vans and travel to nearby villages for a day of unique ministry opportunities.

The villages we'll visit will be small and remote. So much so that most have never left their village and certainly haven't seen an American before. Electricity? Nope. Running water? Nope. Established church? Nope. Precious people who need Jesus? Yes!

Join us in praying for safety traveling to these various villages each day and pray also for the beautiful people we'll be meeting and interacting with. We want to love them and model Jesus to them.

Would you also pray that our team can be an incredible encouragement to the missionaries serving faithfully there? We want to serve and lavishly love the front line heroes who are obeying God's call on their lives. Ministry can be lonely. Obedience can be lonely. We want to be a smile-making, heart-warming, God-honoring team.

We'll have limited online access, but when we do, the team will be uploading some pictures and details about our time at www.GoBolivia2012.blogspot.com.

Another One Over

This Saturday my boys play their last soccer game of the Spring season. No more up-and-at-em Saturday mornings that involve frantic shuffles for cleats and shin guards and water bottles. No more sideline cheers and chants. No more over-the-top excitement for Capri Suns and snack packs of Goldfish crackers.

My boys love playing soccer. They love it because it means they can run and kick, as fast as they want, as hard as they want, and as much as they want. They love it because they get to play with friends. And they love it because Dad is their coach.

Annalyse loves soccer games because she knows it means doting girls to play with her as well as an endless supply of snacks to keep her content.

Grady loves soccer because, well, because it involves a ball. And competition. And exercise. And sweat. He's a sports man and, while he's not pushing his boys to follow suit, he does get pretty excited when they show an interest and an aptitude in a particular sport.

I love soccer games because it's a riot to watch my little men get competitive and play with all their hearts. It's so fun to see the progress they make from season to season, and, I admit, I get a big ole smile on my face when one of them boots the ball into the goal.

I won't be at their last game tomorrow. I won't see the smiles when they get that gaudy, shiny trophy. I won't hear the laughs when they slide and jump on the blow-up trampolines during the after-party. Sadness!

We leave for Boliva tomorrow afternoon and I have a couple (hundred) things to do between now and then. So, while I'm putting clean sheets on beds, organizing clothes for the kids, cleaning bathrooms, getting groceries, and giving our suitcases one final look-through, Grady will be coaching the boys and their teams for a final game.

I'm so thankful that the kids will be at our home each evening while we're gone. It minimizes the extra packing I'd have to do. But, since friends are calling my home theirs for the week you better believe that Yours Truly cannot get on a plane to leave until I know my house is clean! I'm vain and prideful like that.

So this post is for my little men. My fast running, hard kicking, soccer playing little men. Mom's sad to miss your last game, and will be waiting at the door when you get home. Waiting to help unknot your cleats and waiting to ooh and ahh over your trophies and stories from the game.

I have a feeling we're just getting started on the long haul of sports games and tournaments and awards ceremonies. And I promise to do my very best to be at as many of your games as I possibly can. I want you to know that what you get excited about and what you care about, Mom cares about too.

Dear Diary,

Today was a good day. Today was a special day because my Momma told me some special things.

She told me I'm the prettiest little girl she's ever seen. She told me she prays my heart will choose Jesus so that my attitude and relationships are pretty, too. 

I heard her tell me that she's proud of me and wants the very best for me. She said that there are no limits on what Jesus can do with me if I choose to obey him.  

She said that no matter what I do or where I go she will always consider me a precious treasure. She whispered in my ear that sometimes my decisions might make her sad, but her belief that Jesus is always watching me would give her reason to still smile.

And then I saw her wipe a tear and say that Jesus loves me most and cares about me most. She said even way, way, way more than she could. And that must be a whole lot because she tells everyday how much she loves me!

Since I'm not so good and saying lots of things yet, I gave her a big smile and hug instead. I think she knows I heard what she said. And I think she knows that I love her, too. 

It's Raining. It's Pouring

When it rains it pours, or so the saying goes. 

There have been several days of rain these past couple of weeks, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. My to-do list drastically shrinks when it rains. Maybe I should buy a rain machine to use over my house when I'm feeling overwhelmed with so much to do. There's a thought.

God has also rained some tremendous blessings on my family these past couple of weeks. Grady and I have received all of the financial support to serve in Bolivia. Wonderful people have stepped up to help with the childcare needs for my kids while we're gone. My mom is healing and gaining strength (albeit slowly) after surgery. Huge answers to prayer.

My family has also rained some special blessings on me lately. Beautiful flowers and delicious cookies for Mother's Day. Impromptu hugs and I love you's. An eagerness to help sort laundry, vacuum steps, and empty the dishwasher. Wonderful moments with my kids.

But back to that to do list that still needs to shrink. Today is Monday and we leave on Saturday. Between now and then, there is a lot to do. A whole, whole lot. Each evening has commitments: church meeting, friends coming for dinner, last Awana meeting,  homeschool meeting, final soccer game and celebration. Each day has commitments: laundry, packing, groceries, school work, a hospital visit, therapy appointments, and a promised Chuck E Cheese visit. 

I had a moment on Sunday. A short-lived and very small moment of "Oh my word I have so much to do and so little time to do it and I'm kind of, sort of a little flustered about it all." But a long nap, a few tears, a gentle husband, and a gracious God made it all better. I'm good to go now. Really, I am.

Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and me glad in it."

The Simple Things

1. Two days of rain. I can't remember the last time it rained and the two days of cozy-stay-inside-and-enjoy-coffee-while-getting-things-done were much needed.

2. Friends with powerful examples of faith. I read blog posts and emails from friends this week who are living a minute-to-minute kind of faith. It does two things for me: one, it reminds me how lacking I am in my day-to-day faith; and two, it motivates me to pursue Jesus with more intention so that I am not found wanting when the difficult times come.

3. Healthy family! No mass quantities of tissues this week. No mixing acetaminophen into yogurt or applesauce.  No middle-of-the-night wake-ups. No backing out of pre-planned activities because someone wasn't feeling well.

What about you - what Simple Things did you appreciate this week?