Family - the best of both worlds

The word "family" has taken on new meaning since we moved to the other side of the world.
In America we have our family by blood, and in Southeast Asia we have family by heart.
Because we spend so much time talking about both sets of family, I thought it might be good to introduce you to them all.
During our time in America, we've been able to visit with "blood" family scattered all throughout the South.
First is my parents, Jerry and Kit.

Then there is CJ's mom, JoAnn, and his brother, Joe

Joe is soon to be married to Lori, giving CJ and I a sister-in-law, and Zoë and Miá an aunt

Moving upwards in the family tree... my dad has two sisters -
Charlene

and Emily

Shown in this picture are also Emily's daughter, Sandra (Julie's first cousin) and Sandra's grandson, KJ

On my mom's side, we enjoyed time with her brother, Marc, and his wife, Dawn.

Also Marc and Dawn's youngest son, Christopher (Julie's first cousin)

and Christopher's wife, Kara, and beautiful daughter, Aubree. (Also shown is Marc and Dawn's grandson, Kolby)

Also my mom's dad, Marshall (Julie's grandfather and Zoë and Miá's great grandfather.)

Finally, we were able to visit my dad's first cousin (his father's sister's daughter) Mandy, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio

We've had a great time visiting all our family and we're so thankful for the blessing of a large, yet close-knit family.

Our Southeast Asia family is also large and growing.
We are so thankful that Father has brought these people into our lives. They are so special to us!

First is Saya Ling Mana's family including his wife, his second oldest son (Elisha - in the white t-shirt), his three daughters (Esther in black and pink, Ruth in red and white polka dots and Yaung Kay in the YouTube t-shirt), and his youngest son Chin Baung (not pictured.)

Saya Ling Mana's oldest son, Elijah, lives in Indianapolis and we enjoyed visiting him and his friends during our time in America.

Kim has become a sweet sister to us all.

We're so thankful Father has brought Steven into our lives.

Then there is sister, Ohmar Kyaw.

Sisters, Suan and Muan.

Dave, David and Pyae Phyo Kyaw.

Dar Li

NiNi

The rest of our Monday night family

Our Agape family

Finally, our dear brother Jimmy who is a wonderful musician and goes everywhere with our family. 

Completing our Southeast Asia family is Charity who works with us.

While we're in Southeast Asia, we miss our American family.

When we're in America, we're missing our SEA family. 

I guess you could literally say we have the best of both worlds. :) 

Favorite moments in America so far - Time, Slow Down!

It was a long flight.
Well, to be honest, it was two three-hour flights and one 11-hour flight that brought us back from Southeast Asia to this part of the world.
We were jet-lagged to be sure when we arrived at the New Orleans airport, but when I saw my mom and dad at the end of arrival hall, I took off running (as best as I could with my hand luggage in tow.)
The tears were streaming down my face when I finally reached them and hugged their necks. I think they might have been holding some signs to welcome us home, but I was so excited to see their faces, I couldn't focus.
As I was hugging my mom, I opened my eyes and noticed a friend of Miá's standing not too far behind.
It was a moment of confusion.
Although we arrived in New Orleans, our final destination would be Columbia, Mississippi, which was another two hour car ride. I wasn't expecting to see other people we knew at the airport besides my parents.
Yet there were about 25 people standing just beyond my parents waiting to welcome us.
I can't recall a moment where I have ever felt so humbled and yet so loved to know that so many had gone so far out of their way to come welcome us home.
They were smiling and clapping and cheering as we came through the gate.
It was such a shock to see them all there, that I know I must have seem dazed and bewildered.
Still, that has to be one of my most favorite moments since we have arrived in America.

There have been other favorite moments...
Sitting with my family at the Christmas eve service at our church, singing Silent Night and other beloved hymns.
Enjoying the fire pit and fireworks at the strike of midnight with some of our favorite people.
Reconnecting with co-workers and good friends from other parts of the world at a week-long conference.
Seeing snow for the first time in many years.
Sharing about the "work" going on in Southeast Asia and seeing people here get excited about what Father is doing "over there."
It's been a whirlwind to say the least, and it's been great!

I'm really hoping things will slow down some though. I know it may be too much to expect that we will ever find some sort of routine, but I really just want to enjoy doing some of the things we've been missing. I want to have friends over for dinner and catch up on life. I want to just sit in the audience of our home church and listen to our pastor preach. I want to sit on the back patio and sip a cup of coffee in the cool morning air. I want to hear the giggles coming from our girls' bedrooms when they have their friends over. These are all things we don't have the opportunity to do when we live on the other side of the globe, and I just want to soak it up now while we can.

If only time would slow down a little...

A heart divided

I never imagined it would be this way...

When we arrived in this country three years ago, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were called to this place. I knew the needs here were great. I knew that the people would be wonderful and gracious. I also knew that it would be a challenge - learning the language, adjusting cross-culturally, living life in a third world country, etc.
One of my dear friends who lived here for many years sent me an email before our arrival, and she offered some sage wisdom. She said, "Keep low expectations." For example, expect that you will not have great water or power, then when it's better than you expected, you're happy. She said, "Expect that the traffic will be frustrating and expect that it will take you a long time to learn the language." So when the situation is better than we expect, we end up feeling successful and blessed.
The only problem with that thought, is that the Spirit is able to do far more and greater than we could EVER expect or imagine, so when He intervenes and you've already got low expectations, it can just rock your world.
I never could have imagined how He would tie my heart to this place in the ways that He has.
I never could have imagined the relationships and friendships with the people we have in our lives here would be so close.
I never could have imagined the amazing ways He would work in this place, drawing more and more people to Him.
And as I sit here writing, six days before our return to America, I'm feeling torn.
We are so excited to be back among our friends and family in the States.
We are thrilled at the idea of holidays with those we love most.
We cannot wait to sit in an English worship service to just sit and soak in deep, spiritual teaching and to be able to sing praise in our own heart-language.
There are so many aspects of being in America that we are excited about.
But can I tell you, I'm really having a hard time swallowing the idea of leaving this place. Even for just a short time.

Yesterday morning, we went to our "Fish Factory" gathering place for a time of teaching and praise. When we arrived, the people had already gathered and were singing.
As I took my place near the front, I was overwhelmed with the volume of singing that was being produced from this small crowd of people. With every fiber of their being, they were giving glory to their Creator and offering their hearts completely to Him. It showed in their song. It showed on their faces. And it was overwhelming. The tears began to pour down my face...
See, I know these people. I know what they've been through to get to the place where they are now.
I have seen them come to faith and grow in their faith. I have seen them being discipled. I have seen them overcome obstacles and persecution and challenges like people in America could not comprehend. I know where they come from and I recognize the likelihood of what lies before them in their future.
Yet despite it all, there they stood, singing their praise to Him with complete abandon.

And as I stood there, listening and praying and singing, I realized this would be the last day with this special group of people for many, many months.
When they called me forward to offer some encouragement to the people yesterday morning, my mind went blank. It's hard enough to communicate in the local language when I'm thinking clearly, let alone when I'm feeling emotional.
All I could say was that I loved them. I would be praying for them. And we would see them again soon. There was so much more I wanted to say, but couldn't.
Of course, CJ stood up next and his words were eloquent and perfect. He was challenging and moving and inspiring. I am continually amazed at him and what Father does through him. Again and again, I'm reminded of how thankful I am for this amazing partner and spouse.

Now compound the feelings I'm having about this group by about 10.
We have relationships with other groups like our Fish Factory group all over the city.
It's so good.
Father is so good.
He has given us this "family" in this city. And I'm just so thankful.

I never could have imagined how excited I would be about coming home, and yet at the same time, so similarly excited about the prospect of our future return.
The goodbyes are hard, but we are joyful for the hellos that are soon to come.

Through it all, praising Him...
Merry Christmas.

Thankful

Blessed.
Blessed because of salvation.
Blessed because of God's love.
Blessed to know the truth!

I have so much to be thankful for.
This Thanksgiving, more than ever, I'm thankful that I was born in a country and in a family where I could grow up knowing the Creator, the Master, the King.
I look around me and see so many who have never had the privilege to know; people who have never heard, and I wonder, why have I been so blessed?
My greatest prayer is that I live a life of thankfulness and that, in turn, I can share this wonderful blessing with others.
I think it's one of the many reasons why Thanksgiving has become so important to me. It's a reminder that on this day, and every day I am called to live a life of thankfulness. (I Thessalonians 5:16)
What are you thankful for?

This is the list of what I was making to take to our group meal.

My personal favorite

Making the first of two pie crusts

A bunch of us rented a field to play some friendly softball and some touch football.

TCK BFFs

Ready to get some grub!

We had a group of about 50 expats all gather to celebrate our American holiday.

We had so much food!

This was my plate of food. All the food groups were covered. :)

CJ got the turkey leg

Mia is always taking care of the little kids and babies - it's her special gift.