What we found out 3 and a half months ago...

Our first thoughts:
"When do you want to tell everyone?", "Should we say something at Christmas time?", "Perhaps we'll wait until the new year...", "Do you think they'll be excited for us?", "Will family and friends be more inclined to visit?"

Our conclusion: To tell you all, through this obnoxiously titled blog, that Christmas (or any time) will be a little more interesting for you if you come to visit us...in another country! Now, what did you think I was referring to? ;) Its across the big pond for us! But not before a few details...


Three and a half months ago, Jeff was selected for an unaccompanied assignment to South Korea for 13 months. (Did your jaw just drop like mine did?) I'll admit, it wasn't the most ideal news 2 months after returning from his deployment. Not to mention, there's only so much we could do about it anyway. So, we've been praying--hard...Honestly, our prayers for the first couple months were, "Lord, please cancel these orders"; granted that could still happen-you never know. But I believe The Lord is changing our hearts and leading us back to His will. Our prayer at this point is to not be close minded to where he may want to use us but rather to remain open to His influence in our lives. Ideally, it wouldn't be in separate locations of course. But thought points us to the realization that we are His no matter where we are. After all, we are called to be missionaries in this world, right? Be it in your home town or in foreign countries...Our calling was not to be stagnant. (Psalm 96:3)

  "Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you"

                                    -Chris Tomlin 

At this point, you may be wondering what all this means for me. After all, "unaccompanied" does mean exactly that for Jeff. So, all my Florida guys and gals better just prepare for an ice cream party with yours truly! Though I have befriended the cold, wintry weather up here in the mid-west, I shall not endure 13 months of it by myself. Rather, for the next 13 months I am all yours. With that said, however; I expect I'll do a lot of traveling to and from South Korea in effort to visit Jeff and stay for as long as possible. (Unaccompanied doesn't mean I can't visit, thankfully.) Don't worry, you'll see him before he takes off and also at his half way mark when he visits. He can't wait to hug and spend time with friends and family. Anyway, short of explaining all our tentative travel plans, you may want to be making some of your own....

 

Our follow on orders (after Korea) will have us stationed in England. Cheerio! (Did your jaw drop again?) Talk about excited! We may have to endure a year apart but after that hurdle we are looking forward to new territory! We couldn't believe we actually got our #1 overseas dream sheet pick. So start saving now-because we are! We've got castles to see in Ireland, kissing to do in Paris, and gibberish to speak in Germany (I mean, I figure if I just speak without actually using my tongue I may pronounce one of their words correctly). Who knows, maybe we'll visit the ancient ruins in Greece! I know, I know we're dreaming big already. But all the same, this is certainly something to look forward to and plan together over the next year. After all, we wouldn't get to England until 2015...

I'll admit, it certainly makes it a challenge to "live for the day"; but we're trying. There's a whole lot of nitty-gritty details that are involved which don't exactly air on the side of "smooth sailing". Apart from out-processing and paper work, passport fees (for me), a million questions, and moving organization; I think the hardest part will be leaving our church family at Fountain Springs. Within the last couple months we've just found such support and such a drive to serve where we can. All because stepping out of our comfort zone brought more blessings than expected. Through new friendships and sermons preached "around the kitchen table" (as Pastor David likes to describe our church services), through volunteering on Thanksgiving day to those who may not have otherwise eaten, through changing perspective to that of more positive thinking and expectation. As "life moves fast", it is unnecessary to expect the worst and hope for the best. If your hope is truly found in Christ, why should you expect anything less than His best? What else besides your best interest do you think He has at heart?

We just want to sincerely thank everyone for your prayers at this point and into the future. We do ask that you continue to do so. The excitement is fun, but stuff like this can be extremely stressful even though it's all good. Neither one of us is looking forward to a year apart (even looking at England as a reward for it). The fact I can visit in Korea for extended periods of time is a major plus, of course. I encourage you, if/when you speak with us on this whole topic, to please be positive. We shall see you soon, Florida!  

We're nervous, no doubt. But happy/nervous/excited (with tons of questions) pretty much sums it up. And I'm serious when I say you people better come visit us in England. Fountain Springer friends, NAU friends, Florida friends, and our family from around the country (hey! we could host Thanksgiving in what I'm sure will be a small house in England-that would be entertaining, lol!) ...you just pack your little bag (or over pack like me) and tell me when your happy selves are coming. Our door is open to you! 

Happy New Year!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6-7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7