Roadtrip Week One

God is good.

 One week ago today, we closed up shop at the poolhouse, packed all our belongings for ten weeks, and hit the open road...Lots has happened in a week, and today we have decided to take a Sabbath to process through it and allow the Lord to rejuvenate us through rest.

Port-of-Call #1 was Slidell, Louisiana, where my parents reside & I grew up. We always feast on delicious food and have loads of fun when we go home, and this trip was not out of the ordinary. We were blessed with visits from family and friends, some of whom I'm not sure we'll see again before we depart for Africa. It was a joyous time of recounting the journey we've been on over the last year, as well as cling to God's promise of provision for our future.

Next we headed on to Houston, Texas, where my sister Emily and her husband Parker have made their home. Parker grew up in Houston, and they both are actively involved in their church here, so we've had lots of opportunities to meet new people and share with them Our Story & God's call on our life as a family. We have had a number of speaking engagements and look forward to the new relationships and possible partnerships that might come out of our time here.

 

Lucy's new favorite activity: breaking in the pool!!

Houston has been 

refreshing. relaxing. rewarding. 

{praise God!}

On Thursday we will head out for Midland, Texas, which will be one of our longest days of driving: 7 1/2 hours. We are looking forward to seeing old friends there, and will then head on to El Paso and then Phoenix, arriving on Sunday for a week of fun with Derek's family.

 I reflect on this last week and am thankful for the way God has laid the path before us and "made the burden light" of traveling across the country with two small kids. In case you're wondering, they're doing great. Of course we've had some road bumps we didn't expect, but then things we did expect to be difficult (like the girls sharing a room with Olive still waking up screaming in the middle of the night), have actually not been as bad as we thought it would be. So, thanks for you prayers. And if you think of it, will you pray for these things also...

1) One week ago our team leader, Travis, had a colon resection as part of treatment for recently diagnosed colon cancer. He is 37, his wife and kids have been home on their first furlough while he was diagnosed, and this has thrown their family into a whirlwind. He has spent the last week recovering in the hospital, and was discharged Saturday evening. We have all been praying for clear pathology results from the surgery; however, the results have not been what we hoped for. He will need extensive chemotherapy treatment, starting soon. Please pray for their family as they battle fear and anxiety, even in day to day living. It is tough enough transitioning small kids into a culture in which they really have not grown up in (America), but having this hurdle to overcome in the midst of it, is almost unfathomable for me.

2) One week ago, many across our entire country were training for the esteemed Boston marathon, unaware that they were going to witness a horrific act of terror for which none of them were prepared. Please pray that God's love and peace would surround the many whose lives have been thrust into this tragedy violently and unexpectedly. May the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon them.

{in good times}

{in bad times}

God is good.