During the short time that I spent being a part of this beautiful community with you, I developed a great admiration for you and others who had been there for a number of years.
What you all have invested of your time and energy is immeasurable. This place became home and all that entails. Even for me, having resided there for only seven months and living in two different spaces, I considered it home. The love and care poured by you and many others definitely contributed to my sense of belonging. It really kept me from isolating which is very easy for me to do.
I went to Tianjin open to learn, and that’s exactly what I did. I learned that it’s ok to experience human emotions that come with not meeting my own expectations, regardless of how “perfect” things may seem to others looking from a different vantage point.
YOU showed me that-as I observed how you navigated motherhood with servanthood to your community all while being pregnant with your fifth child. You occasionally asked, with sincerity, how I was doing and made yourself available if I needed anything. It was a reminder that I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me even when I don’t think “I measure up.” Thank you for that. I pray you experience divine peace in the lengthy transition. Tell S hello!!!💝
Change, even highly desired anticipated change, is always experienced as loss. There is always, in some sense, grief mixed with the excitement. Your heart will break and it's okay...from the beginning God can be seen rending things apart to recreate something entirely new or mending into something altogether stronger. Your heart, and your family, will be gloriously new in some ways (like the new season of life your oldest is entering into) and made stronger by the goodbyes and the process of leaving the known for the unknown. I imagine it cannot be easy, this place you are living in but it is good.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
I'm kind of irritated she said that to you! Not exactly life-giving. You have a lot on your plate, for sure, but you have all these children to help you. I'm excited for you!
During the short time that I spent being a part of this beautiful community with you, I developed a great admiration for you and others who had been there for a number of years.
What you all have invested of your time and energy is immeasurable. This place became home and all that entails. Even for me, having resided there for only seven months and living in two different spaces, I considered it home. The love and care poured by you and many others definitely contributed to my sense of belonging. It really kept me from isolating which is very easy for me to do.
I went to Tianjin open to learn, and that’s exactly what I did. I learned that it’s ok to experience human emotions that come with not meeting my own expectations, regardless of how “perfect” things may seem to others looking from a different vantage point.
YOU showed me that-as I observed how you navigated motherhood with servanthood to your community all while being pregnant with your fifth child. You occasionally asked, with sincerity, how I was doing and made yourself available if I needed anything. It was a reminder that I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me even when I don’t think “I measure up.” Thank you for that. I pray you experience divine peace in the lengthy transition. Tell S hello!!!💝
Praying for you. God has this and you! Many changes but God knows the details not your well meaning friends, even me.
Can you believe depending on Visa that I could be in TJ soon to see Caleb and then maybe complete our service in Qingdao, where you began.
Ugg moving is so hard. So much loss. You're not alone.
Change, even highly desired anticipated change, is always experienced as loss. There is always, in some sense, grief mixed with the excitement. Your heart will break and it's okay...from the beginning God can be seen rending things apart to recreate something entirely new or mending into something altogether stronger. Your heart, and your family, will be gloriously new in some ways (like the new season of life your oldest is entering into) and made stronger by the goodbyes and the process of leaving the known for the unknown. I imagine it cannot be easy, this place you are living in but it is good.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
I'm kind of irritated she said that to you! Not exactly life-giving. You have a lot on your plate, for sure, but you have all these children to help you. I'm excited for you!