Rocking Middle America....alone

Well this is a change in my day to day existence...

No kids traveling with me as the boys stayed behind (thanks to Gramma and P.)  It is positively weird not to have to tend to something for someone else.

I am currently seated in the Kansas City airport awaiting my flight back to the West Coast.  I flew over here two days ago to visit my dear Sister and Brother-in-law, their kids, and their Sunday group.  It was an awesome Sunday! I had the joy of telling the stories of lives in the Middle Kingdom, stories of His awesome power, and of  our hopes for the days to come.

My Bro-in-Law "taught" an incredible lesson of why bad things happen...to display His "works through 'our' lives."  I was so, so pleased to hear such an inspired teaching.  Too often I hear the teaching that we need to pray more to be rescued from the troubles of this world, I've even heard Leaders teaching that they are frustrated with Him for not "fixing" the state of things...but these matters happen so that His work can be displayed...through the Body!  These troubles display a need that His Body is supposed to be addressing...not sitting back waiting for Him to take the troubles away!  I was so refreshed by this solid teaching yesterday and I was reminded that it is the meeting of troubles head on, working to alleviate suffering, promote justice, and giving grace that is His answer to the world's question of "why?"

I had nearly 48 hours to talk and talk and talk with my sister, too.  She is so precious to me.  We spurred each other on in our various "fields of harvest,"  she in middle America, me in the Middle Kingdom.  This time of being separated from Daddy and the girls has been so difficult, yet, I see how every bit of the time is being used for great purpose.  As I talked through the matters of life and the Kingdom with my sister, it became more and more clear how He has been revealing Himself to me.  It truth, it has been a rich time for me to listen.

I'm ready to be home, my family all together again.  The year ahead, I believe, will be a very challenging one.  Already Daddy has experienced many difficulties, many more than in our first three years...but with those struggles...some fruit is ripening.  We are thankful for the encouragements we see.

Wednesday we will celebrate the removal of The Bruiser's cast.  Daddy and the girls will be savoring the final days of Grandma D's visit with them.

I am thankful that no matter where I am, no matter where I go, He is with me.  My visit here this weekend reminded me of how joyful it is to be with others who share the same light and love.

The needs are great.  The fields are ripe.  There is much work to do.  Let the Body arise and do what she was made to do in this place and all over the world!