Tuesday, September 7, 2010

A Year and A Day

A year, since we boarded a plane back to the beauty of the Arizonan desert. A year filled with boys adjusting to a culture they claimed, but never knew. A year of God's faithfulness and refreshment for our missionary family returning. A year of falling more in love with Jesus.

A year of counting thanks and remembering to say gracias to my Abba who made it all possible. (#62-85)

*His miraculous provision for the home of my dreams when we arrived
*furniture, dishes, all of the basics given with love by many hands
*swimming pools and little boys learning to swim
*backyards with grass and swingsets
*bathtubs with hot, running water (will never take them for granted)
*garbage pick up and recycling
*little boys racing and waving as the trash trucks scour the neighborhood
*crossing the line from hope to faith
*a job provided to meet our needs
*being quick to obey His leading and reaping His blessings.
*new friends who speak 'only English' as my boys quickly noticed
*flushing toilets, oh the joy, enough said.
*ability to flush the toilet paper too (squeals of delight)
*learning the power of His Word
*baseball games ... and every other sport as my boys dive into this culture
*Christmas tree lights and wrapping paper
*birthday parties celebrated with family after many years without
* 4th of July celebrations, the first for my youngest
*4 generations seated around a table
*learning the happy dance with my family gathered in giggles
*simply saying a washer and dryer! (no more rainforest line dry)
*Thanksgiving with a real turkey, lots of mashed potatoes and apple pie
*amigas, my pink polka dots of iron, staying connected across the miles
*a heartbeat for the nations still beating strong in my own.


holy experience

26 comments:

elizabeth said...

Oh what a great testimony of God's goodness...love the encouragement to speak the Word aloud. I too have found that such a key, but had slacked away from it somewhat, thanks for the reminder to keep at it!
Elizabeth
http://www.justfollowingjesus.com

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Yes I agree what a testimony and a good list.
kim

The Klippensteins said...

Wow, that year went by quickly. Blessings on the next years to come.
Wendy

Denise said...

Such a blessed list.

Unknown said...

It did go by quickly! Just a few days from now you were surprising me! Miss you and blessed to call you friend!

Love,
Jill

Natalie said...

So many things to be thankful for when returning home! You are certainly blessed!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

I think about what that must feel like ... to have your heart still beating for a place, but to have your feet in another. God bless you for your mission work, sweet one. I'm glad you've been able to find much gratitude in the year that's passed. A year already??? Wow.

Also ... SARA! I was so excited to see you as a new member at High Calling Blogs. It's a great community, and your voice around the network is valued. Join in the conversation over at HCB!

God bless...

Sherri said...

What a joy to read, full of energy and joy for the LORD! Amen!!

Ann Kroeker said...

Love meeting you, as well, and catching a glimpse of your story of faith!

I married a man with a missionary heritage and love hearing stories. Thanks for sharing yours here on your blog!

annkroeker.com

Dan King said...

Very cool list! Having spent a little time on some short-term missions, I can definitely relate to many of these things! We take so much for granted here... Thank you for the reminder to be grateful for EVERYTHING!

Unknown said...

WOW! A year already? God has ben so good to your family! HUGS!

herbhalstead said...

Sara,

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have to say that you're style of writing makes me want to dig deeper into your blog. I think I have gathered enough to know that you are a family on mission - once in Costa Rica, and currently in Arizona. I look forward to knowing your family better through your posts.

Patricia said...

God is so, so good to His people. Thank You, Lord, for your good gifts to Sara and those she loves.

And thank you, Sara, for leaving kind words on the banks of Pollywog Creek. I hope you will return and find beauty and mercy in the small things God shows us in that place.

XOX
Patricia

Linda said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful list Sara. You are blessed; we are blessed. His bountiful faithfulness just overwhelms our hearts.

L.L. Barkat said...

the bathtubs and toilets made me smile. Well, sometimes it's the simple things, isn't it? :)

Brock S. Henning said...

Sara, I haven't read through all your posts yet, but what are you guys doing now, after the mission field? I was touched by your June 8th post, "Finally Words." Our family has lived in Colorado for four years now, a "mission" of sorts for us, but we're dealing with the possibility of returning to our "home" in Indiana next year.

It's a gut-wrenching process, as we're torn about the decision, but as you mentioned in "Finally Words," we are "Shifting our gaze, washing our minds in the Word, being willing to do what Jesus said to do." Thanks for sharing your life through the blog!

Alison said...

Hey Sara!
Thanks for the post! Very encouraging! Especially hearing about how God miraculously provided your dream home! We just moved and are praying for the same! Praise God for what he's done for your family!

Heather said...

love the list. So much to be thankful for! I am very thankful for the modern convienences (can't spell that word, sorry) that we sometimes take for granted. Hope the next year is as blessed as your last one!

Richard Lawry said...

Your post reminds me that every day should be Thanksgiving

An Arkies Musings

Anonymous said...

Arizona is fabulous. I'm especially keen to the Northern Parts of the state. :o)

Amy Sullivan said...

Crossing the line from hope to faith...now that is a good one!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Precious list...the one that jumps out is the Four generations around the table...what a blessing!!!

Johnnie said...

Hi Sara! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I am your newest follower. Wonderful site. I will be back!

Saved By Love Creations

Natasha said...

oh what joy it brings to my heart your celebration of a whole year here. to have heard some of what God has done in your lives as a family. Beautiful. He is so praiseworthy, and I am so thankful to be your friend. I love coming and catching up on your blog :)

Dena Dyer said...

Sara, I'm so glad you have joined HCB. I love this post and many of your others. Our family has had a year like yours--a leap of faith, a big move, and seeing God's amazing provision. :)

lioneagle said...

Hi Sarah -

I love that photo. It speaks volumes.

Wow! Your lives sound really interesting and full of GOD.