You would think that the second time around would be easier, but it’s not. In 2013, we will be moving to Romania. Again. We are going to have to say good-bye. Again. We are going to have to start all over. Again… Sometimes it seems overwhelming. Other times we are so excited we are ready to jump on a plane today. It would be easy to compare our emotions to a rollercoaster. One second we are up, and the next we are down. We can quickly move from extreme joy to that anxious feeling one gets at the top of a hill looking down. But we are not falling; we are following.
The fact that we are following God’s plan for our life gives us comfort. Yet, there are also times that we forget this and need to be reminded. Sometimes these reminders come from Biblical promises that remind us that God is with us (Deut. 31:6). Other times, these reminders come from the encouraging words of friends or from the memories of our past experiences in Romania. But the most humbling reminders come from the mouths of our children.
As we began the process of seeking God’s direction for our family, one of our first priorities was partnering with a sending organization. Before officially deciding to serve with Adventures in Missions, we spent three days in northern Georgia. It was a time of discernment, prayer, and interviews. Honestly, it was both exciting and exhausting. Emotionally we were spent, and it is impossible to hide these types of feelings from your children.
On the morning of the second day of interviews, we (Spencer & Lynsey) were sitting on the couch discussing this major decision and how it would affect our children. As a mom, I find uprooting our children and thereby altering their lives forever to be a very difficult decision. As a dad, I tend to stress about all of the details, and often fail to fully trust God with the safety and protection of our family. While discussing all of this, Trinity came in the room and asked, “What’s wrong?” We told her that the decisions we were making were big one’s and that we were a little nervous. Then I (Spencer) asked her how she felt. Her simple and honest reply was exactly the reminder we needed.
“If God told us to go to Romania,
then He is going to be with us!”
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” – Psalm 127:3
As a mother, and grandma, I too sometimes feel like I am on a rollercoaster full of emotions about you leaving. Again. A parent is always happy if their children are happy. I am excited for you that you will be with the special people in Romaina. You sharing your excitement with me always makes me smile.
Saying good-bye to all of you, and not being near my grandkids. Again…. knowing it will be months before I am with you all is the other part of the rollercoaster that flips my emotions in many different directions.
The proud feelings I have for you giving up so much to serve Adventures in Missions is again another emotion.
Trinity and Jonathan are loving caring children because of their parents teaching them to be kind to all of God’s children. I am proud to be your mother/mother-in-law, and the grandmother of your two beautiful children. I am blessed. Trinity is a smart girl because she was right when she said “If God told us to go to Romania, then He is going to be there with us!” I love you always. Mom
This is such a great story – God on display in and through your kids!