We have made it to Okinawa and we are so grateful to be here. This is both an exciting and challenging time. In the last year I have been studying about how to care for missionaries, especially in times of big transitions.
This is one of the things we look at to prepare them for the stages they might go through:
I am grateful the Lord gave me Jon, if I imagine him on this path I see him run straight to the end, not letting all the thoughts between the phases weigh too heavy on him. I think I am somewhere between so happy and excited -and “this is bigger than I thought, did I really just do that?” It is almost a frozen spot where you can choose to run back in fear or move forward in faith.
As I write this I think about the Israelites when they are complaining about water and wondering if they were brought to Egypt to die. The enemy wants them to question God’s character. Does He really want them to prosper? Does He really want them to have rest from war and to own their own land? To have homes and raise children and to have more than enough?
If I’m honest I am tempted to feel all of the thoughts right now— when we are walking places in the super humid heat with our kids and eating meals on the floor from combini again—our version of the Israelites water. It’s easy to freak out and think we could just “go back”…somewhere…
How I feel…
But in this last year we have been so intentional to get into the word of God, and specifically studying His heart for His people.
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.” Over and over again He wants to prosper His people in one way or another. So even when I doubt and even when others doubt I still get the choice now to hold onto His word.
I have seen sometimes where our generation has gone so far into psychology that we excuse ourselves to complain and to feel self-pity. It feels very validating to see the chart above. There are a lot of real feelings of fear- as I am sure the Isrealites felt also- they had left “home” or what felt like stability.So now I can choose to look at it and say “See, that’s what I am going through— I deserve to complain or feel a certain way” or I can choose to look at this and remind myself hey, you’re really vulnerable for the enemy to speak to you right now and you need to stay in the word and declare the truth over yourself and your family. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It is easier to complain but I desire to choose not to.
Also how I feel…
I normally wouldn’t share any of this, but I hope it helps someone else if you’re in the midst of a big transition.
The Bible says in Joshua 21…
43 So the Lord gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. 45 Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.
If you think of us you can be praying for us and our kids in the midst of this big transition.
*Also, I wrote this a couple of weeks ago but still wanted to share it. I feel already more settling and more hopeful and …still challenged. Haha New practical updates to come soon! We started Japanese classes and are in the middle of purchasing a car!