Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

We have been in transition to the mission field for about a year and a half now.  (Last year at this time, our whole family was in Haiti for a two week trip.)  And, honestly, it is getting a bit old at times.  We get impatient now and then.  We really want to get going and we're stuck waiting for that big change in local and ministry.

But there are other transitions going on all the time - subtle changes that go unmarked.  I thought I should mark a few of them here.  These are all changes that tend to be bitter sweet in some way.

First: Going to the Fair


We went to the local county fair the other night with the kids and had a great time.  The change?  First time to attend the fair without needing to push a stroller.  Before you know it, our kids will be avoiding us at the fair as they hangout with their friends...

Second: Haircut

Ida (age 8) has had this bowl haircut for as long as he's had hair.

After ten minutes in the barber chair earlier this week, now he looks like this.  I can't believe he's going into the 4th grade in a few weeks.

Third:  Diet

We used to eat a fairly normal American diet - thought we tried to limit the junk food.  Over the last few weeks, we have moved toward the "Paleo Diet" which, for us at least, means severely restricting processed foods and breads and grains and loading up on naturally raised meats and fresh fruits and veggies.  Melissa and I both feel better in general - until we indulge in something like a funnel cake at the fair - and then we notice how BLAH the unhealthy stuff makes us feel.

Peach salsa

Salmon and grilled asparagus

Kale chips on the dehydrator



And the surprising thing is that not only will the kids eat these new foods, they are actually enjoying them.  Dats (age 11) caught Melissa minutes after dinner the other night and asked, "What's for dinner tomorrow night?"  When asked why he was inquiring, he replied, "The meals have been so good lately, I was just wondering what was coming tomorrow."

Have I mentioned lately how very good and very flexible our kids are?

We're not sure how our diet will have to be adapted once we get to Haiti, but it will undoubtedly change in some ways, though fresh fruit and veggies should not be hard to come by.

Fourth: August?

There's another change coming ... maybe. Melissa and I would appreciate your prayers as we try to discern God's will for this next school year.  The two of us are heading to a retreat cabin this weekend to celebrate our 12th anniversary, but more importantly to seek God's face and to discern his will for the coming months. 

What we are trying to determine is this:  should I go back and continue teaching this fall (which is financially sound but will set us back to August 2013 as our start date in Haiti) or should I resign and devote my time to raising support for our ministry (which would be financially less predictable but should enable us, God willing, to get to Haiti by the end of 2012)? 


We would really appreciate your prayers as we seek God's will.