Home Sweet Home

I can't even begin to wrap my words around the anticipation that welled up in my heart as 5:20 pm approached, Wednesday January 13th, 2010.

Exactly 31 hours ago, we got word that Sarah was leaving for the Niarobi Airport to make her long journey home. And now, we are just minutes away from seeing her for the first time in a month. Oh we saw her a few times on skype during her stay....but nothing lights up the room quite like Sarah's real live, touchable enthusiasm and person-hood.

From Niarobi to London and finally on to Philly....the journey has been filled with stories to last a lifetime....almost, and even if the stories don't last, the impact will.

We sent a young, spirited, independent girl off to see the world and make an impact, and she came back a little more grown up, but every bit as independent and spirited. There is no doubt she made impact, but what she received in return, regarding character and her relationship with Christ, vision for the poor and the lost, future goals, wants and desires, schedules and possessions, and overall attitude................................... WAS TEN-FOLD. Walking through the international arrivals gate, as tired and travel weary as she was, she look radiant, and very happy to be home.

You know the saying goes, "it takes 21 days to make or break a habit"....we weren't in the car long before Sarah asked Rick why he was driving on the wrong side of the road. And, she was serious (for a moment). She thought it was Thursday (when it was only Wednesday) and she left for school this morning without her phone and/or her ipod. Pretty Cool huh!? The one thing it didn't take her long to appreciate and dive right back into was nice cold running water with some "uummpphh". Brushing her teeth with running water is no longer something she takes for granted....it is a luxury and something she will give thanks to God for, everyday at least twice. :)

I had a nice spread of taco salad fixings ready and waiting, but it was the American cereal she craved. Two bowls of lucky charms later, and I think we'll save the taco salad for supper tomorrow. (haha)

As I write this morning I am enjoying the most amazing cup of coffee----freshly ground beans straight from Kenya, indulge me for a moment because it goes down like pure silk. Really! You don't find a better cup of coffee. But, one thing you will find all over our living room coffee table is jewelry! From earrings, to bracelets and necklaces galore, there is a story behind each piece. Being tasteful in her selections, as she walked out the door for school this morning, no one could deny she just got off a plane from Africa. Truly, an opportunity of a lifetime for this 16 year old girl from eastern Pennsylvania. She's got her first interview with the school newspaper sometime next week.

We give thanks that she is back home safe and sound.

We give thanks for so many of you who made this trip possible and memorable.

We give thanks for the seeds that have been sown into Sarah's life, but even more, we give thanks for the fruit that is born out of one young girl's desire and one mother's (and father's) obedience, in letting her go "into all the world" to be a part of sharing the "good news".

So Long for now,

Crystal

MORE BLESSED TO GIVE, THAN RECEIVE…..OR BOTH???
In scrolling through some pictures Sarah posted from Africa, one can hardly deny that missions mindedness and world travel runs in her blood. She has always been the fearless and adventurous one….always going about making the most of every opportunity and living life to the VERY FULLEST (and then some)! The sparkle in her eyes, does this mothers heart good. She is in her element….even though it is half way around the world.

On the home front we are on our final 6 day countdown. Just a little more than three weeks ago, we were wondering what Christmas and New Years would be like without our Sarah…..well now, we know! All in all, I’d have to say we are amazingly blessed. I understand in a whole new light what it means to say, “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. We have opened our hands and our hearts and given our daughter. We have made some adjustments and set aside traditions. And even in that, I’d have to say Christmas 2009 will go down in our family’s history as one of the most memorable for everyone involved. (even the webcam that provided a really fun New Years Day show and tell thru skype). Picture noted above :)

I know that Sarah will bring home lots of stories and neat experiences to share with us for weeks and even months to come. I am already seeing the lifelong fruit of this trip coming through in her writing, in her voice and in her heart. Who knows? Maybe it is the very reason for the sparkle in her eye too.
How I long to wrap my arms around her neck and welcome her back home….and I will cherish every moment so that when the time comes to let her go again, I can do so with gladness and completeness in my heart. God has truly been my portion and my peace. He has breathed into my spirit, a “God” kind of confidence and understanding that would be necessary….knowing that a very special 16 year old young lady would be….

*Spending Christmas away from family, yet finding a new family while opening her heart to the things of God in a deeper way.
*Seeing the vastness of our world in a new way.
*And making a difference, touching lives every single step of the way.

Oh we have experienced incredible blessing in the giving of our Sarah….but so much more, we have received.

Crystal

EXPECTATIONS OF CHRISTMAS

EXPECTATIONS OF CHRISTMAS

Preparations are underway for another heart warming Christmas Eve Service as well as everything that goes along with our “usual” Christmas morning. The luminaries line the streets and as dusk draws nigh, I reflect on “expectations of Christmas”.

I make my way through the huge wooden doors to the church. Candlelight and carols fill the air, and.... so does the knot in my throat.
This is our first Christmas Eve without Sarah and the “normalcy” of expectations and traditions feel challenged, changed, and taken away. Although I may not always like it, after 40 years I have finally learned (and in some ways am still learning) to “stand still and see His Glory”.
As you read the remainder of this Christmas Day blog and “Expectant Christmas Reflections” I hope you will be inspired to do the same.

For a weary, stranded traveler who exchanges a warm and festive meal around the table with loved ones, for bad weather, cancelled flights and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will hold…....hope was still born and the glory of the Lord revealed.
For the young mother who struggles to comfort the fevered brow of her child, instead of decorating, caroling and baking…….hope was still born and the glory of the Lord revealed.
Unfortunate circumstances give way to broken homes and broken hearts. Any hopes of happy and joyful Christmas times will have to be put off until next year or the next….but even in that, hope is still born and the glory of the Lord revealed.
The missionary family who embraces the “unplanned”, because there is no other choice (or electricity), exchanges fresh made enchiladas and swimming, for a rainy day and dinner out…hope is still born and the glory of the Lord revealed.
Mary and Joseph resort to a Bethlehem stable because there is no room at the inn…. HOPE IS BORN AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS REVEALED!!

Between you and me, there are a thousand and one more “real life” scenarios we could add to this list. But let me ask you, what did Christmas look like this year compared to what you expected it to look like? Maybe everything went perfectly and as planned, but maybe, just maybe it didn’t.
We have 17 more days before we see Sarah face to face. And, although we wait with great expectation, our hearts are learning to take great comfort in the unexpected, in the different, and in the HAND-PICKED, HAND-DESIGNED expectations of the Father (Just like that very first Christmas Night)!
Then and only then, is hope born and HIS glory revealed.

Crystal

TECHNOLOGY, THANKFULNESS AND CHRISTMAS TREATS
Our Wednesday sendoff has given way to safe flights, arrivals, and an overall
excitement for new experiences and friendships. In pure Sarah fashion, she warmed
the hearts of everyone around her…and in the end, got an upgrade from World Traveler to World Traveler Plus.

It has only been two days, but knowing she is half way around the world, my heart is
thrilled when a dichotomy of events…. and technology (that I usually take for granted) brings us together for a brief moment.

The day has been long, wintery cold and busy, and the lateness of the hour leaves me tired and somewhat weary. As I wrap up some thoughts and details in emails and journal entries, I pause before closing down the computer for the night.

The warmth of the morning sun awakens her earlier than usual….she pauses and opens up her computer for the day.
She is saying good morning, I am saying goodnight. Conversation was brief and light, but drifting off to sleep I thanked God for “perfect timing”, for the “little things” and for watching over my girl and keeping her in His care.

With a new day comes a winter wonderland of snow, snow and more snow! It is a “stay-at-home” kind of day filled with baking Christmas treats and cooking comfort foods. The aroma in the house is warm and rich! Sarah’s culinary gifts and her usual longing for a white Christmas makes my heart a little sad that she isn’t here.
But then, the click of the mouse brings us together again for a brief moment. As I take a break in between the baking trays of cookies, she shares with me the delights of her first few days in Kenya (and, her new cookie baking partner, Melia). It seems a good fit. Night time is drawing near for her and as she settles in to watch a movie with her “new & temporary” family…..my heart is glad that she has them….AND, that they have her!

Crystal

It is the eve of Sarah’s departure…..
We get to watch her do what she loves most…. Singing!
After a night of concert at the high school, we go home to enjoy a pizza together and put the finishing touches on packing.
Now, the house is quiet, and I sort through an array of emotions and thoughts:
Encouraging
Melancholy
Tear stained
Heartfelt
Joyful
Proud
And
Surrendered
Won’t you to journey with me?

Up until now we have anticipated and prepared, we have invested time in understanding what it is to “serve with eyes wide open.” We have taken the necessary steps required to stay healthy and safe….shots, passports, and eating lots of blueberries and pinto beans to boost the immunity. We have opened our hearts and minds to God’s Word and His leading. (even when it wasn’t easy) And, we have worked hard crunching homework assignments and meeting deadlines and auditions (well at least Sarah has).
Walking in the Center of His will, has served me well all the days of my life! Now as I wrestle with my emotional mother’s heart on this eve of goodbye’s….I expect nothing less. In many ways this is a BIG ADVENTURE for Sarah, but I also know that she understands the sobriety of it all and the eternal implications that will be indelibly stamped into who she is and what she is becoming.

There is something to be said for valuing a full and meaningful life. Journaling, for me, has been a means to capturing ALL OF IT. So as she goes, I send her off with her own journal, to fill in the lines as only she can. It is a mere gift today, but one day it will become a collection of her thoughts, memories, treasures, and ultimately, a very special chapter in the story of her life.
How proud we are of her, for taking this giant step of faith, for being both brave and sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in her young life, for becoming a beautiful woman of God who has enjoyed some of the finer things in life, but isn’t afraid to strip it all away either.

As I tuck her in on last time (at least for a good long while) there isn’t a doubt in my mind that her exuberant and authentic life will radiate good deeds, good gospel and good journaling.
I already long for they day when you return, my dear girl Sarah. But until that time,
EVERYTHING that IS and IS TO COME….I surrender to you Lord.

Crystal

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Book Review Blog

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