I've been watching the tree slowly began to bloom outside my window. When I arrived back from the States, there were only tiny green pods. Now, nearly a month later, the barest hint of white is showing through. As I've watched them, I can't help thinking that they are taking a bit longer than I thought they would. I think I'm finding that's the way of transition. It takes a little longer than you thought it would.
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| Iditarod Start |
I know these remaining five weeks will go by quickly, but with a slowness as well. The waiting for the next step on the threshold of it. I booked my plane ticket and have started preparing to close accounts and cancel contracts. And yesterday, I told the children that I was leaving, obeying God on this next step of my journey. They took it well but were generous with their hugs.
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| Baa, Moo |
It has been good to be back. Though it took me an extra day to get here. Travel was not as smooth as it could have been on furlough. My first Sunday back was a full house at Antioch. We had our second Easter service as an outreach Sunday. Despite my reservations, our indoor petting zoo was a hit with pigs, bunnies, goats, roosters, a calf and guinea pigs. There were 157 people there, 29 of them children and 2 people got saved.
Immediately following the service, a team of 14 drove to the airport to fly to Budapest, Hungary for a short term mission trip. By all accounts it was a very successful trip with lots of good connections made with the locals and five salvations. God is at work in Europe!
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| Impact Hungary Team |
I have loved my time here, made good friends and seen God do great things. In these last five weeks, I hope to finish this part of the race well. Saying goodbye to those I love is bittersweet. I get to take the opportunity to encourage and make memories and remember my favorite places. Tammy has been doing a great job with the kids and is finding her way. My lifegroup is going strong under the leadership of the Boothbys and Grace. A lovely girl is moving into my room in the house. She came back to church through my housemate.
Over these next weeks, I'll have final discipleship groups, final Launch Pad sessions, final gazes at the beauty of the Peaks and final gatherings at Antioch Community Church. Please pray for God's covering on these and all the to-do items and for wisdom in the decisions to come. I'm still working on finding a job and will be staying with my sister's family for a few weeks at least. Please pray also for the transition period. I've read that there are parts of re-entry that can be challenging.
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| Favorite Running Sport |
I told the kids on Sunday that I was feeling a little nervous about the upcoming move, a little excited about something new, and a little bit sad about leaving them. There's a quote about new beginnings that's rattling about in my head. 'Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.' One chapter is in it's final lines, but a new one's about to begin with the turn of the page.
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| Sarah's Goodbye Lunch |
I'm hopeful that there will be more opportunities to love, serve and tell others about Jesus, more beauty and creativity and healing, and more friends like the ones I've made here and all of you who have followed me the past 6 1/2 years. Those years are as much a part of your story as they are of mine. Thank you for journeying with me.
