A year ago:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our life was turbulent and in chaos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
–Chris was in the hospital in the US.\u00a0 The kids and I were in Thailand, trying to grapple with the new reality that we were battling cancer again and we would be returning to the US, suddenly flipping our day-to-day life upside down overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
–A friend in our community in Thailand, a high school senior, passed away suddenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
–Our city, Chiang Mai, was flooding. The water was creeping near our neighborhood, which Thai neighbors had never seen before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
–Our boys went to homecoming with their friends, albeit new-ish, but they are part of a community and enjoying what high school has to offer: sports, friends, fun\u2026 (that is correct, academics would probably come in last place)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
–Emalene was honored as the 6th grade orchestra concert master.\u00a0 A year ago she had never played a violin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We still grieve what happened a year ago.\u00a0 Grief can take many forms, and last week was no exception: one kid really dreading yet another sandwich asked for fried rice for lunch. So yes we made it happen, but it was fast and furious.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I look back at a year ago, I resonate some with Gideon in Judges 6.\u00a0 God comforts Gideon in his concern and disbelief and says \u201cGo in the strength you have\u2026am I not sending you?\u201d and then God continues to be present with him by waiting for Gideon\u2019s humanity and speaks words of \u201c I will be with you\u201d and \u201cPeace, do not be afraid\u201d.\u00a0 These are words of life for each of our days, those that are easier and those that are turbulent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have joy in the grief as we see God’s mercies in our day-to-day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-increased platelet count for Chris after several months of uncomfortably lower numbers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-new friends for all the kids that they look forward to seeing and who enjoy them<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-opportunities to share about God\u2019s work of global Bible translation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-affirmation for Chris in his work as it still feels odd working remotely<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chris and I will travel to Northwestern on Oct 21 for scans and meetings with doctors. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We continue to ask for prayers as we discern our steps forward beyond May 2026 and where the Lord would have us live and serve. May we respond with obedience as Gideon did.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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