Sacrafices & My Family

Being a missionary people will often make comments about how they admire me for the "sacrifices" I make by living overseas and doing ministry. Growing up in ministry and loving what I do so much I often don't feel like I sacrifice much at all.

But lately I have realized there are things being sacrificed but often its not just me sacrificing its others. Let me explain.

Over the past few years I have missed out on weddings for cousins, or even the planning of weddings with best friends, I have not been able to be with family members in crisis. This past week I had another such moment talking with someone dear to me and not being able to BE THERE for them. So you see, yes I feel the sacrifice but mostly in all of these things, especially with family its not me sacrificing but THEM!!! So, I want to say thank you! Thank you to my family (immediate and extended) for paying the sacrifice so I can be here. I see it, I feel it and thank you! I thank God for all of you!

Last Europa Park Trip

At the beginning of every summer our Middle School group heads to Europa Park! This is our "yahoo summer is here!" event. This park is a couple hours south of Wiesbaden and isn't too far from the border of Germany and Switzerland. Europa Park is a miniature version of Disney World, only with their version of Mickey Mouse. Seriously though, it copies a lot of Disney's rides. Such as space mountain and its a small world. =)

Anyways, so this was my last trip and as always it was a lot of fun. It was nice and sunny and only rained for about 2 minutes! There is just something fun about just playing all day with the kids.

My heart also feels a bit of sadness knowing that this is another one of my "lasts".

My Grandma...

It's been 3 weeks since I left Chicago but I want to write some thoughts down about my visit. I was able to spend time with my Grandma and Grandpa almost everyday during my time in Chicago. I must say my Grandma is such a trooper. Although, she is obviously tired a lot she really is doing very well.

My thoughts though, are really the way she is trusting in God moment by moment, my grandpa too. Both of them are paving the way for their grandchildren in how to trust God in all things! Spending time with both of them, I sense their deep love for Jesus and me. Even in them walking through hardships, they still support their family through prayers and encouragement. I want to live that way too. Loving others at all times and being a testimony to God goodness even in pain.


So, I thank God for my grandma and how he has made her beautiful inside and out. I thank God for my grandpa, for loving his wife and serving her in a way that is Jesus. I love them both and miss being around them.

Last Days

A couple days ago, I sent my first few boxes to Japan. It all still feels a little unreal. But my house being a mess from packing reminds me that this is real. I am 6 wks out from leaving Germany and there is still lots to get done. You know, all that fun stuff like canceling the phone. =) But in the midst of all the "stuff" I have to get done there is the relational/ministry part.

I must admit, I am not even sure how to process leaving Germany and my ministry here. How do I say good bye to Germany where I have lived for 13 years of my life? How do I say good bye to Wiesbaden? I can't imagine going to youth group, and all the kids I have grown to dearly love not being there.

I guess it comes down to faith and trust that God will take me through these next few weeks. And as I go into these 6 wks I will choose to enjoy and cherish all my lasts....last Chapel lunch, last graduation, last overnight, last movie night, last Starbucks runs....