My Hope

It was surreal watching protests in America unfold while we were in Lebanon and it left me feeling as though I didn’t know how to speak into the situation while I wasn’t here.  This week, despite being here, has just left me speechless though.  In my last post I mentioned that I’ve been trying to hold my tongue and not say things that will cause further division and I believe that’s still true.  But I also believe we are called to cry out, particularly for justice.   I’ve been praying throughout the week and trying to listen.  I’ve been trying to seek wisdom from the Father and align my will with His.  As I prayed, I just felt a heavy sense of grief.  It’s an emotion I typically feel throughout January though each year the weight of grief varies.  But this year as I watched the insurrection live on the news, it was not my son that I grieved… it was not even my nation I grieved…    I grieved the souls of...

  2020 has not been the worst year ever- for me.  That’s not to say that this has been my favorite year because it's certainly had it's share of struggles, but 2008 beats it hands down- no question.     But for some of my friends, and understandably so, they just want this year to end and pray that along with it the sorrows and struggles that it’s brought.   I know someone who lost her daughter just before Christmas, someone who has lost 9 family members due to Covid, countless people in Lebanon who have really been struggling with the financial crisis there, the list goes on.  It’s been a rough year and I feel like my struggles have paled in comparison.     I’ve been reading Job searching for wisdom in knowing what to say as one calamity after another befalls them.  But really and truly, it gives more guidance on what not to say.  His friends all said the wrong thing.  Elihu wasn’t repri...

  This year doesn’t feel so Christmassy.  Parties are out.  Large Christmas plays or pageants may be super spreaders and grandparents may not be able to attend.  It’s hard readjusting our expectations with traditions that mean so much to us.  I get it.  The last two Christmases our family had to redefine what Christmas looked like to us.     In 2018 we had recently arrived in Lebanon and we were adjusting to life in a new country away from friends and family.  We had been surprised that while Thanksgiving is obviously and American holiday, Black Friday sales are worldwide.  This was definitely to our advantage as we were appreciative for the deep discounts on appliances we needed to purchase for our apartment.   Our neighborhood in Beirut was primarily Muslim sandwiched between two Christian neighborhoods.  We were walking distance from lights and enormous trees, so some scenes ...

  I’ve been slow to share.  Mainly because I feel like each time I think I know what’s going on, it changes so I wanted to wait a little longer just to be certain.  Tommy and I have spent time in prayer and are both in agreement that during this season, it’s wise to stay in Clarkston.  We still want to return to Lebanon but don’t feel like now is the time.   Right now, there was also an opportunity for Tommy to step back into the role as lead teacher for GFM for the Spring semester.   The girls and I have continued our Arabic lessons (Tommy has as he’s been able, but because of the time difference, he’s in the classroom when our teacher is available).  I have reconnected with friends in Clarkston from before and I also might be assisting with the GFM discipleship team in the afternoons after Tommy is out of class.    We have been amazed at the way God has opened doors during this time in so many ways- minist...

  It's been surreal being back in Clarkston for a season.  We'd expected to visit while we were stateside but not stay.   It's an understatement to say that I don't think 2020 is falling into place like any of us expected, but I know none of this comes as a surprise for the One who goes before us.  I don't know what He has in store for us next but already I'm so thankful He has us in this place for the moment.   Tommy has really enjoyed being back in the classroom again and I've loved serving in the community.  I've been able to reconnect to friends from Syria and Iraq (I stayed in contact with them while in Lebanon but it's been different sitting down and having long conversations... in Arabic!). I wasn't sure how clear my accent is because the people around us while we've been learning know what words we know and don't know (just like a mother can often converse with her child but has to translate for strangers) so I was really excited...

shared by Tommy  I have been thinking about how best to explain how we have reached our decision for ministry for the rest of 2020.  We have had a great time reconnecting with family and friends these past couple of months.  It has given us time to draw closer as a family and closer to the Lord. When we left Lebanon there was a lot of tension growing within the population.  There has been uncertainty within the financial markets, political agendas, and basic services like power, cell phones, and even food. Rebekah and I were on our first date since getting back and as we were sitting at Lake Ella, our phone started dinging.  This was when we saw the first images coming out of Beirut with the explosion at the port.  Then two weeks ago it was announced that the prime minister that had just risen to power was resigning due to issues working with Hezbollah. All of this had us questioning where God wanted us to serve in this next season.  After talking to o...

  Before I share my devotional type thoughts, I wanted to let everyone know there's another massive fire in the Port of Beirut.  Please pray for our team and the whole nation who has already been struggling and is wondering when their suffering might end.  Many have not truly recovered from the trauma of the war and have been retraumatized by the current events.  Pray that they may find rest in God. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.   Hebrews 13:14   While we've been stateside we've continued with our Arabic lessons.  We love our teacher and our desire to continue lessons is two fold.  1. We need to continue in order to retain what we've already learned and try as best as possible to continue learning new vocabulary even while stateside.  2. We don't want to put her in a difficult position by interrupting her stream of income, particularly at a time like this.   That being said, trying...