Third Culture Hearts

We've been working so hard the last few weeks with getting the house ready to sell, getting our stuff ready to move, cultivating partnerships, and taking a course to develop an education plan for our kids. One of the books I've had to read for that was Third Culture Kids. It's brought up many great points about the moving process not only for the kids, but for us as well.

Today as we were driving to Lowe's again, we had the windows down enjoying the coolness of the day. All my thoughts though were of Ireland and the move. Will I miss this drive? Though this seems cool to me now, will it seem like a heat wave once we've been in Ireland for a while? I wonder if the bugs sound the same in the trees?


I realized, our hearts are moving cultures as well. Everywhere we look we see the mixture of TN, the USA, and Ireland. What things will be the same? What little things will we miss?


This is both an exciting and scary time. We are happy and sad. Spending time with friends becomes all that much more precious because we know it won't last that much longer.

We are so excited to have this journey to share with you :-)

A Word

I'm having one of those days.

As I sat by the fire pit this morning burning an un-salvageable dresser while Ruel ran to Lowe's yet again for another expense in order to sell the house, I cried out to the Lord, "I don't want to do this any more. I'm tired and I miss just time with You not asking for something." With one eye on the billowing flames, one hand cradling my cup of tea, and no heart left, I rested my head on my Bible.
I needed a Word.

That's when I opened up to the Psalms. I figured if they could comfort David, they could comfort me.

This is what I read:

How lovely is Your dwelling place,
Lord of Hosts. 
 I long and yearn
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

 Even a sparrow finds a home,
and a swallow, a nest for herself
where she places her young—
near Your altars, Lord of Hosts,
my King and my God.... 

Happy are the people whose strength is in You,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

Psalm 84:1-3,5

Yea... He knew I needed to hear that.
Christ is my comfort, and He's moving with me.
God is my rock, and Ireland is still His dwelling place.
The Spirit is my guide, and He knows what I need here and abroad.

What more could I ask for?
Yes, it's turning out to be one of those day. Praise God!

WWJD? This!

Even though finding partners and raising all our support for Ireland can be intimidating at times, it's so helpful to know we're in Good company!


"Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions." 
Luke 8:1-3

Reality Check

Every once in a while reality hits, perspectives shift, and goals are fine tuned. These are good.

Really. 

Though things change, we look at the work through fresh eye and with a scoured heart. Here's where we are right now:

• Happy birthday to our youngest, Elijah! Our baby is turning 9 today. While is such an amazing blessing to see how he is maturing into a young man, it is a reminder of just how fast time can fly.
• It's get the house ready to sell week. Ruel is on vacation starting today and we have a ton of stuff to do. Painting, staining, sanding, sorting....keep us in your prayers!
• Because this is the week to work, my back - of course - has gone out. It seized up really bad last night. I couldn't even lift the toothpaste :( Pray it gets better soon. We have so much to do!
• We have not been praying enough. Ruel and I have been convicted of not spending enough time in prayer for our MPD's (Ministry Partners Development). In other words, we've not relied enough on God's power to raise our monthly support: We've been trying to do it on our own. Our prayer this month is that by the end of May we will be at 20% of our monthly support. Only 15% to go..... (Click here to join us in prayer with a quick daily FB update)

We are trying to be transparent with everyone. There's not much glory to give God if we don't express how much He helps us! Keep us in your prayers as we get through this next month.

The Yard Sale Shuffle

With any dance style, you can't just show up ready for the party if you haven't learned a few basic moves. Sure the waltz, box step, and - now days - shuffling, look easy, but just try them for the first time in full and  you will quickly find your other left foot.

Yard sales are quite the complicated dance I've found. Who knew it would take so much time to go through almost 13 years of married-to-a-pack-rat-stuff! And like any other dance, I'm finding lessons in small doses to be very helpful.

Today's move?? The laundry room shuffle!
Wanna dance?