A Special Gift

This summer, I've been able to enjoy the special gift of family time as we have been all together for a couple weeks this summer. I'm glad God has shared these people with me, and I hope, even as changes come and our family grows, we will always cherish and praise God for the gifts of people and time He shares with us.

Here's my immediate family at the Fireside Theater. We saw High School Musical - On Stage! Very fun(ny).

Graduation

Life is full of various milestones both little and large. The first students I taught in Taiwan as 3rd graders graduated from CELA this year. I'm very proud of them. They've grown both in English, in height, and I pray that they've also grown in faith in their Savior.

Congratulations, CELA graduating class of 2009!




And here is a picture of the fourth grade class I taught this year. As it stands now, I'll be moving up to 5th grade with them... but since flexibility is key in working overseas (and probably working anywhere), I won't know that for sure until the school year begins. :)

Time

My times are in your hands... Psalm 31:15

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 1 Thessalonians 3:6

Time is a funny thing. It's part of creation, right? In Genesis 1:14, God puts the sun, moon, and stars in the sky to mark the seasons, days, and years.

Today, I'm feeling rather pensive. I just saw some friends whom I hadn't seen in a year. I loved seeing them, but oh, it made me sad too because I realized how much I wished I could see them more! That's the story of summer trips to the States - "Oh, good to see you! Guess I'll see you again maybe.... in another year?" It's really great, and really painful, all at the same time. I feel maybe a little bit like Paul must have felt as He missed the people he knew in different parts of the world. I love visiting with people and three hours a year just really does not suffice. I realize how much more I'd like to be a part of their life and them a part of mine, and the problem is, I don't see any remedy for it, so it hurts. But there is good news too, right? We know that when we are in the family of Christ, we do share our lives and work together. We are all parts of the same body - Christ. We hold to the hope that by the grace of God, through Christ, we have all eternity to spend together in the presence of God. I look forward to that, because the time here really is too short.