As many of you know, our decision to stay in Indo for another year or not was to be made earlier this month. We had basically been talking and praying about this since last December when we decided to stay again for this year. Thank you to family and friends who prayed with us and for us for the past year about this current decision. So, through much prayer and many long discussions, we feel that God is calling us back to the States, meaning these next 6 months will be our last in Indo (at least for now) :). It was not an easy decision as I'm sure you can imagine. We love so many things about our jobs and life here, but we feel strongly that our time here is coming to an end and we feel loads of peace about our decision which I am so thankful for. This is not the time to start talking about all of the things I am going to miss about this place (that time will come). Like I said, we still have 6 months here that we are pumped about. It's not the time for goodbye's yet and I am not thinking about them now. But I know these next months will be full of bitter-sweet moments. We are SO excited to move back to the States to be closer to family and friends and to experience all the little things about the US that we have missed so much (fresh air, Taco Bell, and driving for example). But we are sad to leave this country that we will have called home for the past 3 years. We love many things about Indonesia - but mostly we will miss this school, our students, our church, and the wonderful, life-long friends we have made here. I know that we won't be able to get through the next few months without the Lord's help, so would you please join us in praying for these things ...
- That we will finish out this year strong. As cheesy as that sounds - we really want to continue to pour into our jobs and students here for the next 6 months. Please pray that we won't 'check out' and that God would continue to use us for the remainder of our time here.
- Jobs! Obviously, we need those. Well, mostly Erik. Please pray that jobs (PE preferably) would come open and that things with applying and interviewing wouldn't be too complicated. We are open to different places - so if you know of any openings, please let us know! :)
- Details. In order to be qualified for teaching jobs we have to have up to date teaching licenses and because we have been here for the past 3 years, we some extra steps to go through to make sure we have everything we need to teach back in the States. Please pray that those little details would fall into place and we wouldn't have to be too stressed out worrying about all of those little things.
- Faith and trust. We are stepping into the unknown which isn't my favorite. I like to have a plan and as of right now we have no "plan" at all. We believe that God is in control, but sometimes I easily forget and I try to take control and then I get overwhelmed and stressed. Please pray that we could continue to trust in God's sovereignty even if/when things seem difficult, sad, or stressful.
This verse will always be a favorite of mine, and it has really encouraged Erik and I through this time. We truly have sensed "God's wholeness" and I could say it again and again that God is SO good all the time. And all the time God is SO good ...
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness. everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." {Philippians 4:6-7; The Message}
Bye for now <3
