What my kids have gained

You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Now that she is safely home (and still asleep this morning), I can tell you that Sarah Beth, along with the other teenage MKs from our region, spent New Year's in Greece. They traveled to Thessaloniki for five days. Unfortunately, the kids from Russia got stuck in Sofia, Bulgaria for most of a day, and they didn't arrive home in Moscow until around 2:30 in the morning on Wednesday. However, even though she and her friend, Anna, arrived at our apartment at 3:30, there were still tales they had to tell--of friendships formed, of friendships renewed, of great fun with other MKs, of being able to wear flip-flops and hug palm trees (only the Florida girl would want to do that). After fourteen hours of sleep, we got even more news of MKR--who said what, who did the funniest skit, who wrote and performed a really great song, how much she loved her friends, how much she already missed them...you get the idea. Last night, she spent much of the night on the computer, talking to her friends and simultaneously watching Guys and Dolls--Sarah Beth loves old movies, particularly ones with Frank Sinatra in them.

Why is this important for you to know? I don't know--maybe it's not. If you are one of our "mission friends" around the world, you will understand the importance of things like MKR that the IMB provides for our children. But if you are not--if your child has the opportunity to be involved in a church with lots of programs--it might be important for you to know what your Cooperative Program funds do provide for our kids.

When we first started the process to be appointed as missionaries to Russia, our number one concern (and the IMB's) was Sarah Beth. After all, it's hard enough to pick up and move across the world--add being a teenager to it, and you've exponentially added to your hardship. And in all fairness, Sarah Beth has given up a lot--"normal" high school, a church youth group, summer camp, prom and homecoming dances. But I really believe that if you asked Sarah Beth, she would tell you she has gained far more than she has given up to be here. She has very, very close friends here, she has the chance to homeschool, a system that is working really well for her, she has the opportunity to see things that most people her age (or any age) never get to see and appreciate. But beyond all that, what Sarah Beth (and Hannah and John) have gained, the most important thing I think they will take away from here, is the chance to--as a family--really rely on God's will and His providence for everything. They have been given a rare gift--the chance to see God's hand at work in a very substantial way. Every night, before we eat but after we pray over our meal, someone says, "Ok...best part of the day," and everyone must in turn say what the best part of their day has been. Sometimes, it's something big--a trip to Greece, a trip to Gorky Park to ice skate, a party at someone's house. But more often than not, it's something "little" by the world's standards--a finished crochet project, time to play with new toys, a Russian verb that we finally understand. And all of those things come from God. As far as real life lessons, I'm not sure I can put a price tag on the value of just being grateful for every good gift that comes down from the hand of the Father.

Well, I must run. It is nearly noon, and I haven't even started breakfast. :o) I'm pretty sure it's going to turn into brunch. We have an exciting evening--we are taking John and Han to see a children's performance of The Nutcracker ballet performed at the Tchaikovsky Theatre. That's something they definitely couldn't do in Florida! I hope that wherever you are in the world, you are taking the time to be thankful for the many good things coming to you from the hand of the Father. Blessings to you and yours!

His,
Kellye