Grateful

John and Han with Marc's parents

John and Han with my parents

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

So a long drought, with no posts, then a flood of posts is evidently what is happening here. :) Maybe I just have a bunch to say! Or maybe I have nothing of any value to add to your life, but I feel like rambling. It's summer, and it's really, really hot in Central Europe, so if this is incoherent, forgive me, please.

We had an awesome anniversary yesterday. Nothing particularly big--just time together, exploring our city a bit more, strolling around beautiful Vienna. We were overwhelmed by so many really kind comments on facebook, and they really did add to our celebration. It's hard to imagine that we've been married 23 years and together 25, but that's the case. I don't feel old enough to have been married that long. Of course, I don't really feel old enough to have a married daughter. I guess what matters is how I feel, and not the actual truth of my age. Since I'm staring down a birthday on Sunday, I'm thankful to definitely NOT feel my age.

As we were strolling last night, we got to talking about the differences in what we thought our lives would look like 23 years ago, and what they actually look like. If you'd have told me all those years ago that I would celebrate my 23rd wedding anniversary in Vienna, Austria, I probably would have laughed or imagined that it was some kind of special trip. I certainly could not have envisioned my life as it is. Never. Not in a million years. As we said to the church we skyped with last night--nobody was more shocked than we when God interrupted our very ordinary, normal lives with a plan we could not have dreamed up on our own. But it's a really good life, one I love, one I was made for, that our family was made for. As we were in the States a couple of weeks ago, Hannah and I were riding down the road after church. We got into the habit of stopping at a particular gas station in Middleburg, where I could fill the car for a little less than in Jacksonville, and we could get 69 cent sodas. As we were sipping on the 69 cent goodness, Hannah sighed. "I love this town." That didn't surprise me, of course. We all love Middleburg, are proud to be from 'the Burg,' and enjoy our time there. But then she surprised me by adding, "But it's not where we're supposed to be right now. We belong in Europe. It's fun to visit, but here is not where we're supposed to be." I thought hard about that--and agreed. We do belong in Europe. We aren't Europeans, we're certainly not Austrian, Czech or Russian (the places we've lived), but it is clear to us that Europe is where we belong.

I would love a life that allowed me to be closer to my parents and SB and DJ. I would love a life that was easier for all of us. If you think the separation is easy, you haven't witnessed the goodbyes. They are terrible. We dread them. I cry, my parents cry, my kids cry...I hate the goodbyes with a passion. And the last couple of years have not been a particularly bright, sunshiney season for us. And I dig sunshine. I really do. I'm a beach-goin', sunshine-lovin' Florida girl. But there is comfort and deep, unexplainable joy in really assessing your life, your walk with God, your relationship with others, and finding that the shoes you're wearing, the journey you are on is the perfect one for you. This may not be easy, but it's RIGHT.

People in churches often thank us for our sacrifice. That's so kind. We appreciate that so much. And certainly, we have sacrificed being close to our family in order to live this life. But you know what? It is also a deep privilege to bring the Best News to people who really have not heard it. It is an honor to partner with national believers who are seeking to reach out to their communities with the Gospel. It's sometimes terrifying and way, way outside my comfort zone, for sure, but it's the great joy of my life that God unexpectedly, unpredictably stepped in all those years ago and changed the direction of our lives with one simple command: Follow Me. When we said yes to that command, it involved sacrificing some stuff that we really wanted for ourselves. But what we've gained--as individuals, as a family, as members of the Body of Christ--immeasurably better than the things we wanted. Even in the hot, sweltering Vienna summer, as we sweat and probably don't smell our best, I'm so, so grateful for this life He called us to, He commanded us to, and for the privilege to get to follow wherever He leads.

Well, it's going to be 100F again today, so I think I'd better get done what I'm going to get done while the getting is good and won't make me collapse from a heat stroke. Seriously, Europe--you can't do central heat and air? Really? I know, I know...you're too environmentally conscious for that. And I appreciate that about you as a continent, I really do, but I'm thinking that the noxious smells we are all wafting into the atmosphere certainly have to be having some kind of terrible environmental impact, too. :) Wherever you are in the world, I pray that you are happy and grateful to be leading your life, and that your weather is a little cooler than ours! Blessings to your and yours!

His,
Kellye