What 2014 Kellye would tell 2007 Kellye

Summer, 2007, right before we left the States for the first time. My kids are going to kill me for this one. :)

Our very first team, November, 2007, somewhere outside of Moscow.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Psalm 103:8
Leg grace abounding be our hourly song in the house of our pilgrimage. --C. H. Spurgeon

Yesterday was the seventh anniversary of the day we stepped foot on Russian soil to start our overseas life. Coincidentally, it was also the day we picked up our Austrian visas, which we're very happy to have in hand. As I thought about that day seven years ago, I also thought about the things I've learned in the last seven years, and what I wish I'd known seven years ago. Here are just a few:

Everywhere is hard. We know from our experiences and the experiences of those we love all over the world--every place is hard. Your place isn't any harder or easier than any other place. It might be in terms of living (Austria is, after all, quite western, and the culture isn't a huge shock to our systems), but no place that's thousands of miles from home and family is easy. You may acclimate (praise God!), but every place has its own trials and tribulations. Perfect doesn't exist.

Everywhere is lovable. In the same way that every place is hard, every place has something about it to love. We have lived in three very different cultures, and we've loved the places and the people regardless of trials and hardships. Beauty is everywhere, and people are people. They might have different cultures and traditions, but every people has something about them that is endearing and lovable. You might have to look a little harder for some, but we have favorite things about each of the places and peoples we have loved over the last seven years.

Michael W. Smith was right. Every eighties kid who went to church will get that reference. :) It turns out that friends ARE friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them! We were in Switzerland this past week with some of the people closest to us in the world. Distance is virtually meaningless. It might take some effort if you don't live just over the hill from each other, but it's worth the effort. And those relationships are life-giving. There is no underplaying the importance of friendships, no matter where on the planet the friends reside.

Bitterness isn't anyone's color. It's such an easy trap to fall into--something happens, you get mad, you hold onto the grudge forever. You rehearse what you would say if given the chance--hurtful, mean, awful things that would make the other person feel as bad as they made you feel. C'mon. Tell the truth--we've all been there. But it looks awful on everyone. Nobody's life is enhanced by bitterness. It doesn't bring us closer to God, to others, or edify the Kingdom in any way. Plus, it's a yucky way to spend your time and energy. Better to leave it alone.

Miss Louise was right. My sisters' teacher, Miss Louise, used to say, "Take care of yourself, and you got a mighty big job." True story.  More and more lately, I am convicted so much of my own sin, my own failings, my own shortcomings, that praying over them sure does take over all my time and energy. I am, it turns out, a mighty big job, all on my own. And when it comes time to answer for things, for the way life on earth was lived, I am 100% convinced that I will be answering for my own things--not someone else's. Better to spend my time praying to reflect Him more each day. It's a full-time job. :)

Great is His faithfulness. If I had to sum up the last seven years in one sentence, it would be that one. There is nothing I can do to earn His love, to make Him happy, to make Him love me more. He loves me in spite of knowing me intimately. He never breaks a promise. He never leaves me alone. He never forsakes me. He is with me no matter where I go. He knows me, but He loves me, anyway. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Amen.

I hope we never get over God inviting us to join Him on this incredible journey. We have seen some incredible places and things, gotten to know and love some truly wonderful people, and learned more and more every day about who He is and just how much He loves us. To each of you who've joined us, prayed for us, encouraged us, given to Lottie Moon so we could stay here--thank you. There aren't words for how much we love and appreciate you. To God be the glory--great things He has done!

His,
Kellye