A Full Heart

Posted by Megan

We are down to hours. It is difficult to think that we only have a matter of hours left here in Georgia, but it is true. The day has come. My heart is full of so many memories from the past 2 years, plus the previous 2 years that I lived here. We are incredibly blessed by all those who have expressed such kind words of love and appreciation, of thankfulness for our time and investment, of joy that they met us, and of sadness that we are leaving. We have been prayed over by the street kids, the bishop of the Pentecostal church, and everyone in between. Each one was as moving, heartfelt, and humbling as the other. And we are thankful…thankful in a million ways.

 

In 2005 when I first told one particular person about coming to Georgia, their response was that I could not do it because I would get too attached. In the moment, I knew there was some truth in the fact that I would probably get attached. I also knew that they were speaking from a prior experience of seeing my attachment to and the emotions I felt after my first overseas experience in Africa. However, it gave me no fear in going forward and giving it my all.

 

When I completed my first 2-year assignment, I fell apart. My emotions took over. I did not want to leave. But by the grace of God and the help of several dear friends, I managed to get on the plane and move forward with life (but it was incredibly painful and it took a long time). Now here I am again in the same situation of leaving Georgia. Again by the grace of God, He has carried me and helped me prepare for this departure later today (and I know He will sustain me in the days and months of transition ahead). It has been painful yet again…perhaps a deeper pain than last time because the investment and time has substantially increased. However, my emotions have had less control this time, and I have not completely fallen apart. Over the past several months of preparing myself for this day, I have often thought about what that person said to me 7 years ago. And my conclusion has been that

 

the JOY of having been here

and the LOVE that has been exchanged between me and the people I have met here

FAR OUTWEIGHS the pain of letting go and moving into a new season.

 

If I had never come…if I had been too afraid…if I had not invested all that I could and left the rest in God’s hands…then I would never know this JOY. The temporary season of pain is simply temporary. The relationships, the memories, and the JOY that comes with those will stay with me. Yes, I got attached in so many ways, but my heart is full because I did.

A New Place to Call Home

Posted by Wade

 

Over the past several weeks and months we have been praying about, thinking about, talking about, discussing, weighing options, and interviewing for a new job once we return to America. We prayed that God would provide for us financially, but more importantly would provide a place for us to live that would be conducive to a lifestyle for His glory and for the benefit of our marriage and family.

 

The world tells us to get the job where we can move up the fastest, have the biggest salary, and most benefits. I’ll admit that up until about six or seven years ago that is exactly how I thought. I wanted to make big money, buy expensive things, and go on great vacations. Having a bigger salary also allows you to get more debt and possibly start worshiping it which can be a potential issue for me. While I never really was in over my head in debt, I know there were times when I would have done things differently if I didn’t have a debt load.

 

I noticed as my relationship with Christ grew, my priorities in life changed. I lost the desire to keep up with the world and wanted more out of life than having a bigger balance sheet. However, those “wants” are always a temptation and always have a way to creep into our lives through the cracks. Believe me, I need Jesus to fill those cracks daily sometimes!

 

With that said, as we were praying about our future after we return to America, we wanted the most important thing to be about those priorities that are opposite of the world. God provided us with three wonderful opportunities all of which had benefits. All had different benefits, but each benefit (in our eyes) was tied to a priority in life which was either worldly or Godly. It is so hard, even though we know this, to not take the worldly benefits. I found myself already thinking about what could be bought or what a comfort it would be to have this or that.

 

So the most important benefits for our lives included having a job within a short distance from home (so that we could see each other more frequently to provide a stronger marriage and relationship), being close to family (to provide support to each other), to have opportunities in the future to go on mission trips (to tell others about Jesus), and to be able to work in a place where integrity and hard work would be rewarded.

 

While the other two opportunities we had provided many of these benefits that were important to us, only one could provide them all. We are super excited to live in Chanute, Kansas, where we will be able to live close to work, be close to Megan’s parents, and work for a man who loves missions and has the highest level of integrity. I look forward to being the next employee of Charles R. Sharp, CPA, LLC!

Wade with Rick along the Georgia and Azerbaijan border

(Rick and his wife visited us here in Georgia in October 2011)

 

We have 2 more weeks in Georgia, then we will be working on reconnecting with family and friends in America while trying to get somewhat settled in Chanute. We hope to do as much as possible before I officially start my new job in November. We appreciate all the prayers of those who knew we were looking for the next step. We hope you will continue to pray for us as we finish out these 2 weeks and find our way back into American life. We would also appreciate your prayers for Megan to find a job once we are a bit settled in Chanute.