How Did We Get Here

Up until recently, I haven't really felt led to write about how we got to where we are by having V live with us. For me, apparently, things take time to work themselves out fully. If I were to have written about our decision earlier on, it might not have taken on the depth that I have now. I may have been too caught up to see it all. I don't know. But I do know that now I feel like it is time to work on getting our story out there. Here's the beginning of how we got to where we are now.


One of our elders in our church, Rog, had sent an email out to many families expressing the need for host families for kids from Rosebud. I received the email, thought it was interesting but prayed and decided that if Bill didn't bring it up we shouldn't pursue it. I knew that if Bill wasn't on board, forget it. I forwarded it to him and waited. Well, he brought it up. (This is big because I have a lot of "ideas" and though he doesn't think most of them are bad, most of them just don't fit in the bigger picture.) So we started talking. And we started praying.
Aunt Denise was living with us at the time and she piped in her two cents, which was, she thought it would be neat and fun. So like her. Typical missionary. "Oh, let's just invite a complete stranger to come live with us. And we can learn all about her culture and share Jesus with her. It will be fun!" 
Our friend, Angie, came over to stamp later that week and she told me not good things about Rosebud. And a bit about what Rog and Lisa have already gone through with their two students. We didn't get any stamping done that night, but we learned more and I was torn. It was going to be hard.
Then we went to Rog's informational meeting with the two other families who had expressed interest. And I was sad. Sad that there is a nation within our own nation completely lost. Stumbling in the dark. And I was scared. This was going to be hard, I didn't think I could do it. But God quickly reminded me that I couldn't, but He could. We went home and prayed. We knew our families would support us. And that is one of the super great things about our families, because it has already happened. We have opened up our arms and hearts and taken in three kids already who weren't born into our family. We adapt so well. 
As the weeks wore on, we were getting closer and closer to a decision. I was always amazed that it wasn't just me bringing it up. Bill was thinking and talking too. Then we went on a long run and talked more. At the near end he said, "Something isn't right and maybe this is just what our family needs to get out of where we are." Wow! Those were words I was praying that he would say someday. I nearly started crying. And that kind of sealed the deal in the sense that we were going to do this.
So we set out to talk to Audrey, a very crucial person in making this work. We planned a great night out with dinner and a movie and that's when we discovered the pests. No kidding! It was just like Satan was out to thwart us from the start. And I spent the worst summer of my life fighting head lice. Audrey wasn't too sure. But her heart was still open and she was willing to follow our lead.
So we said yes, we would host a Rosebud student.
And that's how were got here. 


I write about me waiting for Bill because it is super important. In fact, since Bill is the head of the house, for me to have gone on without him or push him to make the decision, would have been sinful and disastrous.
I write about Aunt Denise in a kidding way, though she did say those things. But she is a missionary and her heart goes there and says those kinds of things more readily than mine does. Perhaps she was a bigger cheerleader for us to do what we could do more than anything else.
I write about Angie because what she said about Rosebud was true and her words were timely. Her children and husband have been there. Up until August we had never been there. We had no idea.
I write about Rog and Lisa because their hearts are already sucked up into what God, only God, can do in Rosebud. 
I write about Audrey because of how she fits into our family. For us to have not brought her along would have been very difficult for her. 


It almost seems too short of a story to make any impact at all. And it is the very short version, I guess. And the very shortest answer is God. Jesus. We felt lead to be obedient in this way. 

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John3:16-18

As we studied this passage in church, I felt called to write about it and write out our story for you.

Dear friends, if your hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 3:21-22

Look at that backwards: if you will- do what pleases him and obey his commands (see the rest of your Bible!), you will not be condemned. Then you will have full confidence before God and receive from him ANYTHING you ask. (but I am not talking a prosperity or name and claim gospel here- it is heart matters)


We felt called to obey him in this way by taking in a Rosebud student. Some will be called to obey His commands a different way. But, as believers, we are all called to obey. Are you obeying God? If so, go before him with full confidence, ask him, receive it. That makes me excited!! We're living it! We're seeing it happen! In fact, I'm not asking enough because in all the little things he has answered. 
Yes, the obeying his commands and actions are hard. Really hard. Not gonna lie to you there. (see all my other posts)
But the asking and receiving. That is beyond words. That is hands lifted, full out worship, uttered as only the Holy Spirit can intercede before the throne. My literal body cannot contain nor express such worship. 
It is not for our name or our glory that we are doing this thing. It is for God's glory, for His namesake! That is how we got here.