Reflection
Right now is a natural time for me and the fam to reflect on the last four years of our lives. We've been doing that a lot lately....looking at pictures from four years ago when we first came to Taiwan. It's amazing how much happens in four years, and how much the kids have grown, too.
Do you realize that Christopher was Nathaniel's age now when he had his terrible bike accident? And Nathaniel is the age now that Christopher was when we came to Taiwan. He's also older now than both boys were when we first came to Asia! Amazing. I remember when we first came, Nathaniel couldn't even reach the elevator button to our 6th floor apartment. Now he walks down to the drink ladies by himself.
Christopher was in 2nd grade, Timothy was in 3rd, and Em was in 7th. Em has grown so much. She went from a shy, awkward 7th grader to a much more comfortable and confident 10th grader. She's really improved in her art, and her abilities in soccer are amazing to watch. She's turning into a Godly young woman, and is learning how to set positive boundaries while still keeping her relationships strong. She's a very caring person, and it's wonderful to see.
Timothy and Christopher have learned so much the past few years about friendship, about their own relationship, and about just being good people in general. To watch them learn spiritual truths and see them apply it to their own lives is a gratifying thing as a parent. It makes other things seem so trivial.
Tim and I have definitely been through trials of various sorts in the past four years. I think those things were allowed in order to refine the vision we have been given. We've learned to stand up for what is right, and to not spend time on the crud and junk that Satan threw our way to try to derail us. I learned a lot more about Big Dad. He has such a strong character and good heart. A genuine person that cannot be fake. I admire that a lot. He is not deterred from his goals, even in the face of hardship. He just keeps plugging along. And he doesn't make big changes without a LOT of prayer, fasting, and guidance from Godly men. He's learned a lot these past four years, and has grown in leaps and bounds. I'm really proud of him.
For me, the past few years has been a time of investing in my family, making sure they were healthy and strong, and in the past year, I found out how much I miss teaching! :) I am actually energized by the problem solving of it, and when the student comes around and improves, it makes for a great day. I've also re-discovered friendships, made new ones, and have just enjoyed the fellowship, fun and growth that comes with being with good people.
God has revealed a lot of Himself to us these past few years, and specifically the past two. We learned SO much about faith and stepping out on faith, God's provison in even the smallest of details, which works to confirm when we are in His will. Then of course I feel guilty for worrying in the first place. At some point I will get it that if we are in His will, He has gone ahead of us and has already taken care of everything for us! It can be hard to think that way when there are smaller people those decisions affect.
But learning and growing is all part of the process, and our journey continues.
Do you realize that Christopher was Nathaniel's age now when he had his terrible bike accident? And Nathaniel is the age now that Christopher was when we came to Taiwan. He's also older now than both boys were when we first came to Asia! Amazing. I remember when we first came, Nathaniel couldn't even reach the elevator button to our 6th floor apartment. Now he walks down to the drink ladies by himself.
Christopher was in 2nd grade, Timothy was in 3rd, and Em was in 7th. Em has grown so much. She went from a shy, awkward 7th grader to a much more comfortable and confident 10th grader. She's really improved in her art, and her abilities in soccer are amazing to watch. She's turning into a Godly young woman, and is learning how to set positive boundaries while still keeping her relationships strong. She's a very caring person, and it's wonderful to see.
Timothy and Christopher have learned so much the past few years about friendship, about their own relationship, and about just being good people in general. To watch them learn spiritual truths and see them apply it to their own lives is a gratifying thing as a parent. It makes other things seem so trivial.
Tim and I have definitely been through trials of various sorts in the past four years. I think those things were allowed in order to refine the vision we have been given. We've learned to stand up for what is right, and to not spend time on the crud and junk that Satan threw our way to try to derail us. I learned a lot more about Big Dad. He has such a strong character and good heart. A genuine person that cannot be fake. I admire that a lot. He is not deterred from his goals, even in the face of hardship. He just keeps plugging along. And he doesn't make big changes without a LOT of prayer, fasting, and guidance from Godly men. He's learned a lot these past four years, and has grown in leaps and bounds. I'm really proud of him.
For me, the past few years has been a time of investing in my family, making sure they were healthy and strong, and in the past year, I found out how much I miss teaching! :) I am actually energized by the problem solving of it, and when the student comes around and improves, it makes for a great day. I've also re-discovered friendships, made new ones, and have just enjoyed the fellowship, fun and growth that comes with being with good people.
God has revealed a lot of Himself to us these past few years, and specifically the past two. We learned SO much about faith and stepping out on faith, God's provison in even the smallest of details, which works to confirm when we are in His will. Then of course I feel guilty for worrying in the first place. At some point I will get it that if we are in His will, He has gone ahead of us and has already taken care of everything for us! It can be hard to think that way when there are smaller people those decisions affect.
But learning and growing is all part of the process, and our journey continues.
Comments
Mom
keep running the race for HIM!
Melissa