In the last blog, I spent a lot of time talking about what and who I am going to miss here. It's all still true. But, with the end in sight, I can't help but feel small little excitements bubbling up in my heart. Here's a list (in no particular order...) of things that I'm all-too-excited to experience in the first week or so of our homecoming.
 |
| Addie and Noah |
#1. Family time. These little sweeties will be visiting my parents when we get home, and I can. not. wait to see them! I love being their aunt and can't wait to hear their giggles and funny jokes again. They've also loved James from the minute they met him 2 years ago, and it's one of my greatest joys watching the three of them play together! I've also been informed that, aside from the four Kosieks coming for a visit, we can also expect to see my second sister, Anna around that time as well! It'll be a sister reunion! I'm just pretty excited about seeing people in general. Friends, family... I'm excited!
 |
| James took this beautiful photo on the most bitter-cold day of the season last winter. Isn't it sweet? |
#2. WEDDING TIME!!! Brandon and Kate got engaged shortly before we left for S. Asia, and attending their wedding (James will be a groomsman!) will be one of the first things we get to do state-side! They have both been two of James' dear friends for years, and I'm so bless*d to claim them as friends now, too! They have spread the love of Chr*st so well in their own individual lives, and I can't wait to see how they shine even more as a married couple!
#3. Min*stry. ( I know earlier told you that I was listing these in no particular order, but this one is definitely what I'm looking forward to most!) The last verse of Açts 12 talks about a time when Paul and Barnabas' min*stry in a certain city came to a close. Two verses later, the H0ly Sp*rit was calling them out again to a new city. That's how James and I see our time here. Yes, we are leaving, but our min*stry is not over. Because we're followers of Jesµs, we know that wherever we go, there will always be an opportunity-a call, even-to spread His great name. For a little bit, that min*stry will consist of Lµke8:39-ing: we just want to return and declare how much G0d has done for us! I had a dear friend tell me at our send-off party back in January that she felt like G0d was telling us that He would give us a vision of min*stry for when we got back. And what a vision it is! I don't want to go into too many details yet-that's a whole other post- but rest assured, G0d is fulfilling the words He gave us through our friend almost 6 months ago! Pra*se the L0rd!
So, those are just a few things I am excited about. A few honorable mentions would be, of course, eating Lucky Charms cereal, and having Zuppa Toscana soup from Olive Garden. I don't even need to mention the breadsticks. But I would give up a lifetime's worth of breadsticks (and more) if it meant I got to see a country changed because of the name of Jesµs. Those small pleasures are nothing in comparison to the need for a Sav*or that spans across the globe. That's what makes it so hard to leave. That's what will make re-adjusting to America so difficult. I have been changed by this country. Not only by seeing the need, but also by seeing G0d's mighty hand at work. It's a good change. When I think about it, I almost don't want to "re-adjust" to life in America at all. I want this change, this desire and zeal for G0d's kingdom to always be at the front of my mind and on the tip of my tongue.
Please pr*y this over me. That, as we go back to a world of smart phones, giant grocery stores, and more food choices than I could decide between, that I would remember all that I've learned here about what it really means to follow Jesµs. That I would be forever changed and never grow numb or comfortable for as long as I live.
Never stop pr*ying for the people we've met here. Those who have heard and will continue to encounter Truth even after we're gone. Never stop pr*ying for this country and its people. Ask the L0rd of the harvest to send workers, for they are oh so few. G0d's kingdom come, G0d's will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Am∑n.
One more small request: James is feeling a little bit horrible today. Please pr*y that the L0rd would heal him before our long flight next monday. It's hard enough to sit for so long-I couldn't imagine having to make the trip while being sick. Thanks :) (In the future, I'm going to be able to look back at these posts and see how G0d has answered all of these pr*yers. Pra*se Him in advance for His mighty works!)
