Answering the "Why?" :: Part 4

Spring 2011 - catching a family moment on Morgan's senior prom night

Kids... teenage kids... really?  Why now?

Yes, this isn't the typical stage of life to switch careers and begin serving as missionaries.  We totally get that; we had the same thoughts... the same fears.  Are we crazy to think it'll be easy for them to leave their friends, a wonderful school system, community, and amazing family support system?  Yes, we probably are. 

As we were discussing the potential of missions, honestly we did worry about what this would mean for the kids.  It was easy to think that we had provided them the "perfect" situation - a safe, comfortable, loving environment where they could flourish and become all that God would have them be as young adults.  On the flip side, we began questioning ourselves...  Who are we to think WE know what is best for them?  Friends who have been missionaries for the past 20 years in Spain & Portugal have four amazing kids.  Reading about how their oldest daughter has been able to be used in ministry opportunities & leadership roles overseas is so exciting.  I'm sure her world perspective of God's work is much broader & richer because of the many cultures she has experienced first-hand.  As we contemplated our decision, this family's testimony helped to remind us again that God's ways are higher than our own and He has a plan that is beyond our comprehension - a plan for all six of our family members! 

Throughout Scripture we read about how God often asked those who followed Him to do things that didn't seem practical... right... best... good.  But, He asked for faith and obedience.  Think Jonah, Noah, Joseph, David, Paul... and so many others.  I think of the story of Abraham and Isaac.  Wow!  After waiting more years than any of us will most likely even live, Abraham was blessed with a son at 100 years old.  Then one day God asked him to sacrifice his son on an altar.  He didn't even question God, but got up the next morning and set off to obey.  We all know the story quite well... just in the nick of time God provided a ram in the thicket as the sacrifice.

In comparison, it seems like uprooting our kids is a small sacrifice on our part to be obedient to God.  We are holding on to these words that were spoken to Abraham, praying that God will also protect our kids and make them flourish through this experience:

The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: "I swear—God's sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I'll bless you—oh, how I'll bless you! And I'll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! like sand on the beaches! 

~ Genesis 22:15-17, The Message

So, we walk in faith, knowing that God is leading.  Many of our questions are still unanswered that directly affect our kids, but we trust Him and will continue to obey.

Reflections on 4-H in Elkhart County

Morgan is now a 10-year 4-H member.  Wow!  Where has the time gone?  I remember our first time visiting the Elkhart County 4-H Fair after moving back to Indiana from California.  The kids were 5 years olds and under.  I (Chris) couldn't wait until our kids could enjoy 4-H just like I did as a kid/teen.

Not to brag too much, but there is something very special about our county fair.  Elkhart Co. 4-H Fair has been considered the 2nd largest county fair for many years now, just missing the mark to Orange Co.

Beyond being one of the finest county fairs in the nation, it has a ton of wonderful men and women who work year-round to create a great 9-day experience like none other.  Here are just a few pictures that will give you a glimpse of the fair itself...

This year may possibly be our last year in 4-H... it all depends on whether our support commitments are at 100% by next summer.  Reflecting on the past 10 years of 4-H for our kids, we've truly enjoyed our "front row seats" in the Lamb Barn during the week of the fair.  It's such fun to watch the fairgoers and get to visit with so many friends and family while at the fair. 

The kids have experimented with various 4-H projects over the years - foods, sewing, fashion revue, salon print photography, scrapbooking, ceramics and sheep.

Morgan's salon print this year was of darling kids she met while in Thailand...

Bailey completed a beautiful ceramic project of "The Last Supper".  Lots of details in the faces & clothing...

Showing sheep, though we're not the model sheep-showing family, has been a blast for the kids over the years. We've enjoyed showing suffolk, romney, tunis, speckled-face dorsets, and this year we showed dorsets.  Here are some pictures over the years of showing sheep...

Since Morgan was in Thailand most of the summer, she didn't show sheep this year, but Bailey, Spencer and Easton enjoyed showing their sweet dorset sheep - Horsie, Luther & Loser. :)

Thank you, Elkhart Co. 4-H Fair Board, for all the hard work you put into the fair each year!  It is the highlight of our summers.  We know already that we will miss being part of such a great program after we move to France.