Moving on along....

"I don't want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit.  I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn't be doing this by my own power.  I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him to come through.  That if He doesn't come through, I am screwed."

--Francis Chan
Forgotten God

This is my favorite quote from a book recently lent to me by a friend of mine.  Ironically, as a college student, she is in a similar position in her life that us "old people" are right now in our early 40's!  If you haven't read Forgotten God, put it on your list.  I promise you won't be the same after reading it.

So, "unexplainable" has become the theme of our lives lately.  Just last night Greg was trying to explain to someone WHY we are doing this.  "Because God told us to" is our only answer.  Some people are trying to make sense of it.  We tried that.  Hasn't worked for us... let us know if you come up with anything!

The best part of "unexplainable" is we don't have to rationalize anything.  We don't have to justify anything.  We don't have to um... well, explain anything.  God is busy doing His thing.  We are busy obeying.  That's all there is to it.

So, I needed to keep this quote in mind as we told our children this past weekend that Greg and I decided we need to sell the house.  I had an encounter with God during my quiet time on Thursday morning and felt the deep need to sell the house and move somewhere more affordable until we leave for the most expensive place to live in the world!  Heh... only God!  Greg and I talked and we both agreed this is what we need to do.

So, we sat the kiddos down Sunday night and explained to them we are going to start decluttering (basically getting rid of everything we don't really need) and preparing the house to put on the market most likely late winter/early spring.

I don't know how I expected the kids to react, but 3 out of the 4 cried and the 4th one succumbed to tears the following day.  This one was a tough one for them.  First, they need to give up a lot of their stuff.  Stuff is important to kids.  We're trying to help them see God doesn't want us to worship our stuff... I think we started out with a bang on that lesson...

Second, Jayden was 3 when we moved here.  That means basically all 4 kids only remember this house.  (Jayden has select memories of our other house, which mainly consist of being afraid at night in the basement where his room was.. which is one of the reasons we moved!)

It's interesting, as a mom, to see my kids start to operate independent of me.  I realize our oldest is almost 12, but this is really just hitting me now.  When they are babies and young children, they seemed to just echo their dad and I.  If we were angry about something, they would be angry.  If we were happy, they were happy.  If we were sad, they were sad.  However now, they are individuals.  They have their own feelings and reactions.  I'm feeling the need more and more to trust God with them.  There is so much I can't do for them that they need a sovereign God for. 

I want them to learn as we do "unexplainable" things (most parents want to give their kids MORE, not LESS... bummer they got stuck with us!  ;-) for God... that He will come through for us.  He will be our ONLY explanation so that others may know Him.  In our case, there's 124,000,000 (give or take a million) Japanese people who need to know Him.  He needs to be our only explanation.

Being more sentimental about "stuff", Greg is leaning more toward the kids side.  I think I'm the lone ranger in my feelings.  I've never been real attached to stuff.  I don't know why... just not my thing.  I am a thrower, not a saver.  Photos are important to me, but thankfully those are very portable now that everything is digital!  Yes, our house has a lot of great memories, but the people that made those memories here are coming with me, so I really don't feel a lot of loss.  (Disclaimer:  Friends/extended family not included in that... that's a whole other issue for another day.  However, if you feel the calling to Japan..... :) 

Maybe I will feel different the more "real" it gets, but maybe not.... if this is what God wants us to do, who am I to question?  That's the great thing about unexplainable.  Why are you selling a big beautiful house and renting something small and not as nice?  "Because God told us to."  Unexplainable without the Holy Spirit.


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

GodSPEED?

So, I was thinking about the word "Godspeed".  People sometimes say this to others who are embarking on a journey or a large task.  I really wonder though where the "speed" part comes from!  (I did look it up and the verb "speed" here has nothing to do with 'quickness', but is used in the archaic sense of the word - "succeed, attain one's goal, desire")  God has not proven himself "speedy" in much of anything in our lives!  Maybe because I'm quick enough for the both of us! ;-)

If there's one thing I've learned in the past 3.5 years, it's that God does not move fast.  There are times when things seem to speed up a bit, but most of the time he moves like a turtle.  Or maybe even a snail.  I, on the other hand, am a rabbit or maybe a gazelle.  I like to go fast.  I like fast roller coasters, I like to drive fast, I liked to go fast down the alpine slide in Taylor's Falls last weekend. I like to think fast and talk fast.  Fast is good, slow is... well.... s l o w.

There's a lot of waiting in the Bible.... almost everyone I can think of had to wait on God. Abraham (for a son), Joseph (to be reunited with his family), Israelites (many times, but 400 years as slaves in Egypt probably takes the cake, closely followed by 40 years in the desert), Jonah (in a fish for 3 days), David (never did get to build the temple), even though it was a parable the father waited for his prodigal son to return, the Good Samaritan helped a man waiting in the road for help... and thankfully Jesus waits to return until as many people as possible yield their life to Him. I guess if nothing else, I'm in good company!

I think one of the hardest things God has asked me to do in this whole process is wait. Of course, waiting doesn't mean not doing anything, but waiting often entails not doing what **I** want to be doing. It means keeping my ears and eyes open for what God wants me to be doing today. It means slowing down to at least a turtle speed (I think moving at a snail's pace would actually kill me!)... letting the rabbit go ahead without me. It means not missing what God is teaching me today because I'm too focused on the future.

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

I like the ESV version of this verse.  NIV says, "but those who hope in the Lord..."  I rather like the word "wait".  When I wait for the Lord (instead of plowing ahead doing my own thing),  people are able to see Jesus instead of me.  That's a really good thing!  ;-) 

First Supporters!

I love it when God works through others to bless His people.  Sometimes we are the blessee and other times we are the recipients of that blessing.  For some people it's more difficult to be the recipient than it is to be the vessel.

Greg and I have decided that we are going to approach financial support for this whole endeavor by trusting in God to provide what we need at each juncture.  Our efforts will focus on praying in support and not soliciting.  Not that we won't do what need to do to make people aware of our needs, but we are going to let the Holy Spirit work to move people to give. 

Our first financial goal is to raise money to be able to visit Japan in Oct.  We are looking to God to be faithful to provide. 

I had an interesting interaction with a dear sister in Christ.  I offered her something that she needs to pursue what I would call a career, but she may consider a hobby... (she's that good!) and asked that she not pay me, but consider contributing to our "Watts to Japan in Oct. fund".  Amazingly she responded that her family would rather not give a lump sum, but give on a monthly basis.  I giggled when she asked if we are prepared to accept that and thought... gee, we haven't even gotten there yet!

God is so faithful He is already preparing people's hearts to contribute the work He wants to do through our family.  I'm very thankful to these dear family friends... they are most certainly a family always desiring to do the best for their Lord.  Just having them pray for us will be exciting!  I have heard story upon story from this dear family of how God has always provided for them when they need or even want something.  They are faithful to ask, God is faithful to provide.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.   1 John 5:14-15

Application process

I remember talking to a friend from college whose family are career missionaries.  They've been in the ministry for over 10 years.  We were talking a bit about the process to become a missionary and she joked with me that she doesn't know if they would be accepted now days because the process of selection has become more involved.  I don't know if I agree with her on that, but I do agree the process is a bit overwhelming!

We have two applications sitting in front of us on the computer for two different agencies.  They are both very involved!  It's not the type of thing you can just sit down and whiz through.  There is a lot of info. they want to know and many "essay" type questions.  All is necessary, but it's a good thing the deadline for one of these applications is not until October!

Not only do we have a lot of paperwork to complete, one of the organizations we're considering wants us to visit Japan as a family before they will interview us.  We agree this would be a good idea as we have never traveled internationally as a family.  None of us have been over-seas either!  So, our next step is to trust God for the finances to be able to afford to travel to Japan.

It would be wonderful if we could make this trip the latter half of October.  A team we potentially could work with will be meeting to set a new direction in Oct.  It would be very exciting to be there when they come together to plan their next steps.  We have a possibility of somewhere to stay thanks to our friends in Japan.  That would be very helpful!  We are now looking to God to provide our transportation over there.  (Mounting on eagle's wings sounds very exciting and cheap right now!  Anybody raise eagles?)  I am confident that if God wants us there in Oct. it is nothing for Him to provide what we need.  Our friends are already busy researching some projects we could be involved in.

In the meantime, we continue to trust for God's provision!

Phil. 4:19   And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Quentin

I love how God can be so quiet and then all of a sudden He bursts out and you can't help but notice Him! 

We have many smaller "God moments" in our family life.  Often times these are little whispers of God to Greg and I or the kids.  Neat little gems that we can tuck away and know that God listens and cares for us.  But sometimes we have huge God moments.  This is one of them....

Back a month or so ago we had a funeral at our church.  We did not have the pleasure of knowing Johnny when he was alive, but after his funeral I wish we did.  Greg and I both had the thought independently that we should attend the funeral even though we didn't know Johnny.  Greg actually heard from God that he would be rewarded if he went to the funeral.  (I wondered out loud to someone as I was telling her this story... why is it that Greg gets to hear God speak and not me?  She giggled and said, "Because He knows you don't need it!")  I guess that's true!  ;-)

Anyway, we both decided to go to the funeral and it really was a lovely funeral.  Our pastors do a great job of speaking "real" of the person who has passed away.  When the funeral is over everyone can say... yes, that is the person I knew!  They also allow for open mic. time when family members and friends come up to share stories and memories of the person who has passed away.  This is my favorite time.  Sometimes we laugh together sometimes we cry together, but the stories are wonderful to hear.  I've always been a lover of people's stories.

After the funeral, Greg and I were helping set up tables for the lunch.  Greg ended up talking to a young man named Quentin.  He was talking to him for quite a while before I joined them.  Quentin introduced himself and continued his story he was telling Greg.  He's a believer in a rough place.  I invited him to come back to church with us and asked him if he needed a ride.  Yes, he did.  Where can we pick you up?  Well, that stumped him.  Currently, he was homeless.  So, I looked at Greg... and proceeded to ask Quentin if he would like to come home with us.  He accepted!

We headed home quick to tell the kids and get a few things ready.  I went back with 2 of the boys to pick up Quentin from church and take him to get his things.  The boys took an instant liking to him.  When we got home Jayden and Kylie had made a huge banner reading, "Welcome Quentin"  with added little words... we love you!  welcome to the family!  #1!  Kylie also made him a card with the whole family on it (including the dog!) with Quentin right there in the middle.

Quentin was greeted with hugs and welcomes.  Kylie gave him a hug and said, "I love you already!"  Bryson was his little shadow the first couple days following him everywhere!

Since that first weekend, Quentin has been in and out.  The kids are always asking if I know when he'll be back.  Whenever he visits all the kids come running to greet him!  He's been very gracious to us and is grateful for our help during a tough time in his life.  I really feel like our only purpose right then (and now) is to show him the love of Jesus.  It's been amazing to see how God's love and acceptance has flown through our children.  We know that this was a divine appointment with Quentin.   God's rewards are unsurpassable!

Telling family/friends

The process of telling our family/friends has been somewhat ongoing. A few people have known from the beginning and we've been telling others along the way as circumstances permit. I would say the overwhelming response has been shock. I don't think 40 somethings with 4 kids are supposed to be planning to start a new life when we "have it all".

We have a wonderful family, many many friends, a nice house (more house than we need!), great jobs, great church.... basically we have everything I have ever dreamed of. But, somewhere in the midst of all of those blessings, God is calling us to MORE. More of Him. We are too comfortable and God knows it. This calling is not for everyone, but we indeed feel it is for us. Some have had trouble understanding this. That's my first clue we are really following God! ;-)

Family and friends have been supportive, even through their shock. We aren't at the place where things are moving quickly so I think it's easier to put it on the back burner for those who love us. I know the concerns that have been raised by some are only because they love and care for us. The great thing about following God is HE is the one who will provide for our every need. He's the one asking us to do this, so HE will provide. We do a lot of things "differently" than mainstream families and many of our friends have commented that NOW they understand why God has led us to do certain things.

The hardest thing for me is when people ask us a lot of questions... when? why? what will you do? how long? We don't know the answers to any of these questions! We are on a "need to know" basis with God and apparently we don't need to know any of those answers yet! ;-) We are just taking one step at a time and doing what God asks us to do. Then, we take another step. God reveals to us in His timing what He expects of us. (This has taken me 3.5 years and lots of angst to learn!)

Part of my reason for this blog is to show God's faithfulness to us. When He gives you a mission He provides you the tools.

At the very beginning of our journey I thought a lot about Abraham....

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country^[b] and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. ² And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”^[c]
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4

Now, I realize the promise here is for Abraham, but the fact that God called him away from his home and he just went impressed me. He didn't question (at least as far as the Bible account shows). He believed God would do what He said He would do.  I also love the fact that God tells Abraham WHY He is sending him.  "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed".   We are one of those families!  The reason God sent Abraham to Canaan was not for Abraham's sake.  It was for the sake of God's people that He loves.  Abraham was just the instrument God used.  Our journey to Japan is not for our sake... it is for the sake of 98% of the population of Japan who do not know and trust Jesus as their savior.  We have been blessed so that we may bless. 

And did you notice he was 75 years old! How glad I am God chose to send us in our 40's!  Much easier to carry those suitcases!  :-)

Telling the Kids

For 3.5 years we didn't say anything to the kids about missionary work over-seas.  It's a weird thing to have something so big in our future, yet to the kids, life went on as normal.  About May 2012 we decided it was time to share with the kids. 

We gathered them together for a "family meeting".  We don't do this very often so everyone knew something was up!  First question was, "Mom, are you pregnant?"  Heh, heh... nope.

Greg shared with the kids the whole story.  The reactions from the kids were pretty much what I expected.  Jayden was excited.  Kylie was quiet.  Rylan (after interrupting the story with a million questions) cried and asked if they would want to kill us in Japan.  (I guess we've read too many missionary stories that don't end well!)  And Bryson rolled around on the floor during the entire annoucement and then proceeded to ask as soon as we were finished if he could play video games! 

The next morning Rylan came rushing down the stairs to find me.  First thing he asked me if there are waterparks in Japan.  He had a dream last night that he was at a water park in Japan.   I told him I'm not sure and let's look.  So we hopped on the computer and searched and we found out, yes!  There are!  I pulled up a photo of one and Rylan exclaimed, "MOM!  That's the waterpark that was in my dream!  I think God is trying to tell me, "Chill out dude, everything is going to be okay!"

How sweet to hear our 8 year old get a message from God.  Calming his fears in one night!  From then on Rylan has been excited about Japan.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.