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From what we’re seeing and hearing and remembering from life in the States, summer is fading into fall and eventually the cold and dark winter days will be upon you. It’s opposite for us here. We’re clinging to the “cold” weather, already feeling blasts of the coming summer heat. I’m honestly just not ready for it! As you’re stuck inside avoiding the dreary days, we’ll be stuck inside avoiding having our faces melt off. But as we all sit in the liminal spaces between extreme seasons, let us bask.

And bask we did!! Brian left before the sun came up this morning having said his latest goodbyes to all of us before we went to bed. He’s heading overseas to meet with a team in an undisclosed location. He’s been looking forward to visiting this program and we would appreciate prayers over his work. Willa “made an accusation” in the midst of our dad-less morning routine, and a strong one at that. What she actually made was a “case” for packing up and taking school to the Botanic Gardens. I’m not going to lie. When she said she had a strong accusation, I was concerned. Glad we sorted that out. Her strong accusation (case) also bought her the farm on a little more vocabulary work, little does she know!! Confusing word choices aside, we headed out into the beautiful day and got some work done while watching a bush turkey attack our water bottle. It was delightful.

Honestly, I get a bit more anxious each time Brian leaves. I’m not entirely sure where it’s coming from, but I know it’s not of the Lord. Things feel safe and doable when we’re all together. Even if something comes up, I know we’ll face it as a unit and all will be well. But if something happens to him on a trip while we’re here… it feels disorienting and lonely in a way that hasn’t ever bothered me before. Whenever something like this crops up, I know I’ve identified another false foundation. Our family’s stability doesn’t come from Brian or from all of us being physically together. Spoiler alert to self: it comes from the Lord. We’ve had two solid years of feeling full and blessed in both ministry and our personal lives. That on the heels of several years of, well, not feeling that. It’s easy in the full blessedness to be forgetful of where our strength comes from and start to believe the intrusive thoughts. So I’ll go to the gardens, music lessons, cricket practice, and move through the comforting rhythm of school while intentionally keeping my eyes on the One who keeps my feet firm.