Friday, May 26, 2006

Are You Going to Ride an Elephant???

It's funny the way kids think sometimes. As soon as we knew God was even remotely calling both of us to go to Sri Lanka, we sat down and talked with our kids about it. We knew it might not become reality real soon, but we wanted them to experience the process. We wanted to hear their views on us leaving them to follow God's calling.

Our kids at this point are extremely excited...they often take our globe, show me our province and then proceed to put another finger on Sri Lanka and say, "You're gonna be clear around the other side of the earth from us!" The one thing they've all said on more than one occasion, both to us and to passersby, "Our mommy and daddy are going to Sri Lanka...they're gonna be missionaries, just like our pastors!"

I plan on teaching a unit this fall once we're back, as my kids are very interested in the country and the people. Our kids subscribe to Chirp and Chickadee...my oldest was browsing through his Chickadee during the time I was marking his work and he came upon an article about a boy who had went to Thailand. It was so neat to hear him talk...talking about the Thailand taxis and referring to them and telling stories about them which our pastor had told the Sunday School kids upon his return. Then my son saw a picture of the boy riding an elephant and all I have heard since then is, "Are you going to ride an elephant? Are you? If you're going to ride an elephant, then I want to come with you, because I want to ride one too! Can I come with you guys, please???"

It's so funny to see my kids enthusiasm and it's really infectious...I think God truly knows what we need sometimes. I've been struggling so hard with the fact I'm going to be leaving my kids for the longest period of time ever and there's always those other struggles when you know you are both going. There's risks involved each and everyday of our lives, but for some reason, this faith-step has brought things to the forefront hard. I'm completely fine with whatever God has in store, but there are times when you have to choke back the emotions of the "what-ifs". The truth of the matter is, I'm so excited to be going and I really get caught up in my kid's excitement. When you are able to follow God with a pure faith, regardless of where He takes you, it's just the most amazing and breath-taking experience, despite the bumps and potholes which might come along the way!


1 Corinthians 2:9-12 (NIRV)
It is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love him." (Isaiah 64:4) But God has shown it to us through his Spirit.

The Spirit understands all things. He understands even the deep things of God. Who can know the thoughts of another person? Only a person's own spirit can know them. In the same way, only the Spirit of God knows God's thoughts.

We have not received the spirit of the world. We have received the Spirit who is from God. The Spirit helps us understand what God has freely given us.

6 comments:

Jenny said...

Awesome post. God knows just what we need.

Be blessed!

dwg said...

i'd ask the same thing.

Corry said...

Well, dear sister....ARE YOU GOING TO RIDE AN ELEPHANT???
If you do, can we come with you, we like to ride one too, hehe.

If this is God's will, then He will provide:-)

When are you leaving?

God's Grace.

Cinder said...

Jayleigh ~ God does always know just what we need...God bless you dear sister ;D !

Christopher ~ Truth be told...I'd ask the same thing too...it just gave me a good chuckle yesterday in the way and insistance that it was asked!

Blessings to you!

Corry ~ I don't know if I'm going to ride an elephant...I think it's in the plans to go and visit the elephant orphanage, but I don't know if that involves a ride or not...it would be a really neat experience if it happens.

We leave the beginning of August, so we are working hard now to raise funds, etc. It's a team 10 or so, but 4 are coming from home.

God bless you dear sister ;D!

Point of Interest:
Jollybeggar, one of my links is coming with us...he's got an amazing blog which chronicles his last trip and shows some amazing pictures of where we'll be!

David Edward said...

hello ( here by way of the red haired lady)
i hope you find and experience that path that God has marked out for you. On it are all the blessings and lessons you will want and need.

Cinder said...

David ~ Well, it's nice to meet you...thanks so much for dropping by!

"On it are all the blessings and lessons you will want and need."

This is so true of the road of life and walking with Christ...truly amazing! Blessings to you.