Goodbye, My Friends

Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to another set of friends, Jess and Billy Streu. We've grown close to them throughout college and our "young adult" lives through our Westminster community and are super sad to see them go. However, they are off to do amazing things. Billy and Jess have a heart for world missions and felt the Lord leading them to serve in Bosnia. So, they joined forces with a great organization, Operation Mobilization, and off they went! They left yesterday and arrived safely in Amsterdam where they will remain for a few weeks before heading to Bosnia for about 2 years. PLEASE keep them in your prayers...I can't imagine what it's like leaving everything you know behind and starting life in a new part of the world, especially in a country that is so desperately needing God (not that ours isn't, just in a very different way). We have a link to their website that I encourage you to check often in order to stay up to date on their prayer requests and to see how the Lord is moving in Bosnia! Even though we are so sad to see our friends go, we are so excited to see what "bigger and better" things God has in store for them. 

That brings me to my next point. It seems like God has brought so many people into our lives that call Lubbock home only for a season before they are called off to do "bigger and better" things. It seems as though this is just a stepping stone for so many people; it could have something to do with the university or the fact that we're just in that age range where people aren't quite "settled" in one place just yet. Whatever the reason, it's hard for those of us who are left behind. Or at least it feels like we're left behind sometimes. As I set here and run through all the friends who have come and gone on to "bigger and better" things, there are many that come to mind. So many in fact, it sometimes makes me wonder what we're missing. Did we miss a memo at some point that said "hey, life's happening over here!"? Is the fact that we're still here a negative thing? We've seen so many come and go that it just makes ya think a little bit. What will be our "bigger and better"? 

However, what if staying in Lubbock isn't a bad thing after all? What if God calls some of us to live life here, in little 'ol Lubbock, with mediocre jobs, in a quiet little neighborhood, driving modest little vehicles? Not doing anything drastic or changing the lives of thousands of people overseas? What if our "mission field" is our own daughter, and not lost souls around the world? What if we don't feel called to sell all our belongings and start over? I think that's just what God has in store for us. What if our "bigger and better" isn't quite as big as say moving across the world is, but instead is investing in the lives of those around us, on a much smaller scale, and doing God's work in our home, in our workplace, amongst our family? I think that would be OK. I've felt God move in our family and I know He has great things in store for us. Right now, it may just be getting to set on the back porch as a family and watch the sun go down while singing Itsy Bitsy Spider. But down the road, who knows? He may have other things in store for us...new/different jobs? More kids? Relocating across the world? Who knows! But all I know is that God has called us to be right here right now and I couldn't ask for anything better. My life is truly blessed and I feel fulfilled. 

So, in the meantime, we will support our friends who are doing God's work across the world, pray for them, and maybe even visit them. We will make new friends and probably watch them go, too. We will be thankful for what the Lord has provided for us, right here in Lubbock, TX,  and will be excited to see what our "bigger and better" will be, no matter how small and average. 

Sorry for all the rambling :o)