I have to laugh at this picture that was taken during a day retreat we went on last weekend to celebrate 10 years of marriage. We look so tired! I suppose 3 months of hardly sleeping will do that to you. Sigh. But, taking a day away in this beautiful, relaxing place was just what we needed. Friends of ours have a retreat center about 25 minutes downhill from our house. The landscape changes dramatically, as does the weather, and by the time we arrived, we were in a green valley with farms all around. They had reserved the whole place just for us with the purpose of really resting in God's presence, spending time in the Word, praying together and just hanging out. We were blessed to have our trusted house-helper come to stay with the kids, the first time we've left Moses for a whole day. They all did great! And we were able to reflect on God's goodness to our family these last 10 years. Here's some highlights:
2005: Married and moved to our first home in Charlotte, NC. We quickly developed a tight community through Desiring God Community Church that made that year amazing. So glad to still be in relationship with those peeps.
2006: Back to Bolivia! To the land where we met and fell in love and where God has called us to live long-term. Back into Spanish classes. Found the apartment we've lived in since and have long out-grown. Met our church planting team!
2007: God creates our first baby and we lose him. Scotty breaks his collarbone in a bike accident. God begins forming our character through suffering. We decide to take a trip to Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla.
2008: Natalie Inez is born- we're parents! Let the ride begin... Also squeeze in a trip to Argentina and Uruguay earlier in the year.
2009: We take a long home assignment and travel the east/mid-west to see the incredible friends and supporters God has blessed us with. So fun to celebrate Natty's first birthday with our family!
2010: Baby #3- a boy! Little Zion Scott is born premature and rocks our world for 19 days. He leaves us all too soon and we learn what real suffering looks like. Life will never be the same and God becomes more real than ever.
2011: The church plant we have helped start is well established. Scotty is deep in the work of being an elder and small group leader. God rocks us again with baby #4 and we decide to have this one in the U.S.
2012- Jubilee Sage! Our great joy as we experience the fulfillment of hope after loss.
2013- Burn out. It's big and ugly and hanging on. We struggle in ministry and as a family.
2014- God leads us back to the U.S. for rest and counselling. He does a miracle in restoration and healing and we're back in Bolivia after a couple months and ready for some changes.
2015- Baby #5- Moses David!! We've been through a roller coaster of experiences and emotions in his adoption journey and now he is finally home where he belongs. Plus, we're building a house and Scotty starts his long-awaited job at Highlands. So much excitement! So much stress! It's been a full year.
What will the next 10 bring?
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