Relationally rich

I laughed as I heard myself say: “Well, tomorrow I am driving through TN and connecting with one friend from Germany and one friend from MS.”  Doesn't everyone have friends from MS and Germany who now live in TN? :) Having grown up overseas my world has always been fairly big, but it just continues to get bigger.  There are parts of that reality that are overwhelming and the lack of roots is hard but even on the worst day I wouldn't trade it.  The places that I have had the privilege of calling “home” and the amazing people that the Lord has put in my life make me realize how rich I am.  We are not made to be alone.  The image of God is seen clearly in our desire and longing for community and fellowship.  As I have traveled I have been reminded of the blessings of the relationships that Jesus has given me.   

In April I was able to attend two retreats.  At the first retreat I was able to reconnect with some sweet ladies that I met 7.5 years ago at a retreat where we “happened” to sit at the same table.  The Lord knit our hearts together in a special way that I don’t think any of us imagined.   

Me, Arla and Stephanie. We missed you Kerri, Amy and Susan!

At the second retreat I was asked to share my testimony and was blessed by this sweet group of women. 

I have also recently reconnected with a couple of people from my days at Wesley Biblical Seminary. I thank the Lord for my years there and the relationships that He formed that had also been very special to me. It was encouraging to see how the Lord was using them in their places of ministry.  I was also able to reconnect with a dear friend from BFA who is now living in TN. What a blessing to see someone from that world on this side of the ocean.

I am blessed to belong to a fairly large extended family.  I have 22 first cousins. While it has been wonderful to spend time over the last two years with my European cousins, (who live/serve in France, Albania and Hungary) I have enjoyed spending some time with my American cousins and family.  What fun to be in Wilmore with cousins, an aunt and uncle and my grandfather.  And I am now within driving distance of my GA grandparents and family.  Two weeks ago I had the privilege of being at the wedding of my cousin, Lydia.  It was a beautiful Jesus filled wedding. What a treat to get to spend a long weekend with my grandparents!

My cousin Lydia and her new husband Josh

My sweet grandparents

 

As I start preparing to return to Germany at the end of the summer I pray that the Lord will continue to build on already existing relationships and lead me to the new ones that He has for me.