A New Normal

Since last writing, we have become somewhat more settled. Christian and Preston are going to school everyday and John Robert has now started classes at Auburn University.  We are all finding our "new normal" here in the States.  We've experienced joys here, but also "reverse culture shock" at times.  For me, I have had sticker shock at how expensive everything is here.   While living in Panama, I had convinced myself that groceries and other things were much cheaper here. But, I either had a terrible memory at how much everything costs here, or the prices have jumped up a lot in 3 and a half years.  I suspect it's a little of both.

Also, all three of the kids are having to make new friends and find their place here.  It's definitely not a fun thing being the "new kid" but with a lot of prayers, God is helping all of us through this process.

John Robert is going through many new changes as he is now living "on his own."  He's finding out what it's like to be responsible for washing his clothes, cooking his meals, or eating out on a budget, getting himself up every morning.... the list goes on and on.  And we're finding that we miss him a lot. But we are confident that God has led him to this place in his life, and are praying that all that we've taught him for the past 18 years is being put into practice.

Two weeks ago Cavin preached (all in Spanish) at Olive Springs Hispanic Church in Marietta, Georgia.  This past week we worshipped at Paper Mill Road Baptist Church in Marietta where Cavin preached; and this week we will be at Olive Springs Baptist Church in Marietta.  It's been great sharing with these congregations about our work in Panama and how God blessed, and how He is continuing to do great things there.

Trusting God Day by Day

Since arriving in the States less than a month ago, our lives have been crazy busy.  We have been traveling and visiting family during this time.  A highlight was that we got to throw a 50th Anniversary Party for my parents which was a lot of fun. Cavin has preached at Catawba Springs Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama and at Temple Baptist Church in White House, Tennessee.  These are our parents' churches and both of these churches have been so supportive of us during the past three and a half years.  It was such a joy to worship with these churches and see so many familiar faces!

Now we are back in McDonough, GA.  The kids started school this week.  Christian started high school (9th grade) and Preston is in 5th grade.  They are attending Eagle's Landing Christian Academy.  Please pray for them as they adjust to a new school, new friends, new teachers.  Pray that things will fall in place for them as they get used to a new normal in their lives.

This coming Sunday, we will have the privilege of sharing at Olive Springs Hispanic Church in Marietta, GA. This is the Spanish congregation that is part of Olive Springs Baptist Church where Cavin served as pastor for 5 years.   It will be great to be with them and worship in Spanish.  It's so great to be able to worship God now in two languages.

God is amazing and is continually reminding me to trust Him.

3 verses He has given me this week are as follows:

Matthew 6:8 "...your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."  This verse I read on a friend's FB status and just minutes later opened my devotional book to read the exact same verse.  Okay... yes, He got my attention!

2 Cor. 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal  glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
We discussed this verse in my Bible study group last night... I came home and a friend from Panama had sent me a message with this verse and the next one below (1 Cor. 15:58)


1 Cor. 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
My friend from Panama sent me this verse last night, and this morning I see this verse laminated next to my computer....  It was the men's memory verse from last night!

3 times this week!  Yes, Lord.... I'm listening.... and learning to trust you day by day!