I really wish I had a picture to accompany this post, but I will do my best to describe it with words. We were eating lunch one day last week, and Lydia asked for some chopsticks. I was busy finishing lunch prep, so I just quickly granted her request and thought nothing of it. Turns out, she needed them to eat her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Now, this may not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but to me it is an answer to prayer... let me explain.
I have always dreamed of raising a family in a land not our own. I've always thought that we would spend our lives on some foreign soil and that our children would grow up in a culture different from the one which we currently live. However, God had different plans, or at least He does for now. He has chosen for us to settle in Montgomery, AL serving the International Community.
I've always feared that my children's world would be small. I wanted them to be "color-blind", and I wanted them to embrace those that might seem "different." So, when my oldest child asks to have some chopsticks to eat her PB&J; I realize something; maybe they are growing up with the best of both worlds.
We are coming to the end of a season in our lives having had a Chinese girl live with us since December of 2010. She was supposed to stay here for 3 months until she graduated the following May, but she has been here a bit longer than she or we anticipated. It has been such a blessing having her in our home. One that has been such an answer to prayer in so many ways. Our children have been exposed to Chinese culture in such a special way, and for that I am very grateful. Here in Montgomery, AL!!! Who knew???? Not me, but thankfully the Lord knows exactly what we need and exactly where we need to be.
As we prepared to leave Puerto Rico, we were unsure about what the future would hold. We were planning to move to Asia and work there. That is, until we found out we were pregnant with number 3. So, we decided to stay closer to "home". Coming to Montgomery has proven to be such a sweet gift and evidence of God's grace to us as His children. Having Li Na live with us has been the icing on the cake. We are super sad to see her go, but we know that there are great things ahead for her!
