1

God

This may not sound that significant, but when you share a neighborhood with about five or six Hindu temples and shrines, it is. Believing in the one true God isn’t just lip service. It’s my life now. I’m faced with the reality every time I go out the door and see my across-the-street neighbor’s idols and hear the music from her morning puja as my alarm clock.

And while I’m not really tempted to believe in a Hindu god, I am tempted to believe in nothing. With so many people around me worshiping so many different things, I am tempted to give up hope that others will believe in my God. And if you look at your own life, you may see the same temptation that manifests itself in different ways. But thankfully, the Truth of who God is isn’t dependent on our weak faith or ability to be tempted. It just is.

And I know that He has seen me through 30 years of life (and 23 years of being a Christian) and I am thankful for that kind of faithfulness. So, I guess that is one of the benefits to turning 30. I have so many more experiences to go back to for a reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness to me.

Well, thanks for sharing this birthday with me!

2

The number of years Harry and I are committed to stay in South Asia at this point in our lives.

I tried to think of something more fun, but every time I think of the number two, I think two years. I’m sure it would not be a huge surprise to anyone if God leads us to stay longer, but for now, it’s two years. Some days it feels like two years won’t be nearly long enough to do what God has called us to do. And other days, I can’t wait to come back to the States, re-insert myself into the community I left behind and find my place there again.

We knew when we were married that this was something we were supposed to do. We just didn’t know when, where or exactly how we would get here.

Dinner with friends.

Shopping in tiny stairwells.

Baking in our kitchen.

Doing ministry outside the city.

3

The countries I’ve lived in.

United States (Birmingham and Nashville): 29 years. And, the more I’m away from there, the more American I feel!

England: Ok, this barely counts since I was only there for about 7 weeks and lived in a dorm, but I’m counting it! I studied there in college one summer. Being in London that summer pretty much cemented my desire to live cross-culturally and was a huge part in why we’re here now, I think. I am a different person because of it. I am independent. I am more confident. I am a traveler.

South Asian* Country: Almost 5 months! I will just say that you never know what you’re capable of until God takes you there. I’m just like you. Someone who wants my life to mean something, but knows I’m not very extraordinary. Someone who wants to have a home that is comfortable for myself and others. Someone who wants to grow in my faith. Someone who enjoys a new fancy recipe or cute outfit every now and then. Someone who feels most relaxed at the beach, reading a good book. Someone who wants to use what God has given me to bless others and grow the kingdom. Someone who longs for a greater vision of who God is and doesn’t always cling to Him like she should. I just happen to live in South Asia right now because that’s where He led me.

*For more on what I’ve learned here and how we got here, see our South Asia blog, www.thesouthasiayears.com.

Our Wedding (2006)

4

The number of years I’ve been married (almost…in just two more weeks!)

This October, we celebrate our 4th year of God’s goodness through marriage. Now, if you don’t know us very well and think this means that our marriage has been easy, think again! No good marriage is easy. It is only in hindsight sometimes that we are able to see God’s goodness to us through difficult experiences that He allowed us to work through together. Things do not always happen as we plan them, but things do always happen in ways that grow us in the Lord. And we continue to learn God’s grace in marriage daily in a foreign country–dying to self again and again (sometimes more willingly than others).

One of the most important things marriage has taught me is a greater understanding of forgiveness. It’s not just for the first time. It’s for the second, third and fiftieth times, too.

The best part about marriage is just getting to walk through life together with my best friend. God provides this in different ways when you are single, but I am grateful for Harry’s help to remind me of God’s faithfulness and my need for Him.

5

The number of job titles I have had.

• Office Assistant/Secretary: In high school, I spent one summer as a secretary for a judge in Birmingham. I remember feeling very important–even though my dad essentially got me the job. During college, I worked as a student office assistant at the Kennedy Center doing everything from making copies to helping with special events. I worked for a couple of different temp agencies doing data entry for a bank, as a secretary for risk management and PR firms. The temp agency work paid the bills and I was grateful for it at the time, but those jobs were probably my least favorite and yes, that’s putting it nicely.
• Nanny/Babysitter: I’ve gotten to be a nanny three times and have been so blessed each time. I was a nanny for Lucy S. when she was 6 months old and I needed a summer job while I was teaching, for Luke P. when he was 2 months old and I had just gotten married and needed a low-stress job, and Jackson F. when he was a year old and I was getting ready to move to South Asia. I think it was for about 6 months each time. I’m grateful the relationships God gave me with these families and enjoy watching those little ones grow up–even from a distance. I have no idea how many times I was a babysitter, but I definitely have fond memories of so many children and families that I got to know this way.
• Teacher: For four years I taught high school English to juniors and seniors. For one semester, I got to teach 7th grade Language Arts. There are so many emotions when I think about teaching and not enough room here to flesh them out. Teaching is something that takes ALL of you to do well and it is the best and worst of jobs for me. I think I will always be a teacher, but I am learning how to use those skills in different ways without being trapped in a classroom all day and grading papers all night and weekend. And who knows, I may end up back in the classroom in a more traditional way some day, but with the support of an amazing husband and a little more confidence in my own identity and God’s ability to use me.
• Writer: I really think I’ve always been a writer, but it’s only been in the last 3 or 4 years that I’ve found out how own being a writer, and how many different ways writing can be a career. Most of the writing I’ve done has been for non-profits, but I’ve also gotten to write lesson plans for magazines about career exploration and Bible studies, as well as publicity pieces and prayer brochures. And then there was that poetry project in the 8th grade…
• Program Coordinator: For a little over a year on two separate occasions, I worked for a non-profit that supports elderly and adults with disabilities. My favorite part of this job was supervising the staff and getting to know the elderly clients. When I left this job, I was mainly working with the elderly. Part of my job was actually getting to visit with them once a month! As I learned to be a supervisor, I was able to redeem some of the not-so-great supervisors I’ve had by striving to balance encouragement with correction when necessary.

When I look back on all of the jobs I’ve had, I am amazed at how God has used each of them to grow me in different ways and prepare me for the next thing.