UPDATE

How are you all my Vibrant Woman friends?

You have not heard much from me for a while so I thought I would give you an update of the last six months or so.

 

March was spent getting ready for a very long trip -furlough.  I get excited about seeing my family and friends and being in America again.  On the other hand, sometimes I think that furlough must be the hardest part of being a missionary.  It seems that our whole life changes for a few months, all the while knowing that we will soon go back to normal.  There are many things to which we must adjust, not just the food, weather and shopping, but our self image takes a turn around.  My identity is questioned and my destiny challenged. 

 

When we took our first furlough about 13 years ago, I was in culture shock.  I was confused.  I felt like an alien, but no one else seemed to notice I was different, so eventually, I calmed down.  With every subsequent furlough, I have grown in my ability to handle the big identity issue and God has shown me that I am unique.  There is only one person on the face of this earth that has had the same experiences that I have – me!  And I am a product of all that has been my journey.  I am trying to listen to God tell me who I am instead of letting other people tell me who I am.

 

Furlough is also very tiring, emotionally and physically mainly because of the social aspect.  Every place I go, I have a whole new network of people to remember and relate to.  This is hard for me because I want to try to remember all the details about their lives that I am supposed to remember - like the names of their children!  Then after a short weekend, we are off to another place with another whole set of folks, totally different from the last.  It can get overwhelming!

 

I think if there is any advice to come from this well worn traveler it is: Don’t try to do too much!  I cannot believe the schedule I so energetically booked back in March, but by May, I thought, “What on earth was I thinking?”  We did a whole lot of driving.  I think the most ridiculous leg of the journey was when I booked speaking in four states in three weeks.  From Arkansas to Kansas and then down to Alabama and then on the same Sunday traveled to Florida to begin a missions school!  What a trip!  By the time I arrived I was over the top exhausted.  I really need someone to stop me when I start booking itineraries!

 

I don’t know if it was exhaustion or what but the next couple of days I was less than 100 percent.  We took a trip to an island and while doing a “survivor” type game, I fell and injured my foot.  I thought it was fine, and continued to walk on it for about an hour, the pain increased and by the time I was turning back toward camp, Bill had to carry me on his back!  I was off my foot for a whole month. 

 

That was an experience!  It sure changed the way I feel about what I have totally taken for granted.  I have never been as thankful for my feet as I am now.  Because I was on crutches, I could not do anything with my hands.  I couldn’t make dinner or do any work.  I bet you are thinking, “Wow what a vacation!” 

 

The last month of my furlough was somewhat different from what we had planned.  I still was able to travel some after a week or two, but a lot of plans I had were cancelled.  I prayed to be healed and no miracle came.  Then I prayed that I would learn what ever the Lord had to teach me for that time.

I sure learned humility, dependence on others and my patience grew to a totally new level. 

 

I read, painted, and watched the Food Network and the Home and Garden channel till I had memorized all the commercials…  And I prayed.  It wasn’t the break I thought I wanted, but God used my weakness to give me a true rest. 

 

Jesus said in Mathew 11:28-30 (The Message)

“Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?

Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. 

 

While I was recuperating, I heard a story:

 

There was a man driving his new, red, shiny Jaguar in a neighborhood when he was abruptly interrupted!  A brick flew out from the curb and hit his car door on the driver’s side.  He slammed on his breaks and jumped out of the car to see a neighborhood boy standing on the sidewalk.  This young man was obviously the one who threw the brick at his new car.  The man began shouting angrily but when he drew his breath to start again, the boy said meekly, “I’m sorry, Mister, but I had to stop you somehow, or you would have run over my little brother.”  Terrified, the man looked in front of his car.  He had come just shy of running over a paralyzed little boy on a skate board!  The man later said he never fixed that dent in his car door.  He wanted to let it be a constant reminder that he needed to begin slowing down in life and he resolved to never make God have to use a brick to stop him. 

 

When I heard that story, I thought, “That is what this injury is for me.  God is stopping me and making me take life a bit slower.”  He always knows what we really need.

 

The most wonderful part about furlough is seeing all the wonderful people who make it possible for us to be in Thailand and do this job.  We have so many friends and are so grateful.  We traveled to Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Mississippi and Hawaii. 

 

My favorite part, of course, was stopping back through my home town Sacramento California.  We always plan a week stop-over on the way back to Thailand and catch up on all the dear friends who are really more like family than friends. 

 

I was dreading the trip home, with my crutches, but actually, I was pleasantly surprised.  I have to put in a good word for United Airlines, as I had a wheel chair at every gate and VIP treatment through all the check points.  The family all got in on the benefits and we avoided the crowds through every line! By the way, just in case you need this information: neither crutches nor walkers will fit down the aisle of any plane or jet!

 

While I was in America, I was able to distribute many of my new hymns CD, Hymns from the Heart.  If you would like a copy, let me know and I will try to get one out to you. 

 

I was able to get a hold of  a whole bunch of new recipes  that I am excited to be sharing with you in the days ahead  and some home schooling web sites for those of you who like that. 

 

God bless you till the next update.

 

My love,

Julie