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One year ago today we arrived at an airport tired, excited, nervous, surely we smelled a little, and didn't know what the next day let alone year would hold.  However, we were confident in the fact that for this season of our lives we were supposed to be living in this country.

Here we are then...

And here we are today, one year later and not as stinky!

We certainly all have changed some in outward appearance.  It is amazing to see the differences in the boys when we moved here.  Despite the outward changes we are still confident in the fact that for this season of our lives we are supposed to be in this country.  

I can say that over the last year, we have been challenged to begin to adapt to a new culture and way of life.  We have begun to learn a new language that is one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn.  We have been challenged with the changing roles in our family with both of us studying full time and the boys going to daycare full time.  We have had days in which we don't really want to leave the house and it feels more comfortable inside.  We have had moments of wanting to be back with family celebrating new lives being born as well as hugging our friends during their hurts.  We have had days in which we have checked the latest on the news and situation around us.  We have had days of intense sadness and disbelief.

But...

We have also had days of sheer joy in a successful visit.  We have celebrated break throughs in language learning.  We have had meals enjoying laughter with new friends and neighbors.  We have had times when we are so full with new foods we have tried and enjoyed.  We have realized that we have more time together as a family than ever before and we love it.  We have delighted in seeing the kids blossom in this new culture.  We have enjoyed seeing sights of ancient days and marveling in the mystery of the Gospel at these sights.  We have learned to drive here and shop here and and get meat here and to live life here.  

God has been so faithful.

One verse I have read again and again this year is 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

I pray this for myself, that as the days continue over here and wherever we might end up, I would boast in my weaknesses knowing that only through the power of Christ I can do anything good in with my life. 

We are truly enjoying our life here and we are so thankful to so many of you who remember us faithfully.  We have much learning and adjusting to do, something that will last a lifetime but we are confident in our Father who loves us each so much.

Happy 1 Year