Can you believe that we have been in Asia for a whole year already? So much has happened in the past year that it is rather mind boggling to think about. When we came, Roy suffered from culture shock so badly that all he could talk about was how wonderful it was back home. He had a tough time with almost every facet of the culture here…now a year later, he tells me that he is happier than he has ever been in his whole life.  He loves our new life, and the purpose that it has given him.

When we came here, Travis really did not want to come. He came only because he wanted to visit his brothers, and he wanted to make sure that we got home before the snow melted so that he could do some skiing. He didn’t like it that we were coming in the winter, which is his favorite time of year….but after only two months in Thailand, he informed us that he would not be going back home. He had found purpose and meaning to his life, and he could not go back to pleasure seeking any more.

I was the only one who had always wanted to be a missionary, and I was terribly excited about coming to Asia. But even I had a major struggle at first with deciding to stay here. The reason was that I had given up on being a missionary. I thought that I was not good enough and that God could not use me here. I enjoyed working for the Ambulance service, and I thought that was my little mission field. I now believe that God had to take me, like Moses, and do a bit of training before He was able to use me. He had to show me that I AM NOT good enough and never will be, but that HE is good enough, and if I will submit myself to his leading and guidance, then I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!

Now, a year later, I have to marvel at how God works. He not only has led us each step of the way, but he has given us the desires of our hearts. It is the little things that I am referring to. My whole life I have loved water, and I always wanted to live beside a little creek with a water fall. What did God give me? A little creek, with a waterfall! (it is little for most of the year anyway) I always wanted a daughter, now I have two. I wanted to live on the same side of the world as my boys do, and I do! I wanted my husband to be home with me and be able to work with me…he does! In fact, while in America, we had talked about trying to find a way to share with others what we had learned about having a personal walk with God. We thought about maybe having a retreat on our mountain for people who wanted to learn, but it just never seemed to work out. Now, we have a training center where we are teaching young people to have a walk with God. Isn’t that amazing?

Yes, there have been hard times, but right now, looking back, I cannot remember what they were. The good times far outweigh the bad ones. We know for a fact that God has helped us each step of the way, and we know that as long as we are submitted to Him, He will continue to guide us. Praise God for his goodness and love to each one of us each day. And if there is anyone out there who is considering surrendering their lives totally to be used by God, my advice is don’t wait! God has a huge blessing in store for you,  go forward as He leads you. You will find no greater joy anywhere.