Monday, January 28, 2008
October 2007 Update
“The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm…” Nahum 1:3b
A friend shared this verse with us and we find it very fitting for our situation. I can’t say we are facing any Storms – but our life right now very much feels like a “Whirlwind.” And just like the storms of life, we are very comforted to know that the Lord’s ways are with us in the middle of this whirlwind.
It has been awhile since we have touched base with a lot of you – and a lot has transpired over the past few weeks. As most of you may recall, we returned from Bulgaria in June, spent some time in Illinois, moved into a missions house in Iowa in July, welcomed the arrival of Adison in August and I started a new (old) job in September, back in Kansas City and started house hunting. See what we mean about a “whirlwind?”
Adison has been a pure joy and growing like a weed. She has continued to keep the long black hair and dark brown eyes. She has begun to smile and coo as she studies the faces of those in front of her. Drew still enjoys being a big brother – letting others know this is “his baby.” We have not yet witnessed much jealousy, however he is very vocal that he does not like “crying babies” – including his!
My job: I was on a two year leave of absence with IBM at Sprint in Kansas City for our term in Bulgaria. Returning to IBM/Sprint was always an option, just not at the top of my preferences. I talked with a lot of people about different job opportunities from ministry positions to corporate positions. I sent out a lot of resumes and had a number of interviews – most of all – we prayed hard. We have been praying for the past year that the Lord would lead us to where He wanted us, to the job that He had for me, to the city He wanted us to serve. We were very excited to see where the Lord would lead.
We felt the Lord speak when we went to Bulgaria, so we had expectations that He would “speak” again in similar fashion. As time went on – no jobs “spoke” to me. I didn’t really feel the Lord “speak” to me either. A wise mentor of ours shared this advice with us over a year ago: “Continue to walk the path the Lord has set out for you, but be willing to deviate from the path if the Lord were to call you off.” For the past year we have followed that advice. We knew we had IBM to return to, but were ready, and almost expecting the Lord to pull us off that path.
As we have continued down our path, the return to IBM/Sprint is the path the Lord has sustained. Not just sustained, but has lined it with some nice blessings as well. I am returning to Sprint with a similar position, but more customer facing (a good thing). It is with and old manager/friend of mine who is very flexible with my schedule. We have the great blessing of staying with new friends (friends of friends) who are adopting a baby in Guatemala and living in Guatemala – thus their house in KC is open for us to stay in. Okay – maybe the Lord does speak and I’m just not a good listener.
The transition back to the corporate world has been difficult. I find myself putting a lot of time and effort into tasks that at the end of the day seam to not have much significant value. Many have had to remind me that my ministry continues in the people I meet and the fact that the Lord did not send us to Bulgaria to just “return” to our old life. We return renewed, we return with a new outlook and a new desire to serve. (Easier said than done, I’m finding)
Between living part time in Des Moines and Kansas City and starting a new job – we also need to find a new home. This too provides its own number of challenges. My biggest concern is for our little guy – Drew. Many times he asks “What home are we going to?” – the mission home, the “peoples” home, papa and Jejes, Granddad and Nanas – which home? My little boy does not have a home right now and that tears me up.
God will provide – He always does. We need to be faithful and patient. We are tired and we are longing for a place to call home. We will persevere because God is our God and the four of us are together and healthy. We also have all of you. You and your prayers have been such a blessing to us.
We would appreciate your continued prayers and we hope to share good news soon about a new home.
We love you all.
Love,
The Sheps – Marc, Lisa, Drew and Adison.
Free Hugs - Bulgaria
You may have heard of this "Free Hug" campaign. Young people travel the world and walk cities with signs that read "Free Hugs" in their native languages. Here is their experiment in Bulgaria...
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