New House, New Home

I’ve been in Dallas, Texas for 2 weeks. It’s amazing how much needed to be done to get settled (buy a car/insurance, transfer Sara’s things, set up phone/internet, arrange furnishings, plan meals, buy clothes, plan Jonathan’s home schooling, and other stuff). Being a single parent means it has taken longer to get these done. But the mission house is slowly becoming our home. We are very grateful to Inglewood Baptist Church for providing this house.

Sara moved in on Friday. She has the master bedroom, which she will share with Hannah after mid-November when her job at Mt. Vernon ends. David and Jonathan are in the mid-sized bedroom. And I’m in the smallest bedroom. The house is somewhat old but quite comfortable. We have a large open field in front of the house which is great for Frisbee throwing.

After spending 2 days in Texas, Martha flew to Virginia to begin her 2nd year of college. She will be a prayer-group leader this year. Today, Jonathan starts his last year of high school, aiming to start college a year from now. Sometime during the next 12 months, I’ll be helping Jonathan and Martha earn their driver’s license.

I’ve accepted the minimum amount of speaking engagements so that I can focus on being a father to my family while I have them with me for this final year. All of us are glad to be together, experiencing a lot of good family time. I will be gone all of October, traveling through Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and maybe as far as Vermont. Otherwise, I hope to stay home as much as possible.

For me, being in the States is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it’s great having all the comforts and conveniences. The whole house is air-conditioned and I can even buy low-carb, whole-wheat tortillas. But with so much to stimulate the senses and provide temporary pleasure, it’s easy to neglect my first-love and my daily dependence on the only One who can provide lasting fulfillment.

So, even though I’m in the States, please pray for me that I will maintain my relationship with the Lord and be a good father to my children. And please pray, too, for my team members and our churches in the Philippines, that they will continue to seek the Lord and make Christ known in all that they do.