Life in the Big City

We're still loving life in the big city. There have been some adjustments, for sure. Walking everywhere with the kids has been fun, interesting, and at times down right disgusting. From living in a cabin in the middle of nowhere to living surrounded by tons of people, stores and vehicles, the kids have had to adjust from rolling around in nature's playground to not being able to touch anything. Don't mistake me for a germ-a-phobe. I had to give up that lifestyle a long long time ago, but when you walk by a group of men and one of them turns his back on the group and literally just blows his nose into the air, you take a little more caution with what you allow your kiddos to touch and where you allow them to breath. We keep saying things like "Don't touch. Don't lay on the sidewalk. Don't put your mouth on it. Pee. Poop. Snot. Trash." I know this is awful and kind of vulgar and unpleasant to read, but this is our life... just keeping our kids from getting hepatitis... I keep thinking they are like Buddy the Elf during his first days in the Big Apple. Our kids are doing a pretty good job of not licking the handrails (most days) and I am doing a pretty good job of continually committing their safety and well-being to Jesus. Because really, we love this city. We are so thrilled to be here. We love scenes like these:

This little gem sits right in the middle of the concrete jungle, and it's a reminder of beauty, of peace. As my children played on the playground strategically placed overlooking this, all I could think about was Jesus being our living water, our life, our strength, our sustainer. And y'all this is a reminder that I need every day, all day and especially these days when we are still without a home and are growing weary of living out of suitcases. But He is with us, sustaining us and sovereign over us. 

Our babies love naming the pigeons. Somewhere outside there is Rocky, Vanilla, and Joe. We see them everywhere, because well, they all kind of look the same. But what's better than naming them is chasing them around making them fly away in fear. Our children are mini-pigeon terrorists. 

The open markets are always my favorite places in every city. Because they are affordable for the average citizens, they are better than the farmer's markets in the states, bar none. 

And would you look at that beautiful fruit?! So delicious. My day walking through the market made me realize that these are a people so in need of grace, kindness and love. The vendors are tough as nails. I didn't get a smile out of a one of them, and normally, I am quite the charmer. Nope, they weren't having it. I saw several altercations with other shoppers. So I just kept my head down and I prayed grace and peace over them in my heart, bought my beautiful delicious fruit and walked away hoping for opportunities to share the Prince of Peace with them one day. 

For now, we are still house hunting, trying to figure out the language differences between this and Macedonian (they are quite similar, but just different enough to make us crazy), and trying to find our way around without google maps. We can't wait to start engaging the people in whatever neighborhood the Lord places us.

A Week In

We've been in Bulgaria for a solid week.  The trip was great. As far as overseas trips with three small people go, I don't know that it could have been any better. 

  

The kids even got to visit the cockpit of our plane from Charlotte to Atlanta. I thought that was illegal these days. I guess the small blonde people don't look too threatening. 

Oh how I envy these sleeping babies on the plane. They slept so good. 

But before that long and peaceful sleep, we said our goodbyes. Ugh! They're the worst! I seriously wonder why God called me to this life and yet made me so doggone horrible at goodbyes, but even though goodbyes break my heart into a million pieces every time, I am so thankful for a family who supports us and loves us so well on this journey. They are truly amazing! I know it isn't easy on our parents to watch their grand babies leave. I know it's hard on uncles and aunts to say goodbye to their most extraordinary niece and nephews, but even through the painful moments they do so well at supporting us and loving us. Tremendous! And because our local team knows this feeling all too well as they have experienced it time and again, they gave us a great "hello."

 

They went above and beyond at making us feel right at home. From meeting us at the airport with big hugs, to flowers and baskets of goodies, to a stocked fridge and gifts for our babies. They outdid themselves and made us feel so welcome. That's such a good feeling. 

 In some ways it feels like we have been here forever, and in other ways it is crazy to think that a week has already passed. We have enjoyed being back in the Balkans. 

These are truly our heart people. We love them! 

We love their coffee, their crazy driving, their food, their culture, their blatant-rough-around-the-edges, shoot-straight-from-the-hip honesty, their incessant use of their car horn. We really do. In some ways, we are feeling right at home. After all of the transition and our crazy nomadic lifestyle, it feels good to feel at home. We don't however have an actual place to call home yet. Our current "home" is a great little airbnb place. It's in a great central location where we can easily get out and explore the center of the city by foot. We've seen a side of Sofia that, somehow, we never saw before. It's beautiful.

Coffee shops, park-bench musicians, cute little shops, and yummy ice cream make the walking street one of our favorite places. 

And here in this honeymoon phase of our move, even the graffiti is kind of beautiful if you can overlook the mis-spelled English cuss words. 

And I might as well love it because it is everywhere. Art and creativity around ever corner.  

I even love public transportation. It has a strange sort of charm to it. 

We're doing well, getting adjusted, and so happy to be back in the Balkans. Thank you for praying for us and walking with us through this journey. 

An Owed Explanation

We're moving again, and because you have supported us in so many ways, we wanted to let you know what is up. A little over a year and a half ago, I wrote this:

I still see the wind. It hasn't ceased, yet. I feel it, and the enemy would have me crumble beneath it as I prepare to forsake comforts and lay down my life and the lives of my kids, once again. I am weaker and more broken-hearted than I have been in a long time, maybe ever. I want to run. But I will stay clenched in his mighty right hand. Ready and willing to obey Him because He is worth it! This process of daily having to get out of the boat, to take up my cross, with the wind in my face, is one of the most painful things I have ever done. But I know I heard His voice, and it is a voice I can trust. That voice may lead me into the waves, but He will be there, refining me, growing me, making me keenly aware of how weak I am, but how very great and good He is. His grace is sufficient. His power made perfect in my weakness. O for grace to trust Him more...

I wrote those words as our family stood on the edge of stepping out in faith as we began to say goodbyes and pack our bags to leave our home of 9 years. It was a heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, painful time, and yet, it was sweet. It was sweet because we relished in the fact that we loved and were loved so well by the people we had worked among for 9 years. And it was a time that I look back on with great fondness because I felt the nearness of the Father so deeply. We had prayed, fasted and sought counsel from Godly people in our lives. We had read His word and listened. We had waited for an answer. We knew He had said it was time to close down and pack up. That was sure, but there were months when we didn't know where or when.

As I have read back through my journal and notes I made in my Bible, as I have recalled conversations, prayers, and even revelations, I am just as sure today as I was then that He answered us. He made it clear that we were supposed to move to Southeast Asia. And in the last year and a half, I have certainly had moments when I have doubted it. I am sure there are people who believe we made the wrong decision to begin with, that we should have never moved. I have entertained the thought that maybe they are right. I have had to battle to remember that His voice was clear those days a year and a half ago. He spoke. He called. And we answered.... even though it didn't make complete sense to us or to a great deal of people who know us.

And the "non-sensical" continues. Why would He move us across the world for such a short time just to move us right back, only a few hours from where we started? The financial, physical and emotional burden has been heavy. It's been hard. And if it wasn't hard enough from a inward, personal standpoint, it has been tremendously hard to convince others that we are just trying our hardy best to obey the voice of the Lord, to walk in faith, and to glorify Him at every step. I want so badly for people to get me, to accept me, to approve of me and my decisions. But as Paul spoke to the Galatians, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." There is slight comfort in those words. Not everyone, not even his brothers and sisters in Christ always approved of Paul's decisions. They didn't always see what God was doing in and through him. And Paul knew that they didn't have to. He was a servant of Christ. (Side note: this doesn't mean we don't seek to follow the words and wisdom of Godly leaders in our life. This verse is not to be used to excuse our foolishness.)

I could list out all of the reasons why I believe God led us to Southeast Asia for such a short time to only lead us back, but in an effort to be open and candid, because we are stewards of your support, I will share two reasons why I believe God has moved us in this way. One: Brian has an engineering background. He is skilled in working with computers and really enjoys helping others in that capacity. Brian was a needed asset to a team of people within our organization to help offer support to our colleagues around the world in the realm of IT. We had been asked for years to consider taking that job. The job in SE Asia was a step back from front-line ministry work so that he could help in that department, and Brian thought he could do both because he has seen others do it. He thought he could work in the office during the day and then focus on local ministry after hours. Brian enjoyed that job and the team, yet he had a harder time than anticipated not being involved locally full-time. God used that experience to show Brian a more specific view of his call to the nations. Had the Lord not brought us to that job, we would never have seen our heart and gifting to do frontline, full-time work and the immense joy and desire we have in following Him in that work. Brian now knows, that while he has the skill set to do a job in an office, it is not what God created Him to do. While in Thailand, we gained a tremendous appreciation and respect for those who do hold the lines of support. They have a tremendous ministry to our people, and we don't know where our organization would be without them.

The other reason (that I will share) that I believe the Lord had us walk this path, was to create a deeper intimacy with Himself. He is the goal of all of this! That we would count everything else as loss to gain Christ and be found in Him. Philippians 3 has been all over me for the last two years. It's about Him! Only Him! All Him! Nothing else. His work is to sanctify us, to teach us dependence on Him, to show Himself powerful and mighty and glorious in our lives, to teach us to empty ourselves and put on Christ, to cling to nothing else but Him. This is what He wants for us because He is the greatest good for us and for our family. And so, as we have walked this path and we have been emptied and emptied again, we have known His sweet presence. We have seen His goodness in the small minute details of our lives. He cares about things in us that no one else would even think to care about. And He has taught us so much about who He created us to be. He is a good Father teaching us to obey all that He commanded. He is so faithful. His steadfast love is all around us.

And so now, we head back to the Balkans to do frontline work. The way He led in us moving to Bulgaria right now as opposed to down the road, at a later time, was so all Him. All Him! The story is so multi-faceted. It could only be Him.

And so, as we await our visas for a new place of service, and as I think about what the new name of this blog is going to be (sigh), we are trusting Him, confident that He has led in all of this, that He has our best interest and the best interest of our children in His plan, that He is paving the way through a mucky and unnatural terrain. He is shining light in the shadows, and He is teaching us to trust Him more. The words that I wrote a year and a half ago are still true today, and I am so thankful for how He is teaching me to believe them.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer as we journey here, there, and everywhere. You have been tremendous and have loved us so well as you prayed for us and cheered us on in this wild journey. We ask that you continue to pray as we now look to say goodbye again and venture out on this new path that God has placed so surely before us.

My Man

1980. Gold medal in hockey up for grabs at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. The "Miracle on Ice." Russia. USA. 

Labor pains. A hospital run. 

Kathy. Tom. 

A beautiful young woman and her loving husband were waiting on their miracle. And as the United States brought the thunder down on Russia stealing the gold away from their hands, Brian Thomas Davis was born. God brought the thunder to this young couple. They even called him Thunder Foot a few years later because Brian Davis has never been able to do anything lightly, not even toddle.

He was wild. Jumping off the tops of play-sets. Building flying contraptions at a young age. Hammering buckets of nails into the first family home. Climbing mountains. Riding down the road on the outside of the family van. Tearing up the baseball and soccer field. A baller on the court. Athletic feet with an engineer's brain.

Busy. Focused. Opinionated. Confident.

And a frequent visitor to the ER.

Bless that beautiful young woman who raised him with such strength. She taught him to persevere, to fight through pain, to work hard, to never stop learning, to care for the "critters," to love cookie dough and all things from the Polish cuisine. Kielbasa, pierogi, sauerkraut, and the infamous Bobka. She made him cute jammies that matched his daddy's. She read books galore with him. She helped him with homework. She made him quilts and held his hand when he got his stitches. She loved him so well.

And that loving husband turned out to be one incredible father. He taught his namesake how to build, how to climb, how to work hard for his family. He taught him how to eat the middle moist part of the cake first. He taught him to love undercooked Bobka. He taught him philosophy. He taught him computers. He taught him how to be a gentlemen and a man of class. He coached ball teams, and he shared his love for golf.  He wore jammies to match his boys. He wrestled. He bartered. He provided. He gave. He loved.

Amazing parents made for one amazing man.

That little boy grew up, gave his life to Christ, and strives daily to know Him more and make Him known among the nations.

Brian's seen the world. He's loved people from many different countries. And 100s have been drawn to him and his love for God.

He's lead his family with strength, gentleness, kindness, and so much love. He makes daily sacrifices for us. He changes diapers. (He's really good at it, too.) He vacuums, mops, and helps with dishes. He makes us the best cookie dough you've ever had (seriously). He makes us daddy biscuits that just melt in your mouth. He brings me coffee in the morning (love). He's an amazing golfer, photographer, athlete, and teacher of the Word. He dances like the cutest white boy you've ever seen, and he makes us all smile. He prays over us and for us. He navigates our way through new countries. He gives amazing hugs. He is still the champion in the Davis wrestling matches. He tears up when he tells us how much he loves us. He leads us to know more of our Savior. He does all this and more while continuing to love and serve others outside of our family. He loves radically, serves diligently, and disciples others (including his children and me) passionately.

 

He's the son of amazing and wise parents. He is redeemed and loved by the Creator of the universe. He's a phenomenal, engaging father. He is a tender and precious husband. He's a kind and loyal friend.


I fear I take him for granted too often. I forget that not all men are so giving as he. I forget that he is a gift made just for me and these babies. I sometimes miss how he lives out Ephesians 5:25 for me. He loves me as Christ loves the church and gave Himself up for her. Brian exemplifies this kind of self-sacrificing, beautiful, radical love to me every day. And my biggest regret would be to not let him know how very thankful I am for him, this miracle in my life. This man. My gold medal.





And so today, on his birthday (while he sits far away in Thailand. Sad face.). I want him to hear it loud and clear: Thank you! I don't know where we'd be without you! You are my dream come true, and I love doing life with you. I love 'dancing in the minefields' with you. You are precious to our family. You are cherished. My words could never express how very much I love you. I'm so thankful for that night in 1980 in Ridgewood, NJ when you came into the world.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I LOVE YOU!!!

Jesus in Her Place

Our sweet girl made a huge decision over two years ago. She was young, to be sure. She's still young. But I have no doubt that she committed her life to Christ. She admitted that she was full of sin and that she needed a savior to restore her relationship to her Holy Creator. She believed on Jesus as the only one who could save her. She believed that His death on the cross was for her sins and that His resurrection gave her new life. She chose, on her own, to turn from her sin, and believe in Him as the one who took her death, took her place and made her alive. And for two years as we walked with her through scripture and as she read on her own, she asked to be baptized. Jesus says to be baptized. I need to do that. When can I do that? And since we believe one of the biggest lessons we need to teach and model to our children is obedience to God, we decided preventing her from being baptized because of her age would be wrong. So our little sister in Christ, who loves Jesus so much, made her faith public in front of our home church in Raleigh while we were stateside. She understood the symbol that baptism is. She understood that her old sinful man has been buried with Christ and the new creation has been raised with Him to new life, and she wanted to tell the world through the symbol of baptism. She knows baptism doesn't save her. She knows only Jesus is her salvation.

One of the pastors at our church asked her two questions: 1) Do you believe Jesus did everything needed to save you? 2) Are you willing to follow Him wherever He leads you? She answered a rousing yes! to both.

And so, Brian had the privilege of baptizing her.

Jesus in My Place. Jesus in Her Place. She is His, and He is hers.

My heart!

This girl, my precious baby, my sister in Christ. Her faith is young (though somedays stronger than mine), but she loves her Savior. She loves His Word and loves learning more about Him. She is learning to be obedient. As I read in a book one time, her faith is like a small sapling tree. The tree is real, alive, and has roots in the soil. But that tree needs to be tethered to a larger tree to be able to withstand the storms until it grows stronger and can stand on its own. This is raising our children in Christ. We don't doubt their faith or make them prove it. We tether them to ourselves, teach them, model Christ to them, hold them fast as they grow, point them to Jesus, and as their roots grow deeper in Him and as they bear more and more fruit, we can begin to let them grow on their own.

The following was the song playing in the background as she was baptized. It couldn't be more fitting.

"The Lamb of God in my place. Your blood poured out, my sin erased. It was my death you died. I am raised to life. Hallelujah! The Lamb of God."

We are rejoicing with our girl! We are praising our great God! 

Camp Cuteness

Days before we got on the plane to head to the states, we helped with an English Camp. Some of our dear friends and partners were hosting a volunteer team from the great state of Missouri, and we had the privilege of helping them love on these babies, teach them some English and teach them some stories from the Word.

I'm pretty sure these babies woke up every day, wallowed around in cuteness, and then came to the camp. I mean, would you look at those faces. I'm sure you can see a little mischief on those faces too and you would be right.

Tug-of-war was a favorite game.

Tug-of-war against the giant white men was the most favorite. They pulled with all their little might. 

Look at those little boogers jumping over the rope. Who knew a giant rope could be so much fun?! 

This little cutie was just a spectator. The chub!!! Too much!

Learning English at one station and a life changing story at another.  

Most of the kids that came to the camp also come every week to the after school kids' club. The three day camp ended with a gathering of the kids and their parents, a small carnival, a puppet show telling the story of the prodigal son and other things to show them love and share the good news. We had a blast and consider it such a tremendous privilege that we were able to help out with this. We are asking that the Father would continue to work in the lives of these precious children, their parents and their whole village.  We are asking that the small team still on the ground working in this village will be strengthened and encouraged in their work. We are asking that they will see fruit from their tireless labor. Will you join us in asking for that and thank Him for all that He has done already?

Day O' Fun Throwback

We've been out of Thailand for a couple of months, now, but I thought I'd share some pictures from one of our favorite family days back in September.

These two. Their brother was most likely swinging upside down from something while I took this. We found a little cafe with a giant, shaded playground. The kids played and jumped and swung. And I had coffee with my man. Happiness!

Actually, this little beauty was my sideline pleasure, and no, I will not share. 

Monkeying around. 

I'm pretty sure this is his inner self coming out. I think his heart and head make this face all the time. So. Much. Energy. He's all fun!!!

My sweet girl.

I LOVE this man!!! He amazes me every day. 

He's such an amazing daddy. I love watching him with his babies. They adore him. 

And they learn so much from him. He makes every moment teachable. 

We headed to a little zoo and tried to abide by the rules. 

That is one hungry giraffe. Kate and Thomas were a little nervous. Isaiah showed no fear, as usual.

Brian and Mr. Daddy Giraffe had a little heart to heart. Bless. Big guys and their big hearts. At one point, I do believe I heard Brian say, "I know how you feel, buddy." We regularly make him eat his dinner behind a wooden bar while taking pictures of other people feeding him.... Um, no...

We had a blast seeing more of the beautiful country and its beautiful wildlife. Family time is always sweet especially when I have an icey drink in my hand. :)