Recently on a walk, with the bare trees of winter against a brilliant blue sky, I noticed a birds nest in nearly every suburban tree. It hit me how tiny each nest was against the vast background. It is here that tiny baby birds are fed and protected in such a small space compared to the wide world available to them after the first month of life. After about two weeks, baby birds leave the nest, even though they are not able to fly or eat on their own. Then, for a few more weeks, the "fledgeling" birds hop around on the ground while the parents show them how to find food and what to eat. After one month, baby birds are full grown and able to fly on their own..... ready to take on the enormous world beyond the miniature nest. As we continue the approach to graduation (walking the plank of the graduation countdown), with 114 days remaining, it feels a bit like our oldest is leaving a very small, protected nest to explore a massive world. In some ways, it seems like she will be "hopping along the ground unable to find food" on her own. Thank goodness for expensive university meal plans!
I'm sad to see this season of life, with all our kids at home, come to a close. For 18 glorious, colorful and blessed years, the five of us have done life together within the walls of our own tiny nest (although a much bigger one in Texas! ; ) God used even the smallest of his creatures to illustrate how absurd it would be to remain in the nest when it is time to fly. There is so much for Katie to learn and experience in the world beyond our walls as she makes an independent life on her own. Mixed with sadness comes hopeful expectation as I'm sure Katie will make a significant impact in this life. Her love for the Lord and her steely determination are a powerful combination for good and for God's glory.
With overwhelming gratitude and joy, I am thrilled to officially announce that I will be taking Katie Belle far beyond the nest of our home shortly after graduation. We will travel to Zambia, Africa to serve with a mission organization called Family Legacy. Katie will work at a camp and I will work in a Christian school. I can't think of a better way to send her off to college than to share her passion for missions along with my heart for orphans. For several years, I've longed to return to the impoverished villages of Africa and it has been a dream of Katie's to go and serve with me. As we prepare to leave the comfort and safety of the nest together, we are grateful for the Lord's protection no matter how far we go. We are both stunned by His provision through our loved ones, after doubting that it would be possible for both of us to go. We could not take this enormous step out of our comfort zone without the overwhelming generosity and faithful prayers of our family and friends. It seems this blog is coming full circle as it began in preparation of my first trip to Zambia. It's exciting to anticipate what the Lord will do in the lives of His children (including us) this summer. I'm humbled with thanksgiving for His steadfast love and His faithful work in our lives.
"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of life? ...... Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." (from Matthew 6)
