Last summer my family had a crazy adventure. For awhile the longing for a shared adventure had grown in my heart. Because my husband spent seven of his growing up years in the Far East, I’ve harbored a desire for our children to share a similar experience. The more I thought and prayed about it, the crazier it seemed. Yet the longing never left. So I tucked it close to my heart and prayed.
Let’s face it – this was one of those crazy ideas. Children can have wonderful lives without spending weeks in a foreign country. Still…I clung to the idea and prayed.
I honestly don’t know why God decided to grant this desire…but I have a few ideas. My life verse has been Psalm 37:4: delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Sometimes, we latch on to the idea we’ll get our desires while ignoring the first part of the verse.
- First, we’re to delight in the Lord. I believe as we delight in Him, He changes our hearts so that they mirror His. We are moved by what moves Him, and we delight in what delights Him. He also promises in Matthew 6:33, that if we seek Him first, He will add everything else to us. Again, in the process of seeking Him, we are changed.
- As we journeyed along the road to deciding whether to take a crazy step and journey to Germany for the summer, I was careful to let the kids see the process from my side. I’ve taught a class at Purdue University for six summers…periodically, they’d ask if I’d consider teaching the same class in Germany. Each time my reaction was sure I’d consider it. Then they asked a year ago if I would actually do it.
- Examine your heart behind the dream. I want my children to understand that the world is much bigger than the corner they live in. I long for them to see other people through God’s eyes. And I want them to experience what it’s like to be the outsider so their hearts will be open to those they meet.
- Be willing to be uncomfortable. We knew klein Deutsch before our plane left the States. Even going to the grocery store can be exhausting. I didn’t know zucker was the word for sugar…or that there are about twelve words that go in front of zucker to change the type of sugar. I’ve had to humble myself often to ask for help. My children are there watching and learning.
- We lived in a two-bedroom apartment instead of a two-story home. We gave up our friends and schedules for the chance to meet new people and stretch our experiences. My four-year-old asked often if the swimming pool would still be open when we get home as we added yet another layer of jackets before heading outside.
Yet even with the stretching, it’s clear God orchestrated the timing of this adventure perfectly…my husband had exactly the right number of vacation days banked so he could join us. His team met their annual goals early. I had a writing break and my 2012 releases came out in January, April and May providing another window to teach and then enjoy the experience. Even when there were bumps in the road to Germany, we took it as an opportunity to see God’s hand guiding us.
Recognizing God’s provision is only half the process…then my husband and I had to peel back the curtain so the kids could see the ways God has provided. We even developed a phrase for it: “God just killed another cow for us.” (Making reference to Psalm 50:10). For example, that gym in Germany? Before we arrived I couldn’t get an answer on the cost, so I grit my teeth and prayed it would be something we could afford. Then when we got the bill, it was only dollars more than we would have paid at our usual gym. And God in His goodness provided a student to slide into my daughter’s slot, so our home gym wasn’t affected by our absence.
He also blessed us with a neighbor who has family in Germany. Family that welcomed us into their homes and became friends as they shuttled us around parts of Germany. Our experience was so much richer as we spent time in their homes and got to know their hearts and thoughts.
Our European adventure is one we still talk about and one I would seriously consider undertaking again. Yes, it was inconvenient to leave our busy lives for eight weeks. But it was also been a huge blessing. While immersed in a country where we understood every 20th word, we learned to depend on each other. We spent oodles of time together…something that even in a homeschooling family can feel rushed.
And we experienced God providing for us in so many ways. Experiences I pray each child will remember for a lifetime…even if the 18 month old remembers them from pictures.
Comments 7
I love those kinds of stories of God’s lavishness on our behalf! What a great experience for your family! Thanks for sharing!
Wow!! I am constantly amazed that God provides for us in ways we never dare dream. Like, this sounds silly, but I really, really needed to read this article today–and God knew it and He led me here. Not that it’s Germany, but to me, it’s the same thing!
Thank you for sharing this experience, Cara. It’s easy to slip into “nothing exciting will ever happen” mode. I’m adding your verse to my list!
I remember you sharing this story at ACFW…. God is so amazing, isn’t he? He authored our dreams and knows them better than we do. Trusting and delighting in Him makes for one heck of an adventure!
Thanks, gals. I believe it’s important to share these stoires. 1) So I don’t forget. and 2) so others can be encouraged to dare to trust and ask God for those big things. Circle Maker by Mark Batterson dares me to keep dreaming bigger things and asking what’s next. Love how God pushes us into Him when we dare to risk.
My husband and I are experiencing this. God laid it on our hearts and he is opening doors for us to go to Haiti as missionaries. We’re willing 🙂 And we have four kids and it’s scary and exciting! How cool that you got to go for 8 weeks! My oldest and I spent a week in Haiti in March. Hubby and I plan to go spend a week there together next spring unless God calls us sooner. After that, we’ll really ramp up getting support etc.
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That is so exciting!
I’m wrapping up one of my crazy dreams right now — having the chance to bless our family with a family vacation. All 10 of us together for a week. Family. Together.
You think it’s challenging when the kiddos are young? The challenges are still there when they kiddos grow up and get married … but the “want to” is still there … the dream … the crazy longing to make family memories …
and the gratitude when God allows it all to come together.