Moments, Memories and Life in the Making

Finally in our new home! It is a very quant but a humble home in which I am honored to call mine. The roof is made of sky blue shingles with textured cloudy concrete covering the outer walls of the house. Inside the home we have been blessed with many cultural details including a rosy pink tiling for our flooring, squatty potties, and an outdoor kitchen.  Though there are 3 American ladies living here, who have added their own interior décor taste, much of the Southeast Asia influence still remains. I think the two blends of culture complement each other very well. 

As for our neighbors we are very thankful for the intentional neighbors we have. They are already protective of us and eager to be a part of our lives; the older lady right next to us especially. Ohhh how precious this little lady is. Ok so a little background on this woman: She is short, cute, and very very talkative. The interesting thing is is that she doesn’t speak the local language here…. She speaks a tribal language in which I am not familiar with. Therefore, the conversations typically consist of her talking and talking and talking about whatever her little heart desires and us girls smiling and laughing whenever she smiles and laughs. We nod in agreement and frown when appropriate and wrap our arm around her shoulders when she wraps her arm around our waist. Even the other day she brightened our day by exhorting us to the house of the director in our neighborhood. Each neighborhood in our area has a director over the neighborhood. Therefore, when someone is moving in or if there is any issues in the neighborhood the residence must report to the director. She was very funny in the meeting with our director and honestly I don’t even think our director knew what she was talking about the entire time!  I look forward to more moments with her during our stay!

Today, Ashton and I were able to do more motorcycle lessons with our roommate Rachel. The lessons are well needed and very valuable to our skills on the road. However, due to the need for yet more lessons, Ashton and I continue to take the local transportation around our city. Local transportation definitely has its pros and cons. Pros: we always have a story to tell after we get off the local transportation. Another pro is the time where Ashton and I can learn and practice our local language with nationals who ride with us. Though we typically discuss the same things over and over again but I never get tired of same conversations. 

As for the cons they are more targeted toward the extensive time we spend on the public transportation. It takes us almost 3x longer on the public transportation vs. the motorcycle. To say the least Ashton and I are very excited for the day where we can be more independent with our travel and use our time in a different manner. We both agree: time on the local transportation has NOT been a waste of time by any means, but the motorcycle will be a huge blessing to this next transition in our stay here. In ways I will miss our local transportation moments….. Actually to help with such missing I might have to leave my motorcycle at homes some days and jump on the local transportation again.

Life is different here and the Father is using the differences to stretch us in a variety of ways. I continue to ask the Father what it means to live here on a daily basis. I want to “finish the task” He has set before us. Even when I leave this place I do not want to stop being fervent for the Kingdom. My hope is as I am being poured out like an offering here so will I continue to be poured out wherever HE sends me. My motivation and attitude and my desire for the Father should not be based on a place, but my growing understanding and yearning for His Will to be done. I want to work hard for the Father, not in a legalistic way, but in a way that is pleasing to Him. I want my life to be a sweet aroma to my King. I am so thankful He has lifted the veil from my eyes. Because of His Spirit I recognize that He did not just lift that veil from my eyes for my own good, but also so that I can be used as a vessel for His purpose in unveiling the eyes of others. He is my strength, my hope and the very reason I am alive. By His workings in my heart, I deepen my love and longing for the Son. Let this life be “More of Him and Less of Me.”