Walking with Joy: July 2012

As I sit to take in the reality.................... "Tomorrow I fly back to the USA, setting foot once again in my home town of Wooster, Ohio, for a three week visit."

I am moved with tears of joy.

I get to SEE and HUG my family in person after a year and a half of being away."........... There are so many emotions going on inside of me right now. I can't seem to find the words to share them. These last 19 months of being in New Zealand (NZ) is the longest time I have ever been away.

For some of you, you may think, "Why would you be so happy about seeing your family?" Others of you may think, "19 months is not that long, I was away for five or more years before seeing my family."

The truth of the matter is: I love my family so much! I love all the good, the bad and the greatness that they are becoming! My parents have been married for 40 years, they are greatly in love and enjoy life together through all the ups and downs it throws; I have four awesome brothers that each challenge me in their own ways; One beautiful sister that has such a heart for others it blesses me; A handsome nephew with passion for life and a sweet niece that I look forward to seeing. To add to that I have many friends who I call family, which make me a very rich person.

So why would I move to New Zealand which is on the other side of the world, you may ask?

Well, I am loved by a great King who gave His life for me to enjoy a relationship with Him. But it gets even better, He asked me to live and reign with Him in this life, WOW! I didn't do anything to deserve this great honor, but He said I was worth it all. Right now, I am on the journey of learning what it means to love as He loves and release His light to the darkness.

In this season of life, New Zealand is the 'where' that He has called me to set my feet. I don't know what that fully means right now or for how long. But what I do know is that there is a peace that passes all understanding in trusting His plan and His way. I have also learned that just because you live in one land, that does not mean that you can't be a light to the whole world. (Just think and read about Jesus - His life is full of that reality).

I have learned that HOME is where God IS! When He is everywhere and in everything that brings PEACE to every moment. He has called me far away from all that I knew and loved so dearly. Yet, through it all He has taught me some of life's greatest lessons. Being in NZ, I have come to see the love of God more clearly by resting in His grace daily.

Do you have to move around the world to get a better picture of God's love for you? NO, that's just part of my journey. I challenge you to ask, seek and knock for God's heart towards you. God will open your eyes no matter where you are or what you have done. HE LOVES YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING AND UNENDING LOVE THAT WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU!

So here I come America! "Sweet As," the Kiwis would say. And to New Zealand, with the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back".