The Intentional Life

If you have been a reader of this blog very long then you know of our many goodbyes over the past few years as friends have packed up and moved across oceans to serve in the mission field on foreign soil. At first I took it as a cruel joke that the friend who I felt the most "me" with, was now plane rides away in Zambia.  And then another family whose kids were close friends of ours is making Papua New Guinea their new home for the next 25+ years. And Hannah, introverted Hannah, who was so excited to make a friend in Kindergarten, had to say goodbye 2 months later as her friend's family moved to Poland.   The map that hangs in our house, a daily reminder for prayer and frugality And there are more. I am so thankful to be a part of a Sending Church, a Sending Community.  But with that comes some responsibility. When Paul and I were first married 14 years ago we both felt called to serve in the Mission Field.  Despite different attempts and pur

Ah, December.  The month of ALL OF THE THINGS. December kept us moving but it was all good. Thankful for extended family time, random warm weather, a date night, a chance to sleep in, and the the daily reminder of why we need Jesus. The Suvar Christmas.  We hosted at our house this year.  13 people under one roof for  3 days.   It worked. Grandma teaching the granddaughters how to make traditional Slavic nutbreads. And eating the traditional Vilja dinner The next weekend we were with the Steffen side.  I forgot my camera (grrr) so had to work with my mediocre camera phone. meh. Nieces!  All those cheeks need squeezed and kissed. Cousin love.  Madeline wanted to hold all the children 3 and under.   Unfortunately only the 7 month old was willing. We took one evening and drove around the city seeing all of the Christmas lights.  I love taking our kids to see this display; something I grew up seeing every Christmas. Christmas break was wonde

 Rend Collective's "As Family We Go" has been my anthem song this past year and most likely will carry into this current one.  A song of praise for the One who has led us through both triumph and defeat, mountain tops and valleys low. And He has given us family to walk it with us.  Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, into 2016... Your grace will never be forgot Your mercy all my life Will be my soul's forever song My story and my light  January: Paul turns 33!  February:  a get away weekend with long-time friends