Will there be tears in heaven? A look back at 2018

Today makes one year in Senegal. As we are at the end of our first year and the end of the calendar year I am forced to look back at a year that will not be forgotten. Please allow me to get reflective with you. In the end I hope reflection will lead us into a good future.

Survey: What would you ask?

Your participation with Flyleaf Digest makes writing for this blog fun and interesting. My favorite posts always come from the questions you ask me, in the comments or on Facebook. Today I would like to keep the conversation going. I created a short 10 question survey. The purpose of the survey is to explore your exposure to certain spiritual teachings and provide you an opportunity to ask more questions.

What is the Cost?

On the post Update: Welcome Lodgy KateKing90 Asked in the comments,

I am reminded of John 16:33, ‘In this world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!’ Praying that your church sites would see the Lord overcoming their tribulation and feel his hand raising them up over the turbulence. Praying for peace between the church and those who oppose her. Can you share any more about the site and what is going on where people are specifically opposed to building the church?

I am interested by your question because yes there is a specific answer to your question. (however, I will obscure some of the details of the answer just to protect the people who are involved.) The reason I find your question so interesting is that it lends itself to a greater question that we seldom face as Christians in the States.

When Joy Cries

This week Benjamin was born, child number four of four. I am forced to think back to a time in our marriage when things where much different. We sought the Lord in tears and prayer for eight years to have a child. Now we celebrate the birth of our fourth child. You would think, in this moment joy would be simple, and pure, and a bold statement of God triumphing over infertility in big and miraculous ways. Yes and amen, and yet, no.

Life is messy.

Update: Welcome Lodgy - Thank you!

I wanted to take some time to write to you, our faithful friends and followers.  The past few months we have experienced many difficult trials while in the midst of a massive transition between France and Senegal.  The culmination of those trials was the death of my father, a wonderful man, who will be truly missed. I cannot wait to see him again in the presence of Jesus. 

I want to say thank you to everyone who faithfully reads this blog or supports us through prayer and giving.  There was no mistaking the blessing and presence of God during that time.  This trial would have been much more debilitating if it were not for the out pouring of love from the body of Christ.