On the road again!

We just returned from a week trip to the Baltimore area. Saw several friends, some family, several on our support team and attended a conference. We've been traveling some each month since the beginning of the year. Has it already been four months and we're well into May? March we were in Alabama and Georgia. Last month I was in central Florida. Always heard that "time flies when you're having fun!" It also flies when you are trying to balance life and all its demands from several directions- work, wife, kids, friends, church, personal spiritual life, personal growth, rest, relaxation, hobbbies?!?, technology, learning and growing, my part of the household, etc. (You know the drill!) I thought this was supposed to be easier when you got older!
Several years ago someone told me that it is all downhill from age 45. I don't know their experience. I'm still looking for the crest of the hill! It's not so steep these days, though I have the distinct impression that I'm still heading uphill. (At least I'm not sliding backwards!)
Two weeks ago we shared for the Wednesday night program at Skyland Church, where we live here in Atlanta. We are thoroughly enjoying getting to know folks here in the church. Had the opportunity to talk about France, the needs and our work there. They were very responsive and encouraging. We are always grateful for these chances to motivate and mobilize folks for missions.

Slow Seasons

A dusting of snow on the ground and ice on the roads means that schools are closed in Atlanta and everything is moving slowly. Much like our lives at this moment, things for us are moving slowly. Seems like more than a few months have slipped by since we packed up our household things to put into storage in France. That transition proved to be exhausting, yet went fairly smoothly with only a couple of hiccups. Our hardest challenge was saying good-by to dear friends in Paris.
We arrived in Atlanta in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. What a delight to see our children with spouses and grandchildren in tow during the holidays. We were able to see them all, even though not all at the same time. We are grateful the Lord is giving us this season, not only to renew relationships with our support team, but with our family, too. I desire to nourish family and ministry without giving up time for either one.
Moving slowly into a new season is rather daunting to me this week. I find it especially challenging to even work on scheduling our travels these next few months. Is it burnout after 11 years without a long break? Or, is it the unknown future before us? Or, is it the challenge of securing 40% new support that we’ve lost in the past 12 months? Pray.
Regardless, we’re here for the year and looking forward to seeing lots of friends and support team members in the coming months. We leave next week to drive to Colorado to attend a conference with Missionary Training Institute the end of the month. We’ll be gone about three weeks. As is the case with snow and ice, we drive slower and cautiously, yet we keep on moving. That’s my goal these coming weeks.