3.20.2011

chapter 2

The verse of one of my favorite songs goes like this:

I have a Maker.

He knows my name.

Before even time began,

My life was in His hands.

I’ve known for well over half of my life that I had a Maker. I rest in the fact that He knows my name and even the number of hairs on my head. But amidst my many selfish desires and goals, I’ve often missed the fact that before even time began, my life was in His hands.

Recently, an intern counselor posed a question to the students of my elementary school. She spoke of goals and asked each student to choose one that they wished to see attained. Each student was asked to write and illustrate it as a reminder. As I scan the halls of our school, I often stop to read the pages of goals that line the walls. Many of them are age-appropriate—“My goal is to read lots of books” or “My goal is to throw a touchdown.” My own child wrote, “My goal is to take care of my little brother.” When I read them I can’t help but think of my own goals as a small girl. My goals were sweet and simple. They centered around me. They were things that I wanted, things I hoped for, and things I dreamed of. But that’s where they stopped—with me.

There’s an old saying that says, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” Even I am amused at how differently my life turned out in comparison to the plans I had for myself. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” When I look back, I can see this verse lived out in so many ways. My plans were to get married. The Lord’s plans were for me to marry a Godly husband and father that would be faithful to God’s Word. My plans were to birth my own children. God’s plans were for us to experience the beautiful picture of adoption twice and to understand in a small way that which He did for us 2000 years ago! My plans were to live securely in my salvation, knowing that I could never be plucked from His hand. But His plan was to stretch me, to use me, to mold me for His purposes. Though His plans weren’t always mine, Jeremiah 29:11 rings true: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For our family that future is not at all what we expected. A year ago, we began seeking God’s direction in our life. Our plans had always been to serve in a local church. Jason would be a pastor, and I would serve in children’s ministry. But God’s plans were beyond anything we could conceive. In July our family will be moving to India where we will be serving as international missionaries. The state where we will live is made up of over 70 million people, and less than 1% of those people are Christians.

As I recall those innocent goals of the children at my school, I am reminded of how God can take our desires, talents, and needs. He, then, somehow combines them into His perfect plan for us. And though my paper may have one time said, “My goal is to get married, have children, and become a teacher,” I’m grateful that God saw past my selfish desires. He is able to use a willing family with little international experience to accomplish His goal of reaching the nations. Of all the multi-colored papers that fill the hallways of my school, one in particular says where my heart is today:

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The last verse of the song I began with goes like this:

I have a Father. He calls me His own.

He’ll never leave me, No matter where I go.

As we close one chapter and begin a new, I am reminded that whether I am here or 8,000 miles away, our God is the same. Selling all of our possessions, saying goodbye to family and friends, and taking two small boys half-way around the world will be no small feat, but knowing that we do not step out alone is a peace that passes all understanding, no matter where we go!


To those of you reading this, we covet your prayers. This blog will certainly be an enormous asset in helping us keep our family and friends informed. I will, in addition, be sending out emails. If you wish to be added to that list, please email me at marlinsarah@hotmail.com or leave your email address as a comment below!

3.19.2011

six on saturday

1. Jason and I were out of town last week for a conference. We flew out of Tupelo on Saturday morning. I was so excited to see one of my sweet friends from New Albany sitting in the airport! And I was even happier to find out that our flights were the same. I apologize to the people that were on that flight. Jason informed me that the Captain probably heard me talking! Julie spoke softly, but me... not so much! Nonetheless, it was so good to see an old friend!

2. I'd also like an apology of my own. We had the pleasure of sitting next to the lady who brought tuna fish for her lunch on our next flight. Did you know that the air circulation on an airplane is minimal? When you combine that with the making of tuna salad, it's pretty smelly!

3. I think layovers and airport stores are in connection. They know you will be weak and vulnerable with traveling cash burning a hole in your pocket. It happened to us in Memphis. We probably bought a few things that were stupid, but we did make one excellent purchase. I'm a huge Pandora fan, but I haven't been able to find any speakers that I like to hook up to my iPhone. I finally found them! If you are interested here's the link: Jawbone JAMBOX.

4. We made another purchase that was necessary but not my proudest moment. I had my eyes checked the other day, and though my distance vision is corrected, my reading distance has been affected. I broke down and bought reading glasses. 30 is turning out to be a great year of growing old and claiming it! The good news is that I can finally read a book clearly.

5. I have to confess that I never actually read (except during my quiet time.) I'm just a little too busy to stop and read. But this week, I borrowed a book from a friend. It's probably the first fictional book I have read since grade school! I think I found a new hobby! My current book is In the Sanctuary of Outcasts. I have about 50 pages to go. This is a big accomplishment for me!

6. My other accomplishment of the week involves my mothering skills. I have successfully raised two boys that are proud of their gender. So much so, that they both refuse to use the "girls' bathroom" anymore. Yay, ME! No more dinner interruptions for me! Sorry, Jason! If you'll let us adopt a girl, I vow to take her to the bathroom to make up for this slight inconvenience! :)

3.03.2011

six on saturday


1. One of the things Jack's class does each week is write letters to a particular student. Jack was the "chosen one" a few weeks ago. I have read his little letters a hundred times. They make me smile. Here are a few of my favorites!



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Translation:

Dear Jack,
I love you Jack. You are so strong. Do you like pizza? I love your nice "BOOTS!" (I'm certain that said boots!) You run fast. Do you like flowers. Yes? I like your sparkly brown eyes. I like your name. Your friend, Erin



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Translation:

Dear Jack,
You are brave. Do you like pizza? I like your necklace. I like your stylish "BOOTS." (Again, I am certain they meant boots.) Your friend, Shondreya




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Translation:

Dear Jack,
You are artistic. Do you want to come hunting with me? Yes or no. My PawPaw will let you. Will your mommy and daddy let you? Will you come to my Mamaw's house? You will get to ride horses. Your friend, Jake


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Translation:

Dear Jack,
I like your shirt. It is very nice. Do you want to be my friend? You have a nice smile. What is your favorite color? I like your sparkly brown eyes. Your friend, Melissa

I'm enrolling in the class next week. This is good stuff for one's self-esteem!


2. Well--- maybe I'll wait until the week after next to enroll. Thankfully, we have Spring Break this week! It's a much needed break!

3. The boys are going to my parents' house for their break. We left Tupelo at 4:00 yesterday and had plans to meet halfway in Anniston, AL. I'd like to extend a great big THANK YOU to the great state of Alabama for shutting down one lane for CONSTRUCTION on a Friday night! You only stole 2 hours of my life! Our ETA of 7:30 turned in to 9:30! It was a LONG night!

4. Despite the slight disruption in our travel plans, we still had time to cruise through Target. Jason didn't get much shopping done due to multiple requests from fellow shoppers in the store. Evidently, if you wear khaki pants with a red shirt, people assume you are an employee. I was a little disappointed in Jason for not running with it! That situation could have led to lots of fun!

5. We are going to Dallas for a conference this week. Our flight left Tupelo at 7:00 AM this morning. As we checked in, I realized that we haven't flown since we brought Jack home from the orphanage 5 years ago. Things have changed. If I had known you had to take your shoes off to pass security, I would have chosen the socks without a small hole! Darn Terrorists! But what was most alarming was the fact that you have to pay to check your bags! $25 a bag! Really??? I miss the old days!

6. I'm currently sitting in the Memphis airport waiting on our connecting flight to Dallas. Luckily, Jason snagged an IPad 2 yesterday. Special thanks to Netflix and the iPhone 4 update that allows you to create your own WiFi spot! The wait is turning in to an enjoyable time of movies and relaxation!