The Hills Roll On

Gavin and I savored some quiet moments this morning as we leaned out the window overlooking the incredible coastal hills nestling towns of this valley. We agreed that this is by far the most beautiful view we’ve ever had from any place we’ve lived. It’s moments like that as we savored the sweetness of this time and place that make the fast approaching departure that much harder.

It seems like we only arrived a few weeks ago. How can we be leaving so soon?? I know it doesn’t feel like that to our dear family and friends in North America who miss us (especially Eden!). But for us, the swiftness of this time, of this LIFE, is in that much clearer as we prepare to leave Spain.

But all is not wreathed in sadness. We have so much to look forward to as well! This Friday (May 5) marks the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next. We will say hasta luego (until the next time) and embark on our cheapie-cheapie flight to London for a wonderful weekend shared with friends from all over this world! Not only the Lawlers in London, but their family (friends from our home church) who are visiting as well! And as an extra special once in a lifetime bonus, we get to hang out all Saturday with our dear friends John, Rachel and Aria Clancy! They are living in India right now completing John’s internship, so we didn’t know WHEN we’d see them again. They just happen to be in London for a wedding…sweet!!

Then, in the blink of an eye, Monday May 8th will come and we’ll be boarding another plane bound for Ottawa. Wonderful surprise, Denise (Gavin’s mum) will be flying back from her vacation in England on the same flight! Your prayers as we fly through 4 time zones bumping well into Eden’s sleep time are much appreciated. When we arrive in Ottawa at 5 pm, it will feel like 11 pm to her little system.
Our brief 10 days in Ottawa has been set apart for relationships, primarily with our immediate families, church family and close friends. We won’t be able to see nearly all the people we’d love to see, but we are comforted by the fact that we’ll see them soon enough this October.

The next big thing will involve boarding our third plane in 2 weeks only one day after our 4th anniversary. Back to Bethany College in Minneapolis to complete our final semester (a condensed summer so we can all graduate early..shucks:( just kidding…) More about this in a future posting!

For now, we’ll continue to share updates and of course plenty of pics on this site, so thank you for coming by and blessing us with your visit!

His and yours,

Gavin, Tara & Eden

ps: Our prayer section for May has been updated, so for those of you who lift us up, thank you!!!

This is it! The last week of internship! Life is about to take some significant upheavals as we travel this month to London, Ottawa then Minneapolis. Your prayers for our safety and some of the following specifics are truly appreciated. We could not do this alone.

For Gavin: There are many changes ahead, many things out of my control, many things that are needed that I cannot personally provide.  I need more of His wisdom and grace in this month for. Please pray that I would continue to trust and seek the Lord in all things.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;  

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

~ Proverbs 3.5-6

For Tara: God’s promise to me for this time of upheaval and transition came through the tender song ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ beautifully redone by Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple. He will lay Himself down, like a bridge over troubled water, and make a way for me to pass through these turbulent waters of change. I have peace that surpasses understanding because He is my Source, my Hope, my All.
So if you pray anything for me, pray that I will simply rest in Who He is. That I will surrender all my fear so I might fully embrace Him Who carries me.

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63.7-8

For Eden: We’ll try to keep things ‘normal’ for as long as we can, but the day will come when we leave and much will change. God’s grace has been upon Eden from the moment she sparkled into existence and will go with her every moment of her life. Thank you for praying specifically for her as the Holy Spirit leads you.

I just read this heart pouring blog from an amazing, inspiring, wish-we-could-spend-more-time-together-friend of mine (Ginger)…it captures so much of what I am going through that I just want to share some of it with you…

Where are we going?
What will we do?
How will we get money?
When will we be settled?
Where will the girls go to school?
Who will we be?
Who will be our friends?
Where will we go to church?
Where will we go next?
Will we be safe from robbers, persecutors, perverts?
How will our dreams come true?
How will we secure our future?
How will we prepare our daughters for this life?

I DON’T KNOW! But God does . . . .

…So by faith I will pack up this house not knowing where or when we will unpack. By faith I will embrace the weakness of travel, homelessness, and parenting small children in public. On my knees I will pray for my daughters, listen to God and raise them without embarrassment. By faith I will trust my dreams visions and passions to His timing and His ways. By faith I will pack knowing that He has said GO.

I sighed a knowing sigh after reading her recent post. On one hand I feel for her. On the other I am comforted because I am not alone in the walk of faith. As I reflected on our shared thoughts, our vast emotions and our Marvelous God, I came across a verse that spoke to my heart with such piercing clarity I felt I would weep….

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.

~ Jeremiah 29.11

We are on the cusp of another great move with God…and though my heart often fills with fear and spills over into gnawing questions in my mind, I am comforted by the God of All Comfort, who DECLARES that I can trust Him no matter what…just let go of the vain attempts at control and He will do far more than I could ever ask or imagine! Praise Him FOREVER!!!