Howdy y’all!
This is Ximena. It has been a while, I know! I wanted to let you know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I have been wanting to share an update about what is going on in life.
Richard is still on sabbatical. There weren’t many places where he could go because of the current situation. (COVID) Some of the ideas/plans he had needed to be change or cancelled because of the restrictions that some places are taking on visitors. Eventually, he will be sharing with you all his experiences throughout this process. I will ask you to keep him in your prayers during this time where he is spending time one-on-one with his Heavenly Father.
At the beginning of Summer, one of the funniest ways to start Richard’s sabbatical journey for me was the first day that he left to camp by himself in the WOODS!!! Did I mention “alone”?!?!
Well, literally fifteen minutes before he called to let us know that he had arrived at the camp site and he was going to be disconnected for a week, we received a call! There were some MK (missionary kid) sisters who shared that they were on their way to their parent’s house when they started having car problems. They were one hour away from us and here I was (panic mode on!), trying to fix the problem. All I could think was “Richard is not here, the car needs to be pull, Richard is not here!!!”
I will try to make the story short. I allowed myself to get out of the “crazy panicking mode” and asked God for direction and made my brain ‘shut up!’ so I could listen. Also, what could my husband who had just started his sabbatical in the middle of nowhere do? Well, thankfully their car turned on and allowed the girls to get to our house safe. Eventually, they were able to get their car to the mechanic behind our house. The car was repaired, problem fixed! And we just got a couple of days enjoying each other’s company and He still sits on the throne! God’s perfect timing and will was done! Frequently we call this an “inconvenience” Whatever interrupts my calendar, my schedule and gets in the way of what I planned for my day is an inconvenience.
Later on, I learned that the girls were coming from a difficult situation: a non-healthy place, missing home, feeling not loved, and feeling as if there were an inconvenience to the family who was hosting them. On the other hand, here was me feeling a little anxious about staying by myself with the kids during this pandemic (shout out to Diana who did this for a long time during the initial COVID break out!). Let me add that the mother of the girls (former missionary to Ecuador and someone who participated on the team who shared the gospel with me and my family) ended up driving to Memphis to be with her girls. There it was, all our needs where filled!
God didn’t need my “6-hours-away husband.” There was nothing Rich could do just because I was panicking. I believe that God will do His will for His precious kids. May it be done, even with my loud, non-stop thinking brain going on. I’m just glad, I was able to get quiet and listen so I could watch Him at work. Just like that, God’s room has been filled with His will during this summer. I ask you to pray for “brain quietness” so we can hear His voice and protection for our family while we try to let Him use God’s Room.
Summer is coming to a beautiful ending; many things are happening with some of y’all. Some have shared with us news and other we are just aware of. We praise the Lord for those who rejoice with blessings like new jobs positions, additions to your families, good changes, and beautiful opportunities. We have also shared in the sad emotions as some of you lost jobs, had health issues, lost a love one and even your marriage. You all know we pray for you often and each of you are dear to our hearts.
Over all, 2020 has being a year that we will all remember. A year that we all take as a reference point. Personally, I believe that 2020 was the year where I watched my Savior push the world’s “reset button.” It made us all stop, think, quiet, listen and be aware of our surroundings, evaluating ourself inside and out. It has been a year to determine what are real priorities are and who are the people that we really care for.
As many of us find all kinds of excuses of why this year sucks, I choose to see the beauty in it…to see the beauty in His will throughout this “inconvenient” year. So I give thanks for the time you had with family. I give thanks for that puzzle that you finished. I give thanks for the plants you watered during Spring and Summer. For that house project you completed (well done!). I give thanks for that “reason” why you chose to help someone, that warm meal you give away, or for those groceries you placed on someone’s door. I really truly believe that kindness was one of the main spiritual gifts we have seen this year and I praise God for the opportunity He has (and is!) giving us to practice it.
I wish health upon you and your family. I hope you can soon hug a family member that you are missing. I pray that your brain (just like mine) can get a little quiet so you can hear His voice and sing hallelujahs. If this season did not look anything like I mentioned before and you are experiencing loneliness, I pray that you can find Him and get a date with our Creator.
Roselands:
~I’m still working 4 days a week from home and only one of those I go to the Orphanos office.
~The kids are doing virtual school and it has been really challenging for them (us too!), but we are thankful for the opportunity and for having the option to keep them at home.
~Thankfully, this year we have had Richard at home, no traveling (or at least as much!). Can you please pray that the rest of the sabbatical time he has left will be full of good memories and experiences? Sometimes it gets chaotic here at the house and I feel that we can’t provide a peaceful place for him.
~For all the rest of our kids: Gustavo is doing good and he is in love. Eric got a job and is trying hard to finish his projects so that he can graduate. Mayumi is healthy and beautiful as always. Nico is still studying online from his grandma’s house in the jungle. We don’t know much about Inti, but the last we heard he was doing better with his depression.
Prayer Requests:
~Please keep Santiago in your prayers. Virtual school has been a difficult transition for him.
~Pray for ‘inconvenient” time for our family so we can see Him and hear His voice.
~Pray for the families that we are working close with for wisdom, health, opportunities and for lots of laughter through this Jesus process.
~We praise God for his provision, for a beautiful summer, for our family time, for keeping us healthy, and for each of you.
Please shoot me an email and let me know how can we can pray for you. And if time allows, would you consider writing a letter to Richard? He would really enjoy reading that.
Roselands
8240 Rebecca Woods Dr.
Arlington, TN 38002
Thank you for reading this note.
With love,
Mena
2 Chronicles 20:17, "You won't have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God's saving work for you take shape. Don't be afraid, don't waver. March out boldly tomorrow-God is with you." (If you have time, please read the whole chapter 20...it is amazing!)
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