Treasuring the Moments

In spite of the sad news this week regarding our home arrangements next week, we've had some fun moments... Tuesday evening Koy, Sone, Nouy, Touy (and her bro and boyfriend) and I all went to the Mekong to do some shopping. The sky was so beautiful. And I'm so thankful for how the Father has brought each of these sweet people into my life. I have truly been touched by each of them.

 Two of my faves here... Touy and Sone. Touy has become like an extra roommate she visits us so often and I love how she has totally bonded with Sone and Nouy too. It's been a joy to see the Father work in her life this semester.

 A beautiful sky... Painted by Healing Hands

 There's just something about feeling like you're losing something that makes you treasure the moments you do have even more. With the news this week that S and N wouldn't be able to live with us next year, it has seemed to make every moment more special...and being the big cry baby I am, I tear up with each moment! Sone cleaned my room for me yesterday while I was giving exams and I walked in and saw it and started bawling. Something has also changed in S's heart since she heard the news. At first she was really sad too, of course, but the Father has given her great wisdom and strength regarding the big change and she has been speaking truth to my heart every day. In fact, the very next day she wanted to read together and we've been reading together every morning since. Each day it seems the Father gives me a segment of Truth to cling to...Trust in Him with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding...He will direct your paths...Consider it all joy...Cast all your cares on Him...I know the plans I have for you...for a hope and a future... His Truth has come alive to me more in these past few days than in a long time...and I think the same has been happening in S's heart. He is so good, and He never forsakes His sheep.

Another cool thing is S has loved learning guitar and she is learning W songs on the guitar now. This picture, though not the best, captures the joy that playing guitar is bringing to her! I remember how much playing the guitar blessed me 9 years ago when I first started learning and was going through a really low time in my life.

Another sentimental moment is captured in this picture...

 Nouy was cooking dinner last night and I started to think about how many meals we've shared and the ridiculous amount of laughter that she has brought into our home (often because I let out a shocking belch in the middle of dinner, or because of a funny language miscommunication, which happens all the time!), and I just blubbered like a baby and Nouy hugged me and said, "Ok, I will make something special." She had her apron on, shut the door and wouldn't let us in until she was completely finished.  

Here she is explaining about her meal. She's such a cutie! I will miss the joy and laughter she has brought into our home!

Sad

This is still a little fresh, tears haven’t quite dried yet, so I apologize in advance.

Had lunch with my boss/team leader today and he had some pretty hard news…The Dean of our faculty told him about a new rule that doesn’t allow teachers to live with any current students at the university, regardless of if they aren’t your students.

Translation: Sone and Noui have to move out at the beginning of next school year.

I realize it’s not the end of the world, especially in light of the recent loss I was told about at home.   There are far harder tidings to bear.

But  for me it’s still a loss. Sone and Noui are really the only family I’ve had here. They are sisters to me in the realest sense. Our home of 4 feels complete, like a real family; I mean, we even have a dog (somehow a dog makes things seem more official). Christa is often gone much of the time, so Sone and Noui and I are usually at home together, often eating all 3 meals together during a day. We laugh and we cry and we act crazy and, of course, argue sometimes. We cook together, talk to the Father together, play Uno or Jenga on weekends for hours with my students who come over. They have enriched my life in so many ways.

Thinking about not having that next year makes me feel really sad. The house will be so empty.  Living with Lao roommates has been one of the best roommate experiences I’ve ever had.

My boss said he would appeal to our dean based on the fact that they live in our home already. In fact, I never think of it as they live in my home, I think of it as our home collectively.  One of the main reasons Noui was able to come study was because of the money they were able to save living with us. 

Last night we sang the song Blessed Be Your Name and I tried to lay this down. He gave me a wonderful year living with my two sisters. I ask for another, but if He doesn’t see fit, there must be a better, higher purpose that is greater than the pain our hearts feel. Sometimes, (and I know we all have felt this multiple times) I just wish I could see from His vantage point and understand His ways.