WE GOT VISA APPROVAL!

Now for the finer details. We are screaming. We keep pinching ourselves! We got the letters in a few days ago. Here’s what we got: approval for Irish Stamp 4 visas (the normal, hassle-free kind to renew) for three years. 

It’s been frustrating to go through this. Even more frustrating still, that this news came when it was too late for us to book a trip stateside or to go to our yearly SFC conference in Germany. Eden starts school on the 29th of August. That’s not enough time to justify spending the money for a journey stateside. When we come over, we want to be able to really spend time with people! 

I (Katy) was just talking to my mom the other day (who is in Malawi on a short missions trip herself) and she reminded me that so many key things would not have taken place had we been in the States right now. It’s so good to have the support and encouragement from our families. 

This situation has shown us that, no matter what our situation, we can know that God understands and will carry us through. Although frustration and longing take place with all of us, we know that the future ahead is full of purpose.

The Coming Rain

There has been drought here in Ireland the past several weeks. No rain at all in what seemed like forever. A few days ago, the first sprinklings of rain finally came! It was refreshing; almost like seeing a friend again after a long absence. 

Most of the grass has died and made the landscape depressingly brownish. But, a few intrepid blades have lasted and a few new ones are popping up. 

As I sit here on the Trinity College campus, I’m glad that God has said this to me: he will rain down his Holy Spirit on this nation. It will be like the refreshment of welcoming home an old friend. On the grounds where I’m sitting have walked some people who loved the word of God. Before the college as we know it came to be (and some of the man-made bigotry that took place), people learned theology here. In fact, that was at the core of study. It might have been an English plot to reform the Irish, but God loves speaking to us in creative ways. 

And he loves a good plot twist. 

Since then, there has been a season of much-needed spiritual revival. But people haven’t much liked God’s word in the past 30 years or so. We have pushed him away and our spiritual landscape is looking bleak. But his rain is coming, to fill us once again and bring true refreshment to this land. Not forced by government, nationality or tradition, but breathed by the Spirit. 

Our Boys

Our boys both have summer birthdays. Eli turned 2 on June 14th, and Eden turns 5 on July 12th. I'm so proud of these boys and who they are becoming. I know it's just the beginning of their lives, but I'm overwhelmed daily with joy and love in them.

I can't express how much I've learned about God our Father from being a father myself. I'm often reminded of the lyrics of Reckless Love when thinking of my little dudes.

"No shadow You won't light up, mountain You won't climb up coming after me. No wall You won't kick down, lie You won't tear down coming after me."

If I feel that way so intensely about my two sons, how much more does God feel that about you and me? It's a humbling realisation and a life-changing revelation. I pray today you feel His love for you...the love that will ALWAYS get to you when you need it most. 

Happy birthday boys. I love you more than life...Daddy.