"I'm Grateful."

This Sunday, our family here had a meeting by the lake in our city. A special meeting, that the likes of which, I may never get to see again while I'm living in Turkey. We celebrated new life. It was such an encouragement, but it only started the day. I realized today what I feel here in Turkey now and what I will feel when I leave here next year, summed up in three tiny words...two if you make it a conjunction. (smile). But, before I tell you that, I must tell you that while we were gathering, an entire herd of sheep decided that they would join us! Literally the whole herd, daddies, mommas, and babies all paraded right in the middle of our group and just kept going, well eventually kept going... after taking a short break in the shade of one of our cars! Tell me when was the last time that happened to you on Sunday morning where you are! Instead of 'Amen's' flying around, there was the occasional sheep's bleating...(or just a bah here, a bah there... a bah bah everywhere). I don't know if Chip or Buddy would have been able to handle it with a straight face! Unlike anything can prepare you for and we just kept on singing!

Today a couple that have lived here in Turkey for eight years said goodbye to their friends and family and what had become their home. Eight years. He shared what a friend had once shared with him, and I in turn will share with you because it will be my answer, too. He said that when asked, "Do you feel happy or sad to be leaving Turkey?"...he could only remember a friend's answer that stayed with him since: "I'm grateful." Those words just resounded in my heart today as I listened to him share his heart with us and as later I watched and heard their brothers and sisters stand around them--some Turkish--and pray and send them off with crying. There was just no other way to do it. Their lives have had too much of an impact on these people, here in this place to send them off without some tears. God brought them here, and He is taking them back now to where they came from. I couldn't help but think as the man shared today, that his answer is my answer. It's my answer today, and it will be my answer next year when I leave. Was I happy or sad to leave America and come to Turkey? Am I happy or sad to be here in Turkey now? Will I be happy or sad to leave Turkey?

I'm grateful. I am so grateful to be doing what I am doing here. I am so blessed to be here learning what I am learning, seeing God in new ways with fresh eyes, loving Him in new ways, and living richly in Him in ways that I'll take back with me and cherish, forever. So, if you ask me in a year and a half...you should know that my answer will be his sentiments exactly, it already is. I'm grateful. I will forever be grateful for Turkey.