Hello, folks … and see you later! We're on our way out of the country on Wednesday to Nigeria and will be counting on all of your prayers as we separate for a time as a family to do what God's asked us to.

In the meantime, a great group of friends is moving us completely out of our rental and into our new house - exciting and VERY chaotic! But I think the peace of mind I feel in general is proof positive of God's work in my life—a couple of years ago I couldn't have handled so much upheaval.

The chaos and pressure that God allows in our lives is so clearly for our growth and productivity. I have known this in theory, but this year I am learning it with my life. It actually may have begun when we lost our mom to cancer and my "charmed" sort of life went out the window. I am growing in the awareness that I am simply human and therefore a mess, and that this allows me to experience God's truly amazing grace. (Have you seen the movie? It's very good!)

Instead of worrying about all the disorder around me, I guess I have resigned myself to it. I'm not yet thrilled about it, but I can coexist with it, at least for periods of time. And I'm not defined by it. I am a woman who is strong and capable, fragile and messed up, broken and mended, a mass of contradictions. But God is strong, and can be strong in me when I let Him. He can also be strong in my children and husband and others, and we can grow together in our messiness.

Nigeria is bound to be messy. We will not be sleeping in fancy hotels, we will be washing clothes by hand, we will be sweating profusely in 100 degree weather. We will be painting buildings and bouncing along in Jeeps and in regional airplanes (yikes! God is in control!), being stopped by real guards and fake guards who might take our money and cameras.

But God will be there. And in Psalm 91, He tells us all we need to know. HE is our dwelling place, no matter where we are. And when we live in Him, we are safe.

We're so looking forward to telling our stories when we return (maybe after we put a few dishes away). Know this: every one of your prayers are appreciated for us and for our children and for the people of Nigeria, who so desperately need the friendship and help of those who are able.

I will try to write a blog if we can get to an internet connection. If not, I will report after Easter sometime. We love you and appreciate you all. (-=