Life: A Wild Rollercoaster

Hello Family and Friends,
Life as we get ready to go to Scotland has been a little bit of a rollercoaster. Much of the last month we have been in and out of government offices in attempt to get all the appropriate documents: passports, birth-certificates, visas, etc. The visa process has been the most stressful because Dave had to send off his application to the British Consulate in LA without all the money they require to have in our account for living expenses. We had been waiting for our car to sell and some other moneys to come in, but we had to send it in to have any chance of the application being accepted in time. Now we just wait hoping that the person who opens Dave’s envelope sees everything he or she needs to see. A high in the month was finding out a little more about some of the opportunities we’ll have with UCCF. Dave will probably mentor college student leaders of the Christian Unions, teach at regional and national conferences throughout the U.K., and help with content for UCCF’s theology website. We are super excited about the possibilities!! We had our first ER scare with Jaye; everything was alright but it was a difficult few hours (checkout our blog desearight.blogspot.com for more details). Our home church this month accepted us as official missionaries, although they are unable to support us financially at this time, it adds a little more confirmation that we are on the right path. And right now we are between two weekends in which we our hosting moving sales to raise money.
We compare the last month to a rollercoaster because it reminds us of the feelings many people get before they jump on their first rollercoaster. It may look and sound terrifying, but like all rollercoasters once you are willing to trust that it was well built, see that others have gone before you with great joy, you are willing to get on, and after the long clicking climb up and the first drop and few turns you don’t want it to stop! Even though at times this month we have been scared, discouraged, and confused, we don’t want off of the ride. We know that God is good and this “rollercoaster” He has got us on is wonderful because He is in CONTROL and can be TRUSTED!
The themes of control and trust have been an anthem for us because of a couple verses God has put on our hearts: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9); and “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7). At first these verses could seem almost unfair, how are we to control our feelings? How are we to make ourselves feel strong, courageous, to rejoice when we feel weak, terrified, and angry? The answer is right there, it is the presence of our God who has an unfailing love for us. These commands are almost like a pep talk or a description of those who live in the reality that the LORD—who loves us, who is with us, who has gone before us, who created the universe—can be trusted and is in control. We have heard from God, “So rejoice, be strong, be courageous, and be at peace Searights because I have already made the path for you, just trust me that I have everything in control.” Only living in this place can we be protected from bitterness and fear, making it possible to truly feel thankful and at peace in all things.
An example of this is the fact that the first letter we sent out Dave forgot to put a vital “response card” (which you will find this time) in the letters and he beat himself up for about a day. The next morning Dave was reading John Calvin discussing the providence of God—Calvin argued that God created the universe and therefore planned all things—meaning God planned (a reason He may only know) for Dave not to put those “response cards” in the letters. Dave realized that the Creator can work around some of his “idiocy” because He has reasons for the absence of the “response card.” Giving Dave peace about the whole thing, God is good!