The Table: A Place to Gather

"Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren't rubbed in but rubbed out.  Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice." ~Rick Warren

Rainy, damp, gray days tend to make me introspective and thoughts swirl in my mind more than they normally do.  I truly don't mind the "liquid sunshine" as we need all weather patterns to nourish and replenish.  This is true in my life, too~a time for every activity under heaven.

Recently, my soul has been especially anxious to move forward; take the next step; SOMETHING!! But, this is usually a good sign for me to really check my heart and ask, "Is this me just wanting to pave my own path?" Or, "Is this the Lord stirring a sense of action in me?"  As you probably know, this requires a keen ear to listen, I mean really listen without distractions, to what the answer is.  There is definitely a time to hustle (I tend to camp out here), but the last 3+ years have proven the other seasons of life (rest, apply and share) are just as important.  How many can relate? Be honest! 😉

It is interesting when you're in a waiting period to make decisions~ones that are beyond this month or next.  So, I am learning to really rely on a peace that goes far beyond me. I'm comfortable and familiar with planning stuff far out~meaning months from now.  But, it has become a case by case decision-making process.  In some ways it forces me (in a good way) to seize opportunities in the here and now which is not my forte.  I am again presented with another opportunity to gain wisdom and experience in this "a bit rough around the edges" area of my life.  I know I'm not alone on this train, so who else is nodding his head in agreement?

Talking carpe diem~seize MY moments~I did that and the result was SOME.KIND.OF.WONDERFUL!!  I have observed over my lifespan that I am wired and my soul is filled to the brim when I can community together.  Therefore, based on a short FB post, I offered up for some women to share dinner, conversation and life around the table.  I will ALWAYS make time for this!!!  In fact, our whole family loves to gather around the table.

We are in our last few weeks of flag football for Graham, and this has proven to be an endeavor filled with good AND hard lessons.  Our boy is super athletic, competitive and in that is learning the dance of being gracious and encouraging alongside flat-out "charge the hill!"  He has risen up to face conflict and challenges with honesty, courage, humility and boldness.  It has been pretty awesome to watch him wrestle with how to approach and effectively deal with interpersonal relationships~with the purpose and motivation to value the other person and clearly share his perspective.

Cam continues to show us how much he loves history and just learning in general.  He is taking a course at our co-op called Current World Problems, and it has proven to stretch and challenge him.  Our conversations over his diligence to always give his best effort (he invests hours into his homework for this class) is another reminder that our boy has always taken a healthy pride in his work.  He is a hard-worker and is never settled with mediocrity.  We are working through, though, productive over perfection.  I seem to recall I struggled with this, too, so he comes by it naturally. (I am still working on this at 44). 😊

For many years Doug and I were either part of a Life Group or facilitated one. Just recently we have felt a nudging on our hearts to pursue that type of community again.  This is another example of one of those decisions where we have held off due to our unknown departure date, but feel like we need to pour into others wherever He has us right NOW (remember the "present time" theme?)

We seem to be sharing a lot about our corner of the woods, but always are so encouraged to hear about what is unfolding in your lives~can we do that over coffee, a meal, a Skype call or phone call? ♥





Richer because of each of you~



The Hounshell Fam.

If you would like to support us financially in our journey, you can go to missionarycompanionministries.org.  In the top right click "donate", and you can follow the instructions from there.  Please fill in our missionary number, 4157, and then continue.

MONEY: the GOOD, the BAD, the LESSON

Here in the PNW we are savoring the cool, crisp mornings; crunchy leaves; and every indication that my favorite season is upon us. 🍁🍁  It seems every time a new season comes it reminds me of how there are clear seasons and chapters in our lives.  Each one marked by triumphs, hurdles and no doubt growth.  One of the most profound things about personal growth is that there is ALWAYS beauty in the process.  Think of the leaves slowly transforming from summertime greens to vibrant oranges, yellows and garnet in Autumn; and they usher in the spindly and barren limbs of Winter; and on into Spring where new growth and color are rebirthed.    Our lives can so parallel this, right?  One thing I'm learning is to embrace the "refining" lessons rather than resist or deny they're there.

In the past couple of weeks (since our last "meet up") an issue has risen in me that has been long standing, crippled me in areas of my life I wasn't even aware of and held me hostage. 

My perspective on Money.

There I said it.

Too much money or a lack of money, not managed honorably, can control us...and it has for me.  It never ceases to amaze me how God intertwines circumstances and "issues" in our lives to finally get our attention.  Two key areas of my life~~our move to the mission field and my business have brought this point to light.  So, my 1st action step was to rally an intimate accountability team that has permission to speak the hard truth to me.  This alone was tough because who wants to say, "Hey, I suck at this so could you help keep my feet to the fire?" Pride is an ugly thing, but when I acknowledge it for what it is it's pretty darn crazy what follows.  When God/the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts to be obedient He doesn't guarantee immediate results, but in His goodness He has already, like tangibly, rewarded me for a broken, surrendered, ready-to-change heart.  Gulp....

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. ~Proverbs 19:20
 
I share all that, not because I'm proud of it, because I'm surely not, but much more because maybe someone else can relate and needs the courage to acknowledge whatever is holding you in bondage.  There is real freedom when we do!!  And, I am learning this DOES NOT define me, but victory over it comes from the Lord, and HE DOES DEFINE ME! 

Can we talk tangible, like you can feel something but it's not physically there?  I love those moments that imagining something becomes reality.  This week we were out doing updated family pics, and we came upon this gem of a find~~an old rustic building adorned with the most perfect wheelbarrow of gourds.  We shot some awesome photos, and as we were leaving we happened on some grape trellises~with the most fragrant, ripe, perfectly sweet, hanging clusters of grapes.  For some reason, the conversation went to, "I wonder if this delightful smell will waft through heaven?" All that is good and pleasing to our senses came to mind~a gift really.  It reminded me all that we have to be grateful for~ALWAYS.

The three guys are learning Tagalog (you know I should be, too, but haven't fit it into my already crazy schedule), and I love to overhear them while they're listening and learning their language program.  Last week, I was blessed by a new connection where the value of learning the local language was further solidified.  One of Graham's friends from our homeschool co-op spent a number of years in Uganda with his family on the mission field.  Graham got to hang with his friend, and I got to listen and share with his mom.  SO GOOD.....SO, SO GOOD!!💗  They spent their first two years there learning the language and culture so her husband could do all his messages in the local dialect. This is why we, too, want to learn Filippino (formerly known as Tagalog) so that we can connect, share and fellowship whether someone knows English or not.

As we "bloom where we're planted" here we also actively continue to prepare, plan, rest and pray what God's next best step is for us in this journey.  Thank you for traveling with us....

Grateful, Honored, Blessed~


The Hounshell Four

If you would like to support us financially in our journey, you can go to missionarycompanionministries.org.  In the top right click "donate", and you can follow the instructions from there.  Please fill in our missionary number, 4157, and then continue.