Waiting on the Long-Expected

This blog has been linked up to Velvet Ashes because it goes along with their theme of Keeping Watch!

"Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I keep saying these things because I still can’t quite wrap my head around feeling Christmasy in 80+ degree weather. Thankfully, the winter breezes have returned and we can happily switch off all AC units for the next few months. Maybe this will be our new marker for “Christmas” each year? There is not a crispness to the air, only a few lights and wreaths decorate the island, and there is definitely a 0% chance of snow. All my boots are still safely packed up in Tennessee. We are creating some new markers though; decorating the house and the tree, Christmas movies as much as possible, hot chocolate in snowman mugs, and the upcoming FOUR weeks of Christmas break the kids have from school.

Part of the feeling of Christmas I love is longing for what God is about to do. The waiting in expectation that He will move, that He will save! Knowing that He did, and still does, fulfill what He promises. Waiting is a big part of our lives. We do what He asks of us, then we wait on Him to fulfill the promises. Opened doors and open hearts. Lives changed. Hope believed. We can’t do any of that ourselves. But we can obey. And wait.

It’s easy to begin to identify with the Israelites who were waiting for the Messiah. We too get distracted, discouraged, and anxious. We question, pray, try again, and aim to trust Him no matter what is happening around us. We believe that He will do these things, and so we wait on God to move.

God did come through on His promise to the Israelites. He sent His own son, Jesus, our Messiah and Savior! It is because of this, because of Jesus and the hope He brings, that we know the waiting is only temporary.

We wait for the day that we can have Celebrate Recovery in the prison consistently each week, but we praise God that the doors are open to us most of the time.

We wait for an opportunity for both of us to be able to teach at the juvenile rehabilitation center, but we praise God that Aaron has been allowed to go almost every week for two years.

We wait for other churches to set aside time to train and run Celebrate Recovery in their own communities, but we praise God that our church’s CR is going strong.

We praise Him for every opportunity He gives us to love and serve those around us.

So many of our prayers have been answered already! Prayers for helpers to come alongside us. Two friends from church, Shawn Wigley and Tennis Layman, are now helping us out with our prison program! And a third friend from church, Marlo Dorsett, is helping at New Horizons. He is growing up leaders within the CR programs who we believe will be able to help us continue the work as they grow in their walks with Christ. He provided for our kids to be in school, for them to make friends, and even for a community of children right in our tiny neighborhood! God is making this sweet place home for us, and He is doing the work in His time.

So, what about you? What is it that makes you feel like it’s Christmastime? What are you waiting on in this season?

Pictures of November and December:

My sweet parents came to visit at the beginning of November!

The kids showed them around their new school

Then they took us up to stay on the mountain for the weekend. It was so wonderful and restful and such a precious way to spend time all together.

Saying goodbye is just the worst. We hate it and it does not get easier. Thankfully, my parents can visit every few months, but the goodbyes still bring long hugs and tears.

Clover, our dog, was invited to her very first birthday party for her best friend Scarlett.

Scarlett's mom, Amanda, has become one of my best friends. She is a vet student, and is moving off the island this month. I'm going to miss her like crazy!

Some of my other sweet vet students friends came over to blow off steam before finals!

I taught Hanna how to make bread (Thank you Carrie Mills for teaching me!)

Tori played with my kiddos and joined us for dinner that night.

Spending time with these young women blesses me so much! If you aren't pouring into someone younger than you, I suggest you get you some young people. They will teach you as much as you teach them!

Aaron turned 33!

We slept in, went to lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant, and enjoyed the pool. December birthdays are a bit different here than in Tennessee.

Shawn, Aaron's new co-teacher in the prison, and Cleo joined us for lunch!

One of our new favorite Christmas traditions is our church's Christmas Candlelight Service! It was our third one and it was so sweet and full of joy.

Everyone pitching in to get ready!

Cutest volunteers ever! Passing out candles and candy canes.

Goodies waiting to be eaten. Yum!

Dean chose to sit with Aaron and I for the service. We enjoyed worshipping (and snuggling) with Him.

The hardest part of the evening is that we say goodbye to those leaving the island this month. While I hate goodbyes, it is a reminder of how wonderful it is to have been able to say 'hello' and get to know these individuals. I only cried a little bit ;)

The kids have only 3 days left of school! Then they get 4 weeks of beautiful Christmas break.

Dean's teacher posted a class photo. His sweet little blonde head really stands out! His buddy Henry said Dean has "Tennessee hair."

Addalyn's class celebrated the 50th day of school by dressing up like they were from the '50's!

Christmas hit our house!

Addalyn wrapped her own present for her school's Secret Santa.

Dean can not take a normal picture lol

We decorated the tree!

Windows may be open, but it's Christmas time and we are making the most of it!

Our church here helps to support a wonderful ministry called Child Evangelism Fellowship. As part of the leadership at church, we were invited to attend a Thanksgiving Banquet for CEF.

It was held at the Government House, the home of the Governor General who is a representative of the Queen of England. It was beautiful!

Mavis, the national director of CEF, is such a blessing to us! She allowed us to meet for CR in her office last year, and still allows us to use it for the kids during our meetings. Her passions for the Lord, for prayer, and for children are evident to every person who meets her.