I'm sure that anyone following me has unfollowed me because of my long hiatus from blogging.
My last entry was about how disoriented I felt as I returned to my passport country and had no means to find a proper compass heading. I became desperate and very "needy" to find someone to help and give me answers. No one can make the journey for you but God does hear the cry of your heart.
People were sent to assist: a few friends, family that was and is always there, a therapist who was a good listener, a retreat that gave me some breathing room, and that brought me to the Fall of 2015.
My calling as a missionary and my dreams of learning and growing as a cross-cultural worship minister led me to launch a YWAM seminar: University of the Nations ATS 308/309 Introduction to Cross-Cultural Worship Ministry - a 3 week seminar in Lonavala (Mumbai) India in November 2015.
Since I'd be gone so long I certainly needed a good dog sitter for my two terriers: Honey (12 yrs old) and Ebony (2 yrs old). Quite a handfull, if I do say so myself.
A distant cousin, Karl, offered to dog-sit and I was very grateful. Karl had been so helpful and kind in my adjustment back to the USA. A widower and retiree he had time to help put together IKEA furniture and help me with repairs. We knew each other from family reunions and he was also a mission partner for a few years.
Well...
While I was in India that long month of November 2015, Karl messaged and connected with me daily... at first under the guise of a "Dog Blog" to give me updates on my dogs. But we were talking about everything and I absolutely LOVED it! I recalled that earlier that year he had invited me to a dinner theater with his daughter and son-in-law... what a fun evening that was. We'd also taken a cruise to Alaska for my 60th birthday - I was so clueless because he was "family" that I didn't even realize that he was interested in me romantically.
Then I came home from India....
He met me with dogs, food, flowers, and wine.... WOW! How nice!
A few days later he shared his feelings towards me and, after a major paradigm shift in my mind, I realized how PERFECT he is for me.
We were married 5 months later and it is absolutely the BEST thing ever for this girl!
When I was young (okay 21 or 23yrs old) I felt I had a word from God that someday I would be married and would I be willing to wait? Yes, was my answer. WHO KNEW it would be until I was 60 years old?!!! But I'm telling you, Karl was worth the wait. He is super!
As far as my adjusting to America goes... I now have my very own personal tour guide to America and he has also anchored me into my home country in a way that probably nothing else could have done.
My questions about "why do I need to move back to America, Lord?" are now answered and I am very, very, very fulfilled... in ministry and mission and also in a very deep place in my heart of hearts.
THANK YOU, JESUS!
