The Seven Puffs...Trying To Live By Faith: Staying At The Top

Hmmm...trying to stay at the top can be a challenging thing, no matter what you are talking about. Whether its staying in peak physical fitness, keeping a high average in academia, or even reaching a state of peace that all is right with the world. Its easiest for me to relate this to athletics. I still remember my coach saying it takes two months to get into shape, but only two weeks to slip out of it. Yes, its so easy to fall... staying at the top is hard.

Our family has theoretically reached that pinnacle in our stay abroad. Given that the Lord doesn't have different plans, we have reached that mid-point and are now on the other side of the mountain, going down. There is part of me that is eager to get back to what I still in my heart feel is normal...normal seasons, normal population, normal transportation, normal shopping, normal life. But a larger part of me aches to think about leaving this place, that for us has largely become normal. So, the challenge that I am faced with is to stay in the moment...stay at the top...and stop looking too far ahead. I think we all struggle with this challenge, wherever we are in life. This can be especially difficult when you are a planner. This characteristic does not come naturally for me, I usually leave it for my Type A husband. But being a mother of five has forced me to do a little more than I used to do. It's funny because I am torn between really wanting to know what is next for us...and not wanting to know. It kind of nice to be oblivious...ignorance is bliss? But I do realize this will not last forever. And I assure you (family) that as the time come closer, we will do some planning. But for now, and as long as I can, I will enjoy this time that God has gifted us here. A place that I wouldn't have even dreamed of us being in a million years. It has afforded us countless blessings and difficult challenges, neither of which I would change.

Speaking of change, which if I'm honest, is probably what scares me the most, I was reminded this past Sunday of a very important truth that my husband and I hold dear to. It was found in a song we sang in church called "One Thing Remains" If I was at all tech savvy I would leave a link here...but alas I am not, so here are some of the lyrics that captured my heart...

"Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me (x3)

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, in life, I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid, there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love"

Yes, that pink line grabbed my heart and reminded me that He is constant and He has a plan...

Here are some photos from our October Happenings...