I missed my front porch. We sold our house in 2010 to go overseas on missions work, oh how I loved every minute of it! Never regretted selling the house and almost every piece of furniture I had collected in 30 years of marriage. It was supposed to be permanent.
Yes, I loved that house, loved living in the “woods”. Loved the front porch, the country living, small-town life of a pastor’s wife.
But we were ready for the calling God had given us and away we went to Eastern Europe to the Baltics.
Another people. Another world. What a journey, we were there to impact them for the Kingdom but they changed me too. We lived in a Soviet apartment with a Russian landlady who we dearly loved. But no front porch. No trees, no grass to mow, no deer in my back yard, or bobcat, goats or the neighbors chickens.
We had Bible studies, English clubs, fellowship groups, and church. Lives were impacted, friendships were forged, and eternities were altered.
I had to give up my swing, no more squirrels in my hanging pots or chipmunks in my hostas to scare me to death as they darted across the sidewalk. I gave up the country life to go halfway around the globe to share Jesus with strangers.
It was worth it.
Don’t sit me on the porch…
Linking with Sunday Community, The Weekend Brew
Thank you. You were so sweet and kind and encouraging. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing your story at The Weekend Brew!
Home truly is where God calls us to be. Sometimes that is difficult…but He helps us adjust when we realize it is His will and we are making a difference! I am sorry it was a heartbreak for you but that He turned it into something beautiful God is so good like that! Blessings to you friend! May God bless you wherever you are planted! ♥
Thank you Barbara! Love your insights as always! Love your blog! ♥
Kaye, thank you so much for sharing this. It is hard to slow down, I have had to do that too but now it is a different season. You are right, through it all, no matter what season of life, He is teaching us in our different circumstances. I love how you said we join together to serve an awesome God! Blessings to you as well dear friend. So good to have you today. ♥
🙂 I can totally relate. God has led me away from a home I loved to help minister to family who I love, and others along the way. In my case tho, many times He HAS had me sit on the front porch – which made me chuckle at your article – being a very busy, somewhat-hyper individual, that’s been one of the hardest parts of the journey – to slow down a bit as I care for both young and old. Then again, it’s also been one of the more rewarding parts. It’s always a blessing to see how God leads so many of us in opposite directions, yet through it all, He is right there with each of us, leading us – guiding us – teaching us, often similar lessons in totally different circumstances. Truly, we join together to serve an awesome God! May God’s blessings continue abundantly on your sweet journey and thank you for a lovely Sunday visit. 🙂
Thank you Barbara. Looking forward to visiting Latvia again in September. Who knows what God has planned for the future. Our lives are in His hands! Blessings to you!
I too gave up my beautiful front porch but for different and heartbreaking reasons. But God made the move beautiful and I would never go back. Home is really just where God has called us to be.
so worth it…. thank you!
God is good…we all have a mission field! Blessings to you for allowing this venue. ♥
Amen! What a great testimony!! :)Thank you so much for linking up with us this weekend at One Sharendipity Place!!
Sue @TheT2women.com
Uganda! How exciting! And how lovely that you were able to buy your home again…I am living across the road from the home that I raised My Three Sons in and my husband grew up in. We sold it it to go into full time ministry and I would love to buy it back again…some day 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and sharing! Bless your ministry!
Looking forward to hearing all about your trio in August. praying for you too and thanks for praying for us!
I truly understand. We sold the house we cared for when we became missionaries… and it was sold to family … and bought it back nearly 6 years ago. Love it dearly!! Certainly can understand what you have gone through. We have a very small front porch, yard, BUT very happy to be back. [We’d prefer living in Uganda again, but can’t go unless the Lord sends us again.]
Yes we are in the States right now. We are sharing the Revival plan that we used in the Baltics, traveling and teaching seminars for revival and church growth. I also had to come home for my health for a while, I have degenerative SI joint disease and am facing double surgery as soon as my insurance comes through for me. 🙁 It worked out for now, they needed us here to launch Revival by Design (you can read about it in a tab on my home page) in the States so God always knows what is best but I miss it so. We will be back there in September for a few weeks. Praying God’s will! ♥ And praying for you and your ministry friend!!!
Nanette (Candace Jo), where are you both now? Back in the States or still in Russia? 🙂
Oh wow! Guatemala! I don’t know if I could take the heat…my hubby did Nicaragua a couple of years ago and because of my back and other issues, I passed 😉 but he would go to South America in a heartbeat. My prayers will be with you!! So glad you stopped by and I will be looking forward to connecting as well! ♥
Hello Nannette,
It’s so wonderful to connect with you. Thank you for coming by my page and for following me. Your kind words were a blessings. I look forward to getting to know you better. Loved this post. I’m headed on my first short term mission trip in a little over a month to Guatemala. Makes my heart beat a bit faster just thinking of the lives you must have impacted. God is so AMAZING.
Blessings to you,
Beth