Holding On

Sorry I haven’t been around lately. I miss meeting you here, but we’re in moving mode and it hasn’t left time to write. I feel as if we’re living in a centrifuge, spinning all over Portugal, flying around being separated into our component parts, trying desperately to maintain hold of our Center, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. “My soul clings to You, o God; Your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8).

Thank you for praying that Drex and I would get along without Debbie’s mitigating presence while she works in Lisbon on VisitingPortugal.com stuff. God has been giving me extra patience lately (a lovely feeling) and Drex and I have been having a nice time. But please don’t stop praying. As is required of nine-year-olds, Drex is manifesting his individuality and independence more and more and it will only be by God’s grace that we find that balance between latitude and limit ideally suited to him and to the new adventures each day brings. Because I felt it a cultural necessity for our children to be familiar with it, Debbie got me a copy of the original Rocky film for my birthday (which isn’t until September) and I accidentally opened it in her absence. Drex and I have watched it several times. (It is so quaint.) We’ve agreed to run together up the steps of the Philadelphia Institute of Art some day and bounce with our arms aloft. Drex bought a punching bag and has entered into training. Please pray his interest in boxing remains mild.

Please ask God to give us discernment about involvements in Lisbon. There are lots of things we might do. Obviously, VisitingPortugal will take up a portion of our time, but it is not clear how much. Nor do we know whether Crista da Onda (Crest of the Wave), the ministry to at-risk adolescents with which we are already involved, will get a little of our time or a lot. I hope to continue to be involved with Habitat for Humanity and dream of leading two Habitat Global Village teams per year to Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Mozambique and Brazil. I intend to write. There are lots of other possibilities, too. We expect God will clarify to what He would have us hold on and what He would have us let go.

Thanks very much for holding on to us and praying for us. Every spiritual blessing to you in Christ Jesus.