Good evening blog followers....this is one tired Mom writing here as we are about 36 hours away from our departure to Brazil. I have to admit....in the last few weeks, I am somewhat at a loss for words. I have come to the blog many times to write, but the words simply do not come. I go to my journal where usually the words flow easily, but my heart is quiet and my hand is still. I guess maybe one might call it writer's block...but I don't think that's it. To be honest with you, my heart is a bit heavy amidst the excitement of returning to Brazil. As I long for the place that I know the Lord has called us to, the worries and difficulties of this journey linger around me. It is an uneasy feeling that causes me to cling even closer to my God who, unlike me, does not change like shifting shadows. He is always the same...yesterday, today, and forever. My refuge. And so it is there I stay...even as I leave my own country, and my own culture, for the pursuit of his will somewhere else. Perhaps I can be wise to learn the lesson of listening more closely to God in these times and in those seemingly empty moments that may be actually full of what I really need....MORE OF HIM AND LESS OF ME. Please continue to pray for us. Pray that we will not grow weary under the pressures and demands of a committment to service. Pray that we will have wisdom and discernment with each and every decision we make for our children and our family. Pray that God will bring forth great fruit out of our meager efforts to love others in Jesus' name. Brad and the boys will return on New Year's Day. The girls and I will stay until January 21. We are grateful for every minute of it.
With great anticipation and overwhelming humility,
Robbyn for the Hanstads
