Our chosen reality, no matter what….

Eager to return to Uganda. Reluctant to leave behind in  the U.S.A. the many whom we love. Ready to get settled in at home again. Hesitant to pack up to leave where we are now. Full-of-heart in what we look forward to joining in the lives of those whom we love in Uganda. Sorrowful-of-heart in what we will miss in the lives of loved ones not in Uganda.

Packing for Uganda

 
Yes. This is where we are now. We are actively preparing to return to Uganda.  We look forward to getting back to Uganda. Our hearts are “turning toward home.” In about nine weeks we will be winging across time zones, oceans and continents to where our present joy-in-returning-to will rub out the sorrow-in-leaving we felt as we left Uganda late last year. And somewhere along the flight path our hearts will experience blended emotions while passing through the joy-in-arriving we felt as we winged our way to the U.S.A. a few months ago. We will swallow hard, sigh often and perhaps wipe tears of sorrow-in-leaving the ones we love in the U.S.A. 

We look forward to our visits with friends and groups in our remaining weeks before departure. We look forward to more family celebrations. We are grateful to partake of all these blessings.

We are eager to see our loved ones in Uganda, to listen to their stories and hear their hearts. We are excited to celebrate together God’s faithful provision and His care while we have been apart from each other. It will be good to go on sharing God’s word, being reminded of God’s great love for each of us, connecting others to Jesus.But to get there we must first go through the difficult process of separation. It hurts because we are loved, because we love. We face it straight up, though, knowing there is joy to be found in the process, as is always the case when we walk it with Jesus. We trust Him, and He is faithful.

This is our reality. And we surrender to it willingly. We trust God. We believe Him. We choose Him and His way, no matter what we may perceive to be the cost. No matter how high the mountains. No matter the trials. No matter how often, how much change takes place. Our present reality is good even while it is hard. We choose to follow Jesus wherever He leads us and in Him we find deep joy. We are happy along the way.

This is our chosen reality, and it helps us to often sing, “One Thing Remains.” May your hearts be encouraged too! No matter what….

                                              One Thing Remains

                                         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 and 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 :)

                                                                                                  

                                                                                Songwriters
                                                                                BRIAN JOHNSON, JEREMY RIDDLE, CHRISTA BLACK

                                                                                Published by Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC