One year.

Tonight one year ago we wearily climbed down the plane steps and for the first time walked into the muggy strangeness of Cambodia. A land and people we had only seen in pictures and heard about was suddenly our reality, our life. Strange smells and nameless sounds assaulted our senses. Alarm rattled in the corners of our brains as we rode in the warm open air to the place that was to be our home, seeing our new friends sweaters and hearing their shivers and exclamations about the unusually chilly weather. This – chilly?! Why were we coming here again? The house was big and much different than the picture our minds had conjured up, and a frightening amount of scaly reptiles inhabited it with us.

It doesn’t seem like it could really have been a year ago. It feels like it was only yesterday, but at the same time it feels like half a lifetime ago. Time is strange like that. As our family sat around the table in the restaurant this evening, celebrating our one year Cambodia anniversary, I thought back over our first year and my heart was full.

It’s been hard. There have been challenges, sorrows, adjustments, and tears. But it has been good…so good. God is moving in our hearts and working all things for our good. He has been with us every step of the journey, with grace for the moment.

We thank Him for His goodness. For His provision. For His grace. For you, our friends who have been a constant encouragement and support to us.

I will write more…later. Grandad arrived tonight and it is very late. For now, like last year right this time, I am going to close my weary eyes and sleep.

Thank you Father for this year of grace.