Alli: My title is Momma

When I was in 3rd grade my piano teacher gave me a book about Gladys Aylward. This young lady, for a time was a "foot-inspector" in China. Little girls feet were bound in order that they remain small, she and another missionary went around villages enforcing a new law that binding girls feet was no longer allowed. Later on she opened an orphanage, adopted children and led them to safety during a war. I loved this woman! I told my parents about it, "I'm going to China and working in an orphanage," later found out from my Dad that I threw a wrench in the plans of my parents. "China? Are you sure? You're 8. Go climb a tree." :) No, but seriously, it didn't ruin my parents plan because, "We knew early we wanted you independent of us and dependent on Him."

A couple months after Josh and I got married, Spencer emailed us, "What do you think about ministering on a boys ranch?" At this point the ranch was just an idea but we started praying that it would be more than an idea. Here we are almost 6 years later, and I need to start thinking about what I can and can't bring with us on the plane because we leave July 29th.

A lot of people have been asking if I'm excited to move and start life in Costa Rica? (Which is totally fine :) please do ask!) It's hard to answer because sometimes I am excited and other times, no, not at all. Josh asked me the other night if I was ready. Again, I said no. But then again, I probably will never be completely ready. Having kids does not make moving any easier. Moving fifteen minutes down the street to live with my in-laws, which is a huge blessing, was super hard. Lately Caleb has been asking to go back home. "Caleb miss my house." What will it be like when we are thousands of miles away?  These statements from my 3 year old certainly do not make it easy.  I have to remember that my job as mom is to help my kids see the beauty in following Christ, no matter the cost.

I am trying to remind myself, while teaching the boys, that a home is not just a building, toys, a bed, or pictures.  Yes, things make a four-wall house feel comfortable, but we are not defined by them. Where we live while on earth is just temporary because our home is in heaven with our King.  

People have been asking me what will my role be and I'm thankful to say that my job is being mom to the boys. For the first year, I will have the opportunity to go into some of the neighborhoods and serve with teams but my everyday ministry is being home with my boys.  Once we get to the ranch, my ministry will continue to be mom to my boys, plus some. 

I am thankful for this new chapter in our life.I'm thankful that we have a house with missionary friends close by. 
I'm thankful that we are covered in prayers and blessed with partners that are sending us.
I'm thankful that our three boys can grow up living in a different culture.
I'm thankful for Josh, his obedience to Christ and desire to serve Him.

I'm thankful for the people that we get to love on.I'm thankful for the ranch property and that it is already being developed. 
I'm thankful for how God continues to blow all of us away with so many things happening.

There will still be hard days. There will be days where I want to pack up and be done.  There's so much unknown. I really don't like change. Though there is something that I absolutely believe, Christ is with me and He will never leave me. Christ will strengthen me in the hard days. He has planned this since the beginning of time and that settles my fears. He knows! I trust that.