A Change is Coming!

Just over a year ago we returned from "Missionary Life".
Hans started a new job.
I began teaching again.
The kids started in the public school system.
Ashlyn had a regular babysitter for the first time.

Life was crazy. Life was hectic. Life was busy.

We weren't sure which direction to go or what to look for. We had no idea what was next for us and it was very unsettling, frustrating, and discouraging.

We continued to seek God. We continued to ask "What next?" And, "What do we do now?"

An update (only a year later) :)

Hans began having problems with his shoulders (more than normal) and he was just struggling to figure out how to use his passions and God given talents in the job that he was in. We began seeking God and then began pursuing the thoughts of him going back to school for teaching. We threw it around and talked about it and what it might look like for our family...

In the meantime...I was looking for a new job. I was ready to be at a bigger school, preferably a K-2 school and possibly working with Hispanic kids and parents. At the end of May I received a call that I had an interview with Sturgis Public Schools. I interviewed once, twice, and got the job...at a K-2 school teaching first grade where about 40% of the students are Hispanics. I cried happy tears. God had prepared me for the past three years for a time such as this...

Then, back to Hans. This was the clear answer we needed for him to get ready for school. He's going back to school. :) He will start in a week at a community college. We are SO excited for this for many reasons. He LOVES working with middle school/high school aged kids and has desired for so long to be involved in a school system. He will major in Math and minor in Spanish. :)

God is GOOD!

So the other "God" part of the story is that we began looking for houses in Sturgis and we weren't having much luck. A week later our realtor calls us and says, "I know you weren't thinking of selling your house, just renting, but I have someone who wants to look at it." Uh, ok. I guess. She loved it and bought it. WHAT?!?! Since when does that happen...Oh yeah, when God is in control, when you're faithful in serving him...he will grant you the desires of your heart.

And now...as I'm typing this through tears. I think back to all the amazing memories in this house:

Our first house
Bringing the boys home from the hospital
Birthday parties
Lots of youth events (including the marshmallow fight) lol
Neighbors over to play
Many updates to make it home
And a lot more laughter and tears

Leaving is a little sad, but it's really hard not to smile and be excited when God's hand has clearly been evident in our lives over the past year. Waiting is never easy, but God's shaping and molding in our family over the past year has been amazing. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our three little ones as we begin a new normal (house, school, church)

Our Journey was meant to be for our life as missionaries...

and has proven to be a great title to our life. It's all a journey people...a journey that God wants to be involved in in all of our lives.