Nothing is Impossible!

"Through You I can do anything.  I can do all things.  

Because it's You who gives me strength." 

 These are some of the lyrics to a worship song that hit home a little more this week than it ever has in the past.  I didn't get to video our worship team today, although it included my kiddo playing her violin and surprising everyone with a little fiddle mixed in there, or else I would share this awesome song as performed by our Word of Life family (who rocked it, by the way!)  Since that didn't happen, I had to find another version that I liked a lot and found this one, as performed by Lakewood Church in Houston - nicely tied into my roots, huh? (click HERE). I have never visited Lakewood, but have heard lots of good things, and, ironically & completely unrelated, Joel Osteen's name came up in our service today. The more I focused on the lyrics today, while thinking that JULY 10 will be our one-year anniversary as Indian residents, the more my heart swelled with gratitude and, yes, I cried.  Shocking, I know.  I cried for a few reasons and although it's hard to enunciate the emotions that induced the tears, I'll try my best.

• Watching Savannah perform brings me a great sense of pride.  I think the amount of pride is increased exponentially because I know the challenges she has overcome in the past year that actually drive her to perform as an act of service, worship and praise for Jesus Christ.  And she's happy.  Psalm 127:3.
• Having never lived outside a 7-mile (11 KM) radius, moving across the world was a huge leap of faith.  I have never considered myself a courageous or brave person, but I will not disagree when someone says it takes a certain amount of courage to make a big move.  Fortunately, we have a BIG GOD who can provide all the courage and bravery we are lacking, and He has done just that many times in the past year.  Isaiah 41:10.
• We are so blessed.  We are blessed with wonderful family.  Living far away from my family has given me a whole new perspective.  Thankfully, I have not lost a close family member as an adult, but have often heard people say not to take it for granted that those you love will always be around and to make the most of your time together.  Living across and ocean and only getting a few weeks a year has helped me understand this idea.  We are blessed with awesome friends - old friends who keep in touch on FB or e mail, and new friends who have come into our life in the past year.  We are blessed with our health.  We are blessed with a nice place to live, clean water, electricity, in-home help, a car, a job, I can go on... We are blessed with a life-changing opportunity for us both. Deuteronomy 28:2.
• The past year has been filled with many challenges for us.  Emotional challenges.  Missing home, friends, family.  Culture shock.  During the same time I was experiencing culture shock, I was dealing with a broken heart, having broken up with Michael (obviously back together, but that was a rough few months).  Physical challenges.  Savannah and I don't look like Indians.  WHAT? you say...  Really! We are much whiter and much larger in stature.  We get lots of looks.  Some are kind and some are not.  We can't wear shorts or skirts here.  It's hot.  Shorts would be a nice change of pace, but would attract unnecessary negative attention.  Language challenges.  In the office and at school, English is predominantly spoken.  There are, however, several times every day that Tamil is used and we are uninformed, left out, or awkwardly standing by, waiting on our English translation.  Outside of the office and school and church, Tamil is the predominant language.  Food challenges.  Before I came to India I was a picky eater.  I am no longer picky and will try just about anything put in front of me these days (except seafood... still not big on much of that).  Savannah doesn't do spices very well.  Everything in Southern India is spicy.  We cope, but she has it rough sometimes.  Safety challenges.  In Chennai, I feel safe.  I am confident letting Savannah go with our driver, knowing he will go out of his way to keep her safe.  I don't have any issues walking somewhere (when it's not a zillion degrees outside) without an Indian friend or escort, so to speak.  We have not traveled outside of Chennai because I am unsure.  I am not confident that I will have the same level of safety for us... Time is winding down.  I need to find that courage and explore this country. Jeremiah 29:11.

I have learned so much over the past year.  I am and will be eternally grateful for the experience that has helped Savannah and me become more compassionate, understanding, open-minded and open-hearted.  I am excited about Savannah's time spent (past and future) teaching English at the orphanage, playing her violin with the worship team and helping with the kids at church.  We have made friendships and memories that will last for years to come.  I have great friends through work, she has made friends through school, we both have wonderful friends through church and even more friends through friends.  We will have tangible memories from our family holiday to Singapore & Malaysia, our article in the newspaper, and most recently, our voice-over dubbing for a Russian movie to American English.  A few of the things that, very likely, we never would have experienced in the US. 
I could write about the things that make me nuts or sad or angry over here: the crazy driving, cows in the road, frequent (most of the year, 2 hours per day) power cuts, lack of centralized shopping, inability to find reasonably priced and safe-to-consume beef, gender selection, treatment of women, corruption and bribery in the government, shockingly low salaries for so many jobs, disregard and disrespect for other peoples' time, oh... I could go on.  But I won't.  I refuse to focus on the negative.  Every now and then I have a day where it all boils over, but those are few and far between.  Fortunately, I have a few friends who I can really vent with and feel better.  Some understanding "been there, done that" or "still here, get that" friends.  It's a good feeling to be understood no matter where in the world we are, isn't it?  Job 12:13.

Continued thank you to all those praying for us and cheering us on through words and notes of encouragement.  My parents (twice!) and Michael coming to visit us help get us through the long months of missing home.  December is not too far away and we will be back to visit, then it will be this time next year.  What adventures await us?  What lessons will we be taught?  Who will make a special place in our heart forever?  Lots to see and do in the next year.  More challenges are on the way.  Fortunately, through Him, we can do anything...

"Nothing Is Impossible"
[Chorus]
Through You,
I can do anything,
I can do all things,
For it’s You who give me strength,
Nothing is impossible
Through You,
Blind eyes are opened,
Strongholds are broken,
I am living by faith,
Nothing is impossible!
[Verse]
I’m not gonna live by what I see,
I’m not gonna live by what I feel
[Pre-chorus]
Deep down I,
Know that You’re here with me
I know that, You can do anything
[Bridge]
I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe in You