longings

As we were driving to Kipkaren, which took close to 1 and 1/2 hours, my mind was very busy. For some reason as I was staring out the window at different things, it was racing with thoughts of home and here and the kids and God. I was thinking about how much I was looking forward to getting picked up at the airport by Erin (which we just arranged last week) and how it is going to feel wonderful to see my sister and other friends and family. Here you greet everyone by shacking their hand, which I have grown accustomed to but I still love our big American hugs! And I also know that it is going to be really hard to leave here and after about a week, I am going to want to come back here and see everyone again. I mean, if I miss the kids that much in one day, what am I going to do at home? But then I was thinking about why I was missing them, and it is because, as I have been telling them in devotions, that we were made in the image of God which means we have the capacity and design for relationship. There will always be that longing in your heart to be in relationship, with those around you and with God. I took it one step further and thought about how we are longing to be in relationship with God while we are on earth and then once we get to heaven we will finally enter into that perfect relationship as God intended it. But then we will still be away from other loved ones that are still living and those who never knew the truth to begin with. If nothing else, this has motivated me to tell all those that I love about Jesus so that they can be in perfect relationship with him and so that when I get to heaven, I will not be longing for them because I know that they will be coming there as well. Just as I was sharing this with the kids one night, my mom texted me so I proceeded to share what she said with them and they responded to her. That was fun for my two worlds to interact; just a glimpse of what is to come of the future I am sure. They expressed how much they wanted her to come here, as I do as well, and how we are all one family because we love Jesus! I shared with them a verse that I believe encompasses this longing that was shared with me when I attended a Christian Conference called: Passion. Isaiah 26:8-Yes Lord, walking in the way of your truth we wait eagerly for you, for Your name and Your renown are the desires of our souls.
God has also shown me that life is not just about building trust and relationships, but it is about sustaining those relationships, being intentional, and loving Jesus! As I was continuing to read Job (19:24-26) I found this passage that is so awesome I must share it with you to end this update and encourage you to live in this reality.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!