Right now it looks like chaos rules at the Faith Spilling Over house, but I know God is in control. Our suitcases are far from packed, the house is a wreck, and in three more days, my family and I will embark on another great adventure. We’re getting on a plane to return to our home in the Middle East.
If you’re new to this place, you may not know that our family relocated to Dallas for nine months, to provide a closer home base for our son while he adapted to his first year in college. Our kids grew up in the Middle East, so we wanted to support him during the transition.
During our time stateside, God blessed us beyond measure.
My mom and two brothers live in Dallas, so the highlight of the year was spending time with them. God gave us many other opportunities as well:
- My husband taught a class at Dallas Theological Seminary.
- My son loved his first year at Baylor University.
- My daughter visited her dream school, the Culinary Institute of America.
- I got to see many on-line writing friends in person and developed a closer network.
- We ate enough tacos and enchiladas to last us a long time.
Now we’re ready to go back and enjoy:
- Our church.
- Faithful brothers and sisters who are brave to follow Jesus.
- Dear friends who have become like family.
- Beautiful beaches.
- Mediterranean food. Olives, cheese, the most delicious cucumbers known to man, abundant strawberries, amazing peaches, and fresh herbs like mint, parsley, and dill.
I’m going to take a blog break until June 7th, so I can pack up for an international move and get settled into our Izmir home without losing my mind.
See you back here on June 7th. While I’m gone, you might take a look at one of these reader favorites:
How to Wake Up to the Wonder of the Bible
When You Want More Out of Time with God
Verse Mapping: A Creative Way to Unlock More of the Bible
How Can I Cultivate a Happy Heart?
Now it’s your turn: What are your plans for the next few weeks?
Did you enjoy this post? You can subscribe to get fresh servings of Faith Spilling Over delivered to your inbox. Enter your e-mail address in the box at the top of this page.
I’m linking up with Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart, Lyli Dunbar’s Thought-Provoking Thursday, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Praying for you as you get into these final preparations for your journey, friend. I’m so very thankful that we got to spend time together while you were here. I’m honored to have you as a friend. Safe travels!
Thanks, Kristine! The honor is mine. I’m so thankful for you. Hoping to actually be able to make our group Google hangout tomorrow!
Praying for a stress free transition! It was so fun to finally meet you in real life!! Izmir sounds delicious!
Thanks, Liz! I loved meeting you as well. Will still try to connect with you in the future about crafts and Bible. 🙂
What wonderful adventures! Have safe travels and thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
Sweet Betsy, praying for calm in the chaos, divine provision at every turn, travel mercies, and joys unending. It was wonderful to meet you and Jose while you were in Texas. Blessings to you!
It WAS wonderful to meet up. I always wanted to have you over, Sabra, but I let the time slip by! One regret I do have about our time. Thanks so much again for your hospitality to us.
Praying you through the rest of your packing and the trip back. I hope getting settled is relatively easy and you and your family adjust to being back home. Can’t wait to read your words again in June. Love you friend!
Thanks so much, Mary. I appreciate you so much.
So glad to get the info about your plans so as to keep you in prayer. Looking forward to hearing about re-entry — and will be praying that it is smooth. Blessings to you and your family as you serve Him!
Thank you, Michele. I appreciate you.
Praying God will command His angels concerning you to watch over and protect you in your travels! 🙂
Thank you so much.
Safe travels. Blessings on your family and ministry!
Thanks so much, Sarah. Blessings to you too!
Praying for you as you transition, Betsy. Girl, I’m excited for you – for all God has offered in this past 9 months (what a list!) and all that awaits ahead.
Yes, Kristi, He’s done so much for us in the last 9 months and we have so much waiting for us! His blessings and empowerment as we serve Him. That goes for you too!
Love you, Betsy and you know we hate to see you go but also happy for you to go back to your home.
We will be praying for travel, getting settled and all that is ahead. Loved your funny blog.
Thank you! I think you mean loved your funny blog picture? It’s Camilla’s work!
Praying for safe travels and smooth transition for you all! I’ve been so blessed to have met you in person and gotten to know you better! Praying you are refilled and recharged as you go head back and praying for all God has in store for you next.
Thank you, I’ll be praying for you as well, Kathryn. I really believe in your message and your ministry. Yours is one blog I’ve been reading a long time, and it consistently encourages my spiritual walk.
Thank you for the peel inside all that God has been doing. Praying for your transition, move, energy to get it all done, re-entry back to your church, school stuff, health, and God’s unforeseen blessings and mighty power over all of it. And your mom heart to say goodbye to your boy. ♡
Thanks so much, Lisa. I appreciate you so much. Just so you know, I have your book addressed, and as soon as I take my daughter’s text to be mailed to Amazon, I’ll post your copy of Peace for a Lifetime as well. (And I don’t say goodbye to Andres again until August.)
So excited for you, Betsy! I’m sure your hubby’s students were blessed to have him as their instructor at DTS! And Baylor … what can I say, except … Sic ‘Em! 😉 Praying your packing and transition back to your home goes smoothly. I’ll miss your face for these few weeks and will look forward to seeing you again on the 7th!
Thanks so much, Dianne. I appreciate you and learn so much from you!
Betsy,
Prayers out to God and well wishes go out to you as you move through this transition. Moving is hard enough, let alone moving half way around the globe!! May God go ahead of you to prepare the place you are going to and may you have a hedge of protection around you in your travels (and a big measure of strength and patience).
Blessings to you and your family,
Bev xx
Thanks, Bev. I appreciate you. I’ve had a bit of re-entry culture shock for sure, but am mostly happy to be back here. 🙂
We’ll miss you, Betsy – but praying that God moves you literally and figuratively. Might this be a sweet time of refreshment for you as you watch Him move, and might He be your portion of strength, endurance, and great grace in the days ahead. Hugs, friend.
Thanks for that encouragement, friend. I appreciate you. My portion of strength, endurance, and grace. Needing that now!
Many blessings as you embark on the next chapter, Betsy! You are returning to what sounds like a wonderful place to call home! 🙂
Safe, blessed travels back to where it sounds like your heart resides, Betsy. Will look forward to hearing about the journey again soon and staying electronically connected!
Many blessings on you and your family during this transition, Betsy.
How exciting! I look forward to sharing a peek into your life when you get settled in!
Safe travels! God speed!
Lillian, thanks so much for your comment! I just saw this today on June 6th, friend! Blessings on your day.
Betsy,
What an adventure awaits! But I can imagine it’s bittersweet to leave here and go back to a home you loved at the same time. I look forward to reading how the journey unfolds!
May God bless your travels, Betsy! I know your friends in the Middle East will be grateful to have you return, even as your family in the States will miss you. So thankful for technology to stay in touch though regardless of where we are in the world.
Those family photos at the top are so precious, Betsy!! Love your family and love your heart. I will be praying during this transition period for peace, strength and much blessing. <3
Thanks, Lauren. The photo collage is my daughter’s work! I appreciate your prayer.
Praying for a safe transition – and peace for the journey, Betsy!
I’ll be praying for your move and all that that entails! I am blessed by your blog so much. God be with your family.
Blessings,
Holly Farney
Thank you Holly. I appreciate your encouragement. We’re getting settled in and unpacked!
How wonderful that you had an opportunity to be in the States for almost a year now. We’ll be praying that your move will go well and that everything will fall into place over the next few weeks. May the Lord bless you and your family during this time.
Thank you so much, Pam. We’re getting settled in now.
Thank you for serving our Lord and Savior so faithfully…praying for your transitions! Sending many blessings your way too 🙂
Thanks, Janelle. I appreciate you.
Dear Betsy,
SO glad I met you online. I pray God goes before you and your family and provides many divine appointments here and there as you prepare. May God bless you and your family with all the grace you need as you manage many logistical details. May God bless you all with great peace and for the dear friends you’ll be seeing again 🙂 Glad to hear your time state side was fruitful 🙂
Thanks so much, Dolly. I’m glad I met YOU online too! I appreciate your prayer. This is an interesting time of transition, but God is, indeed, with us!