01/22/2019
Happy 2019!! (It’s still January. I’m pretty sure I can still wish y’all a happy new year...😂)
We want to thank each of you for your continued love and prayers as we’ve continued our transition back to the States for this season. Seriously. Thank YOU.
The holiday season was a hard blessing. I’ve found myself saying that being “back” is the most foreign familiar experience of my life. I love each minute being here and there and everywhere we’ve gone these past 4 months; all while missing and longing and thinking on our family back in ZA🇿🇦.
Ben has been able to run sound for our church services and has had a good time filling in as drummer when needed. He’s looking forward to 2019 with healing hope and expectation. He still has his bushy red beard. He still plays air drums at the kitchen table. He still throws his head back and laughs his “Ben laugh”. He’s still the faithful man he’s always been.
Memphis is enjoying school with Mr. Overfield, cheering on the Chiefs and Purdue football with Daddy, playing basketball on a local Upwards basketball team, making new friends and reconnecting with his silver ones in his Sunday school class at Calvary. He turned 10, has read through one new book series of 8 graphic novels and has started a new series of books his librarian suggested. He still loves LEGO’s. He still loves creating. He still loves time alone.
Taylor is enjoying school with Mrs. Overfield! She’s really liking dance classes and has begun developing an appreciation for art. She’s a deeply creative artist. She will continue to ask deep questions about the things that have encouraged her and those that have discouraged her these past couple of years. She grieves the passing of her Auntie Jenna and is quick to point out things that reminder her of the fun they had together and the love they shared. She still loves talking. She still loves friendship. She still loves individual attention and time together.
Selah is turning 5 tomorrow!! She is really funny and has a enjoyable sense of humor. Her ability to recall events and quote movies and reenact her favourite scenes leaves us in stitches most of the time! She is learning boundaries and how to vocalize frustrations and hurts and disappointments and anger and joys and excitement and feelings. She’s learning how to wear shoes in public and likes to talk about the one time the elephants were outside of her house. She’s still fiercely loyal. She still gives the best hugs. She still lights up the room when she enters.
Gibson continues to grow and change. She’s the most familiar foreigner we have. She’s loved her first snow, her first Thanksgiving this side and her first American Christmas. She speaks with an accent as she’s developed her language and she still asks the location of the “dust bin” (trash can). She misses our family in Africa; evidenced by the questions she asks and the comments she makes when she sees pictures or hears their voices. She taught herself to zip her jersey and will touch snow every time she sees it. She’s still a comforter. She still smiles her big smile. She still draws close when things are hard.
I have really enjoyed helping my parents back at the family business as they prepare for the upcoming riverboat season. Reconnecting with family, framily and friends as well as establishing new relationships has fueled my soul. I love spending time with our God-sized Life group on Sunday nights and worshipping in Spirit and Truth at our Home Church Sunday mornings. I ache for the red soil of South Africa. I miss the fellowship with our people. I miss the heat of the sun and the way it soaked into my skin. I miss worshipping the Lord in different languages. I miss it to the centre of who I am. I still cry unexpectedly and turn the radio up way too loud. I still love the color rainbow. I still wear mismatched socks. I still forget which side of the car is for the driver and which for the passenger. I still find hope and healing in the Psalms.
The Lord has been deeply gracious to me and mine this season (as He’s always been and will continue to be!) Through His Holy Spirit, He’s using His Body to minister to us as we heal and prepare for whatever comes next. And you? Well, you are helping us too. Your phone calls and texts and coffee dates and smiles and Christmas cards and gifts of time and talents are helping.
This is the sound of a satisfied heart, y’all. Satisfied in my Creator and still desiring more of Him. This season is not devoid of hurts and frustrations, rather challenges arise almost daily. My Father, unchanging, is gracious. He is my refuge; my safe shelter. Praise the Lord, oh my soul.
If you’ve made it this far, and I hope you have, please pray for us:
*as we head to Debrief and Renewal in Colorado, 27 January - 1 February, as a family.
*as M&T continue schooling.
*as Gibson grows through the cold season with her asthma.
*as we seek and savor the Lord for what’s to come in our life as the Craig Family Tour.
*as we strive to live daily with intentionality for His kingdom as He guides our time.
*as we seek His salvation for our daughters and His continued growth in our son and ourselves, for His glory alone.
