Thanks Abraham, Thanks Dad

Sometimes I'm discouraged about raising my babies in China. Titus and his sibling-to-come will see their (young and wonderful, might I add) grandparents once a year for a couple weeks. It's sad.

Soon after Titus was born, the story of Abraham and Isaac reminded me that even our children must not be more precious to me than obeying the Father. Remember Abraham waited more than a lifetime (he was 100 years old) for his promised Isaac, and then was prepared to kill him in order to be obedient. Abraham had faith that his Father loved Isaac best, knew what was best, and was to be obeyed above all else.

Oh to have faith like that.

We're hoping to have a baby on next year's summer break, while in the States. Since Drew will be teaching English through the spring semester, I may return the the States early, with Titus and without Drew, depending on the due date. Then we will all come back to China for Drew's fall semester in September. (Disclaimer: This is the ideal situation so let's wait and see what actually happens...). Though it's not set-in-stone, I feel scared about traveling pregnant without Drew. I feel sad about whisking our new baby back to China.

We Asked for help to be brave and obedient. We Asked for encouragement. Soon after, I found out that this Sunday's message would be about Abraham and Isaac, so I read the passage again. It gives me the courage to be obedient. I received the most encouraging, freeing email from my Dad:

Hello Princess, I miss you too. Mom and I obviously would love to have you, Drew and Titus live next door but we are very pleased and proud that you have chosen to serve Him instead of worrying about earthly pleasures and pleasing people. We will cherish our time together in July and joyfully send you out again. We are happy that you can share Titus with so many other people and that he is so loving toward others. And yes he does have a couple of near perfect set of Grandparents but again we are so pleased to share. Don't let life stop you from having another baby. Plan a little and see what happens.

Both Drew and I have fantastic parents. They have never once made us feel guilty about our choice to raise a family far away. So thanks Dad for the email, and thanks Abraham for the example. 

Rachel