Wow, a whole month without posting on the blog. My apologies!! Life last month looked a little different as we were able to work virtually from Minnesota, while taking some much needed family time. With new waves of covid and social unrest in Colombia in April, we decided it was time to visit family in Minnesota. We wanted to give the kids a change of scenery. I knew that I had been carrying a lot of stress from the past year, but I don’t think I realized how much it was affecting me physically and emotionally until I had some time away. As I sat by a lake on a retreat with a friend, I could feel the tension in my shoulders lessening and weight being lifted as God reminded me of his faithfulness in all things.

Oh how I had longed for time by water! It is there God often meets me to nourish, refresh, and calm my soul. I’m grateful for how a chance to slow down, to change up the daily routine, and see new scenery can bring renewal. God met us in Minnesota, through the opportunity to be vaccinated, spend lots of time with family and friends, bike ride in the parks, eat mint chocolate chip ice cream, continue to serve the ministries in Colombia virtually, and spend time in nature as a family (It had been 20+ years since I had been able to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area).

On July 7 we returned to Colombia and are enjoying settling once again into our life here. The boys have begun school in person for the first time since March. Our ministry continues to be mostly online. Right now I, Katie, am preparing a sermon for a local church that will be given via video. Covid numbers continue to be high, but just last week saw the numbers starting to decrease. We celebrate more vaccines being made available! We look forward to being able to slowly meet with people in-person and eventually be able to travel to be with different ministry partners.

I was out for a walk on Sunday and was thinking about the constant rhythm of transition in our lives. It can be a little overwhelming at times. As I walked I was listening to the song “Promises” by Maverick City Music which focuses on God’s faithfulness and God’s faithful promises. One particular lyric stood out as I listened: “Seasons change you remain the same…” Yes there is change. Yes there is transition. Yes there are difference between living in Colombia and Minnesota. Still, God remains the same. He is the same God no matter where we are and we have experienced God’s faithfulness. “Great is your faithfulness.”