Story of the Week: Inconvenience!

One week into this adventure, and I will definitely say it has been a whirlwind.  Trying to figure out international banking, phones, immigration stuff (I still don't have a visa) has had us reach points of frustration that neither one of us have ever seen or heard out of each other.  Kirk and I realize that we have both been in a pressure cooker since Micah was born, and because she was 3.5 weeks early, we didn't really get to prepare for or process her arrival.  In the midst of it all, we were prepping for this trip, and there were so many things to do that it was inevitable that some things would be left undone.  So, here we are- trying to navigate through it all... in sickness and in health, in the easy times, and while boiling in the pressure cooker, right?!

I thought my birthday was the pinnacle of stress, but today topped it!  Kirk has been struggling with this cold-like/fever bug for a couple of days, and we haven't had the opportunity been to press pause, because of all of his orientation stuff+an 11-week-old who loves to be loved.  He decided to go in for some meetings and errands this morning, and as I headed to meet him, I noticed him limping as he rounded the corner.  Well, folks- Kirk has sprained his ankle!  The slippery sidewalks of Edinburgh... for the WIN!  Today we used a lot of public transportation, needless to say.

As I mentioned previously regarding the Scots-they don't necessarily focus on convenience, and so not only do our errands and setting up bank accounts, phones, and WiFi take 10 steps, we are now adding a lot more of them because of this setback-haha (well, sort of "haha")!  God is teaching us a TON right now about dependence on Him.  When we are tempted to retreat and come back to our familiar, comfortable lives, we are reminded of how much confirmation went into this trip (between raising all funds in 1.5 months, getting the scholarship, and the affirmation Kirk received regarding his preaching).

Tomorrow is Saturday, and I am thankful!  Here's to putting our feet up (well, I guess I will just join Kirk in his foot-up-ness) and having a bit of what the Scots are good at-rest.

This is what kept coming to mind all day:
"for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philppians 4:11-13

We certainly don't have the rough circumstances that Paul had (and I am so grateful for it), but for us, this is an arduous experience for us, so here is how I would re-word it:

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to have my phone working and have a car.  I know what it is to have all of my needs and wants met above and be completely spoiled.  I am learning the secret of being content when I feel cowardly and selfish.  I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

Amen.