(6) Our story is never just OUR story
The same day we talked to Becky, July 21, I took my girls swimming that evening. As they swam I filled out more forms for passports. While doing this I had the thought to contact a women that used to live in our neighborhood. She moved about 4 years ago and I didn't know her very well since we had only lived here for a year at that point. In fact, I'm embarrassed to say, I had forgotten her name. I didn't even know where they moved exactly, but generally northeast Africa or the Middle East area. At first I thought, "I wouldn't even know how to contact her." Then the thought came -Facebook. I laughed because I usually only get on Facebook a couple of times a year. I'm still not checking posts much but it is becoming my go to way to talk to and meet people connected to Ghana. The next day in church, July 22, while sitting in Sunday School, I had the thought again to contact this women. I looked toward my left and in the next section over I saw a women that looked really familiar but I couldn't place how I knew her. She wasn't with her husband or any children, which would have helped me figure out who she was. When class was over my friend Amy, that was sitting behind me, invited me to sit by her. The women I had recognized got up and came and sat in the seat I had been in. We said hi to each other. I was thinking, who is she and how do I know her, but what I said was something along the lines of, "It's so good to see you. I need to talk to you. I have so many questions for you." I confused myself -what was I saying and why. An hour later as class finished I realize who she was -none other than the women I had a thought, the day before and during Sunday School, that I needed to talk to- Lindsey. How was she here? Why was she here? And mostly Heavenly Father just keeps doing such miraculous things to direct, help our path. After class someone else came to talk to her and I knew I needed more than a minute or two to talk to her so I didn't wait for my turn. The next day I sent her a message asking about what they did with their home while they were gone, and other such related questions.
On the day I took my girls swimming I had invited our friend, Cammie, and her children to join us. She informed me that they were listing their home for sale on July 23, and she had a lot to do, so they couldn't this time. I decided to checking on how the first 24 hours had gone, on July 24. She didn't get back to me until the 26th. It had been a couple very busy days for them. She asked at this time, what we were going to be learning/doing for school this year. I was thinking -this will not be a short or easy response for a text. I told her -we should get together to talk about it soon. Somehow from that she figured that something big and exciting might be happening. We were able to get together that evening to talk. I told her the story and miracles. Her husband came in near the end and jokingly said, "If you know anyone that might be moving to Africa; and if those people are wanting to rent their home while they are gone, we might know someone that might be selling their home and might need somewhere to live while their new house is being built." Before I left I said, "Who knows, maybe you'll be part of our story." The next day she texted to say she was excite for our family. That night she texted again, "I don't know how you feel about it but we think the time frame may work out and if you want to rent to us, we'd love it. We take care of houses." They do take immaculate care of their home and yard. My response, on July 28, was, "I'm not saying you need this word, but it has helped me a I have discovered it this year. I've realized just how much I need it. The word is "mudita". It means pure joy for another's opportunity, gain, success, or the like; the opposite of jealousy or envy. So thank you for your mudita. I couldn't help but think more then a few times since we talked, of how nice it would be to rent to someone we know and of how well you take care of your home. It will be exciting to see what comes and the timing of all of it. On Sunday the 29th their oldest son spoke in church. He was leaving Wednesday, August 1, to serve as a missionary for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After church services we went to their home for an open house. Before we left the husband talked to me about their wishes to rent our home. He explained that they are writing into the contract for the sale of their home that they will need 3-4 months to find somewhere to rent. He told me that it may be October before they break ground on the home they are having built and with so much building in the area and not enough contractors that it is anticipated that is will take 8 months to a year to complete the home. We don't know exactly when we will go or how long we will be gone for. My hope is early November and that we will be there for a year. We will all have to see what Heavenly Father's timing and will are.
I am in awe at the people that are coming into our life right now -their locations, experience, knowledge, connections. The timing. The frequency. Even as Heavenly Father is guiding our path it doesn't always make sense at the time; yet I know that the times and ways our lives and paths cross and connect with others is not by accident nor coincidence.
On the day I took my girls swimming I had invited our friend, Cammie, and her children to join us. She informed me that they were listing their home for sale on July 23, and she had a lot to do, so they couldn't this time. I decided to checking on how the first 24 hours had gone, on July 24. She didn't get back to me until the 26th. It had been a couple very busy days for them. She asked at this time, what we were going to be learning/doing for school this year. I was thinking -this will not be a short or easy response for a text. I told her -we should get together to talk about it soon. Somehow from that she figured that something big and exciting might be happening. We were able to get together that evening to talk. I told her the story and miracles. Her husband came in near the end and jokingly said, "If you know anyone that might be moving to Africa; and if those people are wanting to rent their home while they are gone, we might know someone that might be selling their home and might need somewhere to live while their new house is being built." Before I left I said, "Who knows, maybe you'll be part of our story." The next day she texted to say she was excite for our family. That night she texted again, "I don't know how you feel about it but we think the time frame may work out and if you want to rent to us, we'd love it. We take care of houses." They do take immaculate care of their home and yard. My response, on July 28, was, "I'm not saying you need this word, but it has helped me a I have discovered it this year. I've realized just how much I need it. The word is "mudita". It means pure joy for another's opportunity, gain, success, or the like; the opposite of jealousy or envy. So thank you for your mudita. I couldn't help but think more then a few times since we talked, of how nice it would be to rent to someone we know and of how well you take care of your home. It will be exciting to see what comes and the timing of all of it. On Sunday the 29th their oldest son spoke in church. He was leaving Wednesday, August 1, to serve as a missionary for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After church services we went to their home for an open house. Before we left the husband talked to me about their wishes to rent our home. He explained that they are writing into the contract for the sale of their home that they will need 3-4 months to find somewhere to rent. He told me that it may be October before they break ground on the home they are having built and with so much building in the area and not enough contractors that it is anticipated that is will take 8 months to a year to complete the home. We don't know exactly when we will go or how long we will be gone for. My hope is early November and that we will be there for a year. We will all have to see what Heavenly Father's timing and will are.
I am in awe at the people that are coming into our life right now -their locations, experience, knowledge, connections. The timing. The frequency. Even as Heavenly Father is guiding our path it doesn't always make sense at the time; yet I know that the times and ways our lives and paths cross and connect with others is not by accident nor coincidence.
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