Back in Europe..... What?

This explanation has been very long in coming. We are back in Europe. After a wonderful mission full of miracles and provision and growth in the French language, our hearts full of what God had done, and excitement for the future State-side, (and more than a little sadness at leaving our family in the European campus behind) my husband and I enjoyed a memorable, blessed Chrsitmas with my family in Utah. I was able to reconnect with family in ways I didn't even dream. I sorted some transition issues in my heart and identified far too many ways I am still painfully in need of growth and renewal.
We bought a phone. A shiny one. We settled and were excited for a long drive to California and the chance to work on those friendships we had tentatively developed at the 50th anniversary celebration of Covenant Players.
Then we got a phone call from our supervisor. Kind of a big deal to get a call from Germany (which never feels far in my heart, no matter how long the plane ride is). My husband looked somber and serious. My first thought was- Did somebody die? My second thought was- Did we make some terrible mistake as leaders that they need to let us know about? When the phone was passed to me, and the question was put forth, that we were needed to come back, I cried immediately. I held myself to together until the call was over and I numbly agreed to pray and get back within 24 hours. I couldn't say anything for awhile, safely nestled in the arms of the partner in ministry, I bawled my face off. (Thus endeth the poetic classiness of this blog.)
We were in a funk. We didn't know what to do. We felt that we ought to say yes, but we didn't feel like it was meant to be. (You know, Christianese talk- we didn't feel "called." We were totally mature and fasted and prayed the rest of the day. No, that's a lie. We divulged ourselves in multiple forms of total distraction and let the hours slip by. Finally, we were in bed, realizing, oh yeah. We've got to talk about this some more. We should. We don't want to. Okay, that's been said. What new thing can we add to this repetitive conversation? What does God have to say? Mårten had the idea to open up the bible, eyes closed, finger down, and see what God would say. This is not a method we had tried before, but we sure were ready for it. He opened up his bible first to-
2 Samuel 19:36-37a (if you are interested about the 'a' signifying importance, look it up, it's kind of funny.
"Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the King reward me in this way? Let your servant return..."

I took the bible and put my finger down on  Jeremiah 31:5
"Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria, the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit."

At this point we were laughing and crying, and I wasn't really sure which was which. I handed the bible back to him and said, "One more time!" He opened it up to 1 Corinthians 16:10-11
"If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers."

We looked at each other filled with awe that God would speak to us so clearly. With a big smile, my wonderful Swede looked at me and said, "Well, I guess we are going!" I figured that we should email our supervisors right away and not make them wait. It all changed quickly, but the quick change in our hearts, the willingness and the joy to do ministry has been a real gift from the Lord. I have always had to fight fear, but I have many courageous plans. I am blessed to have this "extra" time with my family here, so everything I get to experience with them just feels like bonus.

To be perfectly honest, I feel like most of what I get in life is bonus. I get to do meaningful work with the purpose of building the kingdom of God. I get to do something I love with people I love. Plus there's a beautiful blonde two year old that calls out my name with ego boosting joy everyday. There are even more ways that I am blessed, but this is already getting pretty long as it is.

Please pray for:
-More missioners! People that will grow to be leaders, who will delve into a language and a culture with enthusiasm and faith. People who will be teachable and responsible.
-Our supervisors around the world as they work on assigning units.
-Our hearts to grow with passion for our areas. For eyes to see the needs and to respond to it by accepting the decision our supervisors make.