Checking in After a While

At the beginning of 2021, I took a break from blogging that lasted much longer than I'd planned. It's nearly the end of 2022, so it's been almost two years since I posted anything!

Back in January 2021, we were in the throes of yet another strict Covid lockdown here in the Czech Republic, which left me with little desire to post. Every day seemed like the last one!

Not only that, but Blogger had changed their format making it more difficult to make posts and, specifically, to drop in photos. 

I was also working hard on our online Josiah Venture Prayer Room, which meant more time on the computer than usual (and less desire to be on it in the evenings after work!). 

But more than those things, I was enjoying life in the present rather than having a part of my brain always thinking about what I'd post next. One thing led to another, and eventually, I realized that I'd come to a chapter end of chronicling our lives here on my blog as I'd done for sixteen years. 

Fast forward to May 2022. In case you want to see what we all looked like, here we are on the driveway near our home! 

The family was here for JV Spring conference at Malenovice for the first time in three years due to Covid (the first time in three years for spring conference - not the first time in three years of seeing each other!).

Simeon, (held by Tyler in the picture), who had just been born shortly before I stopped blogging, had changed the most of anyone! 

Since then, another grandchild, Wesley Emet Patty, born to Caleb and Haley, has arrived. He was born on September 10, 2022, in Albania. We're so thankful to the Lord for these precious six grandchildren!!

At the end of December 2021, I came down with Covid and have been dealing with Long-Covid ever since. I know I may not look sick in the picture, but I was and still am. This has been a season like no other, pressing deeply into the Lord as I wait for (and pursue under my doctor's guidance) healing. 

While this is a season of life like none other, it is invaluably rich with the Lord. I don't know what tomorrow will hold, so joyfully cling to Matthew 6:34 - "Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

This isn't a depressing verse! Rather it gives perspective and hope on how to live daily, trusting God for today rather than reaching toward tomorrow. 

I can't say whether or not I'll post here again. All I know is that the Lord put it on my heart today to write in case anyone wanders by for an update!