What is my permanent address? Now, that’s an interesting question. In my 37 years of life, I have had exactly 19 different addresses. For a girl who resists change and longs for sameness that is about 18 addresses too many! Many of you have asked to hear my point of view; what am I thinking throughout this whole “going to the mission field” process. Well, I’ll tell you that trying to figure out the answer to that “permanent address” question is among the top of the list of Marti’s quandaries this year.
I have enjoyed all of my addresses; well, most of them. But our 1212 Calhoun St. Newberry S.C. address was among the top 2. I had an especially difficult time saying goodbye to that house last summer. It wasn’t just that I lived there longer than about anywhere else, or that it was a beautiful, old Southern house in a beautiful, old Southern town. It was more than that. It was hard to say good-bye to the memories: remembrances of laughter (and losses), of meals around the table with family and friends, of birthday parties and tea parties and Easter egg hunts, of holidays and bath-tub time and Bible studies and countless hours of reading to the children and baby-rocking. I obviously made it through the summer, but not without crying a bucketful of tears and doing some serious soul-searching.
I am now happily residing at my new 1106 Main Street, Apt. B, Newberry, S.C. address, and honestly, I’m beginning to like it quite well. We’re real cozy here, and it’s kind of nice to be free of some of the burdens that accompany home-ownership (like weeding). But, as the year moves along and God faithfully raises up our needed support to go to Kenya, I realize that this too will only be a very temporary address.
I’m learning several things in Apt. B. I’m praying that (as Chris Rice sings) He will teach me to count the days and make the days count. I’m learning that His grace is, has always been, and will always be sufficient for me. But, mostly I’m learning that Jesus is my only real permanent address. He has promised to never leave me or forsake me, and He has promised that He will always be the same; just like He was yesterday, and just like He will be next year at my new Nairobi address.
“ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:18
In Him, permanently,
Marti
Marti,
How great to hear from you. How encouraging too.
I praise God for how He is moving in your life and for how He is ministering to you as He moves you from one place to another in Him.
Love Always,
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | February 10, 2004 at 12:11 PM
Marti, I love you sis!! You are a great mom and a great sister and I know you will make a great missionary!! You already are a great missionary! I am soooo very excited about God's moving to provide your support. This is very exciting. We watched a video about a suberb of Nairobi that has been transformed over the past 10 years from a haven of violence and drugs to an almost fully Christian community. I thought of you guys. Anyway, I enjoyed the article very much and hope to hear more from you soon!! I Love You Guys & will miss you very much!!
In Him,
Your Brother Jim
Posted by: Jim | February 10, 2004 at 03:00 PM
Beautifully, sensitively, and insightfully written, Marti! Thanks for the reminder, Tim, to get back to your blog; so much good stuff here to read! Praying for you folks...
Jim & Winnie
Posted by: Jim | February 10, 2004 at 09:44 PM
I love the blog, it is such a great and creative way to share your journey. Way to be high-tech!! I'm so proud of you Tim and Marti, I know God is going to use you mightily as He already has and still is right now.
Your brother and fan,
Jon
Posted by: Jon Burchel | February 26, 2004 at 01:22 AM