Homeward Bound

Christmas with Wesley 2010

It has been 3 1/2 years since the last time Wesley lived in our home.  We had seen him during those years when we were in the States for home assignment or vacation, but had only been together for a week or so at a time.  These last six weeks together have been such a gift to us as we were able to experience the person that he has become during his years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.  E-mail and Skype are great blessings for those of us who spend a lot of our time separated from those we love, but they don't take the place of actually "being" together.  Really knowing a person takes spending time with them in a variety of situations.  You know someone as you talk over various things that are important to each of you or as you pray about the things that deeply concern you.  The chance we had to share life together these few weeks, was a precious gift!

It has been exciting to hear about Wes' plans for the future!  He is almost finished with his degree in literature and philosophy from MVNU, but he is thinking about beginning a carpentry apprenticeship in the fall.  He has discovered during his years of academics that he loves to work with his hands.  He has a wonderful God given ability to express his thoughts in writing and he will continue to find avenues for using that gift.  He loves literature of many kinds and will continue to utilize what he has learned about analyzing and critiquing what he reads.  We are glad that he is looking for and recognizing God's leading.  In and through all of it we sense a deep passion to be and do what God desires!

We will meet up with Wesley again in a few months, Lord willing, to celebrate his graduation from college.  Yesterday, he began the long journey back to his other "home" in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to find an apartment and job while he completes his final class for his college degree.  Thanks for praying for him throughout these next few months of transition.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

3 John 4