"How's Mikayla doing?"

Now THAT is a question I get a lot! So here is the answer...

As you know, our eldest, Mikayla, graduated from high school in June. For an MK, this means a HUGE transition as they usually go back to their "home" country for college...but Mikayla hasn't lived in her home country since she was 5 years old, which means her whole world got turned upside down. Nothing is familiar - friends, culture, weather...and her family is on the other side of the world. I know many of you have been praying for Mikayla in this time of transition (and some of you have even sent her care packages and called/written to encourage her!). THANK YOU for loving on our girl and praying her through this.

Many of you have asked about her, and she is really and truly doing great. There have been some hard times and some definite home-sickness, but she is doing great as she chases hard after Him in the midst of it all. 

She is attending John Brown University in NW Arkansas, and she is LOVING her major of Outdoor Leadership Ministry. She is convinced that she is right where God has called her to be, preparing for the future He has for her, and she is doing a great job (President's List for straight As 1st semester! But we have encouraged her not to feel pressure to keep all As from here, to make sure and take time for other activities too).

Mikayla surprised us and tried out for the women's rugby team at JBU, and she has become a key part of the team, scoring many points. It's different than what she played in high school, because now she is playing tackle like her brothers (!!!). She has made a lot of great friends and has a supportive community through the team though, so we are thankful for that.

She's also made great friends in her major. "OLM" involves lots of hands-on, experiential education and included a 3 day hike/camping trip in the fall.

It was funny because before they left, Mikayla said she was a little concerned they might get lost. I asked her why, since she's always been great hiking and navigating. The issue was that they had to use just the compass to navigate. Not a problem for Mikayla, but apparently, they had to take turns navigating, and the whole group had to quietly follow whoever was leading. And she said some of them didn't do very well in that part of the instructional classes. :) Yikes! Thankfully, no news reports out of this adventure...

 

Another highlight for Mikayla this past semester was when a couple of her friends from over here were able to join her at my (Jen's) parents place for Thanksgiving. 

 They had a wonderful time catching up. It's amazing how quality time with old friends can be just what the doctor ordered, especially old friends who have also had their world turned upside down; they get it in ways no one else can! When you have friends like these who can encourage you in the Lord through the process, they are precious. 

The biggest blessing to Mikayla - and us by extension - has been our parents. Both Steve and my parents live about 4 hours from her, and I know it has meant so much to her when they visit, come to some of her rugby games, welcome her home for Thanksgiving, and just knowing they are there. Some of you know that all 3 of the siblings on my side are serving overseas, so all 7 of my parents' grandkids have grown up on the other side of the world. This means that, not only are they happy to help Mikayla however they can, they are beyond thrilled to have one of their grandkids come back to their side of the world, and they LOVE being there for her. She is headed on a trip with them for spring break, and we are so very thankful for them, especially since we are so far away.

Thanks for continuing to pray for our sweet girl as she makes this transition. She is doing great, but it definitely has its hard times, and she appreciates your prayers (as do we!), as well as any words of encouragement you can send her way.

Something that encouraged my heart this week was to see on FB that she is the guest speaker at a WMU meeting at one of our partner churches in a couple weeks. So proud of her for stepping out and sharing her story and what God is doing around the world, AND for partner churches like that one that give her opportunities and take the chance to love on her too.