Friends, Family, & Supporters,
If you're anything like me, Memorial Day, Independence Day, & Veteran's Day always make you take time to observe your freedoms and blessings in this great Nation we all call "home". I am so very grateful for the rights and privileges I have as an American citizen, and don't take those freedoms lightly. Thank to all of you who are serving, have served, or will continue to serve this great country–YOU are the heroes! Many of you I know, some of you are even in my family, but even still, some of you I will likely never meet; either way, you are in my heart, and I am so grateful for you. Each and every one of you.
Moreover, if you're like me, you're also quick to observe and be reminded that the Grace of God is the greatest freedom we've been freely given, and what a gift it is! I don't know where I'd be today without my Jesus and the sacrifice He made on the cross for my sins; He is the ultimate Hero. Even as wonderful of a place America is, and even though we're all immensely blessed to reside here, I don't know that my allegiance could lie anywhere better than with Him, and I don't know what other place I'd rather call "Home" than Heaven.
For now, I'm grateful for America, but I must admit, I'm far more excited and eager to see my Eternal Home, and be granted eternal freedom, without pain and sadness and sickness and disease and death and famine and war and strife. This Home, one of peace, is what my heart is after.
Friends, we're only here for a short while; our days are numbered and fleeting, and God could call us Home at any time. So while we're here, let's make a lasting impact on the Kingdom–let's seek the Kingdom first. Let's love one another selflessly, let's serve and give, and let's continue to be advocates for one another, whether the person sitting next to us is an American or not. Humble yourself and serve him; be hospital to him; call him "neighbor" and "brother". THAT is the "American way" after all…
Beginning in January, I'll leave this great and bountiful country's soil to head out into the Nations, and having done that before, I can attest to you all that our country is truly the greatest place to return to. There is no place that humbles me more–I'm proud to be American! Even as I fall in love with people of other nations and show them the Love of Christ, know that you will all be in my hearts, and I'll often remember my freedoms and luxuries, many of which I will go without for 11 months. It's a small sacrifice to make, to give up these freedoms and GO into t he world. While I may or may not risk my life like our troops, I'll probably be gaining far more than I give. Jesus said: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." {Matt 10:40}
I depart America on January 12th, but until I set foot on our soil once more, I am confident that the Spirit goes before me, and you should be confident that you're all in my thoughts and prayers.
Happy Veteran's Day. May this be the best {because it's the only} 11/11/11 you will EVER have!
Let's never forget our freedom in Christ as we make our way toward our Heavenly home.
Until then, choose Love.
In Him, your American {but also Guatemalan, Honduran, El Salvadorian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Ugandan, Kenyan, Tanzanian, Thai, Cambodian, & Malaysian} SISTER,
Suzy
{Desire to help me get out of America and into the Nations? Click the "support me financially." link on the left-hand side of this page. <—————- I'm still $2,000 away from my goal of $6,500. Thank you!}
