4!

4!

The Liel Family (minus Marshall and Lauren)

"4!" may be equivalent to 24 if you see this as an equation and solve it as a factorial, but for us at Liel, "4!" means something so much more. It's official: four more weeks of school...four more June birthdays to celebrate...four more weekends together...4!

These last four weeks are extraordinarily special at Liel for several reasons. Next year, it looks as though our middle school dorm will be converted to a high school girls dorm to accommodate the abundance of applications for the high school girls boarding program. Just as the life of a third-culture-kid (TCK) seems to be defined by change, Black Forest Academy is also a place of constant change. I think we were all sad to hear the news about Liel, but we are certainly going to embrace these last few weeks together. We can be happy and glad because we have made history at BFA! Never before has the school opened a dorm specifically for middle schoolers. We are also unique in that we have a co-ed dorm with an awesome mix of guys and girls... AND we represent the smallest dorm with 10 students and 3 staff members (which has allowed us to be a more closely knit family). We can also rejoice that with this change, 10 more missionary kids will have an opportunity to receive an education at BFA. For these young women, all of the change is worth it.

If you can pray with us, we would be so grateful. Pray for the placement of four middle school students who have been accepted into the boarding program next year (it looks as though a home placement is most likely where missionaries in the area will open up their homes to house these students...one of our own, Laura, is included in this). Pray for our own 8th grade girls at Liel who now have the option of staying at Liel after they already decided to go elsewhere. Pray also for a couple to come to BFA to serve as dorm parents--Residence Life at BFA is still searching for willing servants to fill these vacant roles. And finally, please pray for me. Though, I will remain at BFA for another year, I am not sure where I will be serving. My placement is dependent on so many factors and so, this is a season of change again for me... a season of uncertainty... a season of waiting on the Lord.

Though I do rejoice today because as I was reminded in the Gospel of Luke (ch. 12) that the Lord has instructed us to not worry about our LIFE. It seems easier (in part) not to worry about tomorrow, but to not worry about my LIFE? This is radical. This is hard. Though He does give me the desires of my heart, He certainly doesn't include me in the planning of my life. He doesn't ask about my thoughts on converting the Liel dorm. He doesn't warn me about the possible loss of my current position, ministering to middle schoolers. He just acts. He just decides. And sometimes, He takes away. In the midst of this, He also asks me to replace my worry with belief. After all, He says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." This is a promise that I cling to.

And so, despite the change, I am more at peace now because I know that I will SEE the kingdom in the children that I will get to serve next year, regardless of their age or gender. It's simply not worth worrying about... My Jesus came to GIVE me the Kingdom, certainly not to take it away.

To the One to whom all children belong,

Lauren

The girls say "Guten Morgan!"