Worth it All?

It's been tough here in SA. Living in a culture very different than my own, not understanding the people around me, and to be honest, feeling a little lonely at times. There have been days when I (MP) have really missed "home," where ever that is now :), and wondered what in the world we are doing here. Why do we put ourselves through all the "inconveniences" of a new culture, when all I'm feeling is weariness, confusion, and (I'll admit) frustration?

Rewind a few years back, to an internship I did with an amazing group of college students.... I was introduced to a female music artist named Meredith Andrews, whom my dear friend Jen would listen to over and over again. I can't recall the song, but it became quite a hit in the Chr!st!an community, and definitely touched Jen's heart. Meredith has come out with another  song recently entitled, "Worth it All," which has been such an encouragement to me on my hardest days. The words in the chorus and final verse go like this...

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus, everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all
You are worth it all

When I'm there in Your glorious presence
Every knee is bowed before You
Hear the sound of heaven singing
You are worth it all
All the saints cry holy holy
Angels singing worthy worthy
Forever I will shout Your praises
You are worth it all 

See, I know He's worth it all. But sometimes I convince myself that all this (i.e. my current circumstances) are NOT worth it all, and that is just a lie. Living in His will is always perfect and for my good. And like the song says, one day every knee will be bowed before Him, with everything on heaven and earth crying out to the Lamb! How amazing. Yes, I have lost a lot but in comparison to how much I owe Him, how can I really even count the difference?

First Visit to Nepal

So...we'd never traveled to Nepal before...Nepal actually made it as Haley's 5th country that she has visited in her short 2 years :) Though it was different than I expected (think slightly grungy and "trekk-y") we still had a fun time making memories, and meeting sweet friends in our new destination!

Toby and Haley in front of our hotel...it was a converted palace, and very Nepalese!

It rained several days during our stay, so we did some indoor "exploration" inside of our hotel

We also took Haley to a play place in a local mall

Obviously, the Himalayan mountains are a huge (the main?) attraction in Kathmandu....and they ARE beautiful! What a creative G o d we serve :)