How do we spend our time in Hawaii? I always have plans and dreams of the way things are going to go. Sometimes God lets these unfold, but most of the time He has a better plan.
After we started settling in I had great plans to work on photo albums, scrap books, make master plans for next years school and frolic at the beach. School planning has happened, although is certainly not complete, and we've been to the beach...but God had other plans for our time.
My parents have taught me in word and through their actions that we love whoever God brings. Sometimes it's hard and sometimes it's easy...this time it's been a pure delight!
>
Ariane Neyland was mentioned in my first blog. She and her family, Allen and Alex, live in Guam where they are stationed with the Air Force. David and Tricia Boles called us to tell us that she was coming to Hawaii due to a high risk pregnancy. Allen and Alex were here for the first month but then had to head back to Guam.
Ariane is an amazing woman who has lived through things I can't imagine. She was born in Uganda, spent early years in her country of Rwanda, and moved to France at 12 when her father passed away. Ariane has a mother with a deep faith, 11 siblings, speaks 8 languages, has lived in 7 African countries, 5 European countries, California, and now Guam. She worked for the United Nations translating and came to America on a program where she could get her Masters. When they told her she had to improve her English in order to stay, she marched herself to the local gas station where she volunteered. She volunteered 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 2 years in order to learn better English. A year later she had worked her way up quickly at Chevron and was a territorial manager for Northern California. She has a joy that only comes from Christ and it affects everyone she comes in contact with. Ariane is like a beautiful flower as she draws people to herself and exudes color, fragrance, and grace to all who come.
We've had the priveledge of loving Ariane and jumping on to ride her roller coaster of this pregnancy. Our time in Hawaii has been filled with hospital rooms, waiting rooms, running errands and driving out one more time to the hospital. During these times we've seen Mrs. Neyland love and minister to a hospital staff, share her many stories from such different cultures, stand firm her relationship with Jesus, and love our children. The night her husband and son left she told me, "I told Jesus, well, here we are, there's an extra bed over there, but I need you in this bed with me."
I'm amazed at how well she knows our children. She doesn't seem to miss a thing in life and through her observations and time spent with them could sit down and give you a very accurate portrait of them all. The week before she gave birth they were all able to have their own day with Mrs. Neyland at the hospital and were hopeful for another before she left. I have no doubt that all four will look back in life and be able to see a strong influence in their own hearts from this dear woman.
God has been good to us all. His provision is always complete. His ways are always best. We are never alone. His timing always perfect. He loves us more than anyone and He loves our children more than we do. We don't begin to understand His love, but we have just a little more of an idea after we've walked through something like Ariane has walked through. Our family understands just a little bit more by watching.
I look forward to seeing all that God has in store for Adam Neyland because God has placed him here against so many odds. His middle name means "warrior of God" in his mothers native tongue. Adam Neyland, may God bless you in ways that I can't even dream of at this time in your life. May you glorify our living God with every breath. I know that by His grace, you will live up to your name. Our God has spared your life, now He will sustain it!
Allen, your wife and son have given us so much more than we've ever received. I hate all that you have missed and am grateful this journey is almost over for you. It's been a treasure to my heart to watch you love them.
Ariane, words could never express my heart. Thank you my friend, my world will never be the same because of you...
\
So next time you are at the gas station and meet someone working on their English...give an extra smile and a word of encouragement. Love whoever He brings my friends...the blessings have been rich and the fellowship has been sweet. Yes, Mother and Daddy were right, we love whoever He brings...
Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops
