Number Our Days

We counted the days until we left to come to Nepal. As the departure date drew closer, the emotions heightened. Numbering those days brought anticipation and excitement as we prepared, and everyone wondered what this adventure would bring. What would we experience that is new? What would we eat that is weird? Will the kids at Trust Home be excited for our family to be living with them for 7 weeks? And so much more. That same anticipation was there when we boarded the plane, and was still there during our 7 hour layover in Doha. Everyone was filled with wonder.

We have now been here for 24 days. We are pretty much settled in now. Not all the streets look alike as they did when we first arrived, and we know the way to the market. We are used to dodging cows in the streets, and the deafening horns on the big trucks just as they pass by don’t make us nearly wet ourselves anymore. We are pros at laundry-by-hand (not even close actually), and can cook a mean dinner using just a propane burner. We are covered in bug bites and have nearly forgotten what AC feels like.





We leave to go home in 24 days. That sank in this morning. We shared this with our children at breakfast, and talked about making these days really count. Putting a number on the days that are left brought about a much different emotion than the first time we counted the days. While we are looking forward to seeing our family and friends, and we are all anticipating eating things we miss from home, like a big cheeseburger or a yummy salad or salsa or Chick-Fil-A (ok, I should stop now as my mouth is watering), the reality is that we are sad to leave.

Everyday is hard and amazing all at the same time. It is a moment by moment dependency on God, and definitely is not fun when our independency creeps in. One of the things we have learned by being here together, is that families need more shared spiritual experiences that help them grow together. As a result of this shared experience, we pray we will never be the same! All of us. Closer together. Closer to the heart of God.


Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”


This journey has taught us to be present in every moment. Realize how important today is. Numbering our days should not merely make us look forward to what is coming, but to live in the moment, here and now.

Make it count. Don’t miss it. Enjoy the process.