Children are a gift from the Lord

That's what Gods Word tells us, right? The book of Psalms tells us that they are our reward. Sometimes this feels true - when they're cute and sweet or when they do things that make us proud. But, sometimes, when they are not acting quite so cute or sweet, I know I find myself questioning this "gift from the Lord."When I was engaged to be married, someone presented me with a book about this gift of children and how I should make my life dedicated to having a quiver full of them. This was a tad overwhelming as a 19 year old who hadn't even graduated college yet and sure did not feel ready to have children. Nonetheless, it did begin the thought process inside of me to view children in the way that God intended.Fast forward a few years when God revealed something profoundly wise to the both of us, as a young married couple in our early 20's, still without children. We wouldn't have children for a couple more years, but the lesson God chose to open ours to has proven itself incredibly valuable, even almost 20 years later.Through the youth ministry we were involved in and the relationships we were building at a small West Texas church, God opened our eyes and revealed very clearly to us that our children (when we would one day have them) were not our own. That seems like a simple thought, but it was deep and real and raw for us. It was as if He wanted us to see and understand and truly grasp this concept - that children are His creation and that they belong to Him and that He will direct their steps and grow them into the men and women He desires for them to be, for His purposes and His glory. It wasn't to diminish the job that He gives us as parents to raise these children and love them and teach them about Jesus Christ. But, it was certainly a wake up call to make sure we understood that they're His to do with as He pleases.I've certainly held on to that all of these years, but here it crept up on me again as we've begun this new journey in Germany. As we began to say Yes to this calling to love on and minister to missionary kids, we certainly trusted that He would equip us and show us exactly what it was we needed to be doing each step of the way. Explaining this ministry to people, however, has proven somewhat difficult. The concept of missionaries sending their children off to be boarded at a school, away from them for months on end, simply did not make sense to most people in our circle of friends/family. I, honestly, can't imagine doing it myself.If you know me at all, however, you know that I sort of just jump in with both feet and don't ask a lot of questions. We were confident that this is what God was asking us to do with our lives and so we just said Yes, knowing that He would reveal answers to any questions along the way.This past week was Opening Day at Black Forest Academy.What I witnessed there (there are tears in my eyes as I type this) were people, whom God has called to further His Kingdom in the dark places all over the world, grasping fully the concept that God revealed to Lance and I before we were even parents. They have confidently said Yes to the different mission fields He has called them to, knowing that He is faithful and that He always has a plan, even for their children and their eventual education at Black Forest Academy-- WHO ARE HIS CHILDREN ANYWAY!I watched these parents hug on their kids and kiss them one last time (for a while) and give them last minute instructions, like any parent would before sending your kids off somewhere. And then I watched them walk away. They walked back into the hard lives of Bible translation in countries where thousands have never heard the name of Jesus; of refugee ministries in places where darkness abounds; of church planting in places where the very idea of a bible-believing church is illegal and dangerous. Of course they would go back to these places and share the name of Jesus Christ - it's what they were created to do! And of course they would trust in God to care for their children.And, of course teamdockrey would be exactly in this place at this specific time to stand in the gap for their children. He gave Lance and I a heart for missions as young children. And He has grown and equipped us to invest in the lives of young people for almost 20 years. He gave us a clear vision of how He views the child/parent relationship. And He paved the way for us to be able to say Yes to this specific calling -- to invest in and love and build up these children of missionaries.We already felt so deeply about what God was calling us to do, but He just blew up in our hearts this past week as He just so clearly showed us how He has uniquely gifted us and called us for this EXACT thing.And that's just what He does. I know there will be hard days, adjusting to a new culture, missing home, and walking through life with students and fellow missionaries. But, we would want to be nowhere else than in the very center of His will for our lives.THANK YOU for praying for us, for sending us, for holding us to be able to do the very thing God called us to do. (shameless plug: we still need monthly or annual financial supporters to enable us to stay here on the field - click on the partner with us button to join teamdockrey in this way). Keep praying and I'll do my best to keep updating! Love you all!