Stateside

I have to admit, being back in the States is probably one of the weirdest things I've ever experienced. I now understand what people are talking about when they say, "beware of reverse culture shock." After 7 months, I was finally used to the Ukrainian way of life - and in a lot of ways, prefer it now. Coming back to the States, I keep finding myself completely overwhelmed by fast food options, menu choices, the size of the cars (and the roads), the selection of television programs in English, the selection in grocery stores, and especially the selection at the mall.

In fact, I'm been so overwhelmed by choices, I just got swindled into buying a scone and a venti latte at Starbucks, because I was so shocked that the cashier was speaking to me in English, I didn't even pay attention to what he was encouraging me to buy (great job suggestively selling though, Barista!).

Being back home has been really great and really difficult at the same time (Seems to be a trend in my life these days). In so many ways, it feels like I never left. Everyone's lives have continued on without me, and my life has changed too. But driving on the same old streets, sleeping in my old bedroom, and fellowshipping at my church gives me the feeling that life here in American has been frozen in time. The only difference is that I'm a little older.

Talking with old friends, being with family, it's been amazing. And every time I see some of my friends and family, my heart hurts a little because I know that goodbye is two short weeks away. At the same time, I'm eager to get back to Ukraine. To get back to work. To see my Ukrainian friends. I think I have two home countries now - and that's difficult to grapple with.

But all in all, I'm so thankful for our time in the States. Reconnecting with friends and family, and especially, our home church, has been more encouraging than I could have ever imagined.

We were blessed with the opportunity to give a mission's report at Calvary Aurora on Wednesday (5/8), which was so awesome! What a blessing to share with our church family. I was so nervous to speak, but right before we went up on stage, Pastor Dave said to me, "Remember, love casts out fear. Remember how much you love this congregation and they love you." And he was so right. As I looked out over the crowd, I was totally overwhelmed - seeing the faces of all of these people that, for a reason I will never understand, believe in Byron and I, and trust us enough to support us and send us to Ukraine to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The nervousness slowly melted away as I remembered that I was speaking to people who love me, and we love them.

I also had the opportunity to speak at a Christian private school to a geography class. That was really awesome too. It was so cool to speak to 9th graders about missions, culture, language, and of course, Jesus. I encouraged the students to consider their high school as a mission field, and told them that you're never too young to serve the Lord and be totally sold out for Him. It was so encouraging to me to speak to these kids and to see that even at their young age, they've already chosen to serve the Lord. Praise God!

On our last newsletter, Byron and I had asked for prayer as we headed back to American, mainly because we were afraid of the feelings we would have and the emotions that would come up as we're Stateside. Personally, I was afraid that being back in Colorado would make me never want to leave again. But, the Lord is so good, and by speaking to my friends and family about Ukraine and what the Lord is doing there, I have actually become more excited than ever to be in Ukraine, and I can't wait to go back and get back to work. I feel so encouraged by my sweet friends and family, I'm stoked to get back to Ukraine with a fresh heart and mind, ready to serve the Lord.

I also want to share with you guys some praise reports. As most of you know, I'm a type one diabetic, and that's our biggest obstacle in being missionaries. But, let me just say, diabetes is nothing to the Lord, and He has provided for all of my needs and protected my body in amazing ways.

I went to my diabetes doctor yesterday, and found out that my A1c is 6.2 (the lowest it's ever been in the 20 years I've had diabetes! For those of you not familiar with A1c's, non-diabetics are between 4-5.9, so the goal for diabetics is to be below 7, and I'm 6.2!). In addition, my doctor told me that I finally qualify for a continuous glucose monitor, which means that I will be able to know what my blood sugar  is 100% of the time without having to do multiple blood tests. It's seriously been a dream of mine to have a CGM for the last 4 years or so, and I can't believe I'm finally going to be able to get one. And, my insurance is basically paying for the whole thing. Praise the Lord!

While my doctor was telling me all of this, I had to fight off the tears. I don't deserve all of the blessings that the Lord is giving me, and I'm so blow away by His unending grace and mercy. He is such a good God.



So, at this point, you're probably thinking that this blog post will never end, and you're right. I still have more to say haha!


I also wanted to share with you guys a revelation that Byron and I had the other day, and also a huge prayer request- and this is totally unrelated to everything else I've talked about so far, but it does have to do with being Stateside.

The last time we visited Ukraine, before we moved, two days after we returned to Colorado, there was a horrific shooting in Aurora, which is where we live in Colorado, and many of our close friends were at the shooting. It was such a heartbreaking time, but we were so thankful that we were in Colorado when it happened so that we could stand in unity with our church, as the Body of Christ, and minister to the city, pray together, and weep together. During this time, we really realized that when one part of the Body hurts, the whole Body hurts, and so, we all fixed our eyes to Jesus in unison, and cried out for His help.

As we're back in Colorado right now, more pain has hit Calvary Aurora. Our head pastor's son, Eddie, who is in his mid-twenties and has a 4 month old baby and wife, suffered from Cardiac arrest on May 4th. I don't know many details, but I do know he's been in a coma since then, and I'm pretty sure he hasn't woken up yet. Byron and I have been heartbroken over the situation, but we're thankful that we're here in Colorado while this is happening so that we can be close to our church, go to prayer services, and support Eddie however we can. The revelation that Byron and I have had is that the Lord has allowed us to be in Colorado for these two tragedies so that we can stay connected to the church and to be able to join the church, specifically at the church building, to pray and seek the Lord in these times of trouble.

The Bible says:

"Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust Him shall be condemned."

(Psalm 34:12-22 NKJV).

With that in mind, we ask for your prayers. Please, please pray for a miracle in Eddie's life, that he would wake up, that there would be a full healing of his body and mind. Pray for comfort for his family, especially his wife and sweet little baby. Also, please pray for financial provision for the family, that they would have all the money they need in order to pay for the best care for Eddie.

As you pray for Eddie, if you feel the Lord calling you to financially help Eddie and his wife, please click on the link below to find out how to support them:

Trooper Taylor

Once at the website, click the ABOUT tab, and you will find info about how to financially help Eddie and his wife in their time of need.


Thank you guys for all of your prayers and support. We are so blessed by you all.

Blessings,
Emily