“Take Heart…”

On October 26, 2023May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, Family6 Comments

Three weeks ago today, our family boarded a plane to head back to the States unexpectedly. My life had just changed in a way that I never imagined possible.

The night before, Wednesday, October 4th, my amazing father-in-law went to be with Jesus after suffering a heart attack. He was only 58.

It’s tempting to ask God questions, many of which I won’t get answers to this side of heaven. Why, Lord? Why did You allow this to happen? Did it have to be right now? Couldn’t we have had a little more time? How does this make sense? What are you trying to do in our lives?

It’s hard to explain how “final” this feels. Ted was just here, and now he’s not.

It’s as if time has frozen.

And yet… time marches on.

We’ve already experienced a few of those dreaded “firsts”: the first Sunday Ted didn’t walk up on stage to play bass at church. The first airport drop-off without him in the driver’s seat. The first time that someone else mowed his lawn. The first pumpkin patch adventure as a family of 10 instead of a family of 11.

Sadly, there will be more “firsts” without him. The first Christmas. All of those first birthday celebrations. The first family reunion. Celebrating the first grandchild graduating from high school.

There’s that temptation again – to face heaven and ask, “Why, God?”

This grief process hasn’t been very linear. I’ve had tough mornings. Mornings where I’m floating in between sleep and consciousness, and my chest just feels so tight. Yet on other days, I look back on precious memories with smiles and fondness. I suppose that’s how it works, though. Beauty and pain, love and loss, joy and sorrow, all intertwined together.

When things like this happen, I assume it’s natural to think about last interactions. And I’m unbelievably thankful! Not only do I vividly remember Ted’s last words to me, but I can also say that they were the perfect bit of encouragement for me right when I needed it.

In September, we were back in the States for a board meeting. I had been worrying a bit that trip – experiencing some anxiety thinking about the future. Ted knew it. When that short time in Indiana ended, Ted and Val dropped us off at the airport where we said our goodbyes. Ted gave me a hug, and he whispered in my ear, “Ang, we’re so proud of you guys. I know there’s uncertainty at times, but God’s got Freedom in His hands.”

At the funeral service on October 10th, Ted’s pastor referenced a verse that is so dear to my heart. It has become “mine” – a tangible piece of hope that I’ve come to hold on to these last 11 years we’ve spent in the DR. Hearing those words again, in this new and painful context, brought some fresh confidence to my weak heart.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush. He calls things the way they are. He states the obvious. Yes, there is trouble in the world. Yes, life is hard. So unbelievably hard.

But – praise the Lord – that’s not all.

“Take heart…”

The night is dark, yet there’s a light that shines bright. Christ has overcome, and death will not have the ultimate victory.

No, I don’t have to gloss over the sadness and the suffering. But I don’t have to camp there either. Both pain and peace can coexist – with my Savior prevailing in the end.

Certainly, if I were the author of this story, I would’ve written this chapter a bit differently from where I sit. But I’ve not been handed the pen. Moreover, I wholly trust the One who’s writing the book. Yes, these pages are peppered with pain – but they’re being perfectly crafted nonetheless.

So while losing Ted may feel final in the moment, how thankful I am that it’s not really “The end.”

The encore is coming. And it’s going to be glorious.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5

Happy Fall, Y’all!

On October 2, 2023May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, FamilyLeave a comment

It’s October 1st! Yes, fall has technically already “arrived” (according to whoever made that thing we call a calender), but weather here in the DR doesn’t feel very… autumn-esque. One thing I miss about living in the Midwest is watching the trees change out their summery, green clothes for the beautiful hues of orange and red before they enter into their season of slumber. They put on quite the show before they fall asleep, don’t they?

Today, even without the cool temperatures, Cal and I decided to have a Sunday afternoon full of fall fun! Life has been awfully busy recently, and it felt so good to just slow down a little bit and spend some time with my growing babe. Enjoy this photo chronicle of our “autumn” day!

I’m gonna take selfies with this gal until she won’t let me anymore. 🙂

Cal would paint all day every day if she were allowed.

Concentrating hard on that color mixing.

So glad God made a world full of color!

Mix it up!

The finished project

We moved on to baking after the painting session. My recipe card is… erm… well-loved! 🙂

Cal thought the pumpkin looked nasty when we were mixing it all together, but then she tasted it and changed her mind on whether she would partake.

Nothing quite like pumpkin layer cheesecake!

Thankful for today! Trying hard to savor every moment. Time is a thief, but memories are a gift.

March ’23 in Pictures

On April 1, 2023July 14, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

March in the Dominican was both full and fun!

See you in April for another round of pictures!

February ’23 in Pictures

On March 1, 2023July 11, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Here are 28 photos from our February in the DR!

On to March!

January ’23 in Pictures

On February 1, 2023March 12, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the Month1 Comment

Here’s our first month of 2023 in photo form!

Happy January!

“Though it linger, wait for it…”

On January 22, 2023October 28, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela2 Comments

Rome wasn’t built in a day. A watched pot never boils. We must learn to walk before we can run.

These well-known sayings hint at something – a virtue that we’d all say we aspire to have. And yet, the practical outworking of this character trait in our lives is definitely “easier said than done.”

I have two sons. One of my boys is working on developing some patience in his life. He has recently grown to love sports – particularly the Purdue Boilermakers. (Sorry, Dad. I tried my hardest to make him a Buckeye.) Any chance he gets to watch a basketball game, his face lights up. He has memorized players’ names and positions, and he loves cheering his team on to victory. Yet because of the busy schedule our family runs, there are times that we tell him that he’s got to wait to catch a recording of a game.

I tell ya – the moments we ask our son to be patient… those can be a bit trying for all of us in the Mitchener household. You see, my son wants instant gratification. He wants to experience the game as soon as possible. And the questions that ensue during these little seasons of waiting are… welll… incessant.

“Dad, when? When exactly can we turn on the game? Mom, are you going to watch with us? Can my friends come over? Are you finished with your work yet? It feels like it’s taking forever! Will we ever be able to start? What snacks can we have while we watch? Are you sure you can’t skip that meeting? I just don’t want to wait anymore!”

As a mother, I do my best to put myself in my son’s shoes – to understand that he is genuinely excited to share a fun experience with his friends and family. But after his third question, I’m sure that my son can often sense my own patience wearing thin. I wish that he would really hear me: we will indeed get to find out what happened in the basketball game. It’s simply a matter of waiting.

But waiting is so very hard, isn’t it?

In my own life, I’m noticing how I’ve recently been acting like my precious boy. Right now, I’m experiencing some situations that are downright painful, and I don’t know what the future holds. I’m confused and scared about the timing of things – of when and how exactly God is going to move. While I have been taking my concerns to the Lord, I think that I’ve been approaching my problems a bit like my son has been processing through his desire to watch his games.

“Father, when? When exactly are you going to answer my prayers? Are you even listening? Do you want to work in this circumstance? It feels like You’re taking forever. Are you going to come through? To be honest, Lord, I just don’t want to wait anymore!”

I believe that God is pleased when I take my burdens to Him. And yet, I also think that there are moments where He’s trying to talk to me, to comfort me, to teach me, but His gentle attempts of assurance are drowned out by my whining and impatient cries for help.

I recently started a devotional study by Dannah Gresh called Habakkuk: Remembering God’s Faithfulness when He Seems Silent. It has been an incredible reminder that I am not alone. Others have wrestled with these same feelings. With not having answers quickly.

Habakkuk was struggling. God didn’t seem to be dealing with the injustice and evil in his corner of the world. So Habakkuk opened up his book by crying out to the Lord. And God, in His patience and grace, answered His prophet:

For the revelation waits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habbakkuk 2:3

This wonderful verse tucked away in this tiny Old Testament book has been my lifeline these past few weeks – a precious reminder to my restless heart.

God gently reminded Habakkuk that He was, indeed, in control. He had a plan that would be brought to fruition at the perfect moment.

It was just a matter of waiting.

December ’22 in Pictures

On December 31, 2022January 22, 2023 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the Month2 Comments

Busy school days, birthday fun, Christmas program, spending time with family – all wrapped up in one month! Thankful for some time to relax and reflect on Jesus’ birth!

See you in 2023!

May ’22 in Pictures

On May 31, 2022June 12, 2022 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

May flew by! Thirty-one pictures from the month.

Cal got to spend a day hiking with her cousins on our short trip back to the States

See you at the end of June!

March ’22 in Pictures

On April 1, 2022April 23, 2022 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Enjoy 30 pictures of our March in the Dominican!

Thank you for your prayers for our family and for Freedom!

Is It Worth It?

On August 7, 2021August 10, 2021 By MitchenersIn Angela5 Comments

Do you ever have those moments where you wonder, “Does my life actually have any kind of purpose? Is any of this even worth it?”

It’s probably not kosher for a missionary to admit, but over the last 9 years, I’ve asked myself, “What in the world am I doing?” more than I care to count. I’ve experienced a thousand and one occasions where I’ve absolutely wanted to throw in the towel and call it quits.

Yet at the end of the day, something – Someone – always pulls me back.

Tonight, it happened as I was sifting through months and months of old photos. I sat at my desk and reacquainted myself with a million precious memories from years gone by. And kind of like those weeks after childbirth, the painful remembrances started falling away, leaving these golden moments, split seconds of goodness forever frozen in time. Each photo roars back at me a resounding “YES!” It is absolutely worth it all!

I loved my bygone mornings of quickly chugging fresh coffee made by Marielis’ mom at our Cabeza bus stop

It was special to watch this little one share the Good News with this older gentlemen as she explained the gospel meaning of each of her colored beads on her bracelet

Talking to Reynabel about how to be a good gal at school – and watching the wheels turn as she considered whether or not it would be a good idea to obey. 🙂

Praise the Lord! Despite each moment of weariness, disappointment, injustice, frustration, loneliness, confusion, sadness, and pain, He is worth it all!

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
And we’ll all share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

– Esther Kerr Rushtoi