Future Plans

I don't usually post blogs without pictures and all writing, but I'm busting out of my mold for this one! I wanted to let our blogger friends in on some of our future plans, so that they don't have to read between the lines!
About two months ago it came to our attention that there was going to be some changes ahead with our employees back at home. We had some that were either quitting and moving onto other things, getting married or traveling for an extended period of time this summer. It didn't make sense to hire new employees when Rudi and Emily would be coming home just a couple months later and we would have to let the new employees go to make room for the big boss! We were able to have a good talk with Jennifer about our situation and she gave us her blessing to return home in August. Technically, we are supposed to be here two full years, so October should have been when we would be coming home. A lot of days we are sad to be going home two months early and then there are days when it doesn't seem soon enough!!! Already we are down scaling and selling some of our things and it really does feel like August is right around the corner.
I know that saying goodbye to our CDA babies is going to be the hardest thing we do BY FAR. I truthfully do not even want to think about it, so I don't... or rather I try not to! We all have changed and grown so much being here in Bolivia. At this point we do not have plans to return to Bolivia. I will say though, that we are open to returning if God shows us that He would like us to. In some ways it feels like we are just getting started here. We are finally able to communicate enough that we can have more ministry with adults. We also feel like we can be more useful to the older children in the orphanage. We also are much more culturally adapted. What was so odd before now seems normal! Eeeks!
We would really love it if you all would pray for us that we would know with clarity what God's will is for our family is in regards to future ministry in Bolivia. We know that in the U.S. we have a home and a business, two large extended families that are important to us, our church family and much more at home that we are responsible for. We know that one step at a time God will show us what He has for our future.  Our time here has not always been super easy,  but it has always been blessed. Thank you to Casa de Amor for allowing our  family to learn how to serve together and thank you to all of you who have followed our blog and prayed for us. We know that because we are
following the Lord the best is yet to come!
" Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13&14