Author: alithiadavis

There are pivotal moments in life when the Holy Spirit reaffirms the call He has placed on your life. Sometimes, members of your tribe are there to witness it. There will be more about these past ten days, but for now, I give you this pic. ❤️ We missed those who couldn’t physically be here, but your prayers were with us all the way. ❤️ #nicsimpact

Just wanted to update everyone quickly! We are currently at training for zee big move to Indonesia! Learning about teaching Third Culture Kids (TCKs) while gaining understanding about our kiddos becoming TCKs. Thank y’all for lifting me up-I’m oodles better. No fever and I can swallow. No aches and pains (except for the ones that come with being 40!) Please keep lifting us up! Will update more as I can! We are pulling eleven plus hour days!

A few weeks ago during a Bible study meeting, the following question was posed:  What hinders us from trusting that God is going to give us exactly what we need? Much conversation followed but the gist was mainly about us stepping in and trying to handle things instead of allowing God to be in control.  I could hear a question growing in my own heart: Does fear or trust motivate me more? What calls me to action quicker? Fear or Trust. Which is my motivator?

MOTIVATOR

I will trust You, God.

My fear will not motivate me

More than my trust.

You are faithful.

Every.  Single. Time.

You never break Your Word.

What You start, You finish.

You are constant.

My emotions are not.

I will choose to trust.

I will choose the faithfulness of my Saviour.

I will let trust be my motivator.

-Alithia Davis

 

Keys and computers turned in.  Check.  One last round of hugs.  Check.  Last pic by the Blytheville High School sign.  Check.  How we treasure our time spent in the halls and campuses of Blytheville Schools!  Michael and I have learned to be both fluid and flexible in the day-to-day of teaching.  We’ve seen success as well as failure. I pray we have learned from both. We have witnessed tireless dedication from teachers and students determined to change the world one decision at a time.  This passion to open doors with education is a heartbeat that will continue in both our lives. Thank you for pouring into Michael & I all these years Blytheville Chickasaws.  

Our girls have also become Chickasaws.  RyAnne and Elliana have cheered at ballgames and loved homecoming parades.  They’ve competed at World Finals in Odyssey of the Mind and placed FIFTH!  They have created projects, explored the world, read a jillion books, and conquered math skills.  RyAnne and Elliana have also built friendships in these decorated halls. They’ve cried at the thought of leaving them behind.  I wish we could meld our two homes into one place. In a way, we can, because they will bring those friendships with them. We are thankful for their teachers who worked tirelessly to make confusing concepts clear.  They ensured that joy fill every corner of their classrooms. Their teachers have walked that pivotal line of educating while encouraging curiosity. Each teacher and friend have impacted my girls in the best of ways.  

A common hashtag around here is #GoChicks.  We are acting on the goals and dreams we have for all Chickasaws…To GO.  GO change the world. GO follow your passions. Build up your skills here in our classrooms, fields, hallways, and stages…then GO.  GO use the marvelous uniqueness of you and be a Chickasaw who makes us all proud. We aim to use what each of you have honed in us. When we step on that plane, our Chickasaw pride will be boarding, too.  #ForeverChickasaws #GoChicks

What a terrific way to spend a couple of lunches!  We had the pleasure of speaking at the Lion’s Club meeting this past Tuesday.  We also had the joy of speaking at Rotary about a month ago.  It was marvelous to look out over these amazing groups and see so many faces that deeply love our city.  You can clearly see their passion for this town and her people.  Thank you for letting us share about our upcoming move.  Thank you even more for loving on Blytheville and never giving up! 

I can say many wonderful things about the Dads in my life, but let me simply say about each one- ‘He Leads’.

Michael Joe is the dad I always dreamed of for my girls.  He is consistent with both his discipline and his love. He shows them all how they matter and celebrates their giftings in ways that make each know they are special.  I’ve seen him hold a sobbing child and ease their heart. I have witnessed him praying over them while they wiggled and squirmed. I’ve also seen him consistently go into their rooms at night and pray one more time.  I’ve watched him take care of boo-boos, wrestle in the floor, laugh til tears fell, and beam with pride. In each instance, Michael Joe leads them to act and react like Jesus. What more could I dream of than a man who leads his kiddos to be like Christ?

My Dad is the man that set the bar for all dads.  I cannot remember a time when he wasn’t acting in faith and obedience to God’s calling.  Some of my earliest memories are kneeling at the altar with him while he petitioned the Lord to intervene on someone’s behalf.  I have witnessed healings the doctors couldn’t explain. I’ve seen him give so sacrificially and praise when the Lord provided. I’ve seen him spend countless hours making sure a forgotten family was remembered and cared for with love.  I’ve seen him let a grandchild honk his nose for the millionth time. I’ve heard him pray a jillion more. I’ve heard countless messages from so many pulpits, but Dad never makes the message about him. He always points to the Saviour and his worn out Bible tells the same tale.  It was my Dad that made me look for a man to lead me and my kids toward Christ in all he did. Daddy always leads me and I am all the more blessed for it.

Papa D is the other dad in our corner of the world.  He is the one that taught my Michael Joe what it meant to be a dad in every sense of the word.  Papa D loves life and fills the room with laughter wherever he is. He loves my children with a joy that overflows their souls.  His consistency is much of what defines who he is. All of us know we can turn to him and he will be there-whether it is any type of repair question, life advice and wisdom, or taking care of the grandkids.  Papa D also has the ability to remain calm in almost every situation. I know this comes from his foundation being firmly planted on the rock of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t waiver when the waves are high.  Instead, he is the voice of grace and love every single time. Papa D leads like Christ, because that is who he follows.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9  Each of these incredible Dads in my life will not know the full impact of their faithfulness until they see their Saviour face-to-face.  I hope they are encouraged here and now knowing they’ve changed our lives by leading us to look to Him. Their harvest is bountiful.

The girls are so excited to find a song they love in English translated into Bahasa Indonesian! This is the song at the end of every episode of Superbook!   I wish y’all could have seen their faces when they realized it was in Indonesian! We’ve been singing along to it for about a year in English. It is encouraging to hear them singing in both languages.  Personally, I am thankful for a new language that is phonetic!  Wooohooo!!!

We were astounded by the love shown through our T-shirt sale!  We have gotten pics from some of y’all out and about wearing them!  We also received several messages asking if we were going to sell them again.  We are going to open it back up for those of you who missed out! We have to sell at least twelve to get them printed.

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/davis-journey-to-indonesia

Also, we will not be able to extend the sale like we did last time! It will be straight up ONE WEEK from today that it ends!  So if you missed out, this is your chance to get one (or ten!) We are immensely encouraged by your support and ADORE the PICS! Thanks for loving on us big!  Let the ADVeNTuRe Begin!

 

 

 

I am teaching summer school and today we did a quick play. I was surprised to see our current corner of the world, Memphis, AND our future home on Java both have pyramids! A section of script is included below!! Who woulda thought?! #whenworldscollide #davisjourney

Hugs.  Tears. A chapter closed with encouragement ringing in our hearts.  I wish I had the words to explain how He used this place to repair our hearts.  Michael and I walked into the position of children’s pastors role unexpectedly. We both knew we wouldn’t be working in our strengths.  But through obedience to the call, we began to find delight in our walks again. We saw the Word through new eyes as the kids heard stories for the first time.  Wonder filled our world as old stories became new. As for our beaten and battered hearts, healing came as we were loved on by the people at h.i.s. Ministries. Somehow they manage to both love Jesus and act like Him.  It was fascinating. It was also exactly what we wanted our kids to witness. We have grown in faith as our hearts healed. We know that He used this community to prepare us to go, even as we wanted to stay. Please join us as we lift up the kids’ ministry as they seek the new children’s pastors.  We are going to miss this family immensely. We love each and every one of you. Muchly.