picking up the pieces.

I’m back.
I’ve been back since Friday night and let me tell you friends, it’s been hard.
leaving Ethiopia was maybe one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
I felt like I was leaving good friends, family, and CHILDREN (my children!) behind.
{ way more on this to come. }
I wanted/want to just rip my heart out.

I have so many stories to tell you from my time in Ethiopia with Visiting Orphans & then my extra week with the Project 61 team.  Since blogger wasn’t working, I got a tad behind…but they are wonderful stories, and once I can put the pieces of my heart back together – I’ll give it to you.

What I didn’t expect when I got home was all the changes that are going on around me.
good changes.

changes that make those nearest & dearest to me really happy

Chloe moved to Uganda, Jenna left Sunday to pick up Emme, Jenn is adjusting to life with a teenage boy (Rwandan no less!), Alli is about to have her baby, Laura found out she was having a boy, Shannon got her baby bed & there house is being transformed for baby E, Amanda- well she knows, Lauren & Michael (our beloved neighbors) are moving to Austin, and the list goes on.

changes.
I don’t like changes.
I pretend I do, but when it affects me – I don’t.
that sounds really selfish.  and it is.
but I have to be honest here.
I’ve thrown myself a pity party a few times the last few weeks.

it goes something like this,
“why is it always someone else’s turn!”, “why do I always play the supporting role”,
“when is it my turn!!!!”
“I want to have a baby”, “I want to do great things for Jesus”
“why why why”

yep.
it’s embarrassing.
but i’m just being honest.

I was reading in one of my handy dandy devo’s about how to “reflect” after you’ve come home from a mission trip this morning & it hit me.

It was talking about God finishing what He started in us, it says the one “who was, and is and is to come” is able to complete what He started.  

It goes on to say that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, uniquely designed and ultimately called to do tasks for the living God.  It goes on to talk about something I want to pretend it doesn’t….simple obedience.  It says, “as God lives in you, he wants to use you just as you are, right where you live.”

I’m beginning to not want to even live where I live.  My heart isn’t here, it’s in Ethiopia.  How can I be used right where I am when I don’t want to be here?

This is where it gets messy.
I know, in my heart, that I have to be obedient to God.  To where he’s called me.
Yes, I want to do BIG things for God.  
but it’s not about me and what I want.
it’s about obeying God in the simple day to day.
it says, “God asks us to do the common, ordinary things in extraordinarily good fashion.”
I just have to trust and obey.

so my question is this
will you pray for me?
pray that my heart will be prepared to be obedient to God right here in Midland, Texas
that I will be 100% open to what He’s called me to do
that I would pray & ask Him to reveal to me what that even is
that my heart would heal
that somehow the hole that is there every single day will not hinder His plans for me right here
that my attitude would change
and I would get ready for the battle…..
because the battle isn’t just in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia…it’s right where I live.

Thank you for letting me be 100% open & honest.
I don’t ever want to offend anyone.
I pray that my fabulous wonderful friends & church family in Midland understand me enough to know that my lack of wanting to be right here, right now, has NOTHING to do with them.
thank you for praying. 

Hey, I'm Wynne!

Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life.  I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.

A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!

let'e be friends

  1. Tara says:

    girl, i totally totally get it! and i will definitely say a prayer for peace for you today.

  2. larissa says:

    Coming home is so hard. It can be the best part and the worst part all at the same time. And then to see all your friends and family members and people around you have your turn and it’s not yours. Again, so hard. Just remember that his timing is absolutely perfect. And of course I’ll keep you in my prayers. <3

  3. Noelani says:

    Thoughts and prayers are with you girl 🙂

  4. Lauren says:

    I understand… completely. I love you! Can’t wait to hug you, cry with you, laugh with you, pray with you, and hear from God with you in just 2 weekends!

  5. Aly says:

    Praying for sure! Gosh Wynne, you are not alone!… Satan wants you to feel this way. There is big change in your life… in your heart!…. You are going to other countries, experiencing things many many many people dont ever experience. So while it seems like things all around you are changing (for others) dont forget about your change too! I am so proud of you!!!

  6. so beautiful! you’ll definitely be in my prayers!
    xo TJ

  7. Wynne Elder says:

    thank you all for your sweet words & prayers. they mean more than you know. xoxo

  8. Ansley says:

    love you friend! glad that you’re being honest and open to what God calls you to both in the present and the future. I’m praying for peace and confidence in what He’s doing in you!

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