So beyond the obvious 6 or 7 hour time difference, I feel like the times in my heart are changing.
I can't really say much more than I feel somewhat complete in pursuing my dreams right now. Yes, it has been a transition. Yes, I have moved away from most 'comfortable' things. Yes, I am living 15,000 miles away from home. And yet, in it all, I am feeling the change of time in the most gracious, merciful way.
So this morning we decided to start a "quote board" for our house. I have to say that I am completely blessed to have such amazingly funny ("You're F, U, (laughter ensues)..." for those in Casa 2) housemates. Humor is a big part of life here in Pemba for the last four weeks and the next four weeks. It feels like a huge gift to me. I'm aware that these are seasonal relationships, and I am in love with Africa still!
I'd apologize for not writing, to those who are following this blog, but I can't say that I'm exactly sorry that I haven't been able to write. The whole of not being connected all the time is really nice. I'm sure in time (heh.) it will become more frequent, but for now, I'll do my best to stay offline and connected at the same time.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Finality...
Is it even a word? For me, right now, this is definitely a feeling!
I'm realizing that my life is so changing for the better. But sometimes in order to get the better thing you have to let go of the thing you're currently holding onto. For me, right now, that's my church home and community; people who have invested heavily in me; people I've invested in.
It's time to let go and reach for something bigger and better, like my dreams!
Hopefully I'll be able to post soon! And, with pictures!
I'm realizing that my life is so changing for the better. But sometimes in order to get the better thing you have to let go of the thing you're currently holding onto. For me, right now, that's my church home and community; people who have invested heavily in me; people I've invested in.
It's time to let go and reach for something bigger and better, like my dreams!
Hopefully I'll be able to post soon! And, with pictures!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Leaving on a Jet Plane...don't know when I'll be back again...no, really!
So, I'm taking a moment to write. Mostly I'm taking this moment because I need to slow down a little and take in the amazing blessings that I've been showered with over these last three weeks. Yeah, just three weeks!
1. I landed my "dream" job.
2. I got a passport in 1 business day.
3. I have received the most generous donations, and am able to see the proof that what you sow, you also reap. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually. Tangibly, too. I mean, who offers to give away luggage? I had three or fours offers!
4. I am more emotionally connected to myself. (This might seem trivial to some, but for me, it's a huge blessing to know myself, and to know myself known.)
5. My passport came back with a visa for 90 days! (and not the day before, or the actual day that, I leave!)
6. I have storage in the basement of my current apartment, which makes "moving" so much easier! Thank you Robin!
7. I was able to leave my job well. Sad for my co-workers who will freeze in the summer and swelter in the winter! How backwards!
8. I listened to my mom talk (online) about love and family. Redemptive moments in history...not just personally, but globally too!
So, if you're reading this, thank you. I'm sure in some way, you've touched my life and I'm grateful for that. If you are one of the Professors I worked for at BU, thank you for showing me that gratitude for the smallest thing is necessary and truly honoring. If you are a friend I haven't seen in a while, it's likely that our relationship has shaped me in ways that drew me closer to God and my understanding of myself. If you are my mother (heh. you better be reading this!), thank you for the foundation you laid in my life; for the ways you proved that life could be hard and still good; for the ways that you gave me life, in many ways; for the love that you proved...never-ending, all-encompassing, from the bottom of your heart, even when it hurt.
I look forward to sharing my journey with you all!
1. I landed my "dream" job.
2. I got a passport in 1 business day.
3. I have received the most generous donations, and am able to see the proof that what you sow, you also reap. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually. Tangibly, too. I mean, who offers to give away luggage? I had three or fours offers!
4. I am more emotionally connected to myself. (This might seem trivial to some, but for me, it's a huge blessing to know myself, and to know myself known.)
5. My passport came back with a visa for 90 days! (and not the day before, or the actual day that, I leave!)
6. I have storage in the basement of my current apartment, which makes "moving" so much easier! Thank you Robin!
7. I was able to leave my job well. Sad for my co-workers who will freeze in the summer and swelter in the winter! How backwards!
8. I listened to my mom talk (online) about love and family. Redemptive moments in history...not just personally, but globally too!
So, if you're reading this, thank you. I'm sure in some way, you've touched my life and I'm grateful for that. If you are one of the Professors I worked for at BU, thank you for showing me that gratitude for the smallest thing is necessary and truly honoring. If you are a friend I haven't seen in a while, it's likely that our relationship has shaped me in ways that drew me closer to God and my understanding of myself. If you are my mother (heh. you better be reading this!), thank you for the foundation you laid in my life; for the ways you proved that life could be hard and still good; for the ways that you gave me life, in many ways; for the love that you proved...never-ending, all-encompassing, from the bottom of your heart, even when it hurt.
I look forward to sharing my journey with you all!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Pain in the Neck, I Mean, Arm...
So, Thursday I went to the Travel Clinic! Praise God for really good insurance because I had to get a few vaccinations in preparation for my trip.
Okay, so "a few" now means "SEVEN"!!!!! I'm totally thrilled that we have access to great medical care here in the U.S., but it did prompt me to start thinking about what things I take for granted. Like doctor's offices...despite some ridiculous wait times and the urge to sneeze, not into the crook of my arm, just to make things a little less sterile, we really are superbly blessed to have knowledgeable staff available to us. And medication...you know, we run to the pharmacy and they can likely give us what we need, or they can get it in a relatively immediate time frame.
So what else do you take for granted? Think about it...fill in the blanks: "I would find it hard to function if, for one week, I didn't use __________, eat __________, or have access to __________." Really? Now really think about it...what would life be like? Is it possible that life is just more complicated by our constant need to be "connected" via iPhone, internet, cell phone? Is is possible to thrive on less? What does simplicity look like for you?
Happy Sunday!
Okay, so "a few" now means "SEVEN"!!!!! I'm totally thrilled that we have access to great medical care here in the U.S., but it did prompt me to start thinking about what things I take for granted. Like doctor's offices...despite some ridiculous wait times and the urge to sneeze, not into the crook of my arm, just to make things a little less sterile, we really are superbly blessed to have knowledgeable staff available to us. And medication...you know, we run to the pharmacy and they can likely give us what we need, or they can get it in a relatively immediate time frame.
So what else do you take for granted? Think about it...fill in the blanks: "I would find it hard to function if, for one week, I didn't use __________, eat __________, or have access to __________." Really? Now really think about it...what would life be like? Is it possible that life is just more complicated by our constant need to be "connected" via iPhone, internet, cell phone? Is is possible to thrive on less? What does simplicity look like for you?
Happy Sunday!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Visa or Mastercard? Priceless!
My experience of getting ready to change my life has been God making things happen while I do minimal work.
While this may seem trivial, if you know me at all, you'll know that I like the details of things. I like knowing that my friends like/dislike certain foods. I enjoy knowing that I can put together a conference and have the details all settled for each piece of it way ahead of time. I love organizing and planning (just don't ask me about my bedroom!).
So this realization that I've had to "do" very little in the process of moving my life to Africa is monumental. Yes, I had to fill out an application for a passport and wait in line at the agency. But in a strange way I felt seen and known, as the woman who processed my application said, "You need to get a visa, right?" Click, click, click...ok, you can pick up your passport on Monday." This seems remarkable to me having applied for it in the mid afternoon of Friday! I needed to actually go to the store and look around to find leggings, expecting to pay an inordinate sum and finding them for $7. Why is it that I assume God is out to get me/that I'm just waiting for the proverbial "other shoe to drop."? It's kind of ridiculous and senseless to me to stay in this state of mind, while things are just kind of falling into place.
All kinds of things...that I never could have imagined falling into place without some sort of pre-thought or planning or organizing. I am truly amazed at what can happen when we get out of our own way!
And yet, I find myself wondering, "How on earth can I get a visa, let alone a 6 month visa, in just over a week, without a letter of invitation in my inbox?" There is some minimal mundane work to be done, but I know that it's out of my control. So I guess the question is, "Do I really trust God more than I trust myself?" and that's a hard question to look at all the time (for those of you out there with control issues, I know you'll relate!). I want to be done slogging through my own disbelief and honestly put my trust in the Lord. After all, He's brought me this far in the process, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't mean to thwart me.
(So, just as a side note, right now...I noticed that I got a new email in my inbox! Any takers on what it was?!)
Again, with great amazement and wonder to One who sees and knows me full well. I'll just sit at my desk and cry today, sitting in the full tension of the "now and not yet" and it'll all be a'ight!
While this may seem trivial, if you know me at all, you'll know that I like the details of things. I like knowing that my friends like/dislike certain foods. I enjoy knowing that I can put together a conference and have the details all settled for each piece of it way ahead of time. I love organizing and planning (just don't ask me about my bedroom!).
So this realization that I've had to "do" very little in the process of moving my life to Africa is monumental. Yes, I had to fill out an application for a passport and wait in line at the agency. But in a strange way I felt seen and known, as the woman who processed my application said, "You need to get a visa, right?" Click, click, click...ok, you can pick up your passport on Monday." This seems remarkable to me having applied for it in the mid afternoon of Friday! I needed to actually go to the store and look around to find leggings, expecting to pay an inordinate sum and finding them for $7. Why is it that I assume God is out to get me/that I'm just waiting for the proverbial "other shoe to drop."? It's kind of ridiculous and senseless to me to stay in this state of mind, while things are just kind of falling into place.
All kinds of things...that I never could have imagined falling into place without some sort of pre-thought or planning or organizing. I am truly amazed at what can happen when we get out of our own way!
And yet, I find myself wondering, "How on earth can I get a visa, let alone a 6 month visa, in just over a week, without a letter of invitation in my inbox?" There is some minimal mundane work to be done, but I know that it's out of my control. So I guess the question is, "Do I really trust God more than I trust myself?" and that's a hard question to look at all the time (for those of you out there with control issues, I know you'll relate!). I want to be done slogging through my own disbelief and honestly put my trust in the Lord. After all, He's brought me this far in the process, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't mean to thwart me.
(So, just as a side note, right now...I noticed that I got a new email in my inbox! Any takers on what it was?!)
Again, with great amazement and wonder to One who sees and knows me full well. I'll just sit at my desk and cry today, sitting in the full tension of the "now and not yet" and it'll all be a'ight!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Let's Get This Party Started, Ha!
So, the last eight days have been a whirlwind of activity surrounding a new job, a move to Africa, and all of the implications therein (a passport, a visa, some crazy breakthrough in my faith level, packing and storing my U.S. life to go serve the poorest of the poor, etc.). And I can say that I'm honestly honored and humbled at God's generosity and favor through His people.
I'm not the greatest at blogging, but I thought it might be a good way to stay in touch and let you all know what God and I are up to in Mozambique :). So here's to another new chapter in my life...only by God's grace and mercy!
Stay in touch!
I'm not the greatest at blogging, but I thought it might be a good way to stay in touch and let you all know what God and I are up to in Mozambique :). So here's to another new chapter in my life...only by God's grace and mercy!
Stay in touch!
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