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!

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!

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!