“Hanging up and hanging out”- usually a saying said at a dinner table or with a group of friends, put your phone up and be in the moment. Something that makes so much sense, but we all struggle with being still and present with those around us.
Here in Tacloban I have quickly learned to define that saying completely different. Today, I headed to the mall with my team to see if we could grab an hour of Wi-Fi in hopes of reconnecting with family and to upload some blogs. I was excited to hopefully hear my sweet momma’s voice. Reality quickly hit when I realized connection probably was not going to happen. It such a weird space to be in when I realized I’m half way across the world and I don’t know when I will be able to hear my momma’s voice in real time- here at lighthouse, it is not super likely that I could find Wi-Fi early morning or early afternoon (which would be most convenient for everyone back home).
Overwhelmed and in the midst of processing, Jesus quickly reminded me to hang up and hang out. Not that I was glued to a world online, but to hang up what I missed and be where my feet are. He was in the United States and He still is, He was here in Tacloban and He still is.
I so often worry about what comes next or who needs to hear from me, or simply thinking about who I am missing back home- that I miss where I am in the moment. This mentality is everchanging and something I am being forced to learn in month 1 considering life will be nonstop and away from what I know. Though I miss home and want everyone there to know how LOVED they are by me- just because you haven’t heard from me know you are wrapped tightly in prayer and your pictures are hidden all throughout my pack. So, this month, hanging up and hanging out is me being where my feet are, checking what’s not here at the door and intentionally placing my heart on the ground in Asia.
To simply be.
