During my quiet time this morning, the reality current life really hit me, the full awesomeness of this year. Yeah, it’s cool to travel the world and gather passport stamps, experience amazing places, animals, foods and people. But that’s not what really hit me.
What completely overwhelmed my heart and soul was the preciousness of this year. Think of it, (maybe you already have, but it’s just now gotten to me) I am not working for a living right now. I am getting to meet with God’s people all over the world, getting to worship in new different ways, and to see where He is working in and through so many people all for His glory. This is the journey and my responsibility this year. Thank you for making this possible!
There were many goodbyes from May through the end of June. So many tears, and smiles, prayers and blessings, and Godspeeds for this journey. It didn’t really hit that I was leaving you all, but then I’m a person with a somewhat delayed emotional response to these things.
That being said, the magnitude of how long this journey is has not hit me, but missing all your familiar and loving faces has. Living in a community like this is as difficult as I expected it to be, but not in the various ways it has proved.
Alone time here exists only when in the shower, using the bathroom, or on the roof during personal devotion/prayer in the = not long enough for an introvert!
Our team is adjusting to each other, learning the give and take of sleeping schedules, eating food- when we eat, how much, and what is eaten. Last but never least are the delightful personality differences, which I think God Himself is the only one who truly delights in these all the time in them! But God, he is faithful and refines our hearts to be more like Christ.
It is during these times of stress and personal challenge that my mind returns to the hearts of friends and family who already know and love me. You all (most of you) know my heart, trust my comments, and love me in spite of these things. Here, we are starting from scratch here in our little group, learning who we are and how we all tick. I never realized how much I love you all, and take for granted that you love me back. I am SO VERY thankful for you all.
You are the people behind me and for me, you are my people! But God says there are more people. More people for me to reach out to, more people I need to learn from, more to trust, more to forgive, and more people to love. More importantly I think there’s more of Him to be experienced. He has more for me, and for that matter more for you too. Jesus said he came to give us life, and to give us life more abundantly.
I cannot say it enough, THANK YOU for your support and prayers, what a wonderful source of encouragement. It is a privilege that God called me, and you have sent me.
Thank you, I miss you, and I love you all!
Manda
