The time has come. As of today I am no longer a Prince George’s County teacher and tomorrow I will be on a plane headed to Georgia for training camp. Now we enter into the mad dash of training camp, moving out, a 2 week road trip, saying my goodbyes, fundraising enough to hit the road, and finally getting on that plane bound for South America. All of this in 2 months time. Wow.
It is so easy to get overwhelmed by the to-do list that keeps growing and the time that keeps shrinking. I won’t lie, I am SO overwhelmed, but it isn’t just the to-do list that has completely inundated my life. It is the support I have received financially and spiritually, the love my students have shown me, and the supreme goodness of God getting me through all of this. I am so humbled. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, knowing where God wants you to go but NEEDING others to get there has been and continues to be a life changing experience.
I can feel it getting closer and closer. Real talk: my heart is pounding, I’m freaking out a little (a lot), and quite frankly I’m still in a state of disbelief that I could be so blessed to have this adventure.
At the end of my European adventure over the summer, I felt so alive. I had never trusted or loved the Lord more in my life. The reckless abandon with which I had to rely on Him was the most liberating experience of my life. I had never been out of the country, I didn’t know how use public transportation, I had a loose concept of 1 of the 4 foreign languages we would encounter, and I have a terrible sense of direction. I had nothing but what was on my back and His good will. It was beautiful. He took care of everything. I stood back and watched Him lead and love me. I felt a new exhilaration in my love for Him that increased with each passing moment. As I sat back for the long plane ride home, I was overwhelmed with gratitude but I wasn’t satisfied. I remember sitting there and praying, “Don’t get me wrong, I am SO thankful for everything, but this feels unfinished. I need more time out in the wilderness with You, with Your people. I feel like You just chucked a grace grenade into the underwater minefield that is my heart. The first bomb has gone off and now I’m waiting for the chain reaction. I know we’re right on the precipice of a major explosion and the building pressure is agonizing. Enter the world race. An entire year of traveling, giving, and trusting. Everything I asked for and more.
Gosh. He just REALLY loves me. And I will never let that Love be stagnant. Love isn’t a pond that collects and keeps. Love is an ocean that moves and pours into every nook and cranny that dares come near its shores. So as I have received I vow to give and never stop. Not half way, not sometimes, but always with my 100% care and attention. Nothing less will suffice.
So here I am, less than 24 hours from meeting my team, saying goodbye to the little souls that have been my inspiration, joy, and family for the last 2 years, at 28% of my fundraising goal, and on the edge of my seat waiting for the chain explosion that will change everything…
God is good, all the time.
All the time, God is good.
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