Funny as I was at the airport leaving for Chicago for our launch to Guatemala,I was thinking to myself,” how I wanted to spend my last day, Tuesday Sept 4. I wanted to see a movie, go rollerblading, eat some Chinese food, play some baseball, say goodbyes to some more friends and family, visit my brother and my father who have graduated now to be with our father Jesus and maybe some down time to collect my thoughts,” only that’s not how that day was spent. This was my plan, but I’m happy that I spent the day in God’s plan.
After a late night Monday with my friend Joanne and my sister Jennifer, I woke up to do the “to do” list my sister so kindly wrote for me. I was groggy, stressed and knew I needed to sleep some more. So we were off and 1st thing taken care of was to bring my 2008 Dodge Ram to the dealership for the new owner. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to want that truck back. Next we had go to the bank to get traveler’s cheqs, cash and tie up all the financial loose ends. Then there was Health coverage to take care of, and licenses plates and are you feeling bored yet? That day I sure was, I’d planned for some fun relaxing things and here all I did was errands.
So through all the phone calls, snarls, growling, “I am hungry,” “I am tired,” driving, walking, “what next?” “ where do I go?” “what if?”” how much do we have for this?” “what am I forgetting?” “ did we copy this?” my sister, bless her heart, after all that she still packed my bag for me. I didn’t have to ask myself, “ok where is this, what is she taken out? Did she forget something?” None of those thoughts crossed my mind eh, because she is so structured and organized. She thinks about me and considers where to put it so I know where it is, now she did take some stuff out, but I managed to sneak some stuff in hehehehe…
My sister wasn’t the only one taking time out of her life to help me get ready. Joanne, bless her heart, she drove, picked up, stayed up late, fundraised, sacrificed shifts, organized fundraisers, opened her basement for me to store my belongings. The list could go on, she just poured out and praise God through all of this because she believed in God’s promise for me in this. I am sure at some point she wanted to ring my neck, because with all this running around I was focused on putting DVDs on my computer. As I was putting these movies on, Joanne’s sister Christine says, “You won’t have time to watch any one of those movies, you will be too busy.” Joanne, bless her heart, she sees my collection of movies and says “I think you need to put some more of something that will benefit you spiritually.” I agree, but, I mean come on, when I watch one of my favorite movies of all time, Braveheart, when I hear that classic line “They may take our lives but they will never take our freedom,” man I am ready to go into a spiritual battle.
Me and Joanne
So after all these hectic days and craziness, I am here at the airport with family and friends thinking to myself that the past few days have been more choirs then having time to ourselves and enjoying our each others company. With crossing at the border and my flight being delayed, I really believe God provided that time for all of us which I truly wanted. I wouldn’t trade all the moments I had with family and friends before I left , in the end God provided this time. Its so hard to see the big picture in the midst of all the craziness, you just think about the now. If that is you then i would encourage you to be intenional, drop what your doing, provide the time and share some moments.
Me and Jennifer
