All the ingredients of this moment are perfect after a long day of work. I sit here propped up with about 6 pillows on my queen bed. Derek Webb's "Heaven (Live From The Teepee)" is streaming and a mug of my favorite green tea is at hand. The ceiling fan overhead is giving off a superb breeze.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tREyWGSgL1k
So, I've been "thinking" about packing…
1 backpack for 1 year, huh? Interesting.
I decided that I'm not taking a pillow. A sweater should always be available to bunch up.
Get ready…..I'm not taking a sleeping bag either. My silk sheet liner will suffice.
Still debating on the tent. I know, I know… I'll probably wind up taking this item. But I'm still debating. : )
I've literally been grappling over my Chacos. I wear them a lot and they would probably be excellent for Africa. BUT, I could get by with my MUCH lighter, Reef flip flops.
I bought one of the smallest Bibles I could find at the Christian bookstore the other day.
I'm sure there are other things I could cut back on and even more items that I can do without. It's an art that I am quickly learning!
Got some shots last week…Yellow Fever, TB, Tetanus, and something else I don't remember. Thankfully, I had zero side effects. God is good. I've been taking these Typhoid pills and accidentally skipped a day. Oops…
My visa for India finally arrived! I'm good to go there.
I had sushi last night. Prep for Asia? Maybe just a bit.
Ok, let's face it. I'm kind of blogging just to blog. I mean, it has been a month.
I must also say a few words about some things I've been learning.
Backtracking….
A few weeks ago, my friends Laura, Astrid, and I went on a backpacking trip in the Maroon Bells. On day 1, we were caught in a pretty harsh rainstorm while going over one of the passes. The winds were intensely strong and we were struggling to carry on. We passed one person within a few hour span of climbing. As we passed the man who was hiking solo, he said to us…"Remember…we chose to do this!" Of course, he was slightly laughing and it is a simple, obvious statement. However, this simple truth holds so much weight.
I chose to sign up for this World Race thing.
Let's face it, I I've spent a plethora of money within the past few months on all the logistics for this trip.
I am packing up all my belongings yet again.
I am sacrificing the right to talk to my family on a consistent basis. I am leaving my friends. My home.
Sacrifice. Choice. Sacrifice is my choice.
I choose to leave it all.
I am sticking with my choice, believing that it is the right choice. Just like a few weeks ago while hiking through Frigid Air Pass, so it was when I purchased that international travel insurance and saw my bank account dwindle.
It was worth it to hike for the views abounding at the summit. It WILL be worth it to spend the money for the divine circumstances the Lord will have abounding even better than on those mountain peaks. Doing hard things has made my life the best. Not the best for me…but the best for what God wants to do. I treasure difficult, even harsh situations. I have always seen them turn into good.
God hasn't failed me yet.
I love living on the brink. Maybe I love it a little too much. Will I ever settle down? No. Maybe one day God will call me to a place for a while, but I want to dare to never settle. In my Spirit, I know that God will always call me to fresh circumstances. Whether that be ministering to neighbors or people in a distant land, I never want to stay in one place. May I always be willing and ready to give up anything and go anywhere to experience God's love and give it out.
The first destination, Romania is on my mind tonight.
Praying for our contact, the area, the people. Praying for divine appointments.
