The Lord isn’t just doing things in my heart because I’m not at home; He’s always on a mission to show us something new wherever we are. That’s why I asked my amazing momma if she would like to write a blog as both her and my dad are preparing to come spend a week on the mission field with me in India at the end of this month! Here are some wonderful and wise words from the woman herself about preparations and the journey the Lord has been walking her through before India.
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There was never any doubt that we would go to India for the Parent Vision Trip if Melanie invited us. When we got the invite we dove in with both feet. Or, should I say, I dove in. I am a doer, a planner, I like to be on top of things. But that also means that I don’t always wait for God, I move ahead and pray later.
Getting ready to go to India has been kind of like getting ready for Christmas. There is all of the normal, everyday stuff that needs to get done and then we throw in another large to-do list; often at the expense of our own sanity.
Book flights – not user friendly airlines (deny they over-charged my credit card). Book a hotel – not user friendly internet in India (why won’t it accept my payment). What about the dog? – she can’t stay home alone. Buy appropriate clothes – too many Goodwill stores. Buy a new bag – is that all the room I get? Buy small travel bottles – What! They all have to go in a quart size Ziploc! OK fine, but Guy is going to have to give me room in his Ziploc. The carry-on can only weight how much? – weight restrictions are different for every flight we have to go on. It will be Easter Sunday and what would Easter be without Reese’s Eggs?! So Eggs will have to fit into the weight restrictions too – what don’t I need to take – umm . . . ?
I have wondered if going to India is the right decision. NOTHING about planning this trip has been easy. It all takes SO. MUCH. TIME.
People ask if I am excited to go. I haven’t had time to be excited, too much to do (just like Christmas).
I am weary. But God said “I’ve got this.” And He does. When I am at the end of me, and I am sure none of this would ever work out, God is putting it all into place. He has put good, helpful people in my path. What seemed like it would never happen at night, God smoothed it all out in the morning.
Between these experiences and the devotions that come ‘randomly’ in my inbox each morning, God is preparing me for what India will be like. It will not be easy. There will be hassles. I will be weary and wonder if this is going to work out. There will be worries and lack of sleep. There will be stress headaches. There will days that I wonder – why am I doing this?
But God knew if He called, I would go. God knows where He needs me to be. God is drawing me closer through all of this because He knows I cannot do it on my own.
In all the craziness of preparations, just like in everyday life, I try to do things on my own. I pray that someday I will learn that He wants to do life with me, not behind me.
God calls us parents out of our comfort zone just as he called our racers.
But India?
I guess that is where I have to go to get my Christmas present – a hug from my Melanie!
