Dear Future ME,
Today is Christmas Eve. December 24th 2012.
I cannot help, but to think where I will be a year from today. If all goes according to plan with R Squads' Race route, we should be celebrating Christmas together in hot, humid Mozambique. As excited as I am right now, to spend Christmas out there; in a new country, with a 'new' family who I already love…I know that my mind will be here at home…with my family in Canada. Let's be honest "future me', we both know that if I could "snap my fingers and be home…chances are I would.
Right now, I am sure I am future me who is on the race, is thinking "I miss the decorations mom has had set up for 'months' already" " I miss going home and seeing the tree set up and decorated to its glory' "I miss my home church-after all, it has been advent season." "I miss Christmas music morning in church-always a time of amazing worship to the KING" "I miss foundue nights with my youth girls and our youth's crazy Christmas parties" "I miss the yummy food that family serves around this time…the goodies at work and the endless amounts of chocolate and sweets" "I miss our Friesen gathering where our traditional Mennonite meal is served (seriously, BEST meal ever!!!!!!!!!!!)" "I miss my Grandma". Dare I say that I even miss our other crazy family gathering? With a bunch of little cousins running around? Yes I miss those as well" "I miss getting "swallowed up" in endless amounts of hugs from my aunts. What I wouldn't do for one of those hugs right now" "I miss hearing Christmas music on the radio" 'I miss the traditional "Friesen/Braun" shinny hockey game that takes place on the outdoor village rink no matter how cold it is…and the warming up with Hot chocolate afterwards" "I miss the snowmobiling that happens. GT'ing with the cousins." "I miss sitting around by the tree, opening gifts from mom and dad when I told them time and time again 'I dont need anything for Christmas' yet being glad that mom always knew better and would bless me with that special gift that I "didn't need". "I miss opening up our stockings…filled with the usual "underwear, toothbrush, socks, an orange, a candy cane, a chocolate kinder egg, and movie tickets"
"I miss being HOME and surronded by the people that I love and who love me" I miss it, I miss it, I miss it."
However, "future me", allow "present me" to remind you of a few things (as shallow as they may seem) that I know we will NOT be missing a year from now!
- the "freeze your fingers' in minutes weather that we are currently sitting at. It is currently -20 degrees Celsius, yet with the windchill, it feels like -30 degrees Celsius…brrrrrrrrrrrr
- The winter driving and nasty road conditions that come with it
- The shoveling and scrapping that comes with the fluffy white stuff
- Hardly ever seeing the sun throughout the day…especially when it only comes up in time for me to go to work, and sets already BEFORE I LEAVE work…not so much fun.
- the materialism season that Christmas has become here in Canada (and North America in general)
- the fact that I would have only had a few days off work…then right back at it.
I know I know…a year from now I will be thinking "Oh I wish I could be back in that all" but 'future me" please stop and think about it. Think about what you will have seen, will have experienced already. I know right now, that God will have completely broken you time and time again. I KNOW that as hard as it was, I am praying right now for those experiences yet to come, as I know how they have literally changed my life in the past. Remember, you are NOT alone. You have new friends, a new FAMILY to be celebrating Christmas together with. What a joy! What a blessing! YOU ARE SURROUNDED by people who love you. It does not matter WHERE we are for Christmas….God said "I am with you always. To the very end of the age. I will never leave you."
Yes, I know you are missing home..but guess what-chances are each and every one of your fellow teammates, are also missing home..so right now..get off the computer…and go give each of them a gigantic Christmas hug…after all, it IS Christmas, a time to CELEBRATE Christ's amazing Birth. SO go out, go celebrate. Take some time for yourself though, to reflect, give thanks and praise BACK to God for pulling you through this far. Praise HIM. Do not stop.
Dance.
Sing.
PRAISE.
REJOICE.
REJOICE!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7
(check out part ONE of "dear Future me" here"
