Roadtrip of Goodbyes - Journey #1

Saying good-bye, or as I prefer, 'see-you-later' has never been the part of life that I gladly step through. Frankly, it stinks. I'm grateful that technologies like Skype allow for video chatting unlike the older version of mailing letters and waiting for 3 months for the wagon train to get it to your family. Yet, there is nothing quite like getting to hug your sister or swinging your niece around upside down until you feel like you're going to throw up. These are the memories I'll cherish for the coming year. Savoring them like the piece of chewy bacon my two year old niece just couldn't quite manage to chew completely.

This coming month is going to bring with a lot of these types of good-byes. I've been asking Father to help me have a positive attitude during this time. How can this time be used to glorify Him? I love how he gives us sweet reminders sometimes. Below is a hillside in Kansas, somewhere near Jetmore I believe. I came across it shortly after realizing that I was lost in the open plains of Kansas after driving for hours!

"Where'd it go?"

My niece is learning words and phrases, this has to be my favorite so far. It inspires me to never lose the desire to seek truth.

Love Tank - FULL

I just want to share my excitement with you! 


Man! I've been blown away by His faithfulness. Tonight was a huge blessing to me. I am so grateful to everyone who helped in getting everything organized and put together. The concert went great! It was so cool to see the body come together in support and love. I love how Father knows exactly what we need when we need it. My secondary love language, behind quality time, is words of affirmation. Tonight the love that was shared spoke volumes of love. I got to spend time with some dear friends (as well as meet new friends I didn't know before this evening). I had asked some friends who I greatly admire for their faithfulness and their trust in Papa to share from their hearts about Papa's heart for the nations and working with college students. When I asked them to speak I had in mind that they would focus it towards how the greater community can be part of that vision. I was not prepared to have them speak from the heart words of affirmation in how they see Papa's love in my life. It is humbling to me. Because I know them, I know they meant what they said and I'm so grateful. 

Another thing that made the night extra special was an amazing family from my home family let my parents carpool with them so they could come. I was so grateful to be able to introduce my parents to the folks who have become a huge part of my life. I know it meant a lot to my parents to, both of them had tears forming in their eyes when they had to leave (they sacrificed getting chores done at a regular hour to come, I feel bad they had to do chores at like 10:30 pm this evening. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this successful and for your encouragement in the days leading up to this! 


We've surpassed 100% funding tonight. Papa is good!  

To do, To do, To do

Are we ever done? Recently I wrote out almost three pages of a 'To Do' list with the intention that having it all out on paper would help me be organized and allow my mind to focus. I can't say this was the result. Have you ever written down something so you wouldn't have to worry about it, but after you write it, you worry that you forgot something or conversely that you have something extra written? There are now only 39 days before the day of flight. It may sound like a lot of time, but when we break it down I'm left breathless.
To offer a few snapshots from the 'To Do' list:

• Finish up lingering paperwork (who knew it would be so difficult to set up power of attorney)

• Say 'Hasta luego!' and 'Zai Chen!" to friends (I wish I could personally meet with everyone, but it doesn't seem possible.)

• Pack (ugh....... If you know me you know packing and unpacking are some of my least favorite adventures. Who's idea was it to plan a road-trip that requires strategic packing?)

• Coursework (You mean we have to take classes to be teachers? Yes, yes you do! Down to 23 days to finish reading these books, articles and textbooks then write papers about what I've read and learned. To answer the question of why all this at the last minute, I have been working on these for over a month. It is different to take classes where it essential for me to learn the content to survive versus some courses I've taken that were interesting concepts, but the need to apply the material in every-day life was not as pressing.

• Concert planning (I'm excited for Friday to come! I am so grateful for all the people who are contributing to this event. I can't wait to hear how Papa has touched our lives through relationships with some friends from across the pond and outside our comfort zones. If you're in Topeka, please come, join us at 7:00 pm, Friday, June 22nd at Central Park Christian Church. We're having a concert, speakers, cookies, some sweet China art work and it'll be one of my last times to see many people. 

In order for all this to be done and to be finished well, I must remain in the word. This week, it was impressed on me to consider what my anchors are. Anchoring deep and making sure to be spending time with the One who "gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless" (Isaiah 40:29). So as I'm getting the butterflies-I-think-I'm-going-to-give-you-back-my-breakfast feeling I am reminded those are the moments trust Him all the more. I also take comfort in knowing that when He said, "It is finished," He meant it! This helps take some of the pressure off me and allows there to be joy in the journey!

A letter to my teammates - 51 days til Asia!

As the days in Kansas draw to a close, I want to share with you a letter I wrote to my teammates.

Dear Team - 

Can I just say I'm really excited for the next 50 days and what happens after! 

In 51 days you become a 3-D person with a real, audible voice. 

In 51 days we fly for a long time, we get to ride in taxis where I'll be pr'ing I don't throw up b/c of motion sickness or die (whichever comes first lol). 

In 52-53 days we begin culture shock --- yippee! Some days after that we finally get to meet the friends we've been thinking about. Only who right now are like people in our dreams that don't have faces or names, but who had incredible life stories that we relate to and that more importantly Father relates to.

 But before day 51, 52 and 53 I get to be lifting each of your 2-D portraits up. 

I get to pack and hope I don't forget anything essential. 

I get to make phone calls I've stalled to make because I was scared. 

I get to ask my friends if they'd be willing to financially support days 51-334 (and quite possibly beyond that). 

I get to finish reading textbooks about teaching and hope that I'll remember what is important to know and pr that the rest will be covered in grace. 

I get to spend time with Papa and tell Him about how I have butterflies in my stomach, how I feel unready. 

I get to ask Him to help me have a teachable and joyful spirit. 

I get to say good-bye to some friends who I quite possibly may not see again in this time (excited for the party with Papa!!). 

I get to have people tell me how they want to be part of carrying the baton of sharing hope with the international students in my college town. Yarping for you all!! - Lora

Rom. 8: 18-25

How to start a blog -- 54 days til blast off!

Wow!

This past week has been filled with change:

• PLACEMENT- Finally found out my placement for the coming year! If Anna Marie a little friend of mine were going with us her favorite greeting of, "Cold hands, warm heart!" would be quite fitting as we're going to Ice City.
• TEAM- Our team of six beautiful women is playing 20 questions so we at least know a little about each other before I drool on their shoulders on our international flight. I already know it will be a great year of new experiences and growth (perhaps with two of us who don't know how to swim I will finally learn how to not sink in water). 
• SCHEDULE- I'm gaining an aversion to the calendar because we're now 53 days left before departure, which means 53 days to say see-you-later's to friends, pack, finish classes, and tie up other loose ends. (Please accept my apologies in advance if scheduling doesn't work out for me to meet with you in person.
• RELATIONSHIPS- I'm getting very excited to meet our new friends. I can't wait to learn their names, their passions, their dreams.
• CONCERT- I am looking forward to the upcoming Concert for China at Central Park Christian Church, in Topeka. It'll be Friday, June 22nd at 7:00. I hope you can make it out, it'll be a great night of music and story-telling by some dear friends. It'll also be the last big event I'll get to see you all at!

If you're tuning into this blog, please be patient with me. I'm new to this! Thank you all for your support!

Matt 6:25-34