Last minute musings....

Fantastic day here on 12/19/2010.   Phenom church service this am with folks loving on me and praying for my journey and singing fantastic Christmas carols.    Happy Birthday to the King- it was most excellent.    I got to touch base with a dear friend that I haven't seen in a while (Love ya Ned!) and see adorable kids ringing their little Christmas bells and chirping away (Go Campbell!) and then hear about RECEIVING Jesus in the sermon.   And how I have received!

I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to attend Maple Grove and stand among the people there who love and support me and encourage me in my journey with Christ.   I got all teary while I was being prayed over...and I've gotten teary-eyed a couple times this week.   It was hard to say goodbye to my small group, (even if it IS just 3 months!) on Thursday, and it was hard to say goodbye to friends and family all throughout this week, from lunches and dinners to phone calls and quick hugs.   And it will be hard saying goodbye to Mom and Dad at the airport tomorrow, because they really are the best ever.   We spent a great afternoon today watching football and Lawrence Welk and packing and reminding and reviewing details and emailing and visiting and eating hotdogs, potato soup, arroz con guandules and chocolate cake (?? yup, it's true!).   I am who I am because of a few key details.  Number one:  God adores me and created me and made me this way...and Number two: He gave me Bud and Sue Eby as parents.    Who could be so lucky!

Anyhoo- I skyped with Laura tonight and I think we have ironed out most of our details.   We hope to meet up in the airport in Santa Domingo tomorrow around 3:15-3:30ish if both of our flights are on time.   This is a great prayer request, folks.    I leave Philly at 7:10 am and fly through San Juan, Puerto Rico to arrive at SDQ at 3:05.  Laura is due in at 3:15 so hopefully we'll collide in one of the corridors!  I'll be the one dragging the biggest suitcase you've ever seen (my reuzit find!) and huffing n puffing along.    We're spending the first night (and maybe the second) in Boca Chica, with a small stop to San Pedro,  and then we'll head west to San Juan and El Cercado.  

I am increasingly reminded of how God has orchestrated all of this.   He provided me with tenants, and finances, and understanding bosses, and encouraging family and friends, and a desire in my heart to participate in the lives of folks who happen to live on a small island called Hispaniola.   He's closed and opened doors and windows and continues to MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN.   I see Him as a testimony in the lives of my friends and family and even strangers.    It is this testimony that reminds me He is NOT just the God of the Bible, of the days of old, that ancient history, or time long ago.  He is a God who is working RIGHT now in this universe, in OUR time,  in this present.  I want to be part of it.  I yearn to be part of these things that are greater than me or anything I will ever be.  

I'm glad we're doing life together, folks.  I'm loving it.