New Year, New List

A friend gave me this notebook for Christmas. As I’ve been preparing to move I have made numerous lists the past couple months, sometimes multiple lists per day. I like lists because, as a planner, they help me see what needs to be done and if I can see it, I can make a plan to get it done. I like the sense of accomplishing things on my list (and have no shame in adding items to the list after they’ve already been done so I can enjoy crossing them off).

Lists are helpful when it comes to making decisions. I’m analytical and indecisive. In college, going out to dinner with my roommates was an ordeal. We’d each list three places we wanted to go, and if any of the places we wrote appeared on another person’s list, that place was in the running for the final choice (they aren’t good at making decisions, either).

I like it when life is neat and tidy, with everything in its place. List-making helps me feel in control. But I’m not in control, and life is often messy, and all the boxes on my lists won’t always be checked.

We have to hold things loosely, trusting Him to lead. I want to embrace every aspect of this journey and learn from it, even if that means keeping a new list. A list that is focused less on accomplishing and more on experiencing and growing. A list that is messy and never completely done, but reflects His goodness and grace. 

Merry Christmas!

For Christmas this year my parents graciously gave me an ipad and let me go ahead and pick it out a few weeks early. The primary reason for this gift is the e-reader, which will make traveling and keeping up with my books so much easier. I know I'm way behind the times, because I very adamant in my disapproval of anything that took the place of actually holding a book, flipping the pages and using my favorite bookmarks. But, after using it for a week or so now, I have to say that I absolutely love it and can't believe I waited this long!

Technology has changed so drastically, from using manual typewriters to basically carrying around a computer on our phones. I used to teach a college writing course, and my students always found it amusing when I told them I remember learning how to set up my first email account and was in college before I ever had a cell phone (a world existed without email and cell phones?!)

Technology changes so often that we will never be able to keep up. The latest and greatest doesn't stay that way for long. If we are counting on gadgets to keep us entertained and satisfied, we'll always come up short.

Nothing this world offers can truly satisfy the longings of our hearts. Even the relationships that we hold dear cannot fill us and promise abundant joy and hope. Only the Savior can promise life, and life abundant. He loves us as His Father loved Him, and that is an incredible promise.

Coats for the City

I'm not sure what gave it away, I didn’t have a map out or even my phone, but I must have looked lost because a lady standing next to me on the train platform asked where I was going. I told her, and come to find out I needed to be on the other side of the street to catch a different train. Later that day I know I looked lost as I stared at the train route posted inside the car and realized that my stop was not listed, and no matter how long I stared at that map, it still wasn’t going to be there. Once again, a lady asked where I was going. My transfer just happened to be her transfer and she very graciously helped steer me in the right direction. I know New Yorkers get a bad rap sometimes, but they have always been quite nice to me!

That was my second trip to New York. I’ve been a few times since and thankfully my subway navigational skills have improved. Although, on this most recent trip it wasn’t the trains that were the problem, but the figuring out where to go once I got off the train (thanks to the friends who came to the rescue and picked me up!) My most recent trip was for my last assignment with my current job and it involved about 5,000 coats, lots of volunteers, a big U-Haul truck that successfully navigated the city streets, and a pretty snow day.

It was really cold!

Volunteers participated in an outreach event to provide free coats to people at 14 distribution sites throughout Queens and New York City. Many volunteers also had opportunity to share the good news and begin building relationships. They often times listened to the stories of people who came to receive a coat, people whose hearts were full of pain and longing for someone to just listen.

So many people came together to make this event happen, many working tirelessly behind the scenes. But they served with humble, gracious hearts because they knew it was all for a greater purpose. So thankful to have opportunities like this to see people invest their time and their lives in serving others!

Not much time for sightseeing this trip, but my friend Michael took this great pic!

A new chapter

"Our weaknesses are the conduits through which we experience God's strength." 

I recently came across this quote and I think it's fitting for the season of life I'm in right now, which includes lots of boxes and lots of packing. I'm preparing to move overseas for a two-year job assignment. I will have about two months of training beginning mid-January and then head overseas early April. I love this quote because it's a good reminder that we should be thankful for the opportunities to see God work in ways which only He is able. It's trusting Him to fulfill Ephesians 3:20:

Abundantly more!

                                                             
So less really is more, because when we do not have the resources to make it happen, He does. When we don't have all the answers, He does.  

I didn't really see this new opportunity coming my way, but now that it's here, I am grateful to God for providing. I'm praying that my faith grows and God allows me to see things happen that only He can do.

And thanks to my talented friend Kathryn for the blog design :-)