The Adventures in Not Waiting

We're down to the final days/hours/minutes, however you want to state it really, before we leave. As soon as we get ourselves packed I think things will start getting back to normal. But I really wasn't aiming to talk about the trip right now....

I think I'm hard headed. I'm just judging by how long it takes me to learn a lesson.... Sunday morning I started to get this feeling that I was in a place of waiting. Waiting for the time to pack, waiting my "new" adventure to start, waiting for some friend to tell me something new, waiting for the world to turn. Waiting, waiting, just waiting. I knew I had an adventure coming, and not only that I was looking for it... but while I was seeking that adventure, I quit living the one right now.

There have been too many comments as of late. About me, my life, what I do, how I do it, whatever, for me to comfortable any more. I think it's a good thing. Different people all came together to teach this lesson.

While waiting for my next adventure and looking hard for excitement in my small town, I quit living the adventure I have here, now.

Stopped.

So when the comments came, the lesson followed.

Adventure isn't about looking, but about living. The best adventure you could ever have is what is closest to you. Waiting for excitement is going to make you miss out on what is already exciting around you.

For the first time, I'm not just ready to leave; I'm ready to stay. I wish I could be here to get closer to my new friends I met just yesterday. I wish I could tell the stories of two amazing people, at this point I hardly know. I wish that I could see each day like I saw yesterday--full of life and adventure I love. I wish I could have the guts everyday to love with an open heart here in the States as I do everyday International. I wish I were open to hearing the heart of others, because yesterday I was amazed. Really amazed.

My God is the God of the impossible, His ways are higher than mine. And once again He has proven that I just don't always know what I'm talking about. I don't have to be away to have a adventure filled life, I just have to be aware. I don't have to be doing something else; I just have to be doing.

Waiting isn't worth it. Living is.

O.N.E Week!!

In just one week the crazy part of the summer adventures begin.

We're GOING INTERNATIONAL!! (this time it's not just me and the mouse in my pocket it's me and my mom and two other amazing people!)

And guess what?! Here is where you need to be to get updates on the whole ordeal!

The goal is to update everyday.... but you know how that might go. I'll be assigning team members to different days of the trip so you won't be getting tired of hearing only my perspective.

Details and prayer requests:

• We will be teaching an English camp in Volgograd, Russia, July 1-13, 2010
• The camp is for college students ages 16-29
• Please pray that our presents at the camp will give opportunity for Jesus be shared and the gospel to be spread.
• Pray for save travel and the ability to get over jet lag quickly

Today I'm armed with a massive todo list and a good cup of coffee. It is a day to be insurmountably productive!

So I best be going, but I thought I would leave you all with an explanation of the picture of the family. Talk about a great life story: this family has one. Crazy in love with God and life, these people have more than a few stories about all they have done for the Lord.

I'm out!

-lans

rain

I love rain. I always have.

Maybe it's because I'm a farmers daughter. Maybe it's because I was an island dweller. But no matter, I still love it.

Rain has always been a sign of healing to me. That, I know, is because I was an island dweller. Yes, I know that rain refreshes the ground, it allows the crops to grow, it gives nourishment and life.

But to me, it's healing.

This last week, the weather around my home, that I have always known as a dry part of the country, has been thunder storms that have brought floods. One night we got so much rain practically every house in town had water in it. 5-7 inches in one night. (That's quite a lot in the Texas Panhandle.)

Rain can also mean danger and pain.

But I think danger and pain is part of healing. I think that without those things healing can't happen. I think that rain is suppose to sooth at times with simple drizzle, and sometimes with pain from flash floods. I think that when dangerous rain comes, is the only time the rainbow is really seen. I think that the aftermath of a storm is what actually brings beauty.

I think life is a lot like rain.

Without danger, without pain there is no beauty. I think that to rejoice when the rain of life comes to sooth, to nourish, and to give is required and should be cherished. Simply and comforting healing is beautiful. But the rains of life that bring pain, actually bring more beauty. The rains of life that show danger actually equal more reward.

My life has given danger, it's been beautiful to undertake. My life has given pain, and I'm seeing more freedom come than ever before. My life has given comforting healing and it was a welcome relief. My life is like rain.

And my God is the same God who sends the rain. Just like I can't understand His sovereignty in sending rain in harvest, I can't understand His sovereignty in pain. I don't know what His plan is from this present danger. But if I trust Him, the same result will come in my life as comes from rain.

It's a promise.