Through My Eyes: August 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

thanks.

Feeling as though I need to practice a bit more thankfulness these days.

1. coffee dates that turn into spontaneous shopping trips.
2. Skype dates with my favourite Australians.
3. perfect summer temperatures where I find myself sitting outside, reading and enjoying a perfect cup of coffee.
4. dreaming and answers to prayer on the housing situation.
5. summer evening walks.
6. weekends to enjoy an empty house all to myself - a rarity around this house.
7. wine and Skype dates with my favourite missionary in Peru where I find myself in tears from laughing so hard.
8. packages that come in the mail.
9. peruvian coffee and a mug left on my desk at work from a dear friend.
10. thrift store treasures on a Saturday morning.
11. the smell of freshly dried laundry that has dried outside on the line.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

and so it goes...

I apologize for the lack of posting during my time in Portugal. With being there for such a short amount of time, I did the best I could in soaking up every possible moment I could with people. I have now been home for 5 days and the question arises, "So, how was it?" It's a hard question because I have 30 seconds to capture one's attention and to do justice to the 6 weeks I have just experienced. That's hard because truthfully, I could spend 1 full hour talking about the food, another hour talking about transportation, and three hours talking about the people and the ministries going on. How does one sum up a 6 week experience in 30 seconds?

I experienced God through doing everyday life with people - sitting around the table, babysitting, etc. It wasn't about the projects or the ministries, but about living life with people.
I grew as a leader. In my moments of feeling completely inadequate for the role as leader, God challenged me to remain in him because apart from him I can do nothing.
I experienced more of what it looks and feels like to have my heart break for a country and for people through prayer.

Those are just a few of the many things I experienced this summer. So now what? I have just finished my second trip to Portugal, my heart has clearly fallen in love with that place, so what does that mean for my life? I cannot deny that I have a calling to Portugal, however in this moment, I do not know what that looks like long term. As I have re-entered life here at home and re-connected with phenomenal co-workers, I know that I have also been called to my job at MB Mission. As I look back over this last year and see how God has opened doors, closed other doors, all in perfect timing, I am confident that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. And so, the challenge begins as I walk into this new season of my life, holding these 2 tensions equally in my hands. As hard as it is some days to walk holding both of these tensions, I know that God has something for me in each of these and that as I allow my roots to grow deep in Him and as I tune into His voice, He will direct my paths.

This summer I have been spending a considerable amount of time in John 15 and I feel as though the words, "Remain in me and I will remain in you. Apart from me you can do nothing", are perfectly fitting as I walk with these tensions and enter the next season. There is nothing forced about these words, but rather an invitation to live freely, knowing that the details will be worked out. The words "learn the unforced rhythms of grace" come to mind. It's kinda beautiful.

I'll end off with a few pictures from Portugal - pictures of living everyday life with people.