Leaving him in His hands

I absolutely loved Monday.  I soaked up every moment.  We painted each others’ faces.  We ran around and played with foam swords.  Tossed a soccer ball around and even kicked it around.  We tried to play a DVD of the tons of pictures I had of him.  Opened gifts.  He played with my hair.  He asked/demanded: on your shoulders.  I simply let life happen without focusing on the “see you in His timing.”  I said I love you and Ke a o rata and I’ll miss you enough without letting it get in the way.  I tried to tell him that I wouldn’t be coming back next week, but he still said good-bye with a see you next week.  I drove away so filled with my cup overflowing.  I left him in His hands because He holds Him much better than I ever could.  I am so incredibly thankful that God brought Lindo back into my life this time and am so excited to see him again in His timing.  God showered me with His peace and held me close as I drove away missing him already, but holding him in my heart as always.

 

Soul Cravings, Part 1

“Home is ultimately not about a place to live but about the people with whom you are most fully alive.  Home is about love, relationship, community and belonging, and we are all searching for home.” –Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus

I’m leaving “home” next week.  I said one of many good-byes yesterday and it broke my heart.  I love deeply and even just thinking about the good-byes to come and those that have already happened, my heart aches.  I know there is e-mail, skype, mail and all sorts of ways to keep in touch.  But it’s just not the same as being able to jump in the car and see someone.  Or run errands together just because you both happen to have to go to the bank and Target.  

Yet at the same time, I am so excited to create a new home.  A home in a different place with different people.  A fresh start. A new beginning.  A chance to soak in everything.  To love deeply.

So, here I am. Loving deeply and already missing home while looking forward to home.

16 (Random) Things

So, I got tagged on facebook, but I’m more of a “blogger” than a “write notes on facebook” so I’m going to cheat and do this on here.  Let’s see where this takes us…

Directions:
Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I will only buy something if it fits the ever changing definition of “happy.”  For example, I found the most amazing shoes at Ron Jon Surf Shop and let me tell you they were the epitome of happy.  Comfy, leather, green and white flowers. 
2. I will have 4 bookshelves in my room at home when I leave for South Africa.
3. I trust easily.  I will give people the full benefit of the doubt whenever possible.  Yet, I struggle with trusting God in many things.
4. I will show you every possible angle and not let you generalize about things. This may drive you nuts…
5. I gave up drinking pop/soda.  I last drank pop probably in fall 2007.  The only kinds I crave are Orange Soda and Root Beer–in the form of Root Beer floats.  Occasionally others, but not as much as those two.
6. White chocolate is my downfall.  I love it. I could eat it all the time.  Lindt White chocolate truffles especially.  
7. I get attached to things and am bit possessive.  For example, I’m in love with my bike and am already sad to be leaving it.  I also get attached to books and get all sentimental and can’t bear to think of giving them away.
8. I could walk on the beach for hours and hours, miles and miles, and not get bored.
9. I am a pen clicker.  Give me a click-y pen and I will click.
10. I made a goal to take/pick a picture a day for this next year.  In the end, I want to make a sweet collage.  So far, so good.
11. I prefer small silverware.  Small spoons, forks, knives.  Especially at Coldstone when you can use the “sample” spoon.
12. Toast with peanut butter and honey is one of my favorite snacks.
13. I love cake. Better than sex cake, strawberry cake, white cake, funfetti cake, everything.  Though, I’m not a huge fan of chocolate frosting.
14. I like to play songs on repeat.  “Turn it Up” by Aaron lines has 237 plays on iTunes, which is not counting all the other plays on CDs and my iPod.
15. I used to collect quotes. All sorts. I would post them all over my room.  I did the same with fortunes from fortune cookies.
16. I leave for South Africa “next” week.

Yikes, do I really have to pick 16 people?  Nah, 16 is way too many people to tag in a blog.  Facebook, sure. Here, nope.  But, I will say thank-you, Sarah for tagging me on facebook!  Hope you enjoy my random list and I hope you’re doing well across the ocean!