May 12, 2009

It's Tuesday night and I'm sooo tired. It's been a busy time of dealing with all this crazy material stuff. It is fun to give stuff to the people at the shelters, though. Packing and shipping isn't all that much fun, but I'm trying to be a good steward. (I just keep asking myself - what to keep? what to sell? what to give away? so many options... so many decisions... so many blessings)

I have gotten the chance to visit with dear friends a lot these past few days. Of course, you always wish you would have spent more time with them all along instead of just before you leave, but it's sweet to be together no matter what. I love these people so much!

Sunday night we all met at Bryant Park for a little while and then proceeded to a restaurant and had good food and lots of fun sharing stories about the last 2 years. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many dear friends. They wished me Happy Mother's Day, since I've been like a mother to them all. I will really miss living in the same city with them. I know we will be connected in our hearts for a very long time.

After dinner, I hung out with a few of the guys in Bryant Park until they closed up and told us to move along. We just walked down 42nd street a ways. I didn't want the night to end because it would one day closer to me leaving. It was so nice to just 'be' together. Sunday is when I started to actually aknowledge how many days till I leave. I enjoyed riding my bus home that night and just looking at the streets. I'm just soaking it all in. I'm appreciating it all more deeply. I really want to do the same with all aspects of my life from now on. Each day is truly a treasure and gift from God. I want to love it and celebrate it and really live it. I want to find Joy in each day.

My little boyfriend Colton (6 1/2 months old) was so much fun to play with Sunday night, as well as yesterday when he and I and his mommy and daddy all had a double date together. He is such a cutie!! And I enjoyed time with mommy and daddy, too.

I've started packing my suitcases so I can see how much will fit and how much I need to ship in a box. I leave a week from tomorrow. I can't believe it! I will live out of my suitcases for a couple of weeks before I move to my new digs. I just know I'll accidentally pack something in a box that I'll need in my suitcase. But, wait... if I need anything I can just run to Wal-Mart! I forgot about that luxury!!

I'm looking forward to being back in Rogers for awhile. I'm excited about working on missions back at my home church, and getting to network with ministries in the area. It will be different not being on staff like before, and being 'in the field' in my home town rather than far way, but it will be great. There is so much to do and be involved in. I'm going to hit the ground running, I'm sure.

I was walking down the street today thinking about how much I'm going to miss living in this city. As bittersweet as the emotions can be, I'm thankful that God allowed me to fall in love with this place so much. I love serving Him and reaching out to others for Him. It is such a privilege to live this life. I appreciate all the hard times that go along with it. And I love all the blessed times, too. I'm really grateful to everyone who makes it possible for me to serve full time.

I know these next months in NWA will fly by and I hope to be diligent and a good steward of time and resources to accomplish all He has planned. I also look forward to the next season, whenever and wherever that will be. I pray He continues to find me useful to the Kingdom. I want to be more and more prepared for whatever He has in store.

I pray that He is guiding you and equipping you and sustaining you as you walk in His plan for your life. He is worthy to be honored through our obedience.

Now it's time for me to rest a little and be ready for another big energy day tomorrow. Blessings!