May I have this dance?

Though I just arrived in Bolivia, being away from home is becoming very real. I received news that my sweet Grandmother went home to be with her Lord and Savior yesterday afternoon. The odd mixture of emotions which followed my taking it all in included a bit of tears, then laughter, then jealousy, then peace.

As a child, my Grandma Margie wrote me a letter one day which said she would pray Jeremiah 29:11 over my life each day "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...." As I grew in my relationship with Christ, this verse began to fill our conversations, our written correspondence, and our prayers for each other. Yet, I know this verse was just a drop of the flood of wisdom she has poured into my life through so many years.

A grandmother, mother, wife, sister, friend, musician, counselor, worshiper, peacemaker, prayer warrior...the list could go on. She lived out all these things as a precious follower of Jesus Christ. I cherish the moments I was able to sit with her and be challenged by who she had become.

Last Thanksgiving she spent time with our family in Jacksonville. As I was walking through a season of   uncertainty and struggle myself, she joyously shared with me a few books by Ken Gire. As she was reading along, I remember how the metaphor of the "the dance" resonated with her. As a musician, she recognized the importance of melody, harmony, and rhythm. The picture which Gire paints is the moment our Maker invites us to dance. With fear and trepidation, we might decline. Or we might say "Yes." My grandmother said "Yes," and decided to follow Him with her whole heart.

As she danced with the Lord throughout her life journey, she enjoyed the pleasant moments when the orchestra united and played with joy. With a wonderful husband, children, and grandchildren, she witnessed sweet births, sweet discipleship, and sweet ministry across the world. In the moments of uncertainty, when the rhythm did not sound as natural... when her first son lived a life of many limitations, when she and Joe met struggles in their ministry, or when the love of her life left to be with the Lord before her, she faithfully looked to the eyes of Christ. He said, "Trust me during this new song, when the cadence brings change, and let me lead."

Yesterday afternoon, I believe the song changed once more. This time, she danced with Jesus into the throne room and the orchestra was in more unity than ever. The melody was strong with multiple harmonies to complement. Her step was lighter, her breathing full, and her trust in her Bridegroom...perfect. And so...she dances today, loving every bit of the music of eternity. She sings and dances to her heaven song. And this is only the beginning...

Grandma, I live today to share the love of Jesus Christ with one more person...that more and more will join us in heaven together when the Bride of Christ is invited home. I love you!

At peace in La Paz

Dearest family and friends,

I would like to officially announce that my life in La Paz has begun. Maybe the initiation was paying the taxi driver double the fare and graciously figuring it out after he stared at me in shock. Maybe it has been eating a chunk of llama for lunch...(one of the safer forms of acclimating to Bolivian food of which i'm still not sure tasted much different than bison). Or maybe it has been enjoying a delightful evening eating with my roommate Alison and her wonderful Bolivian friends.

The newness of everything...from figuring out how to shop for the most simple items to learning my way around they city...has been overwhelming but pleasantly surreal as I realize this is becoming my life for the time being. I am so thankful for at least a small grasp on the language as I know that could easily make this process much more difficult. A few staff from Highlands International School who were able to be back early have been tremendously helpful through tours and being willing to answer my thousands of questions about Bolivian life.

God has been so faithful. As we drove in from the northern part of the city and were able to see a night time view of La Paz, I was in awe to see the lights as a "Bowl of Jewels" which do nothing less for me than claim God's love over the city. Thank you for your prayers (which got myself and my luggage here despite the odds of luggage embargoes) and for your enthusiasm for ministry here (as it fills me with joy to write about it.) Tomorrow I will finally see the school, where I know I will be spending a large amount of my time. When things settle down a bit, I plan to provide more anecdotes of moments here. I can't wait to paint the story for you in these coming days....

Blessings.

     First of all, I would like to give a shout out to my sister Sarah and brother-in-law Paul who have raised two wonderful little boys so well. After a week of babysitting, we have been tickled by the fact that it requires three people to hold down wiggly Sterling in order to dress him for the day while the fourth family member sprints around the house to chase down Wyatt. The challenge of juggling diaper changing, nap times, and medicines has been one worth rising to. Of course, our frequent hunt for puppies in the neighborhood has dried up plenty of tears during tired moments. But overall, I'm thankful for these two nephews, and equally thankful for the parents I can send them home to. :)

     Well, the countdown is far more a reality today as there are only six days left on the calendar between my life in High Point and my new adventure in La Paz. I have been so blessed by moments of saying goodbye to friends as well as hearing the encouraging prayers from my church as they send me out. I'm thankful for the past six months of life here...months full of growth, clarity, and building stronger relationships.

     I realize I must leave a lot of this behind for a while. I know there will be new blessings ahead, (and ones to look forward to when I am able to visit the states.) Yet, in stepping back to look at the big picture, as I transition to what is "new", I am reminded that there is One who does go with me. He goes before me and behind me...as well as beside me. I will share with you the prayer I read this morning....

     "Therefore, I pray, whatever of Thyself Thou has been pleased to disclose, help me to search out as treasure more precious than rubies or the merchandise of fine gold; for with Thee shall I live when the stars of the twilight are no more and the heavens have vanished away and only Thou remains. Amen."

   It's hard to leave the presence of people who know what life is like here...those who I have been on college campus with, those who I have spent time in prayer meetings with, those who have walked with me through so many seasons of growth and change. Likewise, I know there will be new seasons in a new place which will be hard to relay back home. Yet, this is where my hope lies. The God of the universe, who understands me, knows me, and calls me by name, goes with me. So, it is Him who I must learn to know. He and I are in this together.

    "Papa, give me a heart to love you and to discover you. Teach me the rhythm of this song. But may I learn more of its Composer."

Party at the PFO

Two days ago I returned home from two mentally strenuous weeks in Southaven, MS where I sat through long days of Pre-Field Orientation for the mission field. At first, I thought I knew what I was getting into. How tough could listening to seminars concerning life as a missionary and a teacher be?
Of course, when I realized each hour of listening would require intense processing as well as beg me to open up my heart to see the prejudices, fears, and grief I have towards leaving that which I "know", the two weeks proved harder than I thought. Yet, without a doubt, I was extremely blessed to spend time with over a hundred missionaries who are all in transition alongside me, also meeting four of the girls specifically headed with me to the city of La Paz. We walked through the challenges of culture stress, the art of working with the "Third Culture Kid" (those children living in countries other than their parents' passport country), and analyzed our personalities in order to recognize possible blessings, challenges, and conflict with future colleagues.
Thankfully, the intensity was dashed with a bit of seasoning through a wonderful Fourth of July firework display (Thanks, Southaven, for being one of the most patriotic towns I know!), a few hot dogs at a Memphis Redbirds game, a number of quick incognito Sonic slushy runs between sessions, and stress relieving racquetball tourneys at the local gym.
I don't know if I'm ready for what these next few days will bring...as we live in a world where we try to avoid life changes and goodbyes due to the convenience of Facebook and Skype. I'm fighting hard against this. Saying goodbye is good for us. Affirming those who have meant so much to us is an opportunity. And if anything...the more phone calls, emails, and lunches I can be a part of...the more I can stall against packing. And for this, I am grateful.