The kids know

On Friday I had the chance to speak in chapel. I spoke about Jonah and how God gave him mercy (our theme of the month). I then vaguely told the kids of how God asked me to do something that I didn't want to do and that after hearing the story of Jonah several times that week, I knew that I had to obey. 

I've been able to talk to them a little bit about it. Today was hectic as I had an afternoon field trip with the 4th graders. 

I've got my kitchen just about all packed up. Everything is already so empty that it doesn't even feel like my apartment anymore.... Which is good for the grieving I guess. 

At this point I'm just looking forward to being in Philly and getting some much needed REST. 

The Last Time

As time draws my move nearer, I'm finding more and more that I'm telling myself: "This is the last time I will be....." and then I fill in the blank. Every time I do it it breaks my heart a little bit. Saying goodbye is going to be hard. To be honest, which I usually try to be, I think the hardest part about moving is knowing how difficult it is going to be to stay in touch with the people here in Michigan.

It's very easy for me to immerse myself 100% into what I am doing, so once I have arrived in Philly I know that I will be getting extremely busy with The Block Church.

As I move towards this next step I am praying for peaceful sleep. I have been havin VERY vivid dreams and they leave me feeling drained when I wake up. As exciting as it might seem to watch a suspense thriller every night, waking up from one every morning isn't exactly appealing.

This week I am also praying for patience with my students. Some of the girls have been quite standoffish. I'm most certain that they know that I'm moving and they don't seem to be processing it well.

Provision

It's often extremely difficult to trust God in the current situation you may be facing. Trusting that your past was a journey to bring you to the present is pretty easy to see. Trusting that the future will ultimately lead you to eternity with Him is relatively easy to do. But trusting God in the present, well right now that seems pretty difficult. 

I've really started to grieve the moving process. My heart is broken to know that after I leave, people here will continue on with their lives with little or no real sense of the presence I was in their life; or could have been. All this time my presence here has been merely temporary... and I knew that, but it doesn't make it any easier. 

For tonight, and most likely many nights to come, I'll let tears rent my eyes and I'll embrace the true loss that I feel in this. But I am more than a conqueror and through Christ I can be courageous. I'm so thankful for those who support me and pray for me. But for the time being, please don't hug me unless you plan to let me cry on your shoulder.