3 Worlds

I love what Kay Warren says in her book, "Dangerous Surrender", the book she began to write after returning home to beautiful, affluent orange county from her first Africa HIV/AIDS experience. How do I learn to live in 3 worlds?

• the world of supermarkets lined with choices and quantities and beautiful malls and etc.
• the world of knowing and being "gloriously ruined" by knowing there are 12 million orphans in Africa as a result of AIDS
• the spiritual world of knowing there is evil, we are all capable of evil, and that there is hope in heaven. The same heart that is capable of evil is capable of compassion. By His power.

Upon arriving home from the Middle East where there is a minute supply of Christ followers and a haunting call to prayer 5 times a day and honor killings of girls and women, I needed to hear her words. There is hope in heaven, and meanwhile I can be a presence wherever I am to those who are suffering from the consequences of evil. I can't change evil...I can just be Jesus with skin on to expose the evil and give comfort and compassion to the suffering.

Mmmm. so what's next? Lord, I am listening.

12 million orphans

As I read about 12 million orphans in Africa due to the HIV/Aids virus I have an interesting time living life in perspective as I buy groceries for 6 different birthdays this month, go to the beach in my motor home to make smores, drive through Starbucks to get my foamy capp for the day, go to the mall to pick out the birthday presents, drive my car, weed my flowerbeds, curl up in my comfy bed, lay down on yet another piece of comfy furniture to watch my one hour favorite t.v. show, de-clutter my food pantry (hello?) wash my dishes in a sink with hot water, and watch all the kiddos on my block skateboard or bike by with helmets and their mommies, look out over my swimming pool with two empty floaties on it, feed my dog (?)



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Picture crazy

Now that I know how to do it...well maybe I went overboard. Enjoy all the reasons why Jordan is on my heart...

Heart Lag

I don't seem to be experiencing jet lag. I sleep fine and get up fine after being on the other half of the globe with a 12 hour difference. What I'm struggling with is heart lag. I struggle to put my heart back into life here...because I don't want to lose sight of what captured my heart there. MMmmm. Pictures of why that is so are coming....after all, what's a blog without a picture?

New Faces- New Hearts

I'm headed for another part of the world in 3 days. I am so excited about

• New smells
• Peoples' faces who live a different life than me and meeting new hearts
• Seeing another part of God's creation and the way He created people
• Sensing His presence amongst a people who don't even realize He's there. There's something deeply moving about seeing that spiritual chasm.
• Hummus! yum yum

I will miss my children, the smell of home, the chaotic routine we live in, my freedom, my personal space, Starbucks (UGHHHHH), my temperapedic mattress, my own coffee pot, my workout routine, my computer, my young adult children, and my cheerios.

Until I carry home new experiences,and a full heart with new faces, .......................Most of my blog readers know what to do in the meantime concerning situations like these; especially concerning the first thing I said I would miss.

Bittersweet

You know it's bittersweet when you feel the following:

• hurt but relieved

• sad but content

• scared but okay

• lost but surrendered

• sad but not without hope

Thanks for inspiring me with those words Gaby. You're amazing. I love you, my daughter of grace.

God at work

Today I noticed God at work all around me:

• a dear friend went on a safari
• a young man once gone postal is now an initiator of gifts to children in Iraq
• a young woman who had lost her way returned to Jesus two years ago and marries a godly guy tomorrow
• a woman lives with an addict for many years and finally cries out to God for help
• a young girl decides to keep her baby and loved ones throw her a party
• a handsome young man quoted scripture he memorized without any prizes or rewards except the verse itself
• my beloved maple tree started its first blooms
• someone finally got in touch with righteous anger
• a group of women loved me when I said no today
• a suffering woman rediscovered hope
• My laundry room is empty