In the Month of February...

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.... Proverbs 16:9 Well hello there, friend of mine!Update on Liiiiiifffeeee (which, as you may be able to discern, excites me.) Lord willing, my February looks full. For the first few days I will be scrambling through some academic material and extra shift work in order to free up the remainder of the month. Besides that, I am learning about Primary Health Care and Counseling. Scheduled shift work added in, I could keep myself plenty busy. Yet there is something happening that excites my little heart far more. My sister is coming to visit! Jonathan, for my brother For two lovely weeks I will give her a taste of all that my life contains over here on this distant isle. We will laugh and play and catch up on everything, and no doubt there will be tears at our parting. You, dear readers, will likely be regaled with both written and a pictorial documentation of this exciting event. And so, in this short month of February, I shall likely be quite the busy bee. Alas, were it only for the 6 classes, full work schedule, and visit from a foreign land, the danger of boredom might loom over me like an impending rain shower. Fear not idleness, my friends. The second half of my February promises to keep me occupied as well. Over this summer, many of you listened to my excitement over the possibility of reaching out to a neighboring country. Well, the time has come. On February 20, I leave for two weeks on a Lake in Cambodia. Go ahead and click on that, its a slideshow created by a few who went this fall. It should give enough details for now. Though the itinerary for this trip is still under construction, I anticipate a time of both giving and receiving as I will be working alongside an established ministry. There will be much to learn from those who are already on the front lines, already plowing the un-plowed soil of hearts who have never heard. Please, dear ones, keep this in your prayers. Girls who have already been bring back reports of immense spiritual growth and challenge, as well as fruitful ministry. Words cannot express my excitement, and my heart can scarce contain it. 8 weeks old now So as I fly through my busy February, please keep me in your prayers as I continue to remember you in mine. Life doesn't slow down, I'm just learning to hold onto my hat. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible. In 3.5 months, the academic portion of my work here will be complete. About 3 months after that, my time here will come to a close. Beyond that, I have little visibility a present. This heart of mine prefers a bit of planning, but oh! The character that can be built in the times of waiting and praying. Bless you, and join me in blessing our Father. With love, Missowissa

On The Way...

I rode past the apartments where grandma used to live. Years ago, when I was a tiny girl, I was scared when the train whistled… For many years after that, I was petrified by trains. Mom says trains are about the only thing I was ever scared of. And here I go, riding one for the next two days. Past my hometown, past the DMV where I passed my drivers test, past the college that hosted so many music camps I attended. Beginning an adventure that will take me to who-knows-where. And I am excited.

If this isn’t adventure, I’m not sure what is. I’m seeing a whole new side to my country… from sea to shining sea (well, not quite)! Fields of sunflowers, amazing rock formations, tall mountains, and wide rivers. There was the extra-long trailer that had a front porch, and proudly sported the name ‘Hotel’.  The families that live in the dumpiest trailer home you ever did see, but had a RV worth tens of thousands of dollars stored in their yard. Small, quaint tons, and huge railroad grounds, trestles that have no rails, and you feel as though you were flying. Tiny, shack-like houses and giant farming operations. This country is full of adventure… new sights to be seen around every curve.

There are friends to be made too. The sweet Amish family, traveling as far as Montana. I remind them of their Aunt Beth, they say… you know, she’s their favorite aunt. The look of surprise on the children’s faces when I pulled out, of all things, Dutch Blitz…. an Amish game. That priceless night of fun I had with three cheerful Amish kids as we played Blitz, Human Uno, and told silly stories. 

Then there was the Mennonite family that joined me at 5am. Sweet, sweet kids, and a 7month old bouncing baby boy to boot! Dear me! The jolly times we’ve had. Sitting four girlies in a seat built for two…. Perfect for telling all the silly jokes and stories that appeal to little girls. Such happy giggling as the bone-weariness of two days on a train set in.

Then there was the bus transfer… Totally unplanned. I guess the rails were messed up. Hello 6 hour bus ride! The good news was, I got a free sub out of the deal. Free food is always good news. After that, Larissa, one of my co-students, and I took the Portland light rail. What a sight we made! Bag and baggage quite literally as both of us sported two large suitcases, two carry-ons, and a bag of food. And Here I am, finally, safe and sound, ready for the next leg of my journey!

On Joy and Sorrow...

As the train pulled away from the station, a lump grew in my throat. I watched my sister growing smaller and tried to memorize her face. I knew it would be the last time I saw her for at least a year. And the sorrow grew as I realized that in just three weeks, I would be pulling away on another train, watching my family and hometown grow to be small, distant memories. And I felt sad.

 I noticed the bruises all over myself. Thinking back to the moments they were created while playing 'Tackle Down" with my nephews, I felt so sad to know they'd be so much older next time I saw them. To realize that my niece wouldn't remember me any more when I saw her again. And I felt sad.

 
As I talked with God about my sadness...I asked Him why it had to hurt. And I felt Him speak to my heart. It is the blessings and joys that I've experienced that make me sad. It is because I've had so much good, that it is difficult to leave. So now, I am happy that I feel sad. I am trying to embrace the feelings of sorrow, remembering the joy-filled moments that cause the sorrow.
In fact, it would be much sadder if I DIDN'T feel sad. If there was nothing good to leave.
It is the amazing friends, family, and church that I have. Each relationship, a different size and shape; each taking a different place in my heart. Each a gift from God, wrapped in a unique package. I'm so thankful for each of you who has been one of God's blessings in my life. Each of you has brought joy to my days, and as a result, each of you are a part of this sorrow I feel. This joyful sorrow that symbolizes all of the love I know. Thank you God, for filling my life with wonderful people!

On the Number 12

The number 12 is an interesting number.
Its the quantity by which eggs are purchased.
It is the number of the tribes of Israel.
It is the age directly preceding ones embarkation into the teenage years.
It is the smallest number with six divisors.
It is the number of months in a year.
It is the number of inches in a foot.
It is the number of fingers Goliath had.
It is the number of days until I leave.
Today, lets celebrate the number twelve, shall we?
 

On Good Neigbors and 38 Days...

I have a story for you.
This is the kind of story only God can write.
You see, I met my neighbor.
This may not seem so significant to you, but please, permit me to explain. This neighbor that I met does not live here in Wisconsin. She lives in Davao City, Philippines. Actually, she lives just a few blocks from where I will live in 38 days. So sit back and relax, and allow me to tell you the perfectly orchestrated-by-God chain of events that led us together.

It was a hot day, that Monday in June. My sister, Alisha, was working at the coffee shop, rocking out to some Christian tunes. In walks girl by the name of Liz. She had never been to this new little coffee shop, and the quaint, peaceful atmosphere drew her in. When Liz heard the Christian music playing, she wondered if her cute little barrista was a Christian. So, she struck up a conversation with her, which covered topics like homeschool, missions, and a sister who was headed to the Philippines. Liz came back to the coffee shop every day that week with different friends.

Fast forward to Friday. I rode to the coffee shop with Alisha so I could work from there. Mid-morning, Alisha came into the room where I was working, and said, "Melissa, this girl I met brought this lady here, and she's from the Philippines." So, I come out to meet her. Miracle of miracles, Joy introduces herself as a missionary teacher in Davao City, Philippines! I began to explain my plans to work with a maternity Clinic, run by a Christian couple. "Oh yes! I taught school to both of their daughters! I actually live just a few blocks from the Clinic." We both just sat there, stunned.  Even if we'd known of each others existence, we couldn't have planned such a perfect meeting. Only God.
There are so many reasons this is a miracle. Joy was only visiting Wisconsin for two weeks. This is only her second Stateside visit in eight years. Wales is a VERY small town, and Mamma D's is a new coffee shop. Davao City is a very large city. The Philippines is on the other side of the world. The office where I normally spend my days is in downtown Milwaukee. In short, I clearly see the loving hand of God in the crossing of our paths. He is so good to His children.
In other news, I leave in 38 days.
The end.

On Anticipation....

I can't wait!
I can't wait!
It is so hard to believe that this is my life.
Every time I  say it, it tingles in my fingertips.
"I'm moving to the Philippines for two years!"
The days are flying by, sometimes too quickly, and other times too slowly.
Occasionally, they are moving by at exactly the right pace.
All the little details, falling into place.
One
    by
       One.
Trying to savor each day, and to prepare at the same time. 

 72.
That is the number of days.
Days to enjoy my family and my home.
Time to visit with friends and relatives.
To figure out what to pack...and what to let go of.

God has  been blessing so much. Visa application papers are coming along, and I found some scrubs. God used a dear sweet girl to bless me with a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. And He really blessed my sales of hair accessories at the Delafield Art Walk. I still have inventory here.

He is providing in so many ways, and I am so thankful. It truly is beyond what I dare to ask or imagine. This heart is thankful.

I'll Fly Away...

So.

It's official.

Yesterday I called my travel agent and booked a flight.
This morning, I booked my train ticket.

And so, the scurry of an international move begins. Visa applications, immunizations, liquidations, downsize-ations.... This list is so long!

The other day, I packed my first box.


Things I need to keep, but I won't be using for the next two years.

It's like packing up little pieces of my life.


Putting what I know in boxes, and storing it for two years. Letting go of the things that are familiar to me. Knowing that when I come back, I will see it all through different eyes.


But mostly, I'm getting rid of my possessions. There is a perpetual pile in the corner of my room. A pile of things just waiting for a new owner.

This time of transition is causing me to ponder things.

The term New Life is taking on a different meaning.

Forsaking all is becoming more real to me.

It is good.

Seasons of change take us out of our monotony, and cause us to need God. They put a new lens on our view of the world. And we begin to understand.

I understand how much I DON'T understand. Because this whole life is supposed to be a season of transition. Between temporary and eternal, physical and spiritual, darkness and light, death and life. Experiencing transition helps us to realize some of these bigger-picture truths.

My prayer is that God uses this season to draw me closer to Himself. To teach me to live with an awareness of eternity. I pray that I'll learn to understand more fully what my mindset is, versus what it should be. That I'll prepare for eternity with vigor. That I live ready.

And so, the countdown begins. My tickets are purchased, the time is short. It is only a matter of 4.38 months before I'll fly away. To my new home. And someday God will call me out of this life of transition to another new home. And I'll fly away.