Just a quick update.
I leave in 18 days. Wow! This is all really happening. Friday was my last day of work which put a new level of reality on this trip that has taken months to prepare to go on. It seemed that it was pretty easy to say that I'm pretty much quitting my job, but to walk out of work on my last day was big for me. Instead of just talking the talk, now I'm walking it. It's more exciting than scary. For now. We'll see in the near future if it seems scary. I think I'm expecting it because most people ask if I'm scared. The fact that I'm not isn't by any crazy courage I have acquired on my own. The preparation process for the trip has not only been filling out forms and getting shots but lots of spiritual trials that have been pretty intense for me. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1.2-6 The bible never ceases to amaze me with how much can be packed into just a few sentences. The trials we encounter are to make us grow to a deeper, stronger level of finding ourselves in Christ alone.
I guess this is all really for now. I have to finish up with the unexpected bathroom remodel (/thorn in my flesh) and take care of some errands before I leave.
