Ponderings and Preparations

Good morning, all!

I'm sitting here on my bed, enjoying the luxury of a "day off" and just "doing my own thing." It's a lazy morning and I could be reading a book or watching a movie. I could've also slept longer than I did. Somehow, though, whenever I can sleep longer and do whatever I want...well, those are the days that I don't want to go back to sleep and I want to get things done. Whereas, the days that I have planned to be productive and have to get up "early" to be somewhere...those are the days that it feels like pulling teeth to get anything done.

I'm sure there is some kind of psycho-explanation for this, but I think it's basically human nature to be contrary. Ah well, I'll take advantage of my contrariness and spend the next five days "off" actually getting things crossed off my to-do list. Go figure.

One of the "to-dos" I've so expertly been pushing off is to write a support letter. I don't know why I dislike writing support letters. I believe what I am doing is good and for the glory of God, so why should I be reluctant to ask others to support it? If someone doesn't want to give, they can simply say "no", so I have nothing to get worked up about. Right? Right.

In case you have no idea what I am talking about: I have been accepted to travel (again) with Life Action Ministries. This go-round, I will be home schooling two teenage boys. Their parents travel as family revivalist/team pastor/mentors to the team members and so much more. I get to help them out by making sure the boys are on track with school. I will be creating daily schedules and grading all work and doing lesson plans... well, everything a teacher does. I have not filled this role to this extent before and I'm a wee bit nervous/excited. I love teaching and I enjoy learning. It's just all new...

Anywho, Life Action employees are all volunteers, so we have to raise support like any other missionary. Our mission field is the United States and our focus is the church. We travel in a bus, a semi, and various other vehicles from church to church and do conferences. We are invited for either a 4, 8, 11, or 15 day conference and all we single team members stay in host homes of people from the church. The families stay in trailers they park in the church parking lots. While we are there, our team provides music and teaching for all ages (except nursery) and we basically give the church a set apart time to refocus and renew. Our ministry goal is to "ignite movements of authentic Christianity" throughout America.

It is a good ministry and it is very needed. I traveled four years, previously, and God just keeps leading me back. I wasn't expecting to go back and this time seems a little different to me. I don't know for sure, obviously, but this time feels more permanent. I'm not putting words in God's mouth or anything, I just feel...I don't know...more decided? It's hard to put into words.

I am also having a harder time with the thought of leaving home than I seem to recall from before. (Likely due to that sense of permanency I was just stumbling over.) There are so many people here that I just want to be around. I ache at the thought of missing out on the day-to-day of their lives: like seeing my young family members grow and the kids I teach at church and the joy of friendship with my church family and being at home with Mama and Daddy and Will (though he's getting close to graduation) and my bed and consistent shower water pressure and always knowing what the food is going to taste like and...well, there's a lot I'll miss. I've always been one to settle into a routine and be generally content and happy. I hope that this is the case this time, as well. Prayers would be appreciated.

In fact, prayers would be appreciated for all of this. I'm having dreams about forgetting to pack or getting on the road and completely messing up. I don't want to be a worry-wart. I also want to use my time at home wisely and I want to prepare wisely. Please pray that I will do all of these with a grateful and joyful heart: a heart at peace. And pray I won't be a weeny about writing my support letter. :)

Ooooooo, Mama just brought me a smoothie! (I'll miss that, too)

On to the next thing! (Slurp)

'Til next time (when I'll hopefully have pictures to add),
Anna