boxes

tomorrow is the first official day of packing. i figure i will start in the small storage closet - surely it will be easy to decide what we actually need, in order to let go of those things i haven't seen (or used) in the 3 years we have lived in our apartment. i am hoping to give away as much stuff as possible. i imagine, however, it won't be as easy as i would like. there is something inside of me which says, "surely you will use that some day..." i know i will stumble across some random gardening tool or piece of rope that's use will seem of utmost importance and a tension will arise as i hold the item and struggle to put it in the 'going to goodwill' pile. i experience this tension on quarterly basis when i go through my closet - it is amazing how appealing a skirt i have had since high school seems on a quiet saturday morning.

i think the tension ultimately stems from my desire to be generous and yet not wasteful with the things we have purchased. and if i am really honest i know it also has a lot to do with liking stuff and having a hard time truly living simply.

there is no need to feel sorry for me as i pack - for it is one of my most favorite things to do.

Thank you and a petition for prayer

Thanks to everyone for thoughtful notes, emails, prayers and support. The Lord has been faithful in the past week of granting us peace and tears. I am finding my prayer for tears being answered as I continue to desire to be present in the moment and therefore, also in the sadness. I know the Lord will continue to be tender with my heart as I enter further into the grief of leaving. And sorry to those whom clothes now bear the stain of my mascara. :)

Please pray for the gathering community. This past Sunday the leadership of the gathering (for more info: www.thegatheringcommunity.org) had a meeting to process the changes that are coming with the transition of us leaving. Leading the gathering has been a hard and abundantly rewarding journey, so saying good bye to our community of friends is difficult. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as the leadership makes decisions on what the gathering will look like in January. Please pray for provision as the gathering is now completely financially responsible for itself. Please pray for Gabe, Tim's brother, as he considers stepping into the head leadership position. And please pray for Brooke, Gabe's beautiful wife, as she will more fully understand what it means to be a wife to a man leading a community.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. The Lord is faithful as He reminded me this morning with these words, "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds" (Psalm 73:23-28).

welcome

welcome to our blog. this is my first official post, hopefully to be followed by others. as tim and i desire so desperately to remain connected to friends and family during our journey to Israel and Nepal this blog is one part of the effort. i hope to share pictures, funny stories, challenging moments - all in a desire to bring you along with us in some way.