Expectations

Well for one thing ... I expected to be in bed before now!  We leave for our Intercultural Missionary Training tomorrow -- well, in 4 short minutes it'll be "today!"  I expect to be inspired, challenged, stretched, and better prepared for mission service there.  And I expect to meet some great new friends -- more brothers and sisters in Christ.
I expected to be way more emotional departing my job.  Thankfully my last day was a "different" sort of day at an all day training seminar with an uplifting, funny, inspirational speaker, Dale Henry, who encouraged us about servanthood and serving others.  Very apro po for this next chapter in our lives!  The main book we had to read for our upcoming training was all about Servanthood.  I expect to be very challenged as I try and live out servanthood especially in another country and culture.  Those who know me best know that I can tend towards being "the Queen" and enjoy BEING served!!  (But then again -- can't we all if we're living in our fleshly nature?! That's one reason we're so desperate for the Holy Spirit to infiltrate our lives.)
I did not expect my boss' boss to pray for me at lunch time on my last day of "work" work.  What a delightfully serendipitous occasion that was! I am sad that I have not had more opportunity to know him better.
I expect things at work to pile up on my poor supervisor and co-worker.  I'm bummed that I was not able to get more caught up with things before leaving.  They were so sweet and understanding about it though. That's kind of the nature of the beast at Social Services though.  If you read this and are a pray-er -- pray for them!
I expected to nail the "hard part" of my prelude this a.m.  I didn't.  Rat finks & bummer.
I expected a great time in worship today -- with the singing, playing and praising, and the Bible teaching and fellowship.  That was "spot on!" I so enjoy the fellowship we have together in the body of Christ!  Thank you, Gayton Baptist Church and Pastor Phil!!  I expect to miss you guys over these next few weeks!
I expected Germany to win the World Cup of Futbol today and they did!!  Woot woot!!  (I did not expect to see such rough playing -- nor so much blood - or for that matter, ANY blood!!  Mercy!)
I am learning to hold expectations loosely.  Notice I say 'learning.'  And at that, I often feel like I'm in the kindergarten class of this school of training!!
It's hard.  We all have expectations -- voiced or unvoiced.  Known or unknown. When things get switched up and go along another track, it's often hard to adjust and go down that different path.  I expect that's some of the kind of training that we'll be faced with in these next few weeks!!  Lord keep us open and yielded!
I expect I'd better put the clothes into the dryer now and go to bed.
It's now "today!"
I expect you all are ready for this blurb about expectations to be over!!  I am happy to fulfill those expectations!!  Good night!

Staving off panic

Well, this has been an eventful week.
Our airline tickets have been purchased.  One Way tickets!!  Wow.  That is different! Sort of sobering.
One way.
We depart Sept 22 for Peru.
As the reality of everything begins to "hit home" more and more my thoughts begin to get all jumbled together.
This week is my last week at work -- at the County of Henrico in the Dept of Social Services working in the Child Care Unit.  It's been a great job.  My co-workers are wonderful. I have so enjoyed this team of fine ladies!
I have felt panic arise as my time of trying to get "caught up" (so as not to leave behind a mess, or a huge burden for my fellow co-workers) is coming to a close.  In fact, tomorrow is my last day of actual work as we have a mandatory all day staff meeting on Friday.  We began a big new project recently for one part of our program that was mostly my responsibility and I've been trying to get that well underway even if everything else is not caught up -- which it is not . But, as my Supervisor reminded me today -- that is kind of the "nature of the beast!"  In our type of work, one doesn't really get caught up! It's like laundry!!
Earlier in the week, as I was realizing that I probably wouldn't be caught up by week's end, I began to feel anxious and I could feel myself getting more and more stressed about it.
Just as at work, I was also feeling a sense of needing to get everything "under control," and "planned for," and "thought of" and "taken care of" in our family before we leave for our training time, and before departing the country.
My boss reminded me that I was stressing over things some of which weren't going to happen until next year!!  (ie. next summer's plans for our kids when they are on summer break from college, etc..)
God is so perfect in His timing reminding us of truths in His Word -- this morning's devotional reading was from Philippians 4:6-7 about not being anxious for anything, but praying and thanking Him about everything, and the peace, which passes understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  What a perfect and timely reminder that I needed today!!  (Now if I could just put it into practice!!)
Tonight was also my last night of playing piano for the choir at Gayton Baptist Church for awhile!!  I have so enjoyed that opportunity at our church!
This time next week we will be about to begin our intercultural training classes.  Part of the intent, I understand, is to take one out of their "comfort zone."  Hmmm.... what is that going to look and feel like?! I'm trying not to "panic" about that too!  I enjoy new experiences and all, but I also enjoy my comfort!!
Well, I can see that I'm kind of rambling.  Apro po for my recent state of mind!!
But I thought I would give a bit of an update of my mental "goings on" as others may wonder how we're doing in that realm!
Thankfully, the "panic" has indeed been staved off -- for now!  And I believe I'll sleep in sweet peace tonight!  It's late, so ... Goodnight!