Where did the week go?
I'm currently on the lawn in the speckled shadow of the willow tree which canvasses my backyard. A yellow post-it proudly displays the shrinking list of task which preclude my departure. These I scribbled down between day dreams and short bursts of actual work on what may be may last day as a Creo employee. (I'm not quitting, it just will be called Kodak when I get back, I'll be a Kodiak when I get back)
My week traveled through the dark valley of a vector calculus midterm, to a fountain of joy with when a couple of Fedex boxes on my porch and a the rush of a packed stadium where Bono himself called people to the aid of the poor and helpless in Africa. Like a prelude to a beautiful symphony the week's melodies have paraded through carefully woven to introduce what lies ahead. A journey that will undoubtedly challenge my character, open my eyes to colours previously unseen and expose a soul to the oceans of the world.
Before I get carried away with a lame attempt of putting my experience into words on a screen. My sticky note listed a reminder to thank everyone for their prayers, encouragements and support. It has humbled and encouraged me to no end, people must think I will make a difference. With such an experience of joy, peace and power, I am almost ready to head-on down to Deer lake to try walking on water.
However it has managed to stay off my tattered yellow friend. Unfortunately, my faith isn't quite there yet and the microscopic creatures in that lake are most likely worst than anything I'll see in Gambia....Maybe tomorrow.
Normal is Over.
One week to go...
The anticipation that shoots through my viens over powering any stress which remained in my body. In one weeks time I will be landing in London just completing the first leg of my trip. I spent the weekend weighing my baggage, running erans and enjoying the company of good friends.
After church I trekked to Squamish with a small entourage for a final hurra with the beautiful West Coast, could not have been a nicer day. We hiked the Chief's second peak and spent the afternoon watching the sunlight's glow on the southern face of diamond head and dance across the waters of the Squamish inlet. A peacefull and humbling experience to say the least. What could I have ever done to deserve a day such as this?
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
After church I trekked to Squamish with a small entourage for a final hurra with the beautiful West Coast, could not have been a nicer day. We hiked the Chief's second peak and spent the afternoon watching the sunlight's glow on the southern face of diamond head and dance across the waters of the Squamish inlet. A peacefull and humbling experience to say the least. What could I have ever done to deserve a day such as this?
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
More than Fine
Everything is going to work out.
I had you asked me the simple question "how are you?" 4 hours ago, as some poor well meaning souls did. You would have gotten a "mneennewah" type groan or a 5 min-mini lecture on all the variables which hang in the balance with a personal invite to my semi-sick tired body's pity-party.
It was little after 10pm when I sat down with guitar and began to flesh out my woes. Why was I so concerned? Even now reading my last post it is clear I'm uncharacteristically stressed. I definitely upped the anti since then. I had lurched through my last 3 days in a flap over the details of my trip. As much as I would like to blame the Larium for my edge, I could only really attributed it to be an enhancer.
I am not sure quite what sparked my mind; however, it became apparent to me how foolish I had been. I have a ticket, yellow fever shot and a plane ticket... Really everything else is an accessory. It is not like there would nothing to do in Gambia if I arrived with out a FMR RNP or eco-charge battery system. I had done all I could. I was simply questioning Gods ability to aid the flow of international shipping. I had set my focus on all which could go wrong. The result was an undeniable drift from the vision of this trip, changing lives in light of Christ's love.
After planting my discombodulated self on a couch my guitar, pen and a pad of paper for a couple of hours. I emerged with a few chords put together with a few intelligent scribbles and peace. Arguably the most productive two hours of my week.
Thanks for your prayers.
I had you asked me the simple question "how are you?" 4 hours ago, as some poor well meaning souls did. You would have gotten a "mneennewah" type groan or a 5 min-mini lecture on all the variables which hang in the balance with a personal invite to my semi-sick tired body's pity-party.
It was little after 10pm when I sat down with guitar and began to flesh out my woes. Why was I so concerned? Even now reading my last post it is clear I'm uncharacteristically stressed. I definitely upped the anti since then. I had lurched through my last 3 days in a flap over the details of my trip. As much as I would like to blame the Larium for my edge, I could only really attributed it to be an enhancer.
I am not sure quite what sparked my mind; however, it became apparent to me how foolish I had been. I have a ticket, yellow fever shot and a plane ticket... Really everything else is an accessory. It is not like there would nothing to do in Gambia if I arrived with out a FMR RNP or eco-charge battery system. I had done all I could. I was simply questioning Gods ability to aid the flow of international shipping. I had set my focus on all which could go wrong. The result was an undeniable drift from the vision of this trip, changing lives in light of Christ's love.
After planting my discombodulated self on a couch my guitar, pen and a pad of paper for a couple of hours. I emerged with a few chords put together with a few intelligent scribbles and peace. Arguably the most productive two hours of my week.
Thanks for your prayers.
Welcome to the Gambian Goat Post
Hello everyone!
Thanks for checking the Goat Post.
I choose a blog to update everyone of my Gambian adventure. I hope you'll enjoy the format. It will no doubt give a more intimate view of life than a traditional newsletter. It also gives you all oppertunities to comment and ask your burning questions. You don't need to sign up for anything but please put your name in your comments so I know who left them.
*** Please excuse typos which will litter this blog. I think faster than I type this leads to problems... thanks for your patience and understanding. Otherwise, enjoy!
Well, Gambia sits on the horizon no more then a 2 1/2 weeks down the time pipe. I have started a count down on my white board at work to give fair warning to all who wish to pile their urgent work requests. Some have caught on and are taking full advantage.
On Monday the Gambia team commences our Malaria meds. Most of us are taking Larium, the pharmasudical that makes your dreams come alive in full spectrvision. Our goal is to sync-up our dosages (one a week) so we all wake up with comperable dream squencies. The other more logical reason is so no one forgets admist the countless other things which will be on our minds.
The crunch of preperation has been chewing on my schedule like a teething dog. It is hard to believe I'll get it all done... an exam, assignment, taxes, a heavy work load, shopping for the final peices of recording equipment and the countless administrative tasks which make for smooth traveling. All this has made sleeping a challenge, an unfortunate fimiliar reality as the readers of the badgerlounge may have noticed.
Although my body is worn, my spirit has been strong. I anxiously await to serve and see mircles of God's hand. In a sense they have already begun...
Thanks for checking the Goat Post.
I choose a blog to update everyone of my Gambian adventure. I hope you'll enjoy the format. It will no doubt give a more intimate view of life than a traditional newsletter. It also gives you all oppertunities to comment and ask your burning questions. You don't need to sign up for anything but please put your name in your comments so I know who left them.
*** Please excuse typos which will litter this blog. I think faster than I type this leads to problems... thanks for your patience and understanding. Otherwise, enjoy!
Well, Gambia sits on the horizon no more then a 2 1/2 weeks down the time pipe. I have started a count down on my white board at work to give fair warning to all who wish to pile their urgent work requests. Some have caught on and are taking full advantage.
On Monday the Gambia team commences our Malaria meds. Most of us are taking Larium, the pharmasudical that makes your dreams come alive in full spectrvision. Our goal is to sync-up our dosages (one a week) so we all wake up with comperable dream squencies. The other more logical reason is so no one forgets admist the countless other things which will be on our minds.
The crunch of preperation has been chewing on my schedule like a teething dog. It is hard to believe I'll get it all done... an exam, assignment, taxes, a heavy work load, shopping for the final peices of recording equipment and the countless administrative tasks which make for smooth traveling. All this has made sleeping a challenge, an unfortunate fimiliar reality as the readers of the badgerlounge may have noticed.
Although my body is worn, my spirit has been strong. I anxiously await to serve and see mircles of God's hand. In a sense they have already begun...
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