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After traveling for that length of time, crossing 8 time zones, and readjusting your body clock to good ole Panama City time, you couldn’t ask for a better arrival time. I was in bed by my normal time and woke up yesterday morning refreshed. Usually jet lag is a big problem, but with the travel schedule we had, it was minimal.
When it was time to leave on Wednesday afternoon, Many people showed up to see us off: Sergei and Luda (the baby doctor and his wife), Klava (one of the Babushkas who has such a beautiful sweet spirit and smile) Tanya (she keeps the worship room in order, seems to be every where at once and does a million things for Kenny) along with Dasha, Vanya, Alyssa, Genya, Anton, Julia, Julia and Olga (teens from the youth group). Hugs were flying around the room like confetti in a ticker tape parade. I didn’t have a clue what was being said except for a few times when Vanya, Dasha or Ira would interpret something to me, but who needs spoken words when smiles and hugs speak an even louder universal language.
The temperature was probably in the single digits by the time we were leaving and every one of those people either walked from where they lived, or rode a bus and then walked to see us off. A person is rich indeed with friends like that. I was truly humbled.
Ira and Igor drove us to Donestk where we caught our flt to Kiev and got settled into a hotel room in preparation of our long day on Thursday.
Thursday had us getting up at 4a.m., which was 8 p.m. Panama City time. We flew to Amsterdam, then on to Memphis and finally to Panama City.
Kenny and I ended up with great seats on the Amsterdam to Memphis flight. To start with, we were both sitting in the emergency exit row right next to each other and had miles of legroom, however the elbow and shoulder room was…lets just say real cozy. Don’t get me wrong, I like Kenny, but wasn’t looking forward to wrestling for the armrest for the next 9½ hours! We were in luck however. The plane wasn’t totally full, so after they closed the door, I moved back to an empty row. That gave both Kenny and I plenty of room to stretch out.
I wanted to wrap up the blog with insights that I garnered from the last two weeks, and right now everything is a big bag of seemingly unrelated thoughts and feelings and I don’t even know where to start, what to say or much less how to say it. So many things are running through my mind.
There is one overwhelming thought however, and that is the feeling of gratitude. I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to go to Ukraine and for having taken that opportunity. I am thankful that I had the time, financial and other resources to be able to take that journey. I am thankful that I was raised in America and in a home that didn’t squelch my dreams. I am also humbled with all the riches I (we) have in this country and convicted once again that it’s all God’s, and we have a great responsibility to be not only good stewards but thankful of His enormous blessings. Most of all, I am extremely thankful that God used this time to bring me to a deeper love for him and his children.
For two weeks, I didn’t watch TV (except for 2 DVD movies), I didn’t read a newspaper, I didn’t have a “to do” list of projects for the home, I didn’t think about a job or who I needed to contact, I didn’t do anything to interrupt or inhibit fellowship with people or God.
And for two weeks, I read the Bible (more than I probably have in six months, which does not make me proud), I prayed and meditated much, I read thought provoking books, lessons and devotionals, I listened to many Christian music CDs, I laughed and smiled a lot and fellowshipped with others of all ages, God stretched me in many ways.…….and I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.
What I have to do now, is take where I am in my life -- and even though there will be daily pressures with career, money, home, family and other obligations – to make sure I prioritize my daily activities so that I still continue to read the Bible, pray, meditate on God’s word and promises, fill my mind with good images, thoughts, music and words, laugh and smile much, and allow myself to be poured into other’s lives.
Who knows how God will use all of this in the future. One thing is for sure…none of this was an accident or coincidence. God has a plan and even though I can honestly say that I have rarely been able to define His will for my life except by looking backwards, I know He is in control. His timing is perfect. He is the perfect Father.
Thanks for reading. I hope I haven’t bored you and just maybe my thoughts have given rise to aspects and opportunities in your own life...and how precious, loved and valuable we all are before our Heavenly Father.