Changing seasons.  Changing climes.  The end of one season, the beginning of another.  The thought has become foreign to us, really, because here in Guatemala, our seasons don't change.  Yes, we have the rainy season and the dry season and whatever happens in between those...but the temperature - my measure of seasons - changes little.  So, the end of our current "season" of life and ministry, and the beginning of a this new season brings major changes, and is causing all sorts of emotions to the surface in me.  It's a new path we are beginning to go down now...one that has many twists and bends...I can't see much beyond today. It's a different path than the one I walked on when we came to Guatemala somehow...at least if feels different to me.  For some reason, in my spirit, there are more "unknowns" now - going back to the states - than there were heading out to a totally foreign country four years ago.  Not only are the states in a different place now, I am a different person than I was when I left there; a different person with a different purpose.

But I know this is the path we are to be on; we are going the right way.  And the purpose of this path is what's going to happen on the journey, not what's waiting the end.  Thinking "journey" instead of "destination" requires a shift in my thought patterns...back to when I'd ride my Gold Wing across the country...and the object was the journey, not the destination.  The joy of the journey was the objective, not just getting somewhere; the "going" not the "getting." The experiences along the way were the important part of the journey then.  This journey has already started.  But right now, I'm still in the throes of the "traffic" before I hit the open road - moving is such sweet sorrow.  Especially when "moving" means leaving everything one more time...and beginning again...one more time.  But I'm really looking forward to discovering what's just out of my sight around that bend up ahead... 

Along the path...

Pondering time...

There’s been way too much space between the last post and this one.  For that Snavely and I apologize.  Part of the issue is that we have not followed the advice of A.W. Tozer that we posted in the last missive.  We’ve been busy “doing” with very little time “being.”  

I’m not sure whether it falls under “doing” or “being,” but I love to read…and to share what I’m reading with others.  I’m usually reading two or three books at one time, which, up until recently, has been a challenge because one or more of my “reading” books gets put away by a helpful person.  I say “recently, “ because I’ve just become the owner of an Amazon Kindle Reader – an amazing little device that allows me to download books – hundreds of them – and keeps track of where I am in each book!  It coordinates over the internet with my laptop and my desktop computers, so I can read wherever I am…never losing my place.  And the battery lasts up to 30 days.  This amazing little machine has encouraged me to spend more time “being.”  I am able to read from some of the best Christian and secular authors, as well as the new NET Bible, with just a flick of my thumb.  And then I spend time just “being,” absorbing and experiencing what I’ve read.  And Father helps me with the absorbing and experiencing – bringing people, events, times, places, and experiences into my mind to ponder, appreciate and understand, from an entirely new perspective – his.  They are good times. 

So, as summer begins where you are…and the rainy season begins where I am…I wish you much time to ponder with Father…he knows us very well.  He wants us to know more about him. He’s one of the most interesting people we’ll ever meet, especially when we give ourselves time to really know him.  So, until next time, happy pondering.