Knee Deep

Right now I am knee deep. Knee deep in books and paperwork, all of which are necessary to complete before I step on the plane that will whisk me away to the other side of the world. Knee deep in clothes that I must somehow fit into one suitcase out of which I will live for the next five months. Knee deep in photos of the people I love and other mementos to remember my life in Chicago and Des Moines by, trying to sort through them and decide which ones come with me on my journey. Most importantly, I am knee deep in God's love as it shines through my friends and family. I can feel it envelop me as I struggle to say goodbye to loved ones and pack up my life to dive head first into this new adventure.

Those who know me well saw this coming. There would be no option for me other than to leave the comfort of my life in Chicago to fly half way around the world as part of my ongoing discernment process. As we all are in some way, shape, or form, I am trying to decipher my call. The eternal questions. What does God want from me? What is my purpose? How am I supposed to follow in the footsteps of the nonviolent Jesus? I used to think that one day I would have all of the answers to these questions, but I'm starting to realize that is an impossible task. The best I can hope for is to serve God every day  in the most authentic and loving way possible by serving His people.

So, here we are. January 12, 2011. 10:01 PM Central Standard Time. In a little over a week, on January 21, I am going to get on a plane from Chicago to Amsterdam and then another one from Amsterdam to Cape Town, South Africa. There I will stay until June 19th, taking classes at University of the Western Cape and working two days a week at a non-profit organization. I am going with the goals of remaining open, teachable, and ever present to where God is calling me, having some fun, and taking in the beautiful country of South Africa in all of its splendor, glory and brokenness. Join me for the ride, won't you?