New Things

Not sure what to write. I leave Malta at 5:55 am tomorrow morning. I think it's going to take me a long, long time to understand the things this trip has done in my heart and life.

There are new things springing up within me. Sometimes they scare me, sometimes they excite me. Generally they feel as if they are going to bring both great pain, and great beauty. But I think that all the really beautiful things in life do that.

I had a beautiful moment in a field yesterday, with two friends. One that was just for me, and not be shared. One I've needed, full of grace and healing and peace.

Tomorrow I head for Rome for a few days, than London for a few days, before heading home to Calgary. I also head into Lent tomorrow. I'm beginning the process of having a conversation with the Lord about what Lent will look like this year. It tends to be a profound season in my life.

I'm grateful for the places, the people, the things I've experienced over the last month. But I still feel as if there aren't many words for it. I'm thankful that several of my dearest friends have been here with me, sharing the experience with me. It would be hard to have gone through this trip alone - to have no one to hash it over with upon my return to Canada and the world of day to day life.

I think transitions are probably coming when I get home, too. Not ready to give voice to those yet, but quite sure they're in the works.

I'm going home with a renewed desire to experience life deeply. To pursue the things I'm interested in.

I'm going to take yoga, and photography. I'm going to learn Spanish. I'm going to continue to dream of ways to make it possible to continue to travel like this for lengths of time. I'm going to plan a trip to Peru. I'm going to work at allowing my heart to be open to the world. I'm going to pray about a trip to Africa. I'm going to figure out what it means to walk out who I really am in the context of my day to day life, and not just in the context of a month away from my routines, on the other side of the planet. I'm going to spend time with the friends I really value, and work on developing relationship with a few that I'd like to know better. I'm going to find people in Calgary to pray with on a regular basis.

Okay... I think I'm done for now... I have a few emails to send before heading into the city to do some last minute shopping...

Internet probably won't be that accessible for the rest of my trip, so this may be it until I get home. See you in a week or so!

Full week, no words....

This is me, on the wall at Floriana... can't tell you a lot about this moment right now, but it was a really good one...
These are the "girls" (minus Kari) from the trip... Dar, Bree, Shelley, Me, and Bethany.

This has been a very full week. No words for you right now. My friend Shelley says I'm avoiding things - it's probably true. Thought you might like to see a couple of photos, though...

High Places

The walk this morning was great. Beautiful. I'll try to put pictures up sometime soon.

I continue to witness things. Not often understanding, not always seeing clearly, but always witnessing.

Until later...

To Witness

It would seem that my role on this island, this team is simply to witness. Not even to always understand, but to simply witness the acts of those I'm traveling with. The moments in which they encounter the Lord, the prophetic moments.

This morning that's going to look like me walking with two or three other people from the home where we're staying to the highest point on the island (a cross, of all things). The others from our team will meet us there for a time of prayer around 10:30. Two hours of walking, simply as a witness to the things others on our team are feeling called to.

I'm okay with that.

I Need a Title...

Okay... I'm being harassed from 2 sides about my inability to title things...

The first photo is a painting from the prayer room... lots of significance to it, I'll explain sometime...

The second is Dar, Bethany and I sitting on a wall at the Citadel in Gozo. Loved Gozo. Very peaceful there.

Trip still going well. Internet access has been less than, well, accessible.

Tired. Very tired.... and giddy... and everyone sitting around me has been enjoying wine for most of the evening... not helping with the giddy thing.

So, I think I'll sign off now. Night!