First day of PTS training

This my new anthem.....

"I've come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call "The Physics of The Quest" - a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you." Or so I've come to believe."

From the movie, Eat, Pray, Love, this is her quote at the end.  I am on a quest and I am definitely learning.  Wonderfully, I have already learned some of these rules, for instances, that everyone is a teacher - this I know for sure.  Now it is time to see just how brave I am.

Born Free

"Born Free"

Fast, on a rough road riding

High, through the mountains climbing

twisting, turning further from my home.

Young, like a new moon rising

Fierce, through the rain and lightning

Wandering out into this great unknown.

And I don't want no one to cry.

But, tell 'em if I don't survive

I was born free!

I was born free

I was born free, born free.

Free, like a river raging

Strong as the wind I’m facing.

Chasing dreams and racing father time.

Deep like the grandest canyon,

Wild like an untamed stallion.

If you can’t see my heart you must be blind.

You can knock me down and watch me bleed

But you can’t keep no chains on me.

I was born free!

I was born free

I was born free, born free.

And I'm not good at long goodbyes

But look down deep into my eyes

I was born free.

Calm, facing danger

Lost, like an unknown stranger

Grateful for my time with no regrets

Close to my destination

Tired, frail and aching

Waiting patiently for the sun to set

And when it's done, believe that I

will yell it from that mountain high

I was born free

I was born free

I was born free, born free

I will bow to the shining sea

And celebrate God's grace on thee.

 Listen to Kid Rock sing about living life to the fullest and his new song - Collide. http://www.kidrock.com/?e=toc

Words of encouragement from the young:)

Deuteronomy 31:6 (New International Version)

⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Balut....yum

As for food, no two dishes are the same. Anywhere you go, there will always be a different culinary delight to please your palate. Seriously, the most wicked (but surprisingly delicious) thing I ever tasted was their renowned "balut" or duck egg with a nearly formed embryo of a duckling inside. Locals usually laugh when tourists try it and then hurl at the sight of what they're about to eat. Believe me, it's a culinary experience you wouldn't want to pass up, no matter how icky it looks! It's mostly sold on the streets where available, along with other local delicacies (all of which are within your prescribed budget). Apart from that, the rest of the Philippine cuisine is deliciously whacked!

Hope Comes Back To Life

The past few months I have felt a pull, a change, and these lyrics speak to those feelings.  They are from the movie Nardia-Voyage of Dawn.  This movie is all about being more than you ever thought you could be, about finding courage to overcome fear.  As I come out of one season and enter another, I feel the need for courage, the need for "my hand", God's hand to take me through.  And I won't give up because I know there is a place for me.......


There's a place out there for us, 
more than just a prayer or anything you've ever dreamed of. 
So if you feel like giving up cause you don't fit in down here, 
fear is crashing in, close your eyes and take my hand. 

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe. 
It's written in the stars that shine above, 
a world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong, 
exactly who we are is just enough 
there's a place for us, there's a place for us. 

When the water meets the sky, 
where your heart is free and hope comes back to life, 
when these broken hands are whole again, 
well will find what we've been waiting for, 
we were made for so much more 

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe. 
It's written in the stars that shine above, 
a world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong, 
exactly who we are is just enough, 
there's a place for us, there's a place for us 

So hold on, now hold on, 
there's a place for us 

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe. 
It's written in the stars that shine above, 
a world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong, 
exactly who we are is just enough, exactly who we are is just enough,
there's a place for us.

Now

Behold, I am doing a new thing!  Now, it springs forth; do you not perceive it and know it and will you not give heed to it.  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:18-19

Wrapping my mind around this coming, new life is one second fascinating and the other incomprehensible.  But one thing I know for sure.....God is doing a new thing with me.

• From broken to useful
• From wandering to direction
• From seeking to finding
• From old to new

Behold!

Adversity

Of course!  The devil wants to derail everything, cause anxiety, and fear.  Jake is going through a rough patch.....elevated blood pressure and chest pains.  As one of the biggest changes in my life approaches, I will not be discouraged by this assault.  I am believing God for Jake's health and finding the right way to take care of himself.

I sent Jake this today....Let not your heart be troubled: trust in God.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14 and 27.  I also encouraged him with the words that healing is available, just believe.

THINK - BE - DO

Working on timeline today....at least in my head.  It is beginning to take shape, this mission of getting everything ready - this mission of dismantling my life.  Can you imagine????  Everything has to go somewhere.  Every piece of silverware, every piece of furniture, EVERYTHING!  Sell - give away - store - throw away.  I always told my kids when facing a big job, just take it one bite at a time.  Now I get to put that in practice.

It is raining here today and I love the weather.  Very dark and beautiful!  It fits my mood, the sound of thunder, the rain, and darkness.  No, not a dark mood, but a somber mood, one of seriousness.  The weekend my mother died was like this and May always brings memories of her.  So perhaps there is an underlying layer of sadness.

Changes

New pot has a new finish!

Pre-departure days

Days are feeling crowded and my mind somewhat overwhelmed.   I keep reflecting on this verse:


Jeremiah 18:4 (New International Version, ©2011)

⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Definitely feel like a new pot.  I remember that God needs new space (new wineskin) to put new life into and that is my prayer.


Mark 2:22
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wineand the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”