Some people think cities are lightspeeds ahead when it comes to busy routines, commitments, and straight up activity. In a lot of ways, I have to agree. But, in the few days I’ve been home I have to say these country folk will put up a solid fight, more than they’re given credit!

I stayed with my grandparents last night, thinking we’d have a quiet relaxing evening bird-watching .. and when I pulled up at 8 pm, my grandpa was blowing out the mosquito zapper and my grandma was hard at work cutting the iris’s.

Earlier in the day, my gram had come to our house to help paint our living room and my grandpa woke up at 4 am to unload the truck at the Care Center. I can hardly seem to keep track of the days around here – people are zipping everywhere and knee-deep in numerous projects.

It’s crazy!

When we finally sat down last night, gram explained her schedule during the school year, when she drives the school van to pick up pre-schoolers. She barely has time for a 15 minute nap in the middle of the day – yowza!

My parents are the same way – remodeling, service projects, church commitments… and last night my dad was helping some neighborhood kids who wanted to show feeder calves. This makes my perspective from Austin a little funny, now that I think about it. I would call or email from my desk and ask a question and my mother would be traipsing about the countryside or in the middle of hauling shingles with the loader. (!)

In some ways, I seem to fit right in … and in others I seem a strange puzzle piece. But of this I am sure: people do know how to keep busy around here!

I’ve been thinking about clutter recently. You know, my “getting-rid-of-a-bunch-of-my-stuff” kick? I really felt like I was getting somewhere by moving all the things I own into the living room and separating into piles- KEEP, SAVE, and ASK A FASHIONABLE FRIEND. Unfortunately, I had to move all my great piles b/c people were coming over, so I’m afraid if I don’t rope my fashionable friend into helping me sort that pile, all the stuff will make it back into the “using but don’t know why” pile! My closet is much emptier already, but the tried and true system

1) Do I love it?
2) Do I need it?

Is working nicely. Now if I only had the time to finish the job… Aye aye aye. Anyway, I guess with thinking about decluttering my life, I’ve also been thinking about decluttering my head. With all the stuff I have going on right now, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the things to do/ think about/ pray about/ worry about. Really easy. This morning I was praying and trying to figure out how things have gone awry, why I’m feeling less and less triumphant and more and more sick and tired. Anyway, I found a verse in my daily reading that gave me some direction.

Psalm 86:11 says…

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

An undivided heart. That’s what I need- I need to focus on Him- my relationship with him, and doing my best at everything else.

Another good verse is Psalm 111:4

He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

I think, when things get all busy, jumbled, and overwhelming a great way to clear out the clutter is to remember his works. What has he done that you can praise him for? How can you see His hand upon your life? For me, that’s a great way to remember Who has it under control, and who’s really driving this train of my life.

So, I had long-winded, philosophical thoughts about taking inventory of my life… about how I am sending four boxes with 336 items to Honduras, including three throw pillows, three pairs of jeans, one box of tea, one highlighter, and one bottle of ibuprofen. I was going to talk about the sobering effect of counting each necklace and trinket and dress. I was probably going to end up in a rant about how we need so little, but accumulate so much.

But, after last night all I really want to do is talk about my friends Ingrid and Oliver who helped me pack last night.

They are not just some of the greatest neighbors I’ve ever had, but they also remind me about the simplicity of life. Last night, as I sat next to Ingrid eating delicious brownies with ice cream, she turned to me and said, “I really love you very much!”

Out of the blue, just like that. It was hard to answer all the questions about my leaving. ‘Why’ Is such a hard thing to understand and make sense of. I felt a little better when I set up their skype account so that we could talk through our computers, but when Ingrid and Oliver jumped in my car to say, “We will just travel with you!” I was a bit overwhelmed.

I guess if I really want to bring it back around to my inventory, last night just reminded me all the more that my ‘stuff’ has no imprint… it’s all about the people. That’s about as minimal as you can get.

Oh, yeah. Told my bosses that I’m leaving, and they took it really well.
Thank you, Jesus!

{insert dance of happiness}

My sister says I’m cheesy. I like to say I’m sentimental. Whatever it is, it’s got me in tears right here in my office. I just put all my office personal belongings into a small copy paper box.

“Tengo miedo.” Those are the only words I could speak through the tears after the Spanish service on Sunday. Pastor Omar and a small group formed a circle and prayed over me. My friend Rosario, who has the sweetest of smiles, reassured me that they would be praying and God would watch over me. I don’t think I have fear (tengo miedo) because I doubt the Lord’s provision, I am quite planning on Him actually. I think my fear and confusion comes out of a kind of duality I feel leaving this place.

I tried to explain it last night when I had dinner with some students (and now friends:)… I am definitely looking forward to this next phase in my life – looking forward to the work God will do in and through me – looking forward to the lessons I will stumble through – looking forward to adventure and a bit of the unknown. But at the almost exact same moment, I am definitely attached to the kindred spirits I have found in Austin – the community of believers – the mission field at this University – the co-workers – the landscape – the friendships.

I know that probably makes no sense. My friend reminded me that when I delight in God, He gives the desires of my heart (Ps. 37:4), and then I had to say I guess I’m confused why my desires are so exclusive – to stay and to go.

Tonight’s a great argument for “stay.” Instead of a sappy going away party, we had a talent competition just my style!! I waged performance war at the first ever Southside’s Got Talent talent show. I performed in a gymnastics trio routine set to the music “I want you back,” by Jackson 5. And I also sang a duet, “Changed for Good” from WICKED with my friend Katelin. The song, if you haven’t heard it, comes as the two express their close friendship, but decide to go separate ways. I’ll played Glenda and Katelin sang for Elphaba. I’m so glad it was an upbeat night – I don’t think I could have taken any more emotion. There were tears, but I tried to keep them to a minimum.

I thought I would want to post pictures, but this little video beats everything else out. Watch and see how Katelin and Jimmy own this routine. They didn’t have the lifts of Team Reed, but they were tearing up that grass patch!