Thoughts from Hartsfield.

I originally wrote this in Hartsfield International airport on June 12, but because I was without Internet was unable to post it until today. :-)

This is it. My bags are checked, my ticket printed, my heart ready. I can't believe after months of praying and waiting that it's finally time for me to go. It's strange to be sitting in the moment you have been anticipating for months. I keep thinking over and over...this is really happening...I'm really going. It feels wonderfully surreal. 

If you couldn't tell, I am so excited to be going back to Scotland. It's amazing that a place I only spent two weeks visiting last May could truly capture my heart. Paisley is probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and I still can't believe I get to live there for the next seven weeks. 

Getting to this moment has been quite the journey. Over the last six months, I feel as though I've been challenged and stretched in new ways. I was thinking earlier today as in the car the things the Lord has taught me: 

1st--The Lord is always faithful. This trip has come together in ways I never imagined possible. The Lord took care of every little detail. It was challenging to constantly be in need of giving up this trip and my plans to Him and allowing the Lord to be my guide.

2nd --The Lord always provides. Abundantly.

3rd-- I was challenged to pray constantly.  There were so many details of this trip that were out of my control, and the only thing I physically could do myself was pray. Jesus was faithful to answer every one of those prayers. In His time frame, of course, not mine. 

4th—Love sends. Recently, the Lord has been teaching me that love doesn't stay within itself  just like the Father’s love for us compelled Him to send Jesus so that we could be reconciled to Him. Love compels us to move and to take action. Love cannot be contained, it overflows.  Yesterday one of my best friends got married. It was beautiful. After the ceremony, the wedding party got a chance to celebrate with the bride and groom on our own. The guy who played music during the ceremony started playing worship music; we danced, laughed, and sang along. The joy of the Lord was truly present in that moment. The love of our friends, for one another had poured out onto ,nd we couldn't help but respond. It was such a beautiful moment. I truly felt like the Lord was there with us just as delighted as we were. It was amazing. Love sends, move, and overflows. Just like my friends can't wait to share with everyone the news that they are married and share their joy with others. so must we be with the love and joy of Christ. 

My prayer for Scotland is to love others well. To allow the love of Christ in me to overflow onto those that I meet in Paisley. My hope is that others see and experience the abundance of Jesus’ love through the glimpse that they see in me.

Well...here I go. The plane will board shortly. I don't know what's in store for the next seven weeks but I know the Lord is faithful and His plans are good. I'll keep you posted on the rest.