At the end of a project or an event there is always a Wrap
Up Session. It’s the time for reviewing,
re-visiting, criticizing, praising, tweaking the reasons for success or
failure. On the agenda will be things
like What Went Right and What Went Wrong and Ways to Improve and Things to
Repeat.
Today my brain is in Wrap Up mode. Me and Jesus have been meeting all morning to
discuss this summer’s projects and events.
Subpoints on today’s agenda under What Went Right include Deep Conversations,
Meaningful Connections and Solidifying Relationships. Under What Went Wrong in big, bold, CAPITAL letters
are LESS FAT AND MORE FRUIT! Thankfully
flight weight limits will only apply to my baggage and not me. I might be left behind.
Truth be told, though, if joy added weight I would be
extremely over every limit! I have
reveled in angelbaby kisses, stories and laughter. I have drank deeply of friendships new and
old. I have been immersed in moments
with God until my skin feels saturated.
Family and friends have poured love into me this summer and I feel
valued.
This summer is very interesting to me. It’s as though my being away has made me
realize even more the importance of people in my life. That’s odd to someone who is alone most of
the time. For many years I drove to work
alone, I lived alone, I walked alone, I shopped alone, I ate alone. If I spent any time with anyone it was on
purpose. Apparently, those purposeful
times of connection connected me with strong ties. The kind of ties that need only an afternoon
to tighten, strengthen, freshen.
The conversations I have had this summer were all over the
map! Politics, religion, overcoming deep
sadness, sharing great happy moments, God talks and family memories. Words and phrases danced around topics from
every viewpoint. It was captivating. It was heartbreaking. It was uplifting. It was transparent. It was
real.
Someone asked me once where I like to vacation. I realized I didn’t have a favorite WHERE,
but lots of favorite WHO to vacation with.
Time spent with someone invigorates me.
And so this summer I have VACATIONED with almost all of my favorite
people. I didn’t get to see my sister
face-to-face, but we chatted randomly many times about everything and
nothing. I woke almost every morning to
one angelbaby face or another. My
relationship with my daughter-in-law grew exponentially when she opened her
house, and her heart, to me. I enjoyed
normal, every-day family time with my sons.
I strolled, drank coffee, shopped, pedicured, cooked, cleaned, sat in
the sun with amazing friends in many different seasons of life. We cried some, laughed some, intellectualized
some.
In conclusion I find I don’t mind being alone, but I am glad
to not be alone, too. I have looked deep
into the eyes of myself through my friends’ views. I have seen doubts removed, watched fears
subside, and built courage while the summer slipped away. Bridges were built and tended many times
over.
All of this has strengthened me. I am resolved to do more, be better, stretch
further to share Jesus with someone in Moscow.
I am convinced I am compassionate enough, grace-full enough, loving
enough to get the job done. A difficult
life has given me strong resources to draw from and I am ready to give.
The summer in America is quickly wrapping up. The hours are counting down. I am looking forward to this school
year. Amazed by all God has privileged
me to experience. Full to bursting with
happy memories.
Ah, excuse me, back to the business at hand.
The Chairman has a final statement: It is determined this summer vacation project
has been very successful. We will repeat
all events marked with a smile beginning next June. Those marked with tears will be reviewed on
an ongoing basis to determine advancement of healing. Prayers of gratitude and notification of
needs will be ongoing. This meeting is
adjourned.
It’s time. Let’s
write this next chapter: Moscow – The Second
Year.
