Walking among Boxes

"Happy Moving Day!"

One of my sweet roommates was greeting us on Friday morning - yep, we moved last Friday!

"But wait," says you, O Faithful Reader, "last post we were waiting on some apartment business and isn't that flight to China coming up soon?" Yes and yes! Closed on the apartment (miracle timing!) June 18. Moved to new place June 19. Off to China June 21, tonight!

Dear friends were an enormous help as we had a packing party, a "pre-move in" cleaning party and post-move unpacking party.

Settling in to the new place has been great and there are a dozen little details we're learning about. The best moment so far: on Saturday night we did the first load of laundry!! Long-time NYC dwellers, this is a novelty none of us has ever had in an apartment. We pulled together a full load, did not need quarters to start the thing, put in the soap and all crowded around to watch it start.

At each step, spin cycle and all, I'm reminded that God's blessings are unparalleled and far better than I can imagine.

Walking with Wisdom in Words

In a conversation this week I found myself unsure of how to react and respond to the person I was chatting with. Hours after the conversation ended that I realized why I was speechless. Given the context of our conversation there wasn't a way to address her concerns, nor was there anything I could do, nor was I the necessarily the best person given our relationship. ... she was venting.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that I've vented to friends, family, co-workers and folks I just sorta know. Not a great habit, and in general I try not to unload a dump truck of emotion without wanting (often needing!) advice to puzzle through a situation.

I'm blessed with a remarkable circle of friends, many from church, and I'm simply unused to being on the receiving end of venting. It's just not on the activities list. Not to say that we don't share frustrations or concerns. Of course, but more often than not we share with a desire to take a positive step or get input to make a change in attitude or action. The ancient Proverb is true ~ there is wisdom in knowing when ~ and what ~ and why ~ to share.

A fool vents all his feelings but

a wise man holds them back.

~Proverbs 29:11

Walking around the World

Praising God for the following itinerary booked!!!!

June 22 --> Beijing

July 30 --> Seoul

Aug 2 --> SIngapore

Aug 4 --> Paris

Aug 7 --> Dublin

Aug 10 --> NYC

Walking & Waiting

The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

~ Dr Seuss

This weekend found me in the Waiting Place.  waititng to hear about the Visa to go to China (June 22!)... Waiting to hear back from the co-op board about the new apartment... waiting to hear back from my landlord about leaving the current apartment... waiting to hear about a move date because Mom is waiting to hear when I might visit them next...

There are about a hundred verses in the Bible that have the word "wait" (I'm far from a scholar, I just use www.onlinebible.net).  Of those verses, 21 are in the Psalms and of those 21, there are 17 that are directly related to waiting on the Lord.  

Contrary to what Dr Seuss says, it isn't all bad.  Sometimes it helps to take a breath, take a minute, rest, and enjoy the break.  More importantly sometimes it's important to look to the Giver rather than the gift.  Waiting gives us the opportunity to do just that.  Here's to the breath!