Saying Goodbye to all the Beautiful

Loving the relaxed and calm state I'm in this last morning here.  Bags are weighed, everything's packed, all but those very last minute things just waiting to change into my travelling clothes.

The humidity builds towards another hot day, even here in the minutes immediately after breakfast.  It reminds me of why we try to visit here between end of October and end of February, usually.  Soon everyone will be laying low in the listless afternoons, not just us farangs.  

I'm wandering around taking last-longing pictures, mostly of the flowers, some of the grounds, in that way I do when I'm anticipating the ache later on.  Never mind that I have dozens of shots exactly like this already.  Somehow it feels a little better.

It's been a wonderful time, both productive and restful in all the best ways that can happen together with our gathered family.  I certainly have work to do when I get home, to put legs on some of the planning we've done.  But just like my bags are packed up and ready to go, so is that sense of having accomplished what I came to do.  And more.  

On my little walk about this morning, I was offering thanks for this time, this place, this partnership, this family, overwhelmed with the goodness of God.  And in those moments I had one of those time when you just feel so sure you are in the right place at the right time.  I believe even more strongly than before that being here is exactly what I need to do, frequently and long enough to make it real for all of us.

It only makes sense that when we come here we feel it.  All the beautiful.  All the healing.  All the ways to be embraced by love and grace.  This is what our children come to find when they arrive as well.  A safe place to grow, to heal from whatever's gone on before they got here, to rest and be nourished in the quiet stability of this place.  To be cheered on towards good things in the future.

I am so, so glad I came.  And so so grateful for Ken who supports this with me 100%.  For all our Sponsors and Supporters.  For everyone who supports me individually, because I can't get here for free and also I need your prayers like crazy.

So...in just a matter of hours now I will be boarding in Chaing Mai.  Five hours to Seoul.  Then a 9 hour layover in Seoul, which should be interesting.  Then the long flight home, 13 hours from Seoul to Toronto.  I'm hearing about a big snow dump coming to Ontario (those nasty Colorado lows), but right now it looks like the timing might be close but okay?  Appreciate all your prayers all along the way.

One last little trip to 7/11 for airplane snacks!!!!