Day 00: If you’re reading this….

It means we’re not dead.

And: I got to sit next to Evan Grant!

We’re on our way! I’m typing this on a plane, but on a MSWord document, to transpose later. So…as mentioned earlier, we made it (but not while I’m writing, I’m still making it. #alreadybutnotyet #kingdomlife)

Our roadtrip was fun, Katie and Jay facilitated our drop-off and we arrived without incident (though a little later than my monochronological heart would like). 

WHOOOOOOOOOSH! Sorry, that was the sound of our plane taking off. 

So, we’re on the plane, all 26ish of us. I can feel the buzz of excitement in all the laughter and conversations around me, we’re ready. And it’s actually and truly happening. I’m grateful that I’m taking time to write because it allows me to process things that I’d ignore otherwise. And I’m grateful for the sneaky generosity of friends, it’s humbling and deeply, deeply appreciated (you know who you are). God is so good and I am requete excited to experience him moving.

I think that Joy is inextricably connected to Purpose and Identity. Knowing and being Who You Are and knowing and doing What You Are Made For is the deepest Joy you will ever feel. I know who I am and I know what I am made for.

Do you want to know? I know who you are and I know what you are made for... because it’s the same as me. 

I am defined by God’s Love for me. It’s the thing that matters about me, the thing that gives me life and makes me important. God made me the way I am because He loves the way I am. And has plans to help me walk more completely in that Identity.

I am made to live in God’s love and I am made to help others learn to do the same. That means Worship, that means Outreach, that means Discipleship, that means Service, that means Missions.

The extent to which you believe and live by these is the extent to which you will feel God’s Joy. Not happiness, that comes and goes. Deep, abiding, unshakeable Joy. (Philemon 6, y’all).

Anyway, I didn’t charge my computer, so I’m out of battery. I’ll post this once we get to the hotel tonight.

I cannot express deeply enough how much I desire for you to pray for us. It will literally make the difference in how things go. All I have to do is show up; you guys are fighting for us in the spiritual realm in a way that cannot be measured. God will have to show us when we get There just how powerful it is.

Gracia, paz, amor.