beginning to see

note: this thought is currently in process and for that reason may not make much sense.
eventually, it may...

i'm beginning to see that "calling" has less to do with God telling us what we have to do or what he wants from us and more to do with pointing us to places and circumstances that provide a setting that throws us into the ache of humanity. a setting tailored to each person where one can experience both the pain and beauty of our fellow man and from that develop a desire to "lift up the burden" of our suffering neighbor.
it has almost nothing to do with the where one is called and everything to do with the who.
i am called to people. we are called to each other.
until we looked past exotic locations and into the face of our brother we cannot claim to love God nor can we claim to follow the call he has set before us.

discontented sighs

this isn't my happiest moment, looking over maps with mrs. s when we'd rather be pretending i don't have to leave.
there has been an ache in the pit of my belly since this morning that refuses to leave me be. i cannot attribute it fully to my nearing departure. there is something else but i can't quite put my finger on it.
i'm trying to savor these last few hours despite.

i'll be fine
my heart just needs some convincing.

numero ocho

today i get to cross number eight off the list. yes, ladies and gents, that means i get to meet miss amelia scolaro! my heart is happy and there is really not much else to say except that i'll probably spend all ten of those precious polaroid shots on the little olive. can't wait!

-ra