Where do you feel you are in your own story?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Farewell to a Dream Fulfilled...Hello to Another

Tonight, I enjoyed my last show with the Turning Point Improv Troupe...at least until God brings me back from whatever adventures he has planned for me overseas.

Ever since I became a disciple and learned that our churches had a ministry devoted to acting, I longed to be part of it.  When I first saw the improv troupe perform, I dreamed of joining them in their silliness and camaraderie.

Tonight, I see how God has blessed me with that longing fulfilled.  I have been honored to perform as a member of the Turning Point Improv group for over a year, now.  This is after 5 years of waiting to transfer into this ministry, and another 3 waiting for an opportunity to join the group.  Thank you, God, for your timing, your faithfulness.  Thank you, Pat, for giving me a shot and making me a part of our crazy little improv family.  Thank you, Tiffany, Brandon, Chadd, Paul, Shaunnie, Derrick, and Isis--for making me feel welcome from the start, and for all of the support and love and laughs and memories.  I leave you with this one exhortation: ZIP!

As for the future...well, though I leave behind the Tree-of-Life that this longing became, I go to embrace a new one.  God is leading me to the mission-field, after 9 years of unspoken hopes and desires--these of a more sacrificing kind.  I go to embrace whatever purpose God has set aside for my life, though it means leaving behind all I hold dear and love.

Still, I will hope and wait for the day when God will unite my two longings, and I will again be able to perform with my friends and fellow performers from the Turning Point, my true family...my home.

How I will miss you...

After the show, Vicki came up to me and told me that her 5-year-old (I think) daughter, Landri, started crying when Pat announced that I was moving.  That touched me more than anything so far, and I cried on the drive home.  It's becoming more real that I'm leaving, not knowing what the future holds for me, and I was touched by this little girl's attachment to me, though we only saw each other at various church functions and from my time teaching her class at church.  I was afraid I would miss her growing up, miss that feeling of belonging, of being needed and known and loved...

Oh, God, will I feel all alone again, like I did in Guatemala?  Even so, I will go...

This morning, a sister from another region shared Acts 20:22-24 with me.  That is going to be a new theme scripture for this journey I'm taking to Kiev.  I don't know what awaits me, but I know it will include hardships.  Whatever it takes, Lord...whatever it takes.  I want to serve you and follow you to whatever you call me to...even if that means losing everything I love...

Lead on, Lord...lead on.

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