packing, cleaning, packing, cleaning...and rest

Well, I finally did it! I have finally packed for my 4 month journey in Costa Rica. I am the ultimate procrastinator. I waited (strategically) until 2 days before I depart. I had slowly been acquiring everything I needed for the trip, but allowed myself one buffer day (tomorrow) in case I absolutely forgot to get something. It always works, so mom, dad, let me be a procrastinator!!

I got to talk to Kristin today on the phone! She is so excited and sounded like my mom asking me if I made copies of my passport and if I had everything packed. Haha, I love her for that. She mentioned her mom picked up some yummy almond rocca to give to our host family and others down in Costa Rica as gifts. How sweet! Thank you Cheryl!

I'm extremely excited to leave! I have one more night in the apartment then I pack everything in the jeep, say my goodbyes to friends and head over to my former landlord's house for dinner and a place to sleep. The guy offered to drive me to the airport at the wee hours of the morning on Thursday, I mean come on, best landlord ever right? So nice of him. I gladly accepted that offer!

I keep looking around Spokane with camera-like eyes, trying to capture all that is Spokane and the beauty here. It just blows my mind to think about being somewhere completely new and different in 2 days time. It's liberating to think about the fact that I won't be driving around and running errands, and dragging the boys I nannyed everywhere. I will have a completely new routine and purpose down there, and if that doesn't excite someone I don't know what would. I sometimes have a hard time with big changes in life. I love them, don't get me wrong, but I easily lose sight of God's peace and presence amidst all the stress and chaos of preparing. It took a while to remember that  the Lord wanted me to focus on him and not the petty things I had been occupying my mind with. This lead me to feel like my heart was unprepared for this journey, so I have been praying for a sense of calm and preparedness. I want to be present and open to everything the Lord is going to show me right now, so I don't have room for stress, worry, doubts, and uncertainty. I trust that the Lord has me exactly where I am supposed to be, and I rest in that. REST--that's what I need to do. Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Hopefully through this rest the Lord will open my heart to a clearer picture of who he is. I titled this blog Awake My Soul, O Costa Rica because I pray that the Lord awakens my soul to what he means for me to see and know. I want transformation, rekindled passion, new perspectives, and a deeper love for God and others. I pray the Lord awakens our souls, and in a way that we recognize he's doing it. Keep us in your prayers. Thank you! Peace.