The Purposed Trek

It is the last night (technically morning) for me in DC, for at least the next 2 1/2 months, and I am sitting here thinking what should I be doing or feeling? It is a strange place for me because I used to think..."Man I would be so sad if I had to move from DC." But I sit here not sad, but peaceful. Sidenote: I am going to miss my friends greatly, but friendships can last a lifetime and go the distance if that is their purpose. So bringing the story full circle, I am reminded of a scripture that I read on New Years Eve of 2005 (Message): Jer 29: 12-14a "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. When I read that scripture on New Years Eve, I decided that it was my scripture for the year - it was one that I was going to meditate on and apply to my life and heart. I began to call on God and invite Him into my daily routine more than ever. I not only looked for Him in everything I did, but I invited Him to be a part of everything I did. I got serious about finding Him and wanting Him and his will for my life more than anything else, especially material things. I fasted the month of April from any form of entertainment that required money, eating out, shopping, etc., in order for my focus to be on relationships and not entertainment. Bottom line is I was tired of consumerism. In the midst of that time I had no idea that my life was going to be where it is today, where I am ridding myself of things that I thought were important, but none-the-less, just things. I say all that to say, leaving DC in my mind in the past would have been a disappointment and difficult for me to walk out. But because of the preparation and place God brought me through in the last year, I am so NOT disappointed, but expectant for my future and fulfillment of my purpose, regardless of where I live. So a lot is happening daily in my life and heart and this "Trek" that I have been calling "Purposed" from the beginning when I didn't really know the "Purpose" is being defined and made clear to me in a greater way, daily. So come December 30th upon my return to this great city, or even sooner, you will read a post of where my final destination for this next season is. Things have been made clear to me and confirmed in my heart, but the details still remain blurry. So please when you think of it, pray for the right doors to open, with the right people and at the right time. Until November 1st, when I land in England, be well. A post with a plethora of pictures will appear from the African excursion.

This post is in honor of the family dog - Samba Jean Stefano (a.k.a Samba Jean the Nose Machine, Girlfriend, Baby Girl, Samba Juice, Girlfrienda, Samba Bamba). Samba has provided our family entertainment for the past 12 years. The first time we all laid eyes on her we were in love, well maybe not my Mom :) But eventually Mom surrendered and she knew that this dog would bring love back into our family (at the time Mom, my brother Jon, and I). And sure enough Samba did just that. She was one reason for all of us to be in the same room together, laugh together, hang out together. Then enters Dave and his dog Jake and Dave trained Samba so she would actually be a well-behaved dog (she was an outta control puppy). Our families were joined together and there some issues between Samba and Jake, but they became protective buds throughout the years. Samba has been the worlds best dog and we are all sad to see her depart the earth, but today, October 5th of 2006 has been the designated day. She has been diagnosed with lymphoma cancer and has lost a significant amount of weight. So we decided as a family to put her down so she doesn't have to live in pain any longer. So our golden dog (as incurred lots of medical expenses in 12 years) has left us, but this dog has had an effect on so many people, even those who are not dog lovers. Here are some of the emails I have received: "How sad!! I mean, Samba isn’t supposed to die. :( I haven’t teared up but I feel sad inside." - Angela "I love her. I love her so much. She's not a dog - she's a person. And she's going to heaven." - Monica "I am tearing up and I am not even a dog person." - Heather "This stinks, it just stinks." - Evan As you can see Samba isn't just a dog she is part of our family. So girlfriend, you are loved and will be missed by many.

Well I have returned to the city, for more than 2 days in a row over the last month, and I have been asked many questions. The answer to a particular question seems to really stump folks. The question is "So when are you moving to Colorado?" and the answer is "I am not 100% convinced I will ever get there." People have valid reasons since I have posted and emailed saying in January 2007 I will be moving to the Springs upon my return from England. Now the explanation to back-up my answer to the frequent question of the hour is that the more and more I surrender, the more and more I am convinced that I will end up in another country for a period of time. I think God was wondering if I was willing to trade in everything I had for everything I can have. When I say everything I had, I mean surrendering all the material things and when I say everything I can have, I mean the hearts and souls of lost children, people-groups and most of all the confidence of walking in the path that God has predestined for me. "The purposed trek." The scripture that God showed me back in the spring before I had a clue that any of this would be happening was brought back to my remembrance on September 30th which is: Psalms 16:1-2 (The Message) Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. Without God, nothing makes sense. I know that to some this whole new venture may seem strange, out of the ordinary and definitely out of quilter for me. I felt the same way, but when I surrendered everything, including my thoughts, it just made sense. So stay tuned because I am confident that in the next 3 months that God will surely reveal the greater plan and open the appropriate doors in order for me to continue this trek.