Red Dirt Swirling and Ribs Popping. Run, baby, Run!

                     

           I would label myself as a pretty sentimental person. As a kid, watching home videos or looking through old photos was my idea of a fun afternoon activity. In high school, when dance recitals would end I was usually squinting  as the curtain closed for the last time, forcing the tears to stay in my eyeballs. Don't even get me started about driving home from my last days at teaching practicums. The people driving next to me were likely concerned for my well-being. THE MEMORIES! The joy of that certain dance that we worked on for hours on end. The smiles of those naughty little kids who still managed to steal a part of my heart. Something in my soul just wants to hold on forever.
      The past week, I have been feeling extremely sentimental about Harvest School. I will have a flashback of a beautiful memory in Pemba, start to thank Jesus for sending me there, and it literally suddenly feels like I can smell the Indian Ocean breeze, feel the hands of ten little girls all trying to braid my hair at once, and hear the sound of feet kicking up dirt as they dance to endless drum beats in worship.
     I really thought that I would be going back this summer, but as I tried to work it out, I kept hearing the Lord tell me, " Not right now!"  I often feel  " out of my comfort zone," that I will be in America in the month of June. I know I was only in Mozambique  for two summers, but it's amazing how two little summers can do some major overhauls on the heart. It became my new "normal."  SO today I am thinking about what it means to not just "relive" memories. What does it mean to really "embrace" a memory?
      One of the most magical times of the day on the Iris base in Pemba is when the kids come streaming down a big hill in a whirlwind of dirt with little bowls in their hands to get to the cafeteria and eat. There is no speed limit. The giggle factor is off the charts. The cuteness level can't even be ranked. I remember one particular day, I was feeling very sluggish, homesick, and "blah" as I walked up that hill under the bright sun to get to a staff meeting. Suddenly, the mania was unleashed. A group of adorable kiddos came rushing down in my direction. I don't know what came over me but I remember thinking: " Someday, I'm going to miss this so much. I need to get over myself and embrace this moment." I took off running full force toward the kids in the same wild and abandoned way that they were running down the hill. As I started running,  they looked  shocked, but the hysterical laughter started brewing. I was met by hugs and my skirt and hair being pulled in twenty different directions. I remember thinking :" This joy is so insane right now, I need to hold myself back from just rolling down this hill like a maniac." This was just a small little moment, and a very typical scene that would often occur on base. Mission school students could always be seen running and twirling with kids. But something in that moment felt like Jesus tattooed thankfulness into my heart. It was an "aha" moment.
   In every changing season, it is a choice to embrace where the Lord has placed us, regardless of what we "feel." Right now, I am missing Mozambique. BUT I am also realizing that  these are moments where I can really walk and live out all of the gifts that were placed in me while living in Moz, and all of the things that the Father taught me as I was there. I wouldn't want to miss the joys and lessons he has for me on this path  he has me walking on now in America,  because I am too busy missing the path He has me walking on last summer.   Sometimes transitions might feel like running up hill under a ferocious sun. We might need a little  "kickstart"  to get us going. But once we get going... ....oh my my my.....imagining how He will meet us is exhilarating! I am confident in God's character. The hungry are always fed. He will always meet His children with joy. SO, let's ask God what red dirt hills  he has in front of us in this season. I'm sure He has many surprises waiting. Many moments of rib popping laughter. He's good. He's kind. He's brilliant. He's faithful.

" You're full of life now. You're full of passion. It's how He made you. Just let it happen. And He calls each on of us by our names to come away. And whispers to your heart to let it go, and to be alive. " -- United Pursuit Band