from Laura
So during the past two weeks in New York, I experienced one of those strange moments in life when time slows down. Life has been extraordinarily full recently, and much of June flew by. Going up to Houghton, though, slowed us down. We had plenty to do and learn, and spent a number of hours every day in sessions getting our heads and hearts stuffed. But there was also a lot of time around the edges, and that was where life stretched out. There was plenty of time to sit with new friends and talk over dinner about the stories of God's work in our lives, taking us overseas. There was time to play euchre or ultimate frisbee, or to watch pieces of World Cup games. There was time to make phone calls and really talk with people back home, without feeling rushed. There was time to journal about what we were learning. There were hours spent with family on the weekends, as we traveled around. The slow feel of each day was a huge blessing, especially because of the time we had to build new friendships and to treasure 'old' ones.
So during the past two weeks in New York, I experienced one of those strange moments in life when time slows down. Life has been extraordinarily full recently, and much of June flew by. Going up to Houghton, though, slowed us down. We had plenty to do and learn, and spent a number of hours every day in sessions getting our heads and hearts stuffed. But there was also a lot of time around the edges, and that was where life stretched out. There was plenty of time to sit with new friends and talk over dinner about the stories of God's work in our lives, taking us overseas. There was time to play euchre or ultimate frisbee, or to watch pieces of World Cup games. There was time to make phone calls and really talk with people back home, without feeling rushed. There was time to journal about what we were learning. There were hours spent with family on the weekends, as we traveled around. The slow feel of each day was a huge blessing, especially because of the time we had to build new friendships and to treasure 'old' ones.
A rainbow over the falls at Letchworth State Park, near Houghton
Time has sped back up again. Since getting back home on Saturday night, we haven't really stopped moving, and it feels like it. If we get to leave when we are hoping to leave, we will fly out less than two weeks from today! There are (approximately) a billion things to do between now and then, and I'm definitely feeling the pressure and the temptation to be consumed with stress. However, the perspective that I gained from the slowdown was that each day has a use, in God's view. He's in the busy times as well as the slow ones. So I'm working on taking deep breaths and, minute by minute, turning the worries and lists and tasks over to God. We'll be moving fast and doing a lot over the next weeks, but I want to keep that perspective of resting in God's presence. I want to keep the perspective of valuing each minute with friends and family. I know I will be re-adjusting my perspective multiple times a day, though prayer (and deep breaths), to keep that peace and God's view on my time. So if you think of me, pray for my perspective on TIME-- chances are, I'll be praying for it then too!
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