Packing, or my old friend...anxiety.

  

"For I know the plans I have for you, "
                                          declares the Lord...
                                                                         Jeremiah 29:11

     Why hello, old friend anxiety....I haven't seen you for awhile....
     Is NOT the correct response. The correct response being- "Get out. I don't like you. You are a lie. I've had enough of you in my life. I will not tolerate it. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
     Well, the even better, the best answer is - "God has a plan." He always does. And aren't His plans so much better?
      So much of our life is a bit uncertain right now. You can only plan and prepare so much, whether for Haiti, or for anything in life. In this lies the bane and the blessing. We can lay back and rest in God's arms, the creator of the universe, recognizing we were never in charge to begin with...or we can invite anxiety in for a party.  I vote, send my old friend packing. Telling him- no room in the inn. That place is already taken. You're too late Mr. Anxiety. My bags are packed and my traveling friend is called the Sustainer, the Comforter, the Guide.

     About 3 weeks and counting until we depart for Haiti. Packing has begun in earnest. 

   We are earnestly still seeking support financially. If anyone knows of Lutheran schools or Sunday Schools interested in a project for chapel and such - Please give them our name! If anyone can share our ministry in Haiti with their church- Thank you! Or if anyone desires to support us individually, fantastic! We have the basic amount we need to pay rent and buy food in Haiti, but really need more funds for ministry projects, especially for transportation and fuel to meet and visit with church leaders and ongoing ministries and organizations.
  
    Contributions can be sent to our church, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wauseon, or through the Lutheran Church Charities website at the following link. Just scroll down to the Goehmanns in Haiti...
    Goehmanns in Haiti Fund at Lutheran Church Charities 

   I spend a lot of time reading, which I will never complain about. My stack of reading in preparation for Haiti runs the gamut from Women's counseling and spiritual care to ineffective NGOs and theories of oppression and poverty (graduate degree internship + ministry = interesting reading combinations)... throw in some cross-cultural crisis counseling texts and teen issues. 
   
All the while I pray- Lord, use me where ever, how ever, use me. 

I could prepare the day long, and never be prepared. That's just the nature of it. How many of you feel like that in your everyday life?

   That brings us back to square one. Anxiety, you may not attend this party. Let's hold one another up in prayer, handing it over to the One who is Peace.