What are God moments?

I think we all have them. Those moments that seem to transcend the natural experience of just another ordinary day; the times we feel the breath of heaven close enough to know we ought to stop and take notice of what is happening. Sadly, we miss most of those opportunities to acknowledge God’s presence and fingerprint on our lives for more reasons than I can count, not the least of those being distraction, complaining, and ingratitude. At least those are the reasons that seem to hit home the most in my life.

Part of why I wanted to start this blog was to document the pivotal year that led up to this trip because it was rife with those moments and it seems that this time, I didn’t miss too many of them. I started filling a little book with the ones that stood out to me and I’m working on ideas for a memoir triggered by each event that covers much of what has happened in the midst of the tragedies of my life. I am starting to see His fingerprints and loving signature all over those memories and that makes all the difference in my understanding and response to life and love, purpose and  meaning, and most of all, God. So that’s where the GodMomentsMemoirs title came from!

On another note…the countdown has begun!!! It’s only 45 days away and every time I think about it, I’m hit with a new wave of emotions! How is this happening? I’m not even sure but I’m in it now and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds. Thanks for reading along and bearing with me as I get on the job training in blogging, being vulnerable and continuing to say YES to things God puts in front of me. It’s a little terrifying, but seriously, so is life and I’m still doing THAT thing!!

One of the questions posed during our first little online team meeting was “What can we bring to the women in Rwanda that will most help them?” We are allowed 3 checked bags on this trip (I don’t think I’ve ever had 3 checked bags!) and I plan on filling mine with as much as they will hold. So far, I’ve ordered a dozen sports bras to bring and put the word out to my young mama friends to send me gently used baby toys for the day care center in Kigali. Part of our trip fee includes a food pack and some personal items, including soap and toiletries. Of course that got me thinking immediately about making some special soap for the ladies. Once I got the OK from the team leader, I put on my goggles and headed in to the ‘lab’ (aka laundry room) to start concocting. What a joy to create something special for these women to have and use after we leave. It was the most fun I've ever had making soap. I need a solid 30 days for the soap to cure, so after my supply order comes in next week, I’ll be a mad scientist before we leave for vacation. This weeks attempt involved the last of my fragrance oils and some soap confetti and rose petals. I’m pretty pleased with how they turned out, considering I’m barely a hobbyist and I usually just make enough for us and some friends. 

Just like most aspects of a missions trip, I’m getting so much more out of the process than what I’m giving. I love that about God and His ways. The upside down Kingdom where the selfish rules of prosperity we see on earth are upended and made true and pure in a life where the real bounty is in giving out, pouring out and forgetting about my own needs. There I can I find myself overwhelmed by blessing and plenty and love. It’s such a struggle for those of us blinded by the excess and ridiculous waste in our country and the messages we are bombarded with about getting more and better ‘stuff.’ 

Well, off my “soapbox” (pun intended) and back to making soap!! 

Pics from The Museum of the Bible