full flights, cherry chapstick, and psalm 51:10-11

I left Washington upset. Weeks prior to my flight I was excited to go...but upon leaving this burden on my heart dug deeper into my spirit. I've always cherished the people around me, but I realized going onto a six hour flight that I took that feeling of security for granted. In the entire flight I only spoke once, and that was to ask the stewardess for a tissue. When you are thrown out of your comfort zone it's a great opportunity and a challenge...and one of the reasons I wanted to go to Miami for three weeks was to experience that. But there comes a time when you realize if your voice even works anymore.

Shuffling into the baggage claim I found my suitcase almost immediately, and went outside to be greeted by the humidity...at 6:30 in the morning. My grandmother and an awkward yet loveable intern named Michael met me at Terminal F and whisked me away. I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

We entered my grandparents' simple apartment, up on the fifteenth floor. She offered me a bowl of cereal so I ate some quietly, checked my e-mail, and politely shut myself in my room to experience the unfamiliar feeling of rest. My body is really picky when it comes to falling asleep. Luckily it had given up the fight.

I groggily woke up at 1:30, six hours later, and my grandma announced that we would be headed into the church soon. So we ate dinner and drove to Trinity Church where my uncle Rich pastors. That's when I got the tour. She showed me into the sanctuary where everything smelled like cherry chapstick.

What we call small groups they call G.A.P. groups (God Answers Prayer). I had the privilege of participating in one with my grandma and a few nice ladies from church. My uncle has been preaching on heroes from the Bible, and this week had been on courage...focusing on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A lady in the group had just been given news that her cancer was much worse than the doctors had thought, so her scheduled surgery for Friday had been cancelled in order to figure out a better solution. Needless to say the discussion was very applicable to the current predicament. Afterwards there was a powerful prayer over her...my grandma is amazing. That's all I have to say.

I've already heard stories of murders and foster care and dead parents and drug-related deaths...I've barely been here a day. I just walked past the sanctuary where the worship team is practicing, and they were singing one of my favorite Jonathan Stockstill songs, based on the scripture Psalm 51:10-11 -

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me."

And with our hands lifted high, we proclaim you as King! What have we done, to deserve a love like yours?

Keep me in your prayers...I miss all of you. Much more to come.