"Requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul"

Note: Tomorrow I leave for New Zealand--incredibly, amazingly, unimaginably, but truly! I will be aiming for a blog a week, so be looking forward to that, if you think of it. :)
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On the eve of another adventure, I am in a familiar swarm of emotions. There's the nagging feeling that I forgot to pack something pivotal, or that the checked bag will weigh two ounces over 50 pounds. There is always the joy of venturing forth into the beauty of creation, and the things it teaches me about the Creator of it all. There's also something to be said for the emotional difficulty of each and every goodbye (although I did get over fifty hugs last weekend, which was amazing).

This time, though, I sense much more longevity to the excitement with which I'm starting this trip. Feeling this way throughout the weeks leading up to the last-minute packing day, I have noticed much more hope for growth regarding this adventure. Not just hope that growth will take place, mind; I have more specific ideas in which areas I most desire strengthening and peace. That's something the pre-college Anna couldn't have said, I believe.

I had some general clues of the woman I want to be, but they were nebulous at best. Now, I am starting to tell the difference between the cumulus, the stratus, the nimbus, and the cirrus clouds of my personality, as well as the permutations of each kind with the others. I know, thanks be to God, more about the traits of patience--also of prayer, of gentleness, wisdom--I want to embody, and how they blend together.

As I enter prayerfully into this good night, the last in my own bed for a while, I aim to fall asleep praying for those on this dear continent I leave behind. I want to leave and return being a blessing here--and there. Those are my dad's words of advice: "Be a blessing." I think he's got that right.

May shalom be an ever-nearer, ever-realer truth for each of us this night. Christ is at his restoring work, even as we sleep.

Thanks be to the Triune God. xox