A ginormous hiccup in the flow of life

I was sitting in the office enjoying a cup of coffee and reading my emails. Our kitchen helper, who is really my right-hand at the Family Place, walked in and said she needed to talk to me! Couldn't possibly be good news): She informed me that she would be leaving by the end of the month to go to Lebanon to study theology. I was shocked and my mind started to run wild thinking of how I would replace her. She knows how to make fresh bread and soup and chocolate chip cookies. She knows which customers like ketchup and which ones like mayonnaise. I've spent over a year training her to do things the way I like them. The thought of training a new girl is overwhelming. Granted, she didn't always do things the way I like and she was lazy at times but I still love her and feel very sad that she's leaving. I decided not to make a hasty decision but to think it through and give myself time to pray and ask the right questions. If you're reading this blog, would you pray with us that we'll get the perfect girl to replace her and that I'll have time to train her well before I leave for the US in a few weeks? I really didn't need this right now but God had other plans and evidently thought I could handle just a little bit more stress in my life. Ah, thanks for hanging in there with me! Isn't this life fun?? 

feeling a little overwhelmed yet not crushed

I know it's been forever since I've written anything here. Can't say I've made a new year's resolution to write more or anything like that. Just stopping by to say hello to all my readers who have probably long left me. I thought a blog would be a great way to express myself but alas, it only makes me feel guilty for not writing on it. (not really that guilty) Life here is just a bit overwhelming most of the time. What makes it feel overwhelming right now? The list is long but some of the things are: trying to keep up with the needs of a large team (and feeling like a failure always), running a business that largely depends on me and figuring out how to turn things over when I leave, thinking about yet another move in the summer to a new place 7 hours away, 5 weeks of tour looming in the near future with lots of messages to prepare and feeling like I have nothing to say, relationships I should be pursuing or following up, way too many emails to answer and many of them people who want to come and visit & see the work here, the budget process for two teams coming up this month. There are more but I won't take time to list them all. I often say to myself "is this the abundant life that Christ promised me?" It occurs to me that abundant life isn't about our circumstances or our agendas and calendars. It's a state of the heart where we are at peace with our maker, knowing that we have given him the first fruits and are trusting him daily, hourly to lead our steps and give us wisdom in our choices. I think this is something that needs practice just like anything else and it then becomes a habit. As I daily take up my cross and follow him, he teaches me how to live abundantly. What a crazy paradox this is. To the world it is foolishness but to us, it is abundant life! So we keep pressing on. I am 57 years old and I should have this down by now, no? Maybe I'll finally get it right in 2014. Happy New Year to all my dear friends.