T.I.M.E (Trust, Invest, Meditate, Embrace)

Well, here goes nothing. Just so all you followers know, I hope to write a new blog entry at least twice a week. Due to limited internet access, I may not be able to post them twice a week, so look for multiple entries at a time. Thanks and God bless.

I have been anticipating the day I would leave for Africa for almost a year now. A little over a year ago, I was planning to study abroad in Australia. As I looked into the program there, the classes weren't going to give me enough transfer credits, so I canned the whole idea of studying abroad. I worried about what I was going to do with my life and I was convinced I wouldn't get the opportunity to study abroad. Little did I know, God had things planned out for me. Before I knew it, I had finished my Go-Ed Application to study abroad in Rwanda for the Spring of 2012. WHAT? Rwanda? Why Rwanda? I was asked countless times, "Are you crazy? Why Rwanda?" And to those people, I had no answer. My decision to travel to Rwanda was something that God truly placed on my heart, and in the upcoming 4 months, I will see what He has in store for me. 

Christmas break finally came,  the realization I was leaving became more of a reality and now I am sitting on my bed, computer in my lap, and I leave for orientation tomorrow. On January 11th, we will all congregate in Washington, D.C. before leaving to fly to Africa on Friday, January 13th. The high anticipation has been overwhelming and with that anticipation has come much preparation. While the preparation has included the typical paperwork, packing, and shots, along with the not so typical long-skirt thrift store shopping, the real preparation has been that of my heart and mind (which is never easy). 

As I have been running errands and spending time with Mike, my friends, and my family, I have been analyzing the concept of time. In our society, time is money. That being said, there is always a rush to get to where you are going or get done what you are trying to get done. Our society is driven by time. You constantly see cars rushing down the highway and when you sit down to "relax,"quickly flicking between channels is the norm. Why all the rush? When consumed and surrounded by the constant availability of the internet, cars, and TV, it is hard to just stop. This statement may be premature, but Africa will be a time for me to slow down. Some may disagree and say, "You are crazy, you are going to be busy with new experiences on a daily basis." To them, I say this; Time is more than hours and minutes. While time is precious, the importance we place on it may not always be accurate. Reevaluate time.


I wish I could draw because as I have thought about what it means to reevaluate time, I came up with a powerful image. Try to follow me here. Imagine holding a piece of paper up to a mirror that has the word "time" written on it. As you attempt to reevaluate time (along with God's help), the letters shift and create, "I'm Te..." As you hold that piece of paper, you have two options: 1) set the paper down because it doesn't make any sense, or 2) continue to hold it up to the mirror until you have the ability to understand. If you chose option 2, you may begin to see that the paper changes from "I'm Te..." to "I'm Teaching." God is teaching us. If we are wiling to redefine time (apart from society) and  give God our time (however it may be defined), He has the ability transform it and teach us a great deal.

As I prepare to travel, I look forward to this experiences mostly for the opportunity put less importance on the concept of time, and just stop. Stop and recognize God's creation and His people. Stop and take time to invest in someone else. From this experience, I hope to learn how to give God the time He deserves. I look forward to reevaluating the importance I have placed on time. Redefine time. Revaluate time. Trust, Invest, Meditate, and Embrace time.