Every journey has twists and dips, patches of road without signs where you wonder for a few miles if you're lost; if you missed your turn somewhere, sketchy gas station restrooms, bad radio... Wait.  I think I'm losing the metaphor here.  Refocus.
During these past weeks of perpetual travel, I've been all over emotionally as well.  It has been INCREDIBLE visiting so many churches, meeting so many amazing people, and reconnecting with friends and loved ones across my home state of Tennessee.  I feel very far away from the little girl I was when I lived there, but I feel the lessons I learned then just as deeply within me now.  ...I was also pleased to discover that I'm still learning! ;)
Churches, families, and individuals throughout the state have taken me into their lives and hearts along the way.  I've been so held and well-cared for and no amount of thank you notes could ever aptly express what this has meant to me.  I've also been moved by God's work within the various communities I visited.  From after-school programs to women's missions groups to Bible studies and prayer groups, God is certainly stirring among us and calling us to compassionate living!  It's really inspiring!

On the support-raising front, I have also been the grateful recipient of incredible generosity.  Every dollar contributed will be put to the best use of which I am capable.  Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Japan.  And special thanks to Dyer CPC and Greenville CPC for "adopting" me!!!!  These 2 churches are the first to pledge 100 dollars a month for the entire 3 years of my service!  ::round of applause::

Being in my hometown with my former school mates, saying "farewell," was a beautiful and important stretch of this journey, and in light of the love I felt, I barely missed a beat when in my very own beloved Memphis, my car was burglarized.  Though the back window was broken out, only my coat and scarf were taken.  Anyone who knows me knows I'd have put the perpetrator in my car and taken him or her somewhere warm and given them anything I had that they needed.  Having it taken from me and at the expense of my [mom's] vehicle really upset me for a bit.  But as blessed as I am and with the way my friends banded together to help me, I could hardly focus on that hurt.  Certainly the person who violated my sense of safety was hurting as well.  I'm doubtful that stealing my coat really helped him or her, but I hope that somewhere down the line, they find the healing and peace they need.
In my city, they say "This happens all the time."  I wish we didn't shrug it off so easily.  Surely the fact that it happens "all the time" means that there is always something wrong...something that needs our prayer and our attention.  Alarm systems may protect but they don't eradicate the deeper problem.  I have to wonder:  What compassionate action is God calling us to do in response to this pain in others?  How can we apply the model of Christ's life to help our petty criminals, our impoverished families, and open our own closed hearts?
I was "All Shook Up," ...and maybe it's time to be.