What I am excited about discovering during this journey is Craigs List. Never heard of it? Well get on Google and explore - it is a world unto itself. Basically it is a posting/message board that allows people to advertise what they need/want or what they have to offer. I am using www.craigslist.sandiego.com to find a furnished place to live, and there are hundreds of new listings daily. We have a Craigs List here in Toronto as well - one of our Uptown community leaders is on there frequently finding great buys and she turned me on to this exciting new realm of opportunity...thanks Kim!!
As I am preparing for this journey and making sure all the "stuff" is organized, and thinking
through budgets and costs and what to TAKE and what to LEAVE, I have paused frequently to remember that life is about so much more than all this. Because I am in this world, budgeting and thinking about money is important, so is packing enough clothes and having a safe vehicle, but it is not the TRUE priority. Christ and what He did for us by dying on the cross and being resurrected has changed that for everyone....if we choose it, all that really matters is Him. We can go through the motions of 
living with material things, but what defines us is our relationship with Jesus, and how we allow that love and reality to seep into our hearts and pour out in our actions. What is it people see when they look at me? Do they see someone who cares about stuff? Do they see someone who is edgy and irritable from the stress of life's business and demands? What I want them to see is love. I want them to see gentleness and patience. I want to exude joy. I want to experience self-control in my actions and my thoughts. I want ME to show people Jesus!!
I am so grateful for this time of preparation. The practical side of me is glad for all the "stuff" getting done. But the even MORE practical side of me is rejoicing for the pause this time is giving me to see how much more I need to intentionally and consciously choose Jesus in my thoughts and actions....I need to let Him lead so I can be MORE of love, MORE of joy, MORE of all that He gave His life for.
Thank you for your prayers as I am in this pre-sabbatical phase of the journey.
