Something Worth Counting (On)

“That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~2 Corinthians 12:10

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” ~Philippians 4:12-13

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” ~1 Timothy 1:12

I never meant for it to be a competition, but apparently three of my friends have taken it upon themselves to try and beat our “record” of 46 state license plates (plus D.C. and three Canadian Provinces) spotted on summer vacation.

One of these friends, who had just, herself, returned from a driving trip to Kentucky and Pennsylvania, called me while we were en route home on Thursday. “We thought we were going to beat you,” she said, “but we only got forty-six.” We compared notes as to which states we were missing, and she made an open-ended comment about whether or not I would be allowed to combine our two trips.

An hour later, when we were still approximately 30 miles from home, I suddenly had reason to call her back.

“Ah-HA!” I exclaimed. “We’re not home yet, and I just saw West Virginia!! We win!”

She rolled her eyes at my chuckling and told me it didn’t count – that I could only use one trip. I relented, of course. I suppose it would be unfair to compare our 9000+ miles to their 3500 and to our other friends’ even shorter trips (those families are going no farther than Colorado.)

9,100 miles.

It exhausts me just typing it.

I’ve always loved to road-trip, and could, in my 20s, drive cross-country by myself and not blink an eye. Now, pushing 40, with two kids in the backseat, I think I had it out of my system at about 4000 miles. I am sure that one all-nighter didn’t really help, despite the cappuccino, but I only have myself to blame for that one. Regardless, I think I am good for a while.

I have to hand it to the kids, though. They were great travelers! We have no complaints. And say what you will about our parenting, but I thank God for the person who invented portable DVD players.

9100 miles.

Can you believe that that is actually more miles than it would be to go to Papua New Guinea? If a crow were to fly it, (according to this cool website I found), he would log just over 8000 miles from our home to Port Moresby, the capital city of PNG. Just think of the license plates he would spy on that trip!

We, on the other hand, probably won’t see many license plates from 30,000 feet, but we are going to make the trip. It’s official. We have received and accepted our invitation to serve in Papua New Guinea. We just returned from my training in Florida, and my husband will start his here in August. We are starting the work permit and visa processes (oh my, the paperwork!!) and details from all the various aspects of our plans are falling into place. In some ways it seems like we have been at this forever, but we are definitely watching the pace pick up almost exponentially. It’s utter craziness.

We know, though, that this is something we simply can not do. It is a God-sized task. I am working constantly to resist my “need to control” and to step aside and allow God to be God ~ to allow Him to do something that we could never accomplish in our own power.

I am so very grateful that in my weakness, God proves Himself to be so very strong. That’s something we can definitely count on.

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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20-21