what would you bring?

this weeks tour...random thoughts (well maybe not so random)
my mind is in constant thought...about what to bring or not bring, what things will be like, what i am supposed to learn from this experience...(the list grows everyday)
you know the question:
'if you were stranded on an island and could only bring one thing, what would it be?'
it popped into my mind the other day (among a million other things.) 
while i may not be stranded and can bring more than one thing...i will be on an island and will be limited in what i can bring.
without a doubt in my mind i am bringing this...

my favorite item i will be packing

i am so thankful to my dear friends, beth and dawn, for sharing it on our trip to Haiti last year (this daily devotional has been the best and most important addition to my life this past year.)
it is so amazing how each day Jesus is speaking into my life in such a dramatic and particular way. after reading it i usually say to myself 'that is so true, how did You know!?' (His whispers can be really quiet sometimes, but you have to learn to listen)
the truth is that Jesus always knows! He knows what i need at that moment and how to speak to me through this devotional.
just like maybe this weeks tour was not really random, but that Jesus was using the Holy Spirit to lay on my heart (or whisper to me) that He will always be with me.
i know with all my heart that i will never be alone in my new home...my Best Friend will always be with me!
ans so with all that being said...
devotion theme for february
"look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:4 
everyday i am being gently reminded that i only need to look to the Lord for the answers to all my questions. when i read todays devotional i had a rather large duh moment!

february 5

"seek My face, and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace. to receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust. the only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand. ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts. for the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

you can have as much of Me and My Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day. the most persistent choice you face is whether to trust Me or to worry. you will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what. I am an ever-present help in trouble. trust Me, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

by sarah young

who knew all this? GOD DID! 

the more i seek You

this weeks tour...ME!
preparing for a huge life change...means i have a million things on my 'to do' list!
i have many things to take care of to prepare and get ready to move half way around the world. a majority of those involve things of the physical human nature-saying goodbye to family/friends, deciding what to pack (call me crazy, but yes i have started a pile of things to take), getting my finances in order, and the list goes on for about another mile!
last week in church, i was reminded that i must also be preparing myself spiritually. it was on my 'to do' list just not at the top. 
being a highly organized person, i always have a plan. it is my plan, and set up just the way i like it (or at least the way i think it should be). as always God's plan is different...
so this is how my week began. 
devotion theme for january
"for I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
wow! okay You have my attention.
the rest of the week is as follows: "come to Me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed." "relax in My healing Presence." "refresh yourself in the Peace of My Presence." "I want you to learn a new habit." "you can achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on Me." "I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine." "it is impossible to praise or thank Me too much." "softly I announce My Presence." (i read a daily devotional by Sarah Young. Jesus Calling-enjoying peace in His Presence, it is amazing!)
double wow! okay i can no longer ignore this theme.
so everyday i began with a whisper from God, telling me to let go, of my stubborn earthly ways-that is the hardest thing (for me) to do! but i will try.
my new plan...is to first prepare myself spiritually. how should i go about doing this?
"but if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all you soul." Deuteronomy 4:29

i first heard this song last week at church...another whisper
my new breath prayer (a breath prayer is saying phrases while you breath in and out to focus and is also symbolic of filling and emptying our lives) breath in...the more i seek you, breath out...the more i find You.
plans change all the time. the top of my 'to do' list now says JESUS. seeking Him in everything i do to prepare for my journey, will make it that much more special and amazing!
before i continue window shopping the world, i need to focus on my own spiritual relationship with Jesus. these months before i leave are a time for Jesus to prepare me. so that when the time comes i will be ready for all the things He shows me.