Missing You.

Really missing you. The VLI room was a bit sterile and antiseptic even with us in it; but now, with only our little sanctification-super-hero and the picture of Pastor Chad's admonishing face to keep me company, it's like a white-washed sepulcher!

Thank you for blogging. It's been a sufficient replacement for Check-In, but I still miss your voices each morning. I know God confirmed that I should not go on this trip with you, but, man I was surprised by how deeply aware I became of the missed opportunity to share in this amazing, life-changing, thousand-teachable-moments experience with you.

I'm thrilled to hear about the moments in which each of you have shined. I love how they look so different - overcoming sickness, circumcisions, encouragement through shared agony, being a friend, making people laugh, being humble, saying, "Yes Lord, I will do what you ask, when you ask."

So now, it's your final exam - living out character development on call, in an unpredictable environment, for an extended period of time. An environment which requires the preference of others before yourself and submission to authority, while simultaneously living out the power and authority God endowed you with. So, grade yourselves. How are you doing? Truly, before God, how are you doing? You can handle going one step deeper. Make these last two weeks count. Remember absolute surrender. Remember relinquishment. If there are any areas in which He reveals development is still needed, do it now; before you get back. Help each other in this process. You guys are an amazing team who love each other. Speak the truth in love.

Elyce, Zai, Andrew, Matthew, Alysa, Stacyann - Robie peek is just around the corner; God has given you everything necessary to run well to the end!

Can't wait for real check-in,

Linda

p.s. I saw Spiderman 3 also. I took my kids to the midnight showing - on a school night no less. Yeah, I'm such a cool mom.