Vacation Musings on Order

Rhode Island

What a difference a week makes...

If my mentor, Nina Roesner, has taught me anything this past year, she's hammered home that 'God is a God of order'. So I approached vacation a bit differently this year. 

Tom isn't a traveler, and until he met me he could count on one hand the vacations he'd been on. So in years past I've handle all the details of our vacations. ALL the details. With a farm, a homestead, a toddler, a myriad of critters, and all the little things that need to be thought of, vacation can be, well, stressful. 

But this year I was wise to the stress. I planned an entire week of tasks, just a few a day. One of my BEST successes was in the prepping I'd be doing for the month and half previous. Each week when we get ready to go to the camper at the farm, I ask Tom to pack clothes for him and Trey. For vacation, I made the same request. Wow, did that ever go well! Good job, honey! 

Order. Did I mention I've been learning about ORDER this year?

Remember that long weekend I took away for Mother's Day? Early in our vacation, I was doing something for Trey, and the discursive thought entered my head, "Yeah, sure. Vacation. Vacation for everyone but Momma." 

Almost immediately, another thought came: 'Good thing I already had my own vacation.' That prompting settled my heart and I smiled to myself. Yes, I had enjoyed a long weekend of ME time, and this was FAMILY time. 

Did I mention the order that God loves? Nice. Thanks God! 

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First Baptist Church of Dighton, Est. 1845

The last bit of order I experienced during vacation were the two very special, important meetings I had scheduled. 

As a result of my meeting with the congregation of  the First Baptist Church of Dighton (160+ years of history), we will now have a New England based church on our team. They will provide prayer support and encouragement, as well as a beautiful backdrop for future retreats and seminars. I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!

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Courtesy Elizabeth Timmins' Gardens

My second meeting was in a nutshell, humbling. At the suggestion of the ever-wise mentor, Miss Nina, Tom and I prayed for and assembled a team of theological advisors who review my writing. Their input and critique ensures that I offer accurate, theologically sound, content. 

I was excited to meet with one of my three advisors, Melvin Longtin, a retired Baptist minister up for vacation in New England. (Typically he's based in Florida.) Pastor Longtin is a scholar. His questions and thoughtful critique to my work, especially the book, Sarah's Journey, that I'm still (yes, I'm still working on it!) writing were insightful and pointed. 

To be honest, I felt about an inch tall.

 This man READS. And studies. And prays. And studies. Did I mention he studies? He's retired, but you'd never know it. I'm super blessed to have him on the team. And really, really intimidated. He's a true advisor. If it's wrong, ooh boy, I'm gonna hear it. Thank you God, for the wisdom and strength of the amazing people you've put in my life. 

Order. It's what makes my life cool. 

Farm Life. Faith Life. Vacation Life. Writing Life. People Life. Church Life. 

Order is what ties them all together and keeps me from feeling completely out of my depth. 

Order is a floatie on each arm, filled with the breath of God. 

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