Good morning

I can't believe that Christmas is just around the corner! This year has gone by so quickly it's hard to believe it's almost over.

While I'm thrilled that it is now Christmas, that means we are only two short months away before we pack up all our stuff, stop getting nice steady regular deposits into our bank account and start relying totally on God for our finances, our health, our safety and the guider of our path. I am so excited to be just giving it all to Him and trusting that He will take care of us.

I guess that is the way we should be living all the time, but we don't do we? It's so easy to take care of ourselves first and then if we're really stuck into a corner we cry out to God. Why is He the last one we pray to for healing after Robitussin and Neocitren have failed? Why is He not the one we go to when it seems our finances are too tight, instead of leaning on Visa and Mastercard and a Christmas bonus pretty please.
Hmmmm. Silly humans. It's amazing God puts up with us sometimes!

Why, oh why, did I just google 'travel Haiti'?

Well this sounds fun. Here is hoping that the people we have been asking to pray for us will be praying for our safety as we travel.
This, by the way, was the very first site that popped up on my google search. [official Canadian website for people traveling abroad].

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Haiti.

Despite improvement since early 2007, the situation is relatively dangerous throughout the country owing to criminal activity combined with the difficulties the police have in organizing themselves and ensuring order. Personal safety cannot be guaranteed by local authorities, and police presence is not guaranteed in all cities. In most cities, the police are unable to respond in a timely manner to calls for assistance. It is strongly advised to avoid going out after nightfall, especially in the areas most at risk. In the Gonaïves region, Trou du Nord, the Cap-Haïtien region, and in the neighbourhoods of Martissant, Carrefour, Bel Air, Sonapi and Cité Soleil in the Port-au-Prince area, the security situation is particularly unstable and dangerous.

It is imperative that all Canadians who must travel to Haiti have suitable accompaniment. They must ensure that they are expected by family members, friends, colleagues, local business representatives or organizations able to meet them as soon as they arrive at the airport or border, and to guide them in their travels. No public transport of any kind is recommended. Because the situation can change at any moment, visitors are advised to check with the organizations, institutes or hosts that are taking care of them to receive the latest updates on the security situation in the region they are travelling to.

Lessons

I feel like God has been teaching me a lot lately. I have felt humbled at His patience for me, and the baby steps He takes with me to lead me towards a better understanding of faith and a closer relationship with Christ.

I am a willing learner now, it is not something that I always have been. Sometimes it's easier to just say 'I get it' and move on with my life. But then I'm not really moving anywhere, I'm just sitting still trying to tell myself that I understand. These days, I try to spend some time before or during or after reading my Bible just sitting and focusing on my Saviour. I push aside the time, the work ahead of me that day, the newspaper I want to read before I start work, and everything else that clutters my mind.

This I would recommend as a very good idea. I wouldn't even call it prayer time, because that is separate. This seems revolutionary to me, yet I'm guessing this time of quiet reflection is something a lot of people build into their study time.
Anyway, it's been good.