Safe Trap

The story goes like this, I'm standing in line to check my bag in the Ft. Lauderdale airport when a conversation begins with the young lady behind me. She's in college, she's headed to the Dominican Republic. Twas a short conversation, friendly nonetheless. It then becomes my turn to check my bag and show my passport at the counter. The bag gets checked, I'm awarded a boarding pass. I make my way to the gate. As I go, I pass the young lady I was just in conversation with and wished to tell her safe travels or a good trip and out came, "Safe Trap." And so I kept walking grimace faced. I couldn't help but think at the nonsense about to be muttered over the following months in a language I haven't been speaking for a lifetime.

Nevertheless I'm here, safe traply in Guatemala. Arrived yesterday and am nestled in with my familia, on the outskirts of Antigua, in the small town of Ciudad Vieja. I arrived to the house and met Josefina, kind and very warm and conversing in nothing but espanol. I comprehended a word here and there about every other paragraph. And into the ocean I've been tossed, but I always have been a fan of swimming in the ocean, this water is just a bit saltier than I'm used to...and by salty I mean trying to understand a language I do not currently understand. But I'll learn. The days will pass and the mind will do what it does. It's exciting, amongst other words, very exciting.

Ciudad Vieja is tucked in a valley with 3 volcanoes surrounding, a 10 minute chicken bus ride to Antigua, where I'll begin my classes tomorrow morning. I've taken today to familiarize with the surroundings. Woke to a beautifully brisk morning, the chill sends a pleasant kiss to the cheek before the sun makes its way over the volcanoes. Manuel helped show me around today, joining me on the chicken bus ride and showing me the market, bank, park, and path to and from my host family's casa to the escuela. It's been a good day, as most seem to be. And I was able to find some underwear and socks in the market, so that should aid in the comfortable transition.

Life can be beautiful regardless of where we wake, the choice lies within the body that is awakening. My time on this computer is nigh, I am here in Guatemala safely and alive and well. You all are with me, for you all have shaped me. Love in this day.

The Beginning

A prayer for humility in the name of Jesus Christ. The beginning of another blog, another adventure, another day. I believe wisdom has been here since the creation of time, since the beginning, rejoicing always in the presence of the Creator. And so I write, I think, I live, but only in this day. And so in this day I will be happy to be content and to rejoice. Tomorrow's worries and cares be lofted in the morrow. Yesterday's times and seasons and experiences remain filed and tucked tightly in the moments of the past; surfacing when they need to resurface and readily accessible to bring purpose to this mystery known as Today. Today I live and yet plan and think and act and breathe and am conscience of the thought, "Life and its purpose." There comes a time in life when the world is perceived to need change. The mind and its finite ability to make best of the choices and options that are placed nakedly before. The body, to live in a way that suffices the hopes and faith of the soul. The many questions and lessons that lie undiscovered in this big round bouncy-ball of a world. The view from afar and from the heavens or from the depths of space, make the earth appear as a grain of sand. And then the mind can also perceive the holding of a grain of sand in hand, carefully attempting to focus in on a single grain of sand, and in doing so, completely focused in on literally the task at hand and completely disregarding the views and perspective of anything beyond what is connected to flesh. And this life is the happenings of flesh and spirit in constant argument and easily divorced.

And with these thoughts a new phase in life begins. Trusting the words that a man plans in his heart his course but the Lord determines his steps (as well as a host of others). I am what I am. I am not what I am not. I have my faith, hopes, and beliefs, as well as my convictions, struggles, faults, and imperfections. I love and believe in a God and Creator of this universe. I believe in the life and love of Jesus Christ. I will fall way short of living and walking like Jesus. But I will live and walk hoping to be like and become like him because I believe he is the wisdom that this world needs and is missing. I also believe there is a Great Spirit in this world as mysterious as the wind that cannot be grasped; capable of doing amazing things through ordinary men and women known as human beings...and I trust that I'm on His side, this side of good and not evil, this side of light and not darkness.

This is but the beginning. And so I'll continue to live as I learn and learn as I live. And attempt to see the simplicities in the midst of a very complex world. Amidst people and language, culture and lifestyle, comfort and stress I seek to grow. Not knowing but trusting. Not satisfied to sit back and watch life pass me by. To love God and people. To walk by faith and not by sight. To shut up and stop talking and complaining, and stand up and start doing.

It is light that brings things into existence. Maybe these words can bring into existence one man's thoughts and observations and perspective. And hopefully to encourage and inspire life, one to another.

In Nashville today. The plane is scheduled to arrive Ft. Lauderdale tonight. Another plane will take me to Guatemala tomorrow. I'm going to learn a new tongue and live in a new place for a while. I'm taking many many great friendships and relationships and memories with me. I have so many family and friends that have shaped and influenced who I am. Thank you family; thank you friends. I'll write when I write, and see you when I see you. My love and thought and prayers to fill the air.