I think this new journey is actually going to happen!  Tuesday started out with a bad sinus infection and inner ear infection.  I can now add Vertigo to my list of unpleasant experiences!  Just go slow and stay near a wall at all times when walking.  Thank God for antibiotics, specifically those magical shots of Rocephin, the most powerful antibiotic I've ever experienced.  Between that, Augmentin and a steroid shot, I finally started feeling better yesterday.  Nothing like battling sickness in the midst of planning a three month journey across the Atlantic pond…

Many thanks to all my sisters who have held me up in prayer and walked beside me as I prepare for a radical new direction in my life!  I just keep telling myself "give it two weeks and if you don't like it, just come home".  No pressure, no worries.  It's all good.  I still haven't decided which coat to take; my wonderful Columbia with zip out liner and numerous pockets in a nice navy blue, or the new dark grey parka with fur lined hood.  Both are great, though the Columbia is much more versatile.  And no, I refuse to take two.  Over the years I've learned how to pack light.  One doesn't start out packing light; it's something that is learned through many travels.  I believe Gary called the people with 3 suitcases each the "occasional packers" because they pack for EVERY occasion!!  LOL!!  Gary always did have humorous comments.  Probably still does, the self proclaimed "eternal optimist".

Last night was a really special night for me as a sojourner and a mother.  I took Jackson and Wyatt out to Mar Vista for dinner and it was great.  I love spending time with both of them.  I'm so proud of their accomplishments and future goals.  The three of us sat outside around the table talking about the three different directions we each are headed at the moment.  I would call it a momentous occasion, last night.  I'll always remember it and pray we three look back and a smile comes to our faces as we recall our conversation of hopes and dreams.  I'm heading into a totally new venue of ministry using my numerous talents and gifts I've acquired over 25 years; Wyatt is heading west to Idaho and spend some time with Ric and Cindy Downing, possibly getting a job for a while before he heads to Alaska for summer salmon fishing season; and Jackson is heading back to Tallahassee to give it the final push for his degree in whatever it turns out to be, then likely head for Colorado to enjoy God's beautiful country in the mountains.

This past Christmas, Jackson and I went to Denver to spend Christmas with my brother Scott, his lovely and delightful wife Rebecca and their super precious daughter Rachel.  I still kick myself for waiting 20 years to spend time with them.  I had an absolute blast and it was one of my all time favorite Christmas' ever!!  Jackson headed to Colorado Springs with two of his buddies who moved their this past year and snowboarded his heart out!  They were kind enough to bring him to us in Denver for Christmas, then get him back to the slopes.  He really deserved that after all his hard work and some mistakes he paid dearly for.  I had a wonderful time with Scott, Rebecca and Rachel as we put together 3 different 1,000 piece puzzles!  I love puzzles of all kinds (I think being analytical and a bit OCD makes me a good puzzle solver).  The day after Christmas we spent the entire day talking, laughing, working on the puzzles and enjoying one another.  I got to experience a healthy debate between Scott and Rachel.  It was good for me to see it.  I personally don't like conflict and generally run for cover, but it's important to be able to share one's thoughts and learn from others without fear of retribution or rejection.  Bravo Scott, Rebecca and Rachel, and thank you.

It's now 12:30 a.m. and I'm half way packed.  I have everything staged and just need to finish putting the rest of the items in a suitcase.  Thank you Deb for letting me borrow your extra large one.  I normally travel with one suitcase and a carry-on, but for three months I need more.  And who knows, I may go to Italy for a month or two after I'm done in Greece.  A friend text me a good suggestion, but I replied "my brain is fried and I'm done".  If I forget something, I'll get it in Greece.  I seriously feel cross eyed.  Tomorrow I fly from Sarasota to Atlanta, then grab a flight to Rome, have a 5 hour layover before making my final destination of Athens.  I thought about spending a week in Rome but decided to do Italy AFTER Greece, when I'll be adjusted to the time.  For now, my adopted Greek son Steve (the nice 27 yr old guy who is handling my flat rental in Athens) will be collecting me from the airport and depositing me at the flat where he has kindly stocked up on staples such as coffee, cream, bread and other basics while I will give my body as many days as necessary to adjust to Grecian time.  I call it a hibernation period.  Jackson and Wyatt are happy to know there is someone to help me, and if Steve gives me permission, I'll post his handsome young face on my blog so you can see how good God is to provide me with a Greek son.

Tomorrow's a big day!  Time for this gal to turn the lights off and snuggle in for hopefully a good night's sleep.

If there is anything I can pray for you about, please let me know.  Prayer is a privilege and a gift. I'll leave you with one last thought…God has given us the gift of repentance.  Without repentance, there is no forgiveness, and thus no eternal life with Him.  It all starts with getting right with our Creator, admitting what a mess we are and our need for His cleansing.  I've been such a mess and it amazes me that He wants to clean me up, not condemn me.  So I let Him…and He does the great exchange…He turns my ashes into beauty.  Wow.

We're already off to a challenging start!  Saw doctor yesterday, was feeling dizzy and nauseated. Turns out I have an inner ear infection and vertigo.  They pulled out the big guns and gave me a steroid shot, plus a rocephin shot and I'm on augmentin now.  Thank the Lord for Valeria driving me to run two necessary errands.  I do have some great news; got my mac back from Chris at Hurricane Computers and he was somehow able to find a way to get apple to replace the entire innards of my Mac Air!  Yay Chris!  Apple wanted to charge me close to $300 based on their initial diagnosis, which meant it could cost more after they opened her up and checked under the hood, so to speak.  Chris got it all done for $200…love my computer repair guy!  (his shop is next to Peaches on Manatee Ave).

Vertigo is a very strange feeling!  Understatement! I find myself staying near a wall or something in case I feel like I'm going to fall over.  Doubt it will happen, but just in case.  At least I only have a 5'3" fall to the ground. Unlike someone I know who fell 6'3" and ended up with 19 stitches on his forehead.  I'll add the 5'3" to my benefit of being short list.

My folks are excited and finally have peace about me traveling to Greece on my own, thanks to a nice conversation with Pastor Jim (thank you P.J.!!)  However, when I told them about the inner ear infection and vertigo, Mom immediately told me to run, do not stop, to my doctor.  Well, I saw them yesterday so I'm ahead of the game.  I'm just praying that the meds will wipe out the bad germs like yesterday so I can fly on Sunday.  My sister weighed in on the conversation and told me she flew once with an inner ear infection and it blew her ear drum out.  Yikes!!  Pain is not my friend, and those of you know who know me are probably laughing in agreement.

I'm headed back to the doctor tomorrow to see if they think i'll be okay flying or need to wait.  At least I have a mileage ticket so can make changes with out any expense (assuming there are seats still available).  No worries on my end; God will get me there when He wants me there.

I checked in with Stephen, the CFO of Hellenic Ministries and asked him what the top 3 things he would like for me to work on while I'm there.  First is to put a balance sheet together. Currently Greece only requires non-profits to file an income statement (income and expenses), but financial statements should always include a P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement.  So, my big project will be rounding up all the assets HM has throughout Greece and putting together a Balance Sheet.  Stephen sees that it won't be long before it will be required.  The great thing is I LOVE to do puzzles and I love numbers.  I'm psyched about this assignment!

I made contact with an old missionary friend from South Africa and let him know what I am up to with HM.  I asked if he knew any of the missionaries there and he didn't, but (God is so good!), he offered to introduce me to a friend who has a ministry in Italy.  FYI, I LOVE Italy and was praying that this assignment in Greece would be a stepping stone to get me to Italy.  YES!!  My flight to Athens goes through Rome and I considered stopping for a week before arriving in Athens but realized January in Rome probably wouldn't be a good time to explore with temps in the 40's.  I decided I'll wait and go after, or maybe in between.  I'm really praying friends and/or family will want to come and check out western Europe with me, hint hint!  The last time I was in Italy was in 1993 with a 5 month old Jackson in a back pack.  Such a great trip; too bad he doesn't remember it.

Hey, I'd love to hear back from anyone reading about my journey; don't be shy, even just to say hello!

Blessings, M

Well, today is Wednesday and I have 4 days to finish the items on my list necessary before I leave for Athens.  Fortunately my dear sweet cousin Jeni married a Greek gentleman and she has been a great source of information for me.  She also has in-laws who live in Athens.  After writing last night my brain decided to stay awake and think some more now that I have this new venue of sharing my journey.  Not a fun night, but I'm used to those.  Can't tell you how many times I've seen the sun rise; too many to count! I just keep reminding myself that I am in God's hands and He has it all worked out.  Jeremiah 29:11, He knows the plans He has for me, to give me a hope and a future.  Wonderful! I'm a bit anxious about travelling so far by myself, but then again, I moved myself from Michigan in 1984 down to Tampa to attend USF. I packed up my little lime green Volkswagon Rabbit with all my worldly possessions and headed south. That was quite an adventure, especially when my clutch went out someone in Kentucky.  A truck driver pulled over to help and told me he had a daughter my age and he hoped someone would help her if in my situation. God has been watching over me my entire life, leading me to Him in my early twenties.  Of course that was my searching phase.  You know, the questions like "why am I here?", "where was I before I was born?", "what is my purpose?".  I asked and He showed me.  I tell anyone who isn't sure which spiritual path to walk to simply ask the Creator and He WILL show you. He did me, in a way that my analytical, mathematical mind knew without a doubt.

I have much to accomplish today and am still fighting this sinus infection.  Thankfully my doctor got me in yesterday and I'll be able to take with me a good first aid kit.  I just need my sinuses to clear up before I get on that plane Sunday, otherwise I won't be a happy camper ascending and descending in the plane.

Until next time!  Blessings, M

Why am I doing this?  Okay, so I just turned the big 5-0 and I'm learning how to blog.  Don't laugh too hard, it truly gets better! What brought me to this current challenge, you might ask?.  Well, I put myself through college earning a bachelors in Finance and a masters in Accounting.  I waited tables at night and did college during the day.  Good times, especially working with others my age who were on their way to some bright new future.  I was fortunate enough to get a job at Tropicana, made right here in my town, right out of school.  Worked in corporate a few years, then decided I needed a more rounded education so went to work for a CPA firm. During those 10 years I had two sons and honestly went to work to rest.  Boys are VERY active, at least mine are/were. My sons grew up and are headed in their own directions.  I'm very proud of them!  Suddenly I found myself facing an empty nest and my marriage of 24 years ended.  Wow!  It took me a year to take all that in and process my emotions, and allow the Lord to heal those deep hurts.. I spent a lot of time in prayer and submerged myself with my "board of directors" (bff's) and in a small church. Two months ago I woke up one morning and had this amazing revelation...I'M FREE!!  Now I get to do what I want, even if it's eating cheese and crackers for dinner.  I love it!  I've spent more time with my family than I did the entire 24 years of marriage. I'd always said if I lost my husband (thinking death) I would go into the mission field. Well, it was a death alright, so I decided praying for where the Lord wanted to use the many talents He'd given me throughout the years. Ask and you shall receive!! Two weeks later my bff told me about a ministry she served with two years and they were looking for an accountant.  Bingo! I applied, was interviewed and approved.  Awesome!  We have not because we ask not. I was ready to go in June, but the CFO couldn't take on an intern until January.  Turns out I needed that time to heal. God is so good and He is sovereign! Guess what month it is? Yep, you're smarter than you know.

I'm now getting my household in order, so to speak, while I'm away.  I'm getting everything lined up to fly out of Sarasota January 31st, arriving in Athens February 1.  I've found a lovely flat on AirBnB two blocks from headquarters and have adopted the young man who is handlingthe flat to be my Greek son. Steve is even stocking the place with basics for me. The last time I flew into Athens, it took me 3 days of solid sleep to get my feet under me. Steve has arranged to have coffee, tea, and other staples on hand in case I need to hibernate for my body to adjust. Not only is Steve stocking up the place for me, but he's also picking me up at the airport and will take me to the grocery store once I'm functional again.  Kudos to you Steve and thank you Lord for providing him!

FYI, I tried blogging before but didn't have anything I wanted to share so gave it up.  This time I'll be writing at all hours of the day and night (my sleep is really messed up).  I plan on writing from my heart and sharing what God is doing in me and my favorite part, what He is using me to do!

Blessings, M