The moon!

Today I went to the planetarium with my mom. I've been wanting to go for some time, but I just haven't had the opportunity or means to do so. Since I was little, I've been fascinated by the stars and the idea of a universe with no end. If I wasn't going to be a teacher (and if I was actually good at science), I totally would've been an astronaut. I've wanted to be one for as long as I can remember. Anyway, we went to the planetarium and learned about the new exoplanets (planets that orbit stars outside our solar system) and how they're looking for ones that could possibly support life. It was an amazing show, but my mind couldn't help but keep thinking about the 2 second piece of video of the moon from the beginning. Now when I say that the stars and moon were breathtaking in Swazi, I totally and completely mean it. They were magnificent to say the least. They were bright and sparkly and big and beautiful! I've never seen anything more magnificent in my lifetime. Members of my team would lay out on the front lawn some nights and just look up at the stars, talk about life, and count tons of shooting stars. It put your life in perspective when you stop and look up at how vast our universe is. God knows what each star is yet He takes the time to count each hair on my head (and that's not easy because mine don't like to stay in my head sometimes). He knows me intimately as well as knowing everyone else intimately. It was a wonderful reminder.

On top of the beautiful stars, the moon was just as, if not more, magnificent. When we got there, there was no moon and we used our flashlights to get to dinner every night. We got used to that routine of grabbing flashlights before we left the house for the first two weeks or so. Matt, my co-leader, kept telling me that soon we wouldn't need the flashlights, but that seemed simply absurd. Well, he was right! Soon after we saw the moon slowly rise and fill to an incredibly huge full moon and sure enough, we didn't need our flashlights. The moon perfectly lit our pathway to and from the lodge where we ate. It was like God was giving us a streetlight in a town that only has one. It was absolutely amazing and it gave me a new appreciation for the mysterious night sky. The one song that keeps replaying in my head the last few days is "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin. Ask yourself that question...How great is God in your life? It's already outlined pretty clearly in the Bible and in people's lives that He's pretty stinkin' great! But how great is He in your own personal life? Are you allowing Him to light your path through life or are you trying to use your own flashlight to guide your way? Think about it! God completely changed the way I thought about life, faith, relationships, and Him even, through my incredible trip to Africa, but it doesn't take something that radical to have your perspective changed. If you want Him to change it, He'll be more than happy to, you just have to ask and be open and willing. God is great in my life. Actually, He's the greatest thing in my life and I'm working to make sure that I remember that.


P.S. I miss my Swazi family today. And every day. But I miss sitting with them in church with Timmy or Siboniso on my lap and/or holding my hands constantly. I miss the outpouring of love that flowed so easily there. Dear house #6, I hope that you are sleeping in sweet, sweet peace tonight knowing that I love you and, more importantly, God loves you.