Prep for the journey; prep is the journey

Nine days from leaving. Things are starting to pick up in my brain as I realize how much I need to do... Travelers checks, finish school, learn how to say something in Thai, buy clothes for extremely humid weather etc. As I was just thinking/praying, I thought about how important and necessary prep is. I know I have a lot of prep to do but a lot of it isn't physical preparation. It's mental, spiritual, and emotional. Spiritually preparing myself, praying for wisdom, peace, guidance, and awareness to what God will be/is teaching me is so important. But, I think I normally shove that into the back of my head before I go on a trip/do ministry. I get so caught up in what I need to do, I forget who/how God wants me to be. Lord, I don't want to just do. I want to be in your presence so that I don't miss something you're trying to show me.

Another thing I thought about this morning is what Mr. Tim Prewitt told me. "Don't get too caught up in the destination. Don't miss the journey. Bask in the journey with God." He reiterated this thought multiple times. "If I'm going from point A to point B, don't miss the journey! In between is just as important." He used the example of Birmingham to Bangkok and how I don't need to tune out during the "journey." So true! I can remember several cool airport stories I have due to taking advantages of opportunities of where I was at that that specific moment. So, here I am thinking to myself, "Ruth prepare for the 26 hour travel time to Bankgok because God may have something in store for you. He might try to teach you something." Then I realized that I had just made the very mistake Mr. Tim had warned me about. I got caught up in the "destination." Except, instead of  the destination being, 'Reach Bangkok', it was 'Leave Bham.' Ruth, live, bask in the JOURNEY! That is right now as you're prepping, as you're finishing school, as you're still in Bham. What is God teaching/showing me right now? It could have to do with Thailand-it could have nothing to do with Thailand! Could be practical; could be a chunk of spiritual truth. Now is the journey, and I have various destinations along the way. Keep your eye on those things, but realize that the journey itself is a "destination."