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Morgan
I don't know how it's possible to spend a few hours with people you just met, but when you leave, feel closer to them than you do to people that you see everyday or have known for years. The connections you can form with people so quickly astounds me when you come together for a common purpose.
My heart hurts and at the same time, it's overflowing with love and joy. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know these people and at the same time, it shakes me to my very core that I might never get to see them again. I know that sounds slightly dramatic, but I can't fully explain this without saying things like that. And let's be honest, sometimes life is dramatic and guess what, that's okay.
You know when you meet people and there is just and instant connection and you go there and you go deep and it isn't awkward or hard - it's natural. I find that way of living so much more rewarding than the shallow everyday interactions that we so often fall prey to in America.
Tonight onboard the Logos Hope we had an incredible night of worship and there were people laying on their faces worshiping the Lord, there were people who were brought to their knees in tears and were weeping before the Lord. For the band, it was the most amazing experience and we were all so lost in worship that it kind of amazes me that we all started and stopped together. You know when you have that sweet time of worship with the Lord and you walk away feeling such a sense of peace and almost tangibly feeling the presence of the Lord? Well that was tonight.
After worship I sat and talked with Stephanie and a little bit later Matt joined us. I'm so blessed to have gotten the privilege to get to know these two amazing people and I wish I had gotten more time with them, but God knows what He's doing, and I trust Him. But I cannot lie, when I got in the van after saying by to them on the ground at port, I definitely shed a few tears.
My heart hurts and I miss them - even though I only knew them a few days. God is good and has blessed me with the opportunity to know some amazing people - and I'm thankful for that, even if it's just for a few days.
Singing Harmony,
Morgan
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Posted by
Morgan
This place is amazing. It absolutely floors me everytime I look out my window and see the Mediterranean Sea. It is breath-taking pretty much everytime I look.
Yesterday afternoon I sat out on the balcony and had some good precious time with the Lord. I sat there drinking my hot tea, listening to my iPod, reading my Bible, and journaling all while looking out on to the Mediterranean Sea. Talk about AMAZING.
Most of our time here has been spend rehearsing, sightseeing, and then so far we have done one chapel service in a school. The school was a really neat experience in itself. It was a catholic school and it was pretty much an all girls school. People here just stare at me, and I'm not talking about just a passing glance, I mean they will just look and look and look for like five minutes - and that's no exaggeration. We asked Milad, our contact here, why they all keep looking at me. He said it's because I have blonde hair and blue eyes - I don't know why I didn't think of that reason in the first place. So basically, I'm a novelty over here, so people just stop and stare. Thank goodness we are traveling with a great group of guys - so I don't think anyone will be approaching me anytime soon. :)
I'm really looking forward to this weekend. We're going to be doing three big concerts and I'm actually going to be leading two songs - AH! I can't believe it. Bill just asked me to do another one tonight - Here I Am to Worship. When you think about the words - it's totally a Christmas song. LOVE IT. At the beginning of the week I got really intimidated because this band is full of absolutely amazing musicians, and here I was having to ask for help to hear the harmonies. I was literally in tears before our first performance at the school. But God is good and I am surrounded by people who are encouraging and with God's help - I'm going to nail this harmonies.
This literally feels surreal, and I don't think that I am going to fully be aware that it actually happened until I come back. I cannot express to you the sense of urgency that I still feel for this country in this time. I was not aware of the fact that Lebanon is a country that has been through so many different times of war. The whole city of Beirut is in a stage of rebuilding and there are huge construction projects happening all over the city. It's amazing - but sad at the same time.
Today we went sightseeing and it was beautiful - but I'll have to write about those things later, because it is 11:41 pm here (4:41 pm at home) and I have to get to bed because we have to be up for breakfast at 7:30 in the morning - it's gonna be a long, but wonderful day - I can just tell :)
Singing Harmony,
Morgan
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Posted by
Morgan
Well, I can't believe another semester is over. It has been the fastest and the longest semester, and yes, I am well aware that I sound crazy. :) But it's true. This semester has been the most unexpected, the most challenging, the most frustrating, and in a way, the most rewarding semester I've had over the past two and a half years.
Before leaving for school back in August, I was having a really difficult time with the idea of going back. I was ready to go, but I knew that this semester was not going to be anything like the previous semesters and I knew it would be challenging, but I had no idea it would be like it was. BUT, and I've said this a lot, and if you've talked to me about this semester, I can pretty much guarantee that I said this to you: I would not trade this semester for easy one. I have learned so much more through these trials than I would have if this semester had been all sunshine and butterflies. Life is not always a pretty and peaceful walk in the park, and as clique as this sounds, sometimes it is a climb up a mountain in the pouring rain - but that's okay. In fact, it is good. I know I've said it, and I'll say it again - I would not trade it. It's been such a precious time with Jesus. Learning to trust him and walk through life everyday with a new mindset and a new sense of purpose is a beautiful thing.
Well, in a little under five hours I will be flying out to Lebanon. I cannot explain to you in words how excited I am for this trip. Last week I was sitting in my room trying to pack and I was listening to some music and I was praying and asking the Lord what his heart was for this trip; what is his purpose for us going. All of the sudden I was struck with the overwhelming sense of urgency. And very clearly I hear this, "I am moving. You are going to meet a need that is urgent." I cannot fully put it all into words the sense that was in my heart in my spirit at that moment, but I found myself on my knees praying and asking the Lord to prepare my heart for what is coming.
I am so ready, guys. I'm excited, but not in the traditional sense that most people would think of. I know God is about to move in some big ways, I can't wait to see. I'm a willing vessel and I cannot wait to see how he moves! I will by flying over the ocean in a few hours :)
Singing Harmony,
Morgan
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