T-Minus 10...9...8...

The tickets are in hand, the suitcases are a mess, the ESL materials remain untouched, but our passports are nicely dusted off! Anyone who has spent considerable time out of the country will understand these routine struggles..."Do I want to wear this white shirt or blue shirt for the next two months?"..."How many pairs of shoes can I fit?"..."Do I really need this?" But it always comes back to that last question, the question of need.

It's hard to know what we need anymore, at least if you live in the United States of America. Don't turn on the T.V. or you might be persuaded of something new and exciting the you desperately need!! Or perhaps it's just the magazine rack in the checkout line convincing us of how we need to look or dress or eat or garden...!? Sometimes it is sheer madness but we've learned to live in such an environment.

When you live out of a suitcase for two-months it really makes you question all that. Especially when you get home and all those things you survived without for an extended period of time are suddenly at your disposal again. "Did I really need them afterall?" I think the question of what we really need is helpful for everyone to think through occasionally. It helps give purpose to all that we do, it frees up our resources for Kingdom purposes, and it helps us consider the wise command, "whatever you do,...do everything to the glory of God!"

T-Minus 10 days until summer departure, please remember us during this important time.

I think I'll take the blue shirt :-)