Losing Control

No no no...it's a good thing!! We often think of losing control as a lapse in judgment and unleashing of wild actions or emotions. When it comes to the Spirit, though, it is an essential component of intimacy and connection with God's immense power. You would think I'd have learned early on in this adventure to let go more often, but apparently, I'm an "old dog" and losing control is a "new trick"! (Take the metaphors for what they are - to those who know me, I have not created a new nickname or reference to myself that is appropriate for use in any form or fashion!! :P)

As we left off in the saga, the road had been paved ahead of us...well, for all of us but Tony, who was still awaiting the arrival of his Visa. Less than a month before the trip, we still had no word or inkling of when his Visa might arrive. Poor Tony asked me what would happen if we didn't get his Visa at all - would he just have to forfeit his money and not go? With all my determination and spunk, I said we'd call the US State Department before I'd let that happen! Never mind that I have no idea how to actually personally contact anyone at the US State Department, but I would make it happen!

Dreading the thought of trying to accomplish such a feat in a world of automated answering systems and layers of government red tape, I was frantically trying to reach anyone and everyone associated with World Youth Day to see if his Visa was just stuck somewhere along the pipelines. World Youth Day Committee - no response. Australian Immigration Office - no response. The US Bishops Office that is assisting with the US invovlement in WYD - helpful in that they would intervene should we not have the Visa, but no information on the Visa itself.

Having exhausted any and all possibilites minus the US State Department, it dawned on me at our formation meeting that perhaps we should just, once again, leave it up to the Lord and offer up our prayers. After all, He'd cleared every other obstacle, and knowing how hard the evil one fights when His glory is shining through, it was possible that this was out of my control.

So, on the evening of Monday, June 9, we offer it up for prayer at our meeting. Wouldn't you know that by Tuesday, June 10, they have sent it along? You would think I'd have learned...

"Wahooooo!!! I'm goin' to Australia after all!!"

Needless to say, Tony is thrilled, and we are all sighing with relief! Please keep us in your prayers as we get closer to takeoff - I have no doubt that darkness will continue to try to creep in, but with your prayers and the fire of the Spirit, I also have every hope that as always, the light of Christ and will of God will prevail!!