Life's like this....
The last month has been very interesting on so many levels. Let me tell you a tiny bit more of our story here for some background....
A year ago, when Billy and I began to question our lives... that led to this turbulent swirling leading us to pursue going to Africa.... our biggest prayer (behind the one for clarity) was to not do this alone. We hoped and dreamed that God would raise up people to walk this journey with us. To come along side us and pray with and for us... to be our advocates and our voices of accountability. People who would do more than just say "Oh, weren't those DiCocco's going on some trip this year?" ... but would be a part of the planning and dreaming and living the journey with us. People who would come to love South Africa and Rwanda as we have.
We expected new people to come into our lives because of this dream. And to strengthen relationships with friends we already know and love. We know that God is working in people's lives along similar lines, just waiting for the right opportunity to interweave us like He is so good at doing.
And that has happened.
And it has been beautiful.
In ways I can not express.
We have been blessed and touched and amazed and humbled and energized.
What we didn't expect was how old friends would pop back into our lives and the bonds would somehow as beautiful as they were so many years ago. Now some of this has been a direct blessing as people contact us after reading our stories we sent out in the mail (If you aren't on our mailing list and want to be... let me know.) and we have LOVED this time of getting to share and re-learn about these favorite people of ours. We have all grown up so much, and yet, in our core, there is something beautifully connected that won't change.
This has also been happening on the "completely random" front...
This weekend alone, I ran into a long ago friend at the grocery store who literally hugged me for a full two minutes without letting go... before I even spoke one word to her. On Friday I spied a dear photography friend at a local restaurant and my family got to have the special treat of sharing dinner with Dr. Chuck and his lovely wife, Kay. On Saturday I saw another old friend at a book fair, and she said she had just heard our story and was thinking she wanted to call me and hire me to shoot some family pictures (to earn money for our tickets).
Why, when we are so looking at the future, is God stirring up our past? We love it... but it IS curious. Especially when it is so noticeable... like this weekend has been. When every day I say to Billy "You'll never guess who I talked to today!".
Aren't we supposed to be looking forward?
Are all these lovely moments simply to remind us that our life is good and we are loved and supported beyond measure?
Are they to keep us here?
Are they so we will know beyond a doubt that there is a literal army holding us up while we are away?
Whatever it is... keep it up.
We need you.
We love you.
... and we want this to be OUR journey.
About Me
- the dicocco gang
- We are an every day family who has chosen to not live out the life-script handed to us, but instead follow God's leading one step at a time. This next step takes us to a beautiful community center in South Africa... and so here we go.
7 comments:
You know, this reminds me of something in poker. Let me se if I can explain it, and poker, in the same metaphor.
Texas Holdem. Everyone gets 2 cards, then 3 cards are "the flop" 1 card is "the turn" and 1 card is "the river". With a round of betting between each action.
Sometimes 2 players will go all-in before the flop. 1 player is almost always ahead. Maybe having a higher pair or something. Then comes the flop and the other player has "outs," cards he can catch to win the hand. He may have only 2 cards that can win him the hand, but those 2 cards are his outs.
Well, then the turn comes. And it seems that Oh, so often, the turn will provide the other player more outs. Instead of catching 1 of 2 cards. He now can catch 1 of 8 cards to win the hand.
It's called the "sweat" card and it happens all the time. You think you are golden at the beginning, but by the end of the hand you are realizing this wasn't as easy as you thought it would be and you're praying that you will not lose the hand.
Seems like you are there. The 'sweat' card is showing and you are wondering how the hand will be played out.
But you're going to Africa. That is already a fact. You won't be gone for that long and then when you get back, your future will be crystal clear for you.
Again,
It is our joy to help send you where we cannot go. I know that you will take my creativity andn my heart, that Harrison will take my simpleness and Curt's impishness, that Billy will take all of Curt's everything because they may be the same person in different bodies, that Av will take my style, and that Maddy will take our fire and just go go go go. Be tourists and visiters and locals. Walk without maps, ride in Land Cruisers, eat sandwiches, pray on the side of the road. And call us when you get home.
How long will you be in Africa? Is this an initial trip...checking to see if this could be something bigger?
to diane who I did NOT get to meet on Country Sunday and now I feel so left out of this loop 'o friendship...
three weeks total... two in Johannesburg and one in Rwanda
... and ... yes...
katie -
you truly are an indescribable blessing in so many layers.... one of the treasures we all hold dear.
thank you for "getting it"... and for loving us.
do you think they have gluten free bread in Africa for those sandwiches?
-t
kenny john-
you are beautiful to me. I love you for understanding and telling me it is okay. Especially because I know that you struggle too...
I love you.
Did you buy your tickets? When is your trip? Where are you? Come back to us!
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