Two years ago I had the opportunity to jump off of a 15-foot cliff into a Guatemalan river pool.  Knees all trembly, I didn’t let myself linger up there on the edge.  It was heave-ho and go.  The free fall was glorious.  And terrifying.  Then the water caught me, and I was reoriented with gravity, with the beautiful normality of swimming to shore.  Security feels sweet after the risks have paid off and fear has been conquered.

Today is Matt’s last day of work with ProCare3, the therapy company that hired him out of grad school and never looked back.  For 14 years he has healed patients, cracking jokes as he encouraged them to tough out exercises that made their lives better.  He’s learned to smooth feathers, to finesse situations, to call out the greatness in those around him, and unleash his own.  For 14 years the Lord has used this work to provide our roof, our daily bread, and our dreams.  And today we say a “Thank you” that doesn’t come close to expressing the blessings we’ve received, and a “Goodbye” that feels like leaving behind half of yourself.  Today our feet leave the ledge and we enter free fall.

In five weeks we fly literally.  An airplane will carry us to Costa Rica, to the beginning of 5 years spent serving children who weren’t safe living with their families, and hosting teams of people who want to make a difference.  Until then, we press through a melee of packing, planning, document gathering, house selling (please, Lord), friend raising, and praying.  This is a true leap of faith.  Our roof, bread, and dreams are now in the hands of the Lord who put those brown eyes on our hearts.  He is able.

At some point, the river of “normal” will catch us again.  We will learn the walk to the language school, park, and grocery store.  I’ll organize our rented kitchen and fill the freezer with meals.  The fragrance of baking cinnamon rolls will waft through a new house and embellish the laughter we’ll share with new friends.  In the hang time, we’ll keep our eyes fixed on His light and continue to pray through the veil:

Let us, your servants, see you work again;
    let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval
    and make our efforts successful.
    Yes, make our efforts successful!  Psalm 90:16-17