little blue books

Getting a passport is relatively simple, right?  You take some $$$ to the courthouse along with a few documents and a beautiful picture and you are good to go.  EXCEPT when you don't have the "few documents".  As was the case with me.  The romance of being born in Nice, France was greatly diminished (temporarily)  when my birth certificate was lost and I could not acquire my passport.  Until I turned 18,  I had been to the Bahamas,  Haiti and The Netherlands Antilles.  But,  since that time,  I have not left the U.S. 

This year--my 50th,  I made it a goal to do whatever it took to get my passport-sans birth certificate.  After many phone calls, tears and visits to the courthouse,  I discovered one could send $$ to the American Consulate and get an official "Counselor Report of Birth Abroad"  which is the equivalent of a birth certificate.  (so now you know, if you are ever in my predicament). 

In May, I was helping my daughter, Kara, prepare to move to Louisville Ky. along with her husband and 4 children.  The pattern of my days would look much different with their move.  I was so used to driving, walking, riding or running to their 2-mile- away home several times a week.  I knew the same God that was leading my son-in-law to pursue seminary, was going to have a beautiful plan for the extra time in my week.  It was going to be good.  I believe the God in the Bible and His promises are true.  Not that His plans do not make me cry.  I mean really???  Four adorable grand kids moving 4 hours away, and 1 beautiful granddaughter already 4 hours away????  But, the very day that I didn't think my heart could take it,  the little blue book came in the mail!  A reminder that God does have a plan,  He loves me and He knows.

I quickly called my dad and told him I was now free to leave the country.  Before I knew it,  I was headed for Vietnam!  I know this is a trip of a life-time.  A chance to see how God is working in a land scarred by a war.  A land that my mother loved so much, she asked to be buried in a dress handmade by Vietnamese women. A land where the church is alive and active and many are turning their hearts to Jesus.  That is the land I get to visit, to have my first (of many, I hope) stamps in my brand new passport!