We are ending our time here in Porto, Portugal and have returned to our apartment to pack and clean and Sunday am we head home to visit all our family and friends and then head on to Mozambique in October. It has been a busy few weeks. This last week we spent at a Christian camp on the coast. It was restful and quiet. We felt priveledged to be part of their time. There were things for Toby to do and no expectations for the family other than to enjoy ourselves and rest.

I was able to take some time for myself as well and ended up on the bluffs that overlook the seemingly endless ocean. The first time I went I found a small shell and had some deep thoughts as to how it got there and how it could not have gotten there alone. I was moved as the journey Cami and I have been on for the last....Well, our journey has lead us many places and through some pretty dark valleys and now we find ourselves on the edge again, looking out at a new horizon, eager and wondering what God has in store for us now and the years to come. But we know for a fact we have not gotten here alone. We have had the support of friends and family, direct and indirect leading from God, even seeming distractions from satan (which God used for our good!). We are not here, we are not moving on alone. We are cognizant and aware of our ties to all around us, all we leave behind and all we travel to. It is a wonderful feeling.
Well, lest I ramble, as I looked closer at the shell I thought to myself, 'you know, this could be a snail shell...Okay, forget it'. And I proceeded to bury the thoughts and not tell anyone.
The second time I went there, different place, sat down and at my feet as I sat was a small shell. An small round limpet shell. Definitely not a snail shell! Couldn't help to think, maybe I didn't get there by myself either.
So, if you, like me, ever feel alone, remember, there is no way you got to where you are alone. And where ever you are going...Don't go alone!