leaving on a plane, no train, and an automobile

i leave tomorrow afternoon.

where i'm going: tagaytay city, philippines

what doing: on faculty with Litt-World 2004

painful travel itinerary: fly redding to san fran to honolulu to manila (16 hours air time not counting hours of layovers)then customs, luggage and hopefully a ride to tagaytay city. traveling alone, sort of know a few people once i arrive, so any extra prayers, send on this way. leap of faith. hope to be helpful, yet i mainly want to really hear and gain from those i meet -- i know their stories will change me. okay funny too, couldn't help laugh at the impressive international faculty and then, well, me. some of my very favorite writers will be there, like two of the most influential in my life al janssen (who spoke at a writer's conference about the writer's call -- words that have never left me) and philip yancey!

writers support group: keep writing and put down your goals. mine: edit a novel (or most of it) that i finished two years ago, finish a few books i'm reading, and continue work on current project.

one of my favorite prayers from the book of common prayer:
to you,
"almighty god, i entrust all who are dear to me to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things that we can desire or pray for, through jesus christ our lord, amen."

hope to blog in from southeast asia next week.