Half a Century Old...Oh Man!

Tomorrow, I turn 50...half a century!  For those of you who have already passed this threshold, perhaps you, too, pondered what you accomplished with your first half a century.  Cindy and I are working through a Bible study on Ecclesiastes - maybe that has added to my pondering!  However, as I sit here and think about the past 50 years, my prayer is that the next 10 will be more productive, in terms of the Kingdom, than my first 50! 
Don't get me wrong, I have been blessed and I am in no way saying I have not enjoyed and appreciated all that the Lord has enabled me to experience over the past 50 years.  My husband loves me; he is my best friend.  My parents are the best parents I could have asked for and, praise the Lord, are still alive and well and an important part of my life.  My children are a blessing to me and I am proud of the adults they have become.  My sister and her family are amazing and my extended family on Rocky's side have added richness to my life.  I enjoyed a wonderful career as a teacher and principal and count it an honour to have worked with and for some pretty amazing people.  God has surrounded me with people who know and love Him and this has been simply incredible. 
But, as strange as it sounds, I feel like my first 50 years have just been a training ground for what is happening now. 
Today, as I ate lunch with a pastor in a small village, I really felt like this is what God made me for.  It has taken me a long time to get here, but perhaps I wouldn't have been ready anytime sooner.  I am so incredibly humbled and blessed to serve the Lord and His purposes in Guatemala.  Thank you, God, for taking your time with me and preparing me for the calling you placed on my life and allowing me to be Your hands and feet at this time in my life.  As I embark on this next stage in life, I am excited to to see how the Lord will work in me and through me!