where have you come from and where are you going?

This week, as New Years Eve approaches, I've been thinking a lot about 2015.  I've been asking the question that God asks Hagar in Genesis 16: "Where have you come from and where are you going?" For me, most of 2015 has been characterized by travel and change.  I don't think any two days have been alike.

I had 20 speaking engagements.  I slept in 32 hotels, drove 19 rental cars and flew 30,000 miles.  I visited 20 states, 9 countries and 5 continents.   I lived abroad (in Germany and then in Togo) for a total of 4 months.

I've given (and received) hundreds of hugs.  I've cared for thousands of patients.  I've written more than 150,000 words between my blogs, journals, and the manuscript of my next book.

So that's where I've come from.  Travel, lots of crazy cool opportunities, and, sometimes, chaos.

Where am I going in 2016?

I hope I'm going into deeper stillness.  When my soul matches the physical chaos of my life, I feel anxious and unsettled.  So I'm working on finding peace, stillness and security in my soul, apart from physical circumstances and locations.

I'm working on my second book, which is largely about my experience in Togo.  My deadline is January 4th, and the publication date is March 2017.  I'm about 90% done, but I still have work to do, and I haven't settled on a title yet. (Suggestions are welcome!!!)

I'm praying that this year I find a home base.  I've been living on the road for 15 months now, and I'd like to at least have a small apartment that I can call "home," where I can rest and have a degree of normalcy, consistency and community in between my travels.

I'm also praying that I fall in love.  In love with my future husband, if that's in the cards.  And, no matter what, more deeply in love with the God who's deeply in love with me.

So that's me.  How about you?

Where have you come from, my friend?

And where, with God's grace, are you going in 2016?