August 2017 – Eyes UP look OUT

Our adventures this summer in America meant a LOT of driving time. Nothing is close on that land mass and our Northern Irish family of 5 are not used to lengthy drives at all. We have been home for almost 3 weeks now, and our 4 year old is still making sure we have a supply of food just in case our typical 10 min drives turn into American adventures. She is the person we all need in an emergency – she thinks food.

All that said, long times in the car means a lot of listening time and this year we jumped on the audiobook and podcast bandwagon. Aaron, my non-reading husband is very proud to say he has “read” 4 books this summer.

We blasted through a bunch of TED talks and came across a new concept.

Watch this link: Why some of us don’t have one true calling

This particular presentation summed up Aaron in a way that gave me a new understanding and appreciation for his misunderstood crazy. What can sometimes come across as “into everything” and “what’s he at now” – I’ve realised is a beautiful gift to the world.

I’ve realised that he also attracts similar people and as I have watched them sometimes struggle trying to figure out what they want to be in life post 30 years old – I want to applaud them and charge them to just keep being themselves. Your experience, life, creativity and adventure to date has the potential to unlock beautiful things.

That’s exactly what our planet needs.

Here’s to all you MULTIPOTENTIALITES connecting dots, and changing the world

“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

T. E. Lawrence “of Arabia”

What a summer Team Boyd have had.

Our 2nd time as a family spending 7 weeks on the road with Aaron, making the most of our time together with a mash up of vacation and tour time.

I have to admit, the language I used pre this time went along the lines of…. “we are heading on holiday, and Aaron has to do some music things in between and I have to speak at a conference for part of it and then we get to holiday.” But as the end of our trip is close approaching I’m embarrassed that I had the whole thing separated and compartmentalised.

The idea that we had to do…..

and then we get to….

now seems stupid.

The best thing about being away with Aaron is that I get to see him in action. I get to see what life on the road is like. I get to meet the people who are like 2nd family to him, and now us. I have been so impressed by his ability to lead people into a beautiful sweet spot of worship whilst encourage them to make a difference in the world. Whether it’s to 10 people or 10,000.

This has definitely been a trip with a difference. I have loved every opportunity we have got to share Jesus and his kingdom, both formally and informally. I am once again blown away by the generosity of people, both towards us personally and the cause we shout loud for.

Aaron had (that word again) a goal of raising $30,000 for an organisation that is so incredibly dear to our hearts – WORLD ORPHANS

We saw $40,000 come in, along with a match donor making an incredible achievement of $80,000 towards this amazing cause.

And we GOT to be a part of that.

We are so thankful for everyone who has been part of this adventure.

To those who have hosted us – thank you.

To those who donated to World Orphans – you are legends who have changed a child’s life in a way that you may never fully understand – thank you!

I will no doubt write about my incredible time with the ladies at The 61 Exchange conference. For digging in with us, being vulnerable and allowing us to hear your stories – it was an honour and a privilege.

So my thought today is simply this – we don’t have to do anything. We get to. We get to be the hands and feet of our Father, just like Jesus, showing our planet what an incredible king He is over a beautiful kingdom where he wants us all to be citizens.

I shouldn’t have to go to the other side of the Atlantic to realise this truth, but sometimes a change or perspective is all it takes to shake us up for purpose.