toronto pearson airport intimidated me and here i was walking into it for the very first time alone.

i had no idea how or even where to check in until someone directed me, and what awaited me on the other side of the security gate left me feeling even more uncertain. i was 22 years old, after all, and inexperienced in the flying department.

i tell you no lies; the minute i made it through security, a cheerful flight attendant greeted me. "which flight are you on?" she asked, as she grabbed the ticket out of my hand.

"mine!" she said before i could answer, "come with me."

you'll be happy to know that she didn't offer me candy and lead me into a white van with tinted windows. instead, she led me straight to our gate and took extra good care of me throughout the flight. hooked me up with a pillow and a blanket even. she may have even slipped me an extra cookie.

i thought this was normal. turns out it's not. i've been on a heck of a lot of planes and not once has a flight attendant been waiting for me on the other side of security since. at that moment, i knew that God was looking out for me, and sixteen years later as i recount this particular story, i'm reminded of the same; God cares about me.

so much, in fact, that He sent that flight attendant my way that particular day knowing i was nervous about finding my way through the airport and needed some extra TLC to distract me from the fact that i was leaving everything i knew behind to make a bold and scary move across the country.

and so much that He opened up a much needed door for me this week to be able to write this blog mountain side in beautiful BC.

pardon the play on words, but this has been quite the mountaintop experience for me; i feel rested and at peace, encouraged and invested in, full of good, hearty food and thought-provoking conversation, and most of all, closer to God.

coming in, i had no idea what to expect. all i was aware of is what i needed to pack, where i was headed, and that i couldn't get the few first verses of psalm 23 out of my head:

"the Lord is my shepherd, i lack nothing.
he makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
he guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake"

it shouldn't come to a surprise to any of you when i say this, but He has exceeded my expectations in both the restoration and guidance department.

i feel rejuvenated thanks to the spiritual practices the team here has led us through, the beautiful nature that surrounds me, a very flexible, personalized schedule and an extremely comfortable bed.

but the best (and hardest) part? i'm gradually connecting the dots and learning what all of this means for me when i head back home on friday and step into a season of transition.

i may not have all of the answers (who does?), but one thing i'm certain of as i type this is this: God cares about me and will continue to "guide me along the BEST pathway for my life". (psalm 32:8 NLT)