When we read a novel or a biography, how often do we skip the introduction? I do it all the time. My experience has found introductions containing nothing but dry history and unnecessary facts. I want to jump right in and feast on the good stuff, not waste time on author’s notes to the reader. But while we believe our time is being maximized, we really are denying ourselves of potentially vital information. Vital how? If we are to appreciate what the author has to say, we need to stop and listen. Sometimes the key to understanding the material lies in the intro, the commentary, the author’s note…

This is my introduction:

It all started on a beautiful Sunday morning service at Evangel Assembly of God. The date was May 29, 2011. There I stood, enjoying the time of worship, singing along to the band. I had no idea that God was smiling as He dropped another puzzle piece of His plan for my life into place. During our usual “meet and greet,” I found myself being introduced to three young men with fantastic accents: Michael Scott and his friends, Mark and Manuel Ilchuk. They were Australians, visiting Orlando before seeing more of the States. This “chance” encounter turned into lunch, a young adult service that evening, dinner out at Johnny’s Fillin’ Station, and continued into Memorial Day at our traditional pool party. By the time we parted ways, a friendship had been established. We kept in contact through Facebook, joking that it was my turn to see their beautiful country, now that they had visited mine. I never believed it would happen.

Canoeing on Memorial Day with Morgan Abbott and our new friend, Michael Scott

Until now. Exactly a year later, I am writing to you about my plans to fly to Australia in 23 days. What many would see as a random coincident, I see as carefully planned. Through the huge blessing of my parents providing a large portion of funds for my upcoming graduation, the encouragement of my Aussie friends, the willingness of my older brother John to accompany me, and the perfect God-timing of a Groupon Getaway Deal, I am preparing to “read the next page” that God has written for me. And I am telling you so that when you read of our experience, you can fully appreciate with me what an awesome God we serve!