How do you really feel? Really?

As Rob prepared for Haiti, people asked about me. How are you really doing with all of this?

Really? I am completely at peace.

Before Rob signed on to go, the kids and I prayed. What a privilege to pray out loud with my kids for their dad. I asked them to pray about whether he should go. Instead, my older son prayed for all the medical missionaries going to Haiti. My daughter asked God not to let her daddy miss her too much. My tenderhearted son prayed for his dad's safety - I know he wants his dad here with him, but he knows there's a bigger plan.

Driving Rob to the airport this very early morning, I was completely calm. Totally in awe of an amazing God who gives us such opportunities to shine the glory back on Him where it should be.

God prepared my husband for this trip. He gave him the desire to be a physician. He gave him this amazing personality that can compartmentalize when needed without shutting down. I have no idea how Rob's brain works, that's for sure, but I know it's a special gift. God gave Rob a passion for medical missions. I'll stick with the bed - and for the next 10 days sleep in the middle - thanks!

Some things weigh on my heart, of course. I don't think it's possible to be human and not hurt for the people of Haiti. They did nothing to deserve such devastation, yet the earthquake came. For the most part, they don't have twitter, facebook, email, texting to find their loved ones. I can't imagine their fears and loss. I can't imagine their pain: physical, emotional, mental. Their world may as well be the moon. Nothing is where it should be. Landmarks are gone. Gathering spots, gone. Shelter, food. Gone.

My heart aches, in the deepest place, for my husband as he faces the toughest assignment of his life. He will have to make really tough decisions, and I hurt for him. (Compartmentalizer or not, I know he will have moments that he struggles). He will see more death in 10 days than in years of practicing medicine here. I hurt for him. He will work long, tiring hours without much chance for rest. My heart aches for him.

Our job, here, is to pray, without ceasing. Our job is to intercede for these missionaries, asking God to provide the strength, the peace, the calm, the focus and the rest they need. Our job is to trust that God, the creator of heaven and earth, will shine his love on the people of Haiti through his people. God created Rob for this. He will most certainly take care of him. And we will pray.