Wake up Sleepy Head

(Pictures of pets. Mostly sleeping during the day. What a life!)

Saturday morning. 6am. Cat crying. Dog wiggling. Why can’t they wait until the alarm goes off at 6:30?? I let them out for their morning jaunt. Sit. And pray. 

Today the boys take their first college entrance exam. In my hometown. Oddly surreal. Oh how they have grown in stature and maturity in the 9 years since their dad died. So I pray - that they have total recall on the things they know and total peace about the things they don’t. And- that they will wake up in a decent mood. Haha! Unless we are leaving for a great adventure, a 7am Saturday morning wake up call is not a welcome activity. One early morning last week, I was on the phone and caught a glimpse of a creature crawling across the pool deck. Wasn’t sure what it was. Too slow for a squirrel or mouse. Nope. It was a little turtle. Or tortoise? (Which is which?) It was just before 8am but I went to wake up the boys to share my treasure. Fortunately, they were as excited as I was and gave me some grace for the early wake up call.

Waking them up today was also easy. (Thanks be to God!) Maybe they’ll go to college. Maybe they won’t. But as I drive them to the testing site (on the campus of an amazing Christian college right here in our town!) I think to myself…this is why I was compelled to move back here. Opportunities for them. Oh, and I’m also thinking about our running family joke, “it only takes 10 minutes to get anywhere around here.” I’m telling you, I’ve saved so much on gas!!

So as they navigate a new neighborhood and a new church and learn to make new friends, I am asking the Lord for His blessings this day. 

Now I sit here in the car, grading Spanish and literature homework, in the silence, waiting for them to finish their test. My in-laws have asked for a status update. Other friends have too. I am sorry my posts are so infrequent. It’s been hectic. Probably more so than I like- getting them started on school, which is still going well, progressing nicely. Yessss! My work has ticked up in volume. And I got my first call last week (two calls, actually) for jobs here in Texas to cleanup QuickBooks so clients can file their tax returns by the 9/15 extended deadline for corporations. But today I finally feel still enough to contemplate. 

I want to share this song. I don’t know why it came to mind right at this moment, but thankfulness is a such a good practice.

Charity Gayle. Thank you Jesus for the Blood.

“Thank you Jesus for the Blood applied. Thank you Jesus, it has washed me white. Thank you Jesus, you have saved my life. Brought me from the darkness into glorious light.”

Philippians 4:20 “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Yikes!

Finished Bob Goff's Dream Big book today. That guy not only dreams big, he does big. Just to wrap it up - - in a nutshell - he says there is much clarity in writing out your dreams (yes, check, refer to the idea for The List of 100 Things You Want AND the idea for a Vision Board). He calls them ambitions. That works for me. And then stop planning for how or when the ambition will get accomplished, and just step out and do something. Oh sure, at times you may fail, but you will learn from these failures. I think it was Thomas Edison who said, "I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work." Just be ready, because sometimes, by God's grace, you will succeed! How will you know if you don't try? If you notice anything about Goff from previous books, he is ambitious for sure, crazy in his pursuit of helping the least of these, and he is getting things done.  Here is the best quote in the entire book (in my opinion):

"...comfortable people don't need Jesus and don't chase their ambitions -- desperate people do. If we're going to get after our ambitions, God doesn't want us living right in the middle of comfortable anymore. He wants us living on the edge of yikes."

On the edge of yikes. (Yikes!) I feel like not wearing a mask in Safeway is the furthest toward "the edge of yikes" that I actually get these days. Although this morning, playing piano while singing with a worship band in front of my church family, that also felt like "the edge of yikes" to me. But seeing and hearing everyone worship the Lord - - wow. It was awesome. Would that everyone would know the wonders of God's love.

The pastor's message today leaned heavy into the importance of worship. In that spirit, I'll share my favorite song right now: [We The Kingdom - God So Loved]

"PRAISE GOD! PRAISE GOD! FROM WHOM ALL BLESSING FLOW! PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM! FOR THE WONDERS OF HIS LOVE!"

Besides reading Goff's book this week, I have been diving into this book as well, one sweet chapter at a time.

It was gifted to me by some missionaries that frankly, I do not know very well. As part of my work with Missions Team at church, I read a lot of emails from various missionaries that our fellowship supports. This is a wonderful way to serve. Their stories of "success" encourage my faith, and their stories of "strife" also give me a chance to pray for them. Every once in awhile, I respond to their notes with a small bit of encouragement. And I have to say, 100% of these families/individuals, write me back and ask me how they can pray for ME! or they ask me about what I'm going through. ANYWAY, these guys (thank you Yohanan and Rachel) sent me a book a couple of months ago that was just perfect for me on my quest for direction. It's just the best little book! As the subtitle suggests, it is a "simple, soulful practice for making life decisions". As much as I enjoyed Dream Big, this book: The Next Right Thing is more my speed, I think. Maybe because she is a woman that I relate to her better? Not sure. The chapters are short. And she spells out a simple prayer at the end of each. Sometimes includes an action step. 

I've taken lots of notes on Freeman's book:

• Soul minimalist - does not mean that you should hold on to nothing, but rather that nothing should have a hold of you
• Be still
• When facing a decision in life - ask yourself: am I being pushed by fear or led by love?
• Should we be careful about all this "desire business"? In Mark 10 Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. Obviously Jesus knew he was blind and obviously Jesus could heal him and obviously Jesus is omnipotent and knew exactly what the man wanted. But he asked the guy what he wanted. Jesus DOES care about what we want!
• Desire is only toxic when we demand our desires be satisfied on our terms and in our timing

So while I don't necessarily see myself as "living on the edge of yikes" most days, we are always on a path to adventure when we are walking in God's will. 

Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Not sure what to call it

Last weekend we spent time with friends at the ocean. Even though it rained most of the weekend, we had a great time catching up on our lives, discussing religion, politics, and all the other topics people usually avoid. We tried out a new board game (new to us, anyway) called Ticket to Ride. Very fun! While the adults mostly relaxed, read magazines, worked on Sudoku or crafts and chatted, the boys mostly played video games. But one afternoon, they did get in a couple of games of bowling. 

Then the following day (queue the eerie music.... think maybe Star Wars Darth Vader's Imperial March??) our state's governor issued a mandate that would prohibit all of the things we did that weekend. So I'm not sure what to call it...are we rebelling? Are we breaking the law now as we continue to meet with friends that have been in our normal circle for the past 6 months?

I really don't want to get into a heated discussion about the science (because, as my friend's husband says sarcastically: it is all about the science, Lisa!). Trust me, I know COVID-19 is a real disease. In fact, my little brother and his wife have both been recently diagnosed. (They are fine, by the way, after he endured a few days of a really bad sore throat and fever; they both lost sense of smell and taste.) We still wash our hands like we always did. We stay home when we are sick. And now we wear our masks when we go in public spaces, as required. But the angst comes as we plan our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Not to mention our weekly gatherings for worship. My brother thoughtfully pointed out we have a right to assembly in the First Amendment to our Constitution, right there next to our right to freely exercise our religion. Who knew this would be up for debate? As a Christian, I want to abide by the laws of the land. And normally I am a rule follower through and through. But as I see it, my joining with church friends and church family to celebrate God's goodness in worship and fellowship, cannot be thwarted by a governor's mandate. Sorry Jay. Will you be staying 6 feet apart or have Thanksgiving outside? I'm kind of curious when the people (that is, "we the people") are going to see how ridiculous and arbitrary these imposed mandates are. Why are strip clubs open when bowling alleys can't be? Why are casinos open when restaurants can't have people eating inside? If there have been no deaths in your town, should you have to lock down? If you have been spending time with the same people over the course of the last 6 months and they don't happen to live in your household, why is it that you suddenly CANNOT spend time with them? Same people. I'm sure there are smarter people than me that have really brilliant answers to these questions. (Yes, I know, it's all about the science.) And I apologize if I have offended anyone's sensibilities. I am not a rebellious person. I just don't know what to call it. 

One thing I DO know for sure, is that I am thankful. And when I get all wrapped around the axle on this COVID stuff, I can turn to the one Book, the one Truth that gives me peace beyond all comprehension. I WORSHIP & PRAY. I am praying daily for our government leaders, our church leaders, the business people I work with every day. The Apostle Paul says it best:

Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We Praise You - written by Brian Johnson, Brandon Lake, Matt Redman, Phil Wickham

Have I Abandoned My Post?

In a world where I can't easily hang out with my church, my friends, my family, you'd think I would find lots of things to ponder and write about in this space. But setting aside time for that has been tough. So what is going on with my family? Naturally, we are heavy into school and work and lamenting our travel schedule has been literally stalled in these last 6-8 months. I am outside walking with friends several times each week, and we are meeting with some friends in their home for worship each Sunday. Truth be told, up until last weekend we had 2 dogs and 6 cats. So taking care of all the animals, well, it's a lot. Now, we have one kitten left (out of 5) and he is a sweet little guy. Very friendly. So much so, the boys think we should keep him. I call him Mr. T (the boys call him Totoro.) PLEASE tell me you need a kitten....

If you're feeling any of the angst of navigating the COVID crisis in your home and city, I guess my one piece of advice is: remember, you are not alone! There's a newer song on Christian radio by Matthew West called "Truth Be Told".  The first lines:

"Lie #1: you're supposed to have it all together. And when they ask how you're doing just smile and tell them, 'Never better'. Lie #2: everybody's life is perfect except yours. So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors." Right?

The chorus is even better: 

"Truth be told, the truth is rarely told, oh

I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine, oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine - but I'm not. I'm broken. 

And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's not. And you know it...."

This time of year it gets dark at around 4:30pm where we live. So yesterday my friend and I decided to try walking earlier in the day. At about 10am, we ran into someone we hadn't seen for months. He supported our family a lot during our cancer crisis, bringing nutritious food, recipes and encouragement. He and his wife attend our church and I could tell he was feeling a bit of guilt for not being in the church community in recent weeks. He said, "We just haven't been back very often." Well, my friend and I have not been back to our home church at all since large gatherings were shut down back in March. So we explained that we are all in a similar boat. His reasons are similar to our reasons. But we all still love Jesus very much! And I hope he walked away knowing that even in our isolation, we are not alone.

So when (or if) you get that sense that things will never get better, they probably won't. Not the political landscape. Not the culture. Not the issues in your local church. Not the pressures in your marriage. Seriously. I know that sounds dismal. BUT as Christians, this is not our home. And THANK GOD we have hope in something much more substantial, eternity with Jesus. So give yourself a little grace and feel what you feel. Just KNOW that God is not absent. He can see and sympathize with everything we feel. (I'm speaking to myself here....)

I have another friend that is into photography and just about every week he sends me a photo with a scripture inscribed over it. He reminds me that God is still near. And He loves us. Embrace the beauty of what or who you have around you. Love God and Love People. And be faithful in the waiting.

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Deepest Longings: New Bible Study

 

I recently started a new online Bible study through Proverbs 31 Ministries. We are going through the same lessons in the First5 App as the Online Bible Study groups (I think they send you an email with a blogpost for OBS stuff? Honestly not sure. I use the App.) So the goal is a trip through the entire Bible in 40 days of study. Yes, they have to skip a ton of stuff. But the way they've laid the whole thing out is pretty great.

Week 1 - The Longing for Purpose

Week 2 - The Longing for Freedom

Week 3 - The Longing for Security

Week 4 - The Longing for Rescue

Week 5 - The Longing for Redemption

Week 6 - The Longing for Fulfillment

Week 7 - The Longing for Identity

Week 8 - The Longing for Christ's Return

I want to try to post some of the highlights for me from each week because I'm learning that when we discuss scripture together, you may see something I don't and vice-versa. If you want to join our ladies' group on First5 App, please contact me! Put your email in the comments or something.

With the Bible study book (pictured above) you get extra study material. But even just using the App, it has a Bible built in, whatever version you prefer.  And they do videos and audio teaching on the weekends to wrap up. Can you tell I'm enjoying this study?? 😉

Week One: Purpose

Our Bible study guide pointed to something that Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless, until they rest in You." He had it right. Restlessness prevails. So many times I ask myself, "What is the point?" WHY? is also a deep question I get hung up on. If you are breathing you have felt some kind of pain and suffering. I need to be pointed back to the promises that I find in scripture (I am loved, forgiven, redeemed, a new creation, holy, etc.) But the kicker is in 1 Peter 4:10 "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." God designed all of us with a specific purpose. I have a pastor friend that says, "Once you find out what God's will is for you, find a way to align yourself with it as quickly as possible." Some days it feels like I'm still searching. Other days I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be. Being in this virtual study with friends (after so many months in isolation) has been a huge blessing. As I have mentioned in this space before, we definitely need each other! And if we are alive and breathing - we should be praising the Lord! (see music video by Matt Maher...Alive & Breathing)

Overarching verse for entire study - - I John 2:15-17:

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

Where's the Fire?

Where ISN'T there fire? All around us in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California. Last several days we have lived in a smokey haze. My mother-in-law in California texted to ask how we were faring (she is near the Sierra Nevadas and she mentioned they do see the sun sometimes even though there is a constant haze along the horizon.) Sadly, we can hardly see the water around the island it is so thick. Now is the time rain would be good....

But, since most of us around here are meeting outside to dine with friends, outside to worship and fellowship, or outside for school meetings, maybe rain would not be a welcome sight just yet. 

This week the boys started back to their school. Just Tuesdays in person this year; we will do the rest at home. There were some masks and face shields, but I was glad to see a fairly large group of families gathered for orientation. We sang a song I had not heard before at our opening ceremonies. It's a collaborative effort on the writing, but was released several years ago by Vertical Worship. What a great way to start the school year--a hymn of old morphed into modern praise music.

1000 Tongues ~ Vertical Worship

"O for a thousand tongues to sing the glories of our Lord God Almighty. O to sing the Savior's praise, the triumph of His grace. You are worthy, you are worthy God."

Just because I can - here are more kitten photos. Yes, we are still in kitten bliss at our house. Lots of cuteness.

I believe it is a great experience to have puppies or kittens at least once in a kids' life. Lots of fun, but also a chance to learn responsibility. The boys have been very mature taking care of all the animals. 

Speaking of mature, Keaton is now taking driver's ed. The classroom work has been via Zoom. Yes, I suppose you can teach anything via Zoom. :/ He's been out driving with me a fair bit. Very cautious and alert driver. This week he had to prove he knows how to change a tire. Well, thanks to having many capable, mechanically-inclined men in my life, I have not actually had to do this myself EVER, so it seemed somewhat disingenuous that I should teach Keaton how. And, the Lord provided! Our friends were visiting from Eastern WA on Thursday and Mr. Mark was eager to show us BOTH what needed to be done and how. He said next time Keaton is over at their house, he would show him how to change the oil too. It takes a village....

Along those same lines, remember back in June when a group of friends came while I was out of town and started laying vinyl plank at my house? With their jump-start, we were able to complete the living/dining room. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I gathered some courage and tackled the entryway and my office. It was a learning process, for sure, and I had to reach out for better tools and some help with some tricky spots (like going around a door and a floor vent). But it feels good to get one more room done!

What I've learned is that steady progress will get things done, eventually. Sometimes you just need a kick in the pants to get started. Also, that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. That teenage boys like to pretend they're strong, and that one can use that to one's advantage. And that even an accountant can lay down vinyl plank with a razor blade and a hammer. Plus, vinyl plank is a lot simpler to keep clean when you have an elderly pet - - or newborn kittens.

Psalm 5:11 "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you."

Providence

from Google.com:
prov·i·dence
/ˈprävədəns/

noun
the protective care of God...

My children have been out of town for 2 weeks. It's been so quiet. In fact I realized on Sunday this week, that I hadn't actually spoken words to another human for 3 days. Yesterday, I woke up with a song in my head. It's not unusual for me to have a song stuck in my head, but this particular song on this particular morning turned out to be Providence. This past week, in my striving, I've had someone tell me to Pray.  To be Patient.  To be at Peace.  And so, when I heard this hymn running over and over...well, to me, that was Providence.

Once I hit the shower at 5:45am, I was singing it still.  And then adding a tag, part of another praise song.  By the time I was dressed and ready for the workday, I sat down to record it and send it to a handful of friends that came to my mind.  I emailed it to my core 4 of girlfriends, but added a few others.  Then a few others.  My brother, my mother-in-law, etc.

Later in the morning, I got some feedback that made the message even more precious. One friend texted me that he had just dropped his wife at a doctor's appointment and he could not go in with her.  Perfect timing for my recording.  A few minutes later his wife texted me with similar words; she was nervous, but the hymn was a relief to her.  Others responded with "beautiful" or "this made my day".  And I thought, wow!  I'm onto something here!  All the while knowing, GOD PUT THE SONG in my head.

Okay, so maybe I'm making too much of this. We all get lyrics and melodies stuck in our brains from time to time. But it's still making the rounds. Today, another friend said she saved it to listen to today. She too was waiting in a doctor's office, nervous, and played the recording and it blessed her too. When I looked up the definition of Providence, it just fit so perfectly: "the protective care of God."

So here are the lyrics. If you want to hear the recording, text me or leave me a comment with your email and I will send it to you personally. Honestly, it's nothing special. It's my voice, a capella, at 6am....haha! I was just the messenger, you know? Apparently, the message was meant for more than just me.

Be with me, Lord
I cannot live without Thee
I dare not try to take one step alone
I cannot bear the loads of life, unaided
I need Thy strength to lean myself upon

AND:

You are the source of life
And I can't be left behind
No one else will do
And I will take hold of You

I need You Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name by which I am saved

Capture me with grace, I will follow You

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Another Milestone

Spring in the Northwest has been beautiful this year.  We passed through tulip country on a trip back from getting groceries earlier this week.

Keaton asked, "Mom, why do you need to take pictures of the tulips every year?  You could just look at the pictures you took in previous years.  It's basically the same."
I don't know.  To me it's not the same.  Each spring is new.  Not to get too philosophical, but it's a reminder that spring came last year and it's here now, and it will probably come again.  Sort of like the faithfulness of God.  He is always there.  His promises true.  I take pictures of those promises fulfilled every day to serve as a reminder.  My children laughing.  My friends and I on vacation.  Mission trips.  People helping others in love. Tulips are just another reminder of promises fulfilled.  They made it through the winter.  Now they stand freely and beautifully.

Another cool thing this week was the eagles we encountered while out on a walk.  The path was familiar.  And I have seen eagles on this path before.  There is just nothing more majestic than an eagle just soaring above the water.  The wind carries the bird.  The bird is not flapping furiously to make it from point A to point B.  That is scripture fulfilled as well.

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

In recent days I have been humming this song by Matt Maher & Hannah Kerr, Your Love Defends Me:

--You are my joy
--You are my song
--You are the well
--The One I'm drawing from
--You are my refuge
--My whole life long
--Where else would I go?
--Surely my God is the strength of my soul.  Your Love defends me.  Your Love defends me.  And when I feel like I'm all alone, Your Love defends me.  Your Love defends me.....

Finally, the milestone reached could be that spring has arrived once again.  OR, it could be that I just passed my last final of my last class this morning.  I have completed my Masters Program.  SOOO many thanks to those of you who supported me and prayed for me through this last two years.  I sing, Hallelujah!  He's my portion, my salvation!

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

Choosing Joy

In January of 2019, I set JOY as a goal.  Experiencing Joy.  Believing Joy.  Sharing Joy. All in all, this was a good word.  It's been like a self-fulfilling prophecy - - a situation where when one believes something will be, then it is.  As I explained right before Christmas to a friend, I feel like I turned a corner this Advent Season.  Something I read or something I heard really spoke truth to me about the anticipation (with joy) of the coming of Christ.  This is where the true joy is found.

There has been a heaviness for many years surrounding Christmas for me.  I hesitate to expound on it here, as it is such an old wound, but truth is, somehow, at some point, Christmas lost its spirit of joy in my heart.  As I was debriefing with my friend right before heading into the thick of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it dawned on me that I am "choosing joy" now.  And I'm also working a lot harder not to let the enemy steal it.  That's what he does and we have to be intentional about cutting him off at the pass.

I found a great song to illustrate this.  With all the bad stuff reported in the news (yet another church shooting in Texas this week) and disastrous weather conditions (extreme heat causing major wildfires in Australia this month) we absolutely HAVE to choose joy.  Let it move us.  Worship Him who gives it.  Share it with others. (Video - for King & Country - Joy.)


Yes, I am repeating the verse I started the year with...

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the JOY set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:1b-2

Baja 2019 Day 1

Last night, well technically in the wee hours of this morning, we arrived at our hotel in San Diego.  We will make the trek into Baja Norte tomorrow morning.  Today was a decompression day.  I think since school started we've just been going, going, going. We needed a day of doing absolutely nothing.

In fact, yesterday at home when I was packing, preparing and crying over stupid stuff, I really felt out of control.  True, I put too much pressure on myself to get it all done in a short amount of time.  But when I simply needed to add some clothes to the washer that had already started and the blasted door would NOT unlock, I melted into a puddle in the floor.  Crazy?!  I quickly texted a friend and asked if she was faring better  - - only to find out the same emotive weirdness was happening to her as she was also prepping to head down with us to Mexico.  If ever I felt an attack of the enemy, this was it.  We prayed.

Then on our way down to the airport I switched on a playlist from from my phone.  I needed the Spirit to take over.  My flesh was losing!  The first song that popped up?

Only Jesus— Casting Crowns
(lyrics to the chorus)
  --And I - I - I, I don't want to leave a legacy
    I don't care if they remember me
    Only Jesus
    And I - I- I, I've only got one life to live
    I'll let every second point to Him
    Only Jesus

(see video below)


Well, that refreshed me.  Then the next song had me crying (again).  Good tears this time, though.  It was the song that played during Eric's funeral, during the slides showing him alive and with a smile on his face.  "Who Am I", also from Casting Crowns.

(lyrics from verse 1)
  --Who am I, that the lord of all the earth
     Would care to know my name
     Would care to feel my hurt?
     Who am I, that the bright and morning star
     Would choose to light the way
     For my ever wandering heart?

(from the chorus)....Still you hear me when I'm calling
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling
And you've told me who I am
I am yours....

So is the God of the Universe hearing my cries?  Absolutely.  Of this I am sure.   Why don't I always hear Him?  Maybe I'm just not listening.  Or maybe I'm trying to cram too much into my day so that I don't have time to listen.  Or maybe what He's telling me to do is something I just don't want to hear.

I started reading a book by Rosaria Butterfield today, "The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert".  So far, this is a fascinating read.  Butterfield was a former lesbian, tenured professor of women's studies in Syracuse. A pastor and his wife befriended her and did not try to immediately convert her, but cared for her.  I want to show that kind of compassion for those who are different than me.  In Chapter 2 she talks about how she realized sexual sin is really no worse than other sin--contrary to what she had assumed.  In fact, with the backdrop of Sodom and Gomorrah in Ezekiel 16:48-52, she figured out that sexual sin is just a symptom of other more obvious sins: pride, love of wealth, lack of mercy, lack of discretion and modesty.  What I'm learning in all of this is that it is God's job to convict people of sin and cause them to repent.  I am called to love.  Again.  That's it.  It's easy to love those that are easy to love.  So what about trying to go deeper and love someone that is harder to love?  What sacrifice is this for me compared to what Christ has done?

Romans 5:7-8 "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - - though perhaps for a good person one would dare to die -- BUT GOD shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Goodbye October!

Yes!  We did make it to the pumpkin patch this year.  Can't believe October has flown by.  We are eight weeks into school, and ready to head down to Mexico for a mission trip next week.  We are going back to La Misión.  Just last week a wildfire destroyed La Casa de Maná where we normally stay.  Praise God, no one was killed or seriously injured in this fire that ravaged at least 13,000 acres (they evacuated an orphanage full of kids.) The whole community talks about how God's hand was definitely on them.  We will likely be helping with cleanup and I hope we can also be an encouragement, sharing hope that God brings beauty from ashes.  TO READ MORE CLICK HERE.  OR HERE.

Not sure when it happened exactly, but pretty sure Keaton is officially taller than Mom.........

there was also ice cream!

and a corn maze

A couple of songs are coming to mind with regards to La Misión.  At times like these, my instinct now is to worship.  If you feel led, here are the lyrics and the video of Spanish version of "Yes I Will" by Vertical Worship from YouTube.

Confío en esto

Que el Dios que siempre es fiel

No me fallará, 

no me fallarás

En la espera

en el Dios que siempre es fiel

Sé que el obrará,

yo sé que obrarás

Sí lo haré, cantaré, aunque esté en el valle

Sí lo haré, te exaltaré

Sí lo haré, cantaré, aunque esté sufriendo

Con fervor, sí lo haré

Escojo alabar

y gloria dar 

Al nombre que sobre todo está

Que nada lo detendrá

(Perhaps I will post this song in English on another day....)