You Never Know…

…how God will work in someone’s life. This morning, I had breakfast with one of the guys from the youth group that I worked with for two summers (Side note: The relationships that I continue to have with those guys and girls have been such a blessing in my life. I highly recommend long-term friendships with people of all ages). Recently, he went on a short-term mission trip to the Ukraine to teach kids about Jesus. And, like so many people that choose to give their time serving God and others, he came back a changed person: different perspectives, new wisdom, different passions. There are two major things that I gained from our time together. First, pour yourself into the lives of others, wait for God to work in unexpected ways, and then be prepared to walk alongside them on the new pathways that God creates. Second, expose yourself to new experiences, because you never know how God will use those experiences to change your life. Just thoughts…take ‘em or leave ‘em.

Relaxing in Houston

Time with the parents is always wonderful. Crazy to think that these are some of my last days at home for a long time. I’m getting more and more excited about Costa Rica, while at the same time feeling sad about leaving family and friends. Torn between two worlds. Maybe that is how I should feel spiritually more often than I do.

Fishing, Swimming, and Sweating

This past week has been a doozy. After packing up all my stuff in Abilene, I left the town of few trees permanently last Friday. My first destination was Rockport, Texas, where our team was having a fishing fund-raiser. After 6.5 hours of driving and 5 hours of sleep, I spent 9 hours fishing with my dad, two men from my home church, and a guide/preacher. Since I had to stay for the shrimp boil, I didn’t leave for Houston until seven that evening. So, after another 3 hours of driving and 6 hours of sleep, I participated in my first (and hopefully not last) triathlon. While the swimming portion absolutely humbled me, the bike and run went surprisingly well. What made the whole experience enjoyable, though, was joining Nick for the event and having my mom and his family there to cheer us on. Then, after breaking my personal record for post-church socializing (3 hours), I caught some shut-eye and headed up to good ol’ Camp of the Hills for a week of sweaty manual labor, early morning running, and catching up with many dear friends. Throughout the week, I discovered that COTH is still one of the best places in the world even when you are not a counselor. Maybe that is why the volunteer groups keep coming back year after year. And now life is going to be filled with preparations for language school and Lima - the “wind down” is in full swing. That is what is going on in my life, if you cared to know. Then again, if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t still be reading. Which brings me to my last point. Just so I know who is dropping by the blog, leave a brief message from time to time if you don’t mind. The notes that have been left thus far have been great to read. God bless you all!

Gone

After four years, my time in Abilene has come to an end. With my car packed, I drove away from Abilene on Friday, knowing that I wouldn’t live there again for a long time (if ever). My last week in this windy, West Texas town was filled with good-byes, all of which reminded me of the wonderful relationships that God has blessed me with during my years of graduate school and mission training. These relationships will always be the living reminder of these years in my life. The good-byes were filled with laughter, great conversations, and prayer. I can only hope that I have been as much of a blessing to these friends as they have been to me.

And now I continue on the journey of life that God has set before me; closing one chapter and opening the next. These periods of transition has always been hard for me. The comfortable, familiar patterns of life are difficult to give up, or better, to mold to new circumstances. This has probably been largely due to my insistence on self-reliance in new situations. So here’s to hoping that the next few months and years of my life will be characterized by trust in God, constantly leaning on His wisdom and guidance. Pray for me.

Putting Me In My Place

God has been teaching me lots about my own limitations these days. While it has always been a comforting thought that my actions and words were capable of bringing about major changes in the world, God has continually been teaching me that it is primarily through the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of people, the church, and the world that the real changes occur. So, at the same time, God has been exposing my pride and revealing his power. Good things, but hard.

The Wind Down

The process has begun for our departure to Costa Rica. We will be heading to San José, Costa Rica in 83 days, which means that time is running out! Boxes have to be packed, things have to be sold, shots have to be received, and on and on it goes. More importantly, family and friends have to be seen. Our team has entered the “wind down” phase, which couldn’t be scarier or more exciting at the same time. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

 

Triathlon Training

I have started my training for the race that will take place in 19 days. Thus far my body is holding up, but definitely sore. Oh, and our team leaves for language school in exactly three months. Just thought you’d like to know.

Boundaries

Sometimes I wonder if I have created boundaries in my life that keep me from interacting with hurting people. There is no doubt that there are thousands, even millions, of people that are hurting in our country from substance abuse, physical and emotional abuse, poverty, loneliness, and brokenness. Do I make decisions that place me out of the reach of these people? Do I insulate myself through my choices of where I shop, eat, live, study, play, and relax? If so, how do I make decisions that will cause my life to intersect with theirs? How do I make choices that will make my life reflect the life of Jesus, who frequently came into contact with both wealthy Pharisees and poor beggars? And when I do come into contact with those that are hurting, will I have the faith to display the love of Christ to those who need it so desperately, or will I continue to live in my insulated world? I am ashamed of myself, but hopefully that will change in the future through God’s grace and direction.

Random, Recent Happenings

Our team had a great retreat with the Halbert Institute for Missions this weekend, the main topic of which was intimacy with God. I have been both renewed and challenged. - Why is it that I still say bonehead things? You would think that after 28 years I would have learned some restraint. - Three months, five days. - I began training for my first triathlon two days ago. Here’s to hoping that I don’t drown. - I have been blessed with an amazing group of brothers and sisters to spread the gospel with for the next 5-10 years. I am incredibly blessed, despite my ability to restrain my comments…Yep, I am still upset about that one. - The peace of Christ be with you.

Fantastic Weekend

The parents came in. I walked the stage. On to the next stage of life.