A Mellow Day

I'm not having any profound thoughts lately - not that I ever actually have any. But sometimes I feel more compelled to share than others. And sometimes I don't share because I think no one will really be all that interested. But this isn't about anyone but me, so what's the difference?

Anyway, today was a pretty nice day. We went to church at The Met (it's about the fifth visit, I think), and we attended Sunday School for the second time in the Salt Mine class. They're studying Micah. It was almost completely different people from when we attended last time, so I guess the class is bigger than just the dozen or so we first met. And they like to speak up, which is always nice. Otherwise, Mike and I can pretty well monopolize a discussion and really frustrate a teacher. The study was good, too short, and everyone was really nice. I always struggle with trying to fit in what with Mike and my age difference and then the fact that we don't have kids, it just seems like we don't have a lot in common with most folks. Of course, none of our friends are like us, anyway, so I don't know what I get all worked up about.

The service was good. Pastor Sal is gearing up for a series on prayer, which has always been a struggle for me. So I guess we're going back for the duration to see if he can inspire me to new prayerful heights. I don't mean to sound sarcastic (that's just the way I always sound), but it's hard to stop and open your own mind sometimes. Nevertheless, he did have some interesting things to say (based out of 1 Kings, surprisingly), and I look forward to the next few weeks. There's also a daily Bible study that goes along with the series, which I think is pretty cool.

I'm trying to find a women's Bible study to go to, but the one's at The Met are all during the day. The stay-at-home mom is the newest trend it would seem. Beth Moore's current study over at First Baptist is "Breaking Free". I could go to that one, I guess. I'm sure I would discover some things from which I need to break free, but I feel like it's not the time and I would be crashing the party. So, I'm still looking.

Coming home, we decided to take the long way and ooh and aah over all the monster houses in Champions Forest (unbelievable!). And we saw a Gringo's Mexican Restaurant, so we stopped for lunch. (There's a Gringo's over by my brother's that we've been to, but we didn't know there was one by us.) It was pretty good, and I have lunch for tomorrow, too!

Unfortunately, the day turned ugly when we got home and the Cowboys ended their season with a disappointing loss to the Giants. I even put on my Cowboys t-shirt, but it just didn't seem to help. So my favorite pastime is, for all intents and purposes, over for the year. I'll still probably watch the games next week and the SuperBowl, but my heart won't be in it. Maybe March Madness will be good. We'll see.

That's about it. A day in the life...

Illogical

How do you deal with someone who insists on doing the exact opposite of anything you want them to do, anything a reasonable person would do? Oh, and reverse psychology doesn't work. He's onto that one.

It's painful to watch someone you love self-destruct. And the more you try to love and support them, the more they push away. (I'm not talking about Mike, by the way.)

The need for independence can override all logic, it seems.

It's kind of like that whole God and man thing. Where God, our creator, knows exactly what we need and love, but we decide that we want to do things our way - the wrong way, but at least it's ours. Anything but God, right?

And now I have to think -- hmm, that must hurt Him quite a bit. And out of His great love for us, He lets us make that choice. He didn't have to make things like this; He could have made us love Him. But He loves us enough to allow us to choose to love Him back or not. Wow.

I know if I had the power to make this pain stop, I would do it. But I don't. So, while the pain doesn't stop, I at least know that I can turn to a God, my Father, who has an intimate understanding of what I'm going through. And I pray and I pray and I pray.

Blessings

I've been so blessed recently and need a place to write it down so I can come back and remember it at those moments I'm feeling sorry for myself. So I'm writing it here.

• I found a job that I love! God directed me (though slowly) to a place where I really feel that I fit. Great people of integrity; fun atmosphere; comfortable environment. And I truly feel needed and appreciated.
• Mom and Dad came to town for a wedding and stayed overnight with us one weekend. How cool is it to be close to family?!
• I got to spend a few days with my nephew while my brother was on a business trip. It really is a joy to be around him after spending the last 14 years in another state. You should all see his artwork. He's quite talented!
• I was provided an opportunity to go back to Reno for Grace Church's Women's Retreat. It was too short! But the trip was wonderful. I felt so loved on by my sisters. And Jill shared some great stuff to help draw us all closer to God. Thank you Hillary!
• Mike has been asked to present Simon Peter to a church in Kansas City over the Thanksgiving weekend. This will also allow us to visit Mike's mom for the holiday! Pray for our travel to and from, and for God to use Mike to really touch people's lives.

God is good. Though I often wish for an easier life, I know that He knows what He's doing.

Discrimination

I know it's not right, but I'm used to being dismissed because I'm a "girl". Most guys will deny it, but they still do it. And having lived with this, like most women, for my entire life, I accept it. I know who I am and of what I am capable, and I can dismiss the dismissals in my life. It's never slowed me down or held me back.

But last week I was discriminated against because I am a Christian. This was new for me. I've been teased for being a Christian, even laughed at, but never flat out denied something because of my beliefs. It's weird. I'm almost proud of having this happen. Jesus must shine brightly through me!

I keep thinking that this is where the world is going, though. More and more, Christians will find themselves being discriminated against and blatantly denied benefits, jobs, and basic rights. We can give in and deny Christ (which the Bible says many people will do) or we can cling to Him and let His light shine, simultaneously embracing discomfort, uncertainty and second class citizenship. Just remember to read the Book to the end! (God wins!)

Waiting Gives You Time to Count Your Blessings

Now that we've officially been here a couple of months, I must admit that the shine is starting to wear thin. The heat and humidity is no longer "a nice change"; the long drive to everything is no longer "an adventure"; and the time spent with my brother and his kids is not so "precious" anymore. I have not landed that perfect job and we're starting to get a little nervous about our finances. God has us in a holding pattern, and nobody likes to sit still for this long.

And yet, while we're cooling our heels, we've had some time to remember all that He has done and how He's working through this and blessing us immensely.
1. We've joined a fantastic church - http://www.fotw.org
2. Our apartment has a great layout to accomodate Mike's ministry - http://www.actofgraceradio.net
3. Whataburger
4. Every other restaurant is a Mexican place!
5. We've already had opportunity to hear in-person some great Christian speakers - Nick Vujicic, Dr. Charles Lowery, Anne Graham-Lotz, Beth Moore (I'm actually attending her Bible study led by her - unbelievable!), and in a couple of weeks - Lee Strobel! (These have all been free events to boot!)
6. Getting to participate in my brother's 40th birthday party (and taking him to lunch on the big day).

Actually, the list is much longer, but it just starts to sound like bragging, so I'll cut it off here. And although we cannot deny our anxiety, we do know without a doubt that God's got some cool stuff ahead for us. Please pray for our sanity, as always.

God is Good

Having landed in the Houston area with not a lot of a plan, we have progressed in the past month somewhat. We are still vagabonds living off the kindness of strangers (well, they're family, but they are strange). I have a contract position at a big company on the northwest side of town. Mike is going great guns with his new computer. We've been given a car (well, we're kind of just borrowing it for now, but a plan is beginning to form for something more permanent). God is good!

Penelope has shed more hair than I ever thought possible without becoming totally bald. The sky keeps dumping stuff on us that they call "rain" - it's actually pretty neat, but they also talk about rivers flooding and that sounds bad. Now that we have transportation, we are starting our church shopping. We've decided to find a church first, then a place to live that's close to our church. So that kind of motivates us to find a church quickly before we wear out our welcome in Sugar Land.

Other than that, we're just doing that one-day-at-a-time thing. Every time we try to hurry something along, it turns out to be wasted energy, as God fulfills His plan in His timing. So we wait upon the Lord to see what He has for us. God is good!

Yee Haw!

Well, I have exciting news. At least, I'm excited about it (and Mom, of course). We're moving to Texas! We should land in Houston around June 28. In fact, I really don't have time to sit here and blog, so that's why I'm doing it. (My other more responsible choices are boring!)

Surfing around today, I read a blog from Tony Morgan from a week or so ago that addresses his impressions of the Gospel of John. Two of the things he listed jumped right out at me - 1) That God's plans for me are better than I could ever dream; and 2) "A prophet is not respected in the place where he grew up." Sometimes ministry requires a move.

Number 1 addresses my feeling about the move. Number 2 reflects a little closer to my husband's thoughts. He's trying to really stretch his ministry (see http://www.actofgraceradio.net/) but feels very limited by our ties here in Reno. He's got some big plans, and as Number 1 points out, the results could be even better than he thinks.

So, that's the news. Obviously, my posts will continue to be as sporadic as ever (especially since I have the moving excuse). Happy summer!