Prayer!

I sometimes take for granted that all churches pray like ours does. I know that's not always the case. The power of prayer still amazes me. I'm amazed that God covets our prayers and uses them to do His will. We had a good "old fashioned" prayer meeting tonight. Lori and I sang in the choir during the first half while Collin sat out with a friend. I was proud that he was so good. It must be that superb parenting! ;-) The congregation was given some suggestions of things to pray for and asked to pray on their own or in groups as the spirit led. Lori, Collin, and I went into the back row (in case we had to make a quick getaway with a restless 6 year old) to pray. We a had a wonderful time of family prayer. Collin thanked God for his cool toys! We did leave a little early. There's only so much prayer time Collin could take. Don't worry Maiya was in the nursery having a fun time.

In my missionary walk God has been showing me to take the uncertainty in stride. I know that's even more difficult for Lori. She likes things planned out way in advance. Giving everything up to God seems to come in stages for me. Just as I think God has everything, He points out something else in my life I'm holding on to. Our financial situation from some past mistakes is precarious at best but I have such a peace about it. I do still get that panicked feeling occasionally when sending out bills but it's only temporary now. Things are slowly working themselves out. Now Lori and I are feeling that we are being led to take some additional schooling. Again finances seem pretty impossible for even one of us to go to college. Lori is 1-2 years from a teaching degree. It seems teachers are in high demand in the field. I have been struggling with how God wants to use me on the mission field since I was called. My logical self came up with getting an MBA and using my administrative talents to some extent. I've had a gentle leading that I've been trying to ignore the past month that I may be going to seminary. This terrifies me much more than going to a strange country where I don't know the language or culture. I've always felt inadequate in my knowledge of the Bible. Some of the kids at church seem to have a better understanding than I do. I'm continuing to fast and pray about this one. God always wins these one sided arguments though.

Changing Course

Sorry it's been a while for an update (if there's anyone actually reading!). God changed our course slightly today. It seemed that Satan was throwing obstacles up to Lori and I going on this mission trip to Guatemala. My cautious and ever diligent wife was feeling the timing might not be right. My idealistic self was going to beat back anything Satan threw at us to go on this trip. This past week I started to feel like maybe God was trying to tell us it wasn't the right trip. We have been praying along with some friends for some insight. I felt really impressed to pray at my late lunch this afternoon for guidance. A short time later my wife talked to the missions president for our church. Our district is going abroad for a Work and Witness trip in January. They were excited that we may be able to go with this trip instead. OK now I get it! I'm learning to listen more to my wife. The Holy Spirit often speaks to me through her. I'm not sure if I've told her that but I need to. I'm off to bed.

No Guy Time Today!

So I'm a little disappointed today. My wife and some of her lady friends went out to go shopping at a huge stretch of rummage sales today (scary I know!). Well I was going to take the kids to a friend's house to play while we did guy stuff. Mostly cooking on the grill and watching sports and maybe spitting and scratching ourselves. OK probably not the last two but you get the picture. I do get the #1 parent award today. Collin wouldn't eat breakfast saying he wasn't hungry. Being the responsible parent I made him eat some toast and apple slices with the whole "breakfast is the most important meal of the day speech". About half way through his toast, back up it came all over the kitchen floor! It took a good 15 minutes to clean him and the kitchen up while keeping my 2 year old out of the mess. Needless to say there will be no guy time! It's times like these that I remind myself what a gift from God they are. I wouldn't trade them for the world!

A closing thought. Collin just blurted out a scripture reference this morning 1 John 5:11. He didn't know what verse went along with it but just in case you're wondering "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." What a great assurance we have in Jesus but we aren't just waiting for Heaven to get here. Matthew 28:19 tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. God is teaching me to get past my intraverted nature so I can share Jesus with others.