Faith Promise Weekend

Last night was the "International Dinner" pitch in. My favorite international cuisine had to be the white castle hamburgers! A missionary family that ministers in Muslim areas were the guest speakers. Dan and his wife had a wonderful story to tell. Areas that have traditionally been closed to the gospel are seeing a large movement to Jesus! In one community the mosques were closed and converted to churches. It's so exciting that Lori and I will somehow be a part of spreading the gospel in another country. On the other hand I've been feeling that it's been a year since we were called and we haven't gotten any closer to being sent. I realize that it's Satan trying to discourage me. God really has done a lot in a year. I take comfort that somewhere God is preparing a place where we will serve. He's also been preparing us even in the mundane day to day. It's amazing thinking of all that He orchestrates behind the scenes.

Memory Verse

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Philippians 4:8 I'm trying to memorize this verse along with my 5th graders. I bet they are doing better than I am. I get the whatevers mixed up. Whether or not I get it right, the verse is really speaking to me this week. I've been praying that the Holy Spirit take captive my thoughts. What you let sit in the mind too long can make it's way to your heart. I've been really challenged to "think about such things" this week.

Dirt and Rocks

Hello again and welcome back to my ramblings. Not much to report today. My son and I had one of those fun playing in the dirt guy times after work. We have what I guess can be explained as a large ditch about a football field's length from our house. It's got rocks and dirt and bugs and fun things like that. Collin and I found 2 golf balls and some pretty cool rocks. I don't think my wife was impressed with the treasures we brought back. It was fun bonding time all the same. Collin's 6th birthday is tomorrow. I can't believe he's made it this far! ;-) Collin is going to do awesome things for the Lord. He has such sweet spirit and a heart for God in a six year old sort of way. He can infuriate me at times but it is nothing compared to the joy he brings. Well it's off to bed. Plus I have to check in on Dancing with the Stars!

Sunny Days

It was one of those Sesame Street looking days today. Not too hot and not too cold with a few white fluffy clouds in the sky. The grass is green and the trees are getting their leaves. I took a walk down to a retention pond on my lunch break and just watched the fish swimming by in the calm water(Wish I had a fishing pole!). God's creation is truly awesome. I've really been learning that God is also in the gray rainy days as well. God has been the potter shaping and molding me through the trials I've experienced. I was quickly brought down off of the high about our mission trip to Guatemala last night. I got the message that oh by the way we need a hefty down payment like last week since you joined a little late. That panic and worry set in but God is in control and he'll take care of this "small" detail as well.

1st Blog!

Well this is my first blog posting. I hope to keep everyone updated on our progress to the mission field and everything in between. A little background info. Lori and I were called to serve as missionaries about 1 year ago on our churches (AndersonNazarene.com) faith promise Sunday. It's a Sunday where we make monetary pledges to support missions for the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Chuck Gailey was the speaker and I'll forever be grateful that God used him to speak to me. The call was as clear as me and you talking to each other. Dr Gailey was explaining what it meant to be a missionary and God said "I want you to do that". Well here we are a year later and Lori and I have been to Cross Cultural Orientation training and are planning to go on a Work and Witness trip to Guatemala in October. We will have to leave our 2 kids (Collin and Maiya) with family during that 9 day trip which has been difficult to accept.

As far as today goes, church was good as usual. The atmosphere was a little somber for some reason in the service today (might have been my mood). The 5th graders in Sunday school had the giggles as 5th graders sometimes do. Collin was crashing from his big 6th birthday party yesterday so was pretty grumpy at church. Everyone is taking their Nazarene nap as I'm typing this. I need to mow the lawn for the 1st time this season or I'm going to have a hard time getting the mower through it next week.