Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Vacation pt 3
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Vacation pt. 2 - the smell of lilacs
This morning I got my moped out and took a spin around town to look at what all has changed. Then I went for a walk in a favorite park of mine on my college campus. I went to visit a few of the places I spent hours in prayer and scripture. It was even more beautiful than I remember.
One of my favorite spots, a place I rode bike and hiked was now guarded by barbed wire fence. Maybe due to the old railroad bridge that was falling apart for the last several years.
And maybe one of the things that I have been looking forward to the most is the smell of the lilacs blooming in the spring.
Monday, May 19, 2008
vacation pt. 1
For a little update...
I've been away from Lakeshore now for a week and having a great time at my friends Jer & Katie's house in Chippewa Falls, WI. I'd forgotten how beautiful this state is...when I was flying in over Minneapolis then driving into Wisconsin just the beauty of the landscape the trees, the grass, the rocks, and the hills it's awesome.
I've also been able to reconnect with people I've met in here in the past or that have been to Lakeshore to volunteer. It's been a great, yet challenging week. I can't think of any time in the last several years that I've been away from the Internet for more than a couple days. While it has been hard for me to think of all the emails that are piling up and the things that I could be looking forward to on the calendar and all the interesting things happening on facebook :) – it's been great to be away from it with my mind not totally focused on those things.
It has also been challenging spiritually, yet renewing. I've learned a great deal about myself and what I need to improve on as I grow in my relationship with the Lord. I have had a lot of time to read as well, but sadly I haven't done much...almost every time I've sat down to read the eye lids close and I fall asleep. Maybe I've been a little sleep deprive, who would have thought? But I have begun working on what I would like to go through this fall with the ladies Bible study. If not for the ladies study, it's a great personal study of the attributes of God.
I am now looking forward to the next leg of my trip...a visit to see my sister and a surprise visit to my hometown for just a few days before heading off to Louisville, KY. Now I am just hoping no one will check the blog from Platteville in the next few hours before my arrival...
Friday, May 09, 2008
I wonder what the worship song would sound like...
My list in no particular order:
1. Death (deserved or self-inflicted)
2. Self-injury
3. Immorality
4. Over Analyzing
5. A Psychology major
6. Self-Centeredness (woe-is-me attitude)
7. Fearing what people are thinking
8. Addictions
9. Uncontrolled Anger
10. The need to please, fear of failure
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Through the Lord alone
- I returned from Atlanta last month from my interviews with NAMB. Lord willing I will be finding out officially in the next couple weeks if I will be an approved missionary.
- March and April were pretty amazing, many groups and a lot being accomplished.
- Mrs. Diane's house is almost complete...just waiting on the county to install the grinder.
- We began 2 new houses. (the Boyds and Calhouns)
- My little home has been started.
- Lord willing in the next week I will get to do a little traveling between Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
- I've been enjoying experimenting and cooking...I don't cook much, but I love to learn and try things for myself.
- May is low with the number of volunteers, but we do have an Americorp group that is staying on site and helping us out for a few weeks.
- I've been enjoying time with Britt and Liz (a couple of our long term volunteers.)
- I helped Tyvek for the first time ever (I send out people to do all these things and I watch them, so every now and then I like to put myself to the test to see if I am capable of doing come of these things). I installed collar ties for the first time too - I hope they are even enough to hang sheetrock on.
- I've been reading Galatians in the mornings and trying to read a bunch of different books in the evenings.
- I enjoyed seeing and spending time with the returning group from Providence Baptist Church in Franklin MA that was here last week. I've never seen a group consume so many snickers and m&m's.
- The Lord continues to work in Lakeshore and in my life - conforming me more and more into his image. He's teaching me and reteaching me things through his Word and the counsel of other believers. I am grateful for all the Lord is doing in my life, the folks who I work with, and among the people in the community. May the Lord continue to be glorified and praised.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
The Last True Story
But I did feel for him as he was separated from his wife and as he told stories of relationships that ended in divorce while husbands were serving overseas apart from families for a year or more. He accounts life in Baghdad as we may not have heard from the nightly news: insufficient body amour, homesick soldiers, life always on guard, extreme weather, recreational use of prescription drugs and alcohol, grizzly things they are asked to do, and the people they are to protect.
But throughout the book it appears that Crawford has no agenda, but to reveal to us what he and others experienced in Iraq (of course in the most crude language possible) and to make sure we know that he wants nothing more to do with the United States Army.
Despite my feelings for this book, Crawford's story continues increase my gratitude for the men and women who serve in the armed forces and my support our troops, whether or not I agree with the tasks they've been sent to do.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Plans for New Attitude
I will also be attending the conference with Kristy Miller who served here in Lakeshore last summer and into the fall. I'm looking forward to seeing her and spending time with her at the conference.