I'M IN! I'M IN! I'M IN!

I'd like to interrupt the time I could be spending on other things to drop by and announce that Western Seminary let me IN! YAY! YAY! YAY! Grad school is going to be a reality for me. I should go spend some time communing with God, seeing as He's the entire reason for the choice in the first place. But I felt it necessary to write this out while it's on my mind.

The first thing that came to mind when I read that email was: "GREAT! But now I have to figure out this entire work/school schedule thing. Darn it!" But right after that worry came the truth I know deep inside myself: The God who planted the seed, who watered it through wise counsel, gifts He'd given me since birth, a natural desire within me for this and through the confirmation that came through prayer, was always going to be with me!

It's time to put the pedal to the metal and trust God through my actions, not just my words. If you are reading this, I ask one thing, that you please remember me in your prayers. Pray that I would fully trust in the God who gave Isaac to Abraham and Sarah, who parted the Red Sea using Moses' cane and who promises that He will be with His people to the very end of the age. Yahweh. He is able to do abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20)

So, here I go....

Deck the Halls!

As part of our mission to be outwardly focused Christians, the members of my House Church decided to go caroling in the Kisley neighborhood today. The group has grown, changed, shrunk, and recongealed over the course of its existence. The group that meets consistently twice a month is a wonderful one. I am blessed to know remarkable, fun, honest and incredibly intelligent brothers and sisters. Truly, I count them as one of my richest treasures in life.

So with gloves, hats, big wool coats, cookies and lyrics in hand, we went caroling around the neighborhood. We were met by surprised-but-happy children, excited adults and a general sense of enthusiasm. It's a pity that good will amongst neighbors seems to take so many of us by surprise. Where I grew up, your neighbors were your second family. They disciplined your children in your absence, watched over your house when you were gone...you know, family!
Nonetheless, it felt good to walk around-numb fingers and toes notwithstanding, with my family, and carol on a cold, dreary day in Lake Oswego.

God is good, and He continually proves it through the people He surrounds me with. This life, this breath, these people, my community....for all of this and more, I give thanks!