Hope of Easter

It is through entering in to the pain of Good Friday that I am able to experience the joy of Easter.

In looking into the hopelessness of Jesus' followers on Friday night and Saturday, I recognize how the hope of Easter transforms all of life.

In stopping to really think about Jesus' sacrifice, I am amazed and overwhelmed by His grace.

I am so grateful for the special time set aside to remember Jesus' death and resurrection.  I am thankful that through the pain and the struggles we know the end of the story and the hope and joy of Easter.

South Asia

I leave in a couple of hours.  It doesn't even seem real yet.  I am excited, but don't know what to expect.  I know that God has a plan and purpose in this trip.  I look forward to seeing what God has for our team and for the mission field as a result of our trip.

Time and again I have been reminded that this is a spiritual battle.  We have seen it in many ways before we even left, and we will continue to see it going forward.  I continually go back to the Armor of God in Ephesians 6.

I appreciate all your prayers and look forward to sharing with you upon my return.

Praise the Lord!

My health insurance came through.  I was told that they would contact me before the end of the year, which never happened.  I applied to get it before the end of the year because then it is about $100 a month cheaper.  My previous insurance expired on the 4th.  Today I got an email, my application went through and was effective December 28th.  That means that I was able to get it on last years prices, and I didn't actually have any time during which I was not insured.

God is good!

Snow Day - Texas Style

Yesterday afternoon we started getting freezing rain, so we closed the office early.  The policy for bad weather is to follow the local school district, if they cancel school than the office is officially closed.  Some people still go in if they are able, but the office is still closed.  So, even though I am not teaching this year, I was still waiting on a school closure in order to have a snow day.

Last night before bed we did figure out that the schools were closed and we would not be going in to work.  So, as part of my relaxing morning I went outside to take pictures.  Cassandra and I walked around the apartment complex and admired the beauty of the ice on different things, and also the danger of it through collapsed carports.  I felt sorry for the kids who were trying to make snowmen to enjoy their snow day, but were unable to do so because it was more ice than snow.

I am thankful that I do not have to drive anywhere right now.  Although I did remember to take my recently purchased scraper out of my car last night, I would rather not chip away at the ice if I don't have to.

Susy commented yesterday about the 'snow,' comparing to the snow she saw during Thanksgiving.  My comment was that it was more of a mess than actual snow.  It started as freezing rain yesterday and then turned into sleet later on.  We even had short periods of hail.  Although it is not good snow, I did take time to go outside and enjoy it because it may be the only 'snow' I see this winter other than the remnants of the small skiff of snow I saw while in Iowa.

Time Confusion

My body does not know what time it is right now.  I do not even have the excuse of changing time zones during my travels.

Saturday night I went to be at 8:30pm.
Sunday morning I got up at 3:30am (I am not crazy, but I had an early flight to catch).
Sunday morning I napped on my flight.
Sunday afternoon I napped again.
Sunday night I went to bed by 10pm.
Monday morning I got up at 5:45am.
Monday afternoon I napped for 2 hours (After being sent home from work because I have a cold).
Monday evening I went back to work at 5:30 for dinner and my evening class.

Now my body is tired and I know it is evening, but my internal clock is definitely confused.  Hopefully with a good night's sleep it will be a little better adjusted tomorrow. :)

Quotable Moment

Sometimes when one is really tired, one makes really stupid comments that end up being extremely funny.

For example, a comment on the benefit of being a plumber after discussing a broken garbage disposal and then a previous instance of where the gray water backing up into the kitchen sink and dishwasher may come from.  After said discussion Judy commented, "I would never want to be a plumber!"  To which I responded, "Why not, then you could ..."

The discussion was ended by lots of laughter, even to the point of tears in our eyes.  I then stated that my comment was evidence that I really needed to go to bed.

Good Night!

Conference Weekend

This past weekend, Gospel for Asia hosted a conference entitled Renewing Your Passion.  It was a wonderful and busy weekend.  Through times of worship, teaching, fellowship, learning, and prayer attendees were able to catch a glimpse of what God is doing throughout South Asia and to give Him glory.

Although I wish I could share with you in greater detail, it would take more time than I have right now. Instead I will let this link provide the insight far better than I could:
www.gfa.org/place

During the weekend I was also able to spend some time with my good friends, Susan and Abby, who attended the conference.  It was a blessing to see them and to have them gain a greater understanding of what I am a part of here at Gospel for Asia.