Christmas Music

I turned on Christmas music this evening.

I was feeling somewhat discouraged/sad after reading a few things.  Christmas music seemed like just what I needed.  Partly it was because I love Christmas music and it can be sentimental.  More importantly, I needed to remember the truth and the hope of Christmas.  No matter what is going on in the world, my hope is secure in Jesus, the Savior who came at Christmas over 2000 years ago.  This is something worth celebrating any day! - even if it isn't 'Christmas season'.

A Good Run

I went running today.

The weather was cool, I was home earlier than all of last week, and I needed a shower anyway.

I smelled woodsmoke from someone's fire and apples as I ran past someone's apple tree.

Running here makes me feel like a wuss because there are hills - whereas in Texas and Louisiana where I used to run it was flat.  It doesn't help that I live at the top of a hill, so no matter which way I go, I have to finish by going up hill.

The part that really made my run good was that I saw 5 or more deer.  I slowed down - even though I was going downhill - to let them cross the road in front of me.  When I came back down the road later I saw one again.  I'm not sure if it was another one or the same one.  I am not sure when, if ever, I have been that close to deer.  It reminds me of having a bear cross the road in front of dad and I while we were biking one summer.  Even stranger was the day I had an alligator cross the road in front of me while I was driving.

I am thankful for a healthy body, a beautiful area in which to live, and the variety of God's creation.

It's Official - I live in Washington

As of this weekend, my Washington residence is official.

• I received my WA driver's license in the mail.
• A neighbor helped me put my WA license plates on the car (which included drilling a couple of holes in my front bumper - being from a one plate state it didn't even have an indent for a license plate).
• I received my voter registration in the mail as well.

One thing that might still be lacking is that I haven't been paid in this state yet so I haven't paid my state income tax - oh well, that will come soon enough.

Back in the Northwest

It has been below 70 in my house for a couple of days now (without air conditioning) - I even closed the windows!  I have voluntarily worn socks part of the day two days in a row - they are fun socks.  I even wore a sweatshirt when I went to school this morning.  The weather in the Northwest is definitely different than living in the south.  Although it takes some adjusting, I like it. :)

Another perk of being in this area is the fresh fruit.  Each meeting I have had at school so far has included home grown plums, compliments of our principal.  I have blackberries growing in my backyard, and some in my freezer (thanks dad).  This evening I made an apple crisp with local apples brought to me by one of my student's mom.  YUMMY!

Struggles

Why is it that my current struggle always seems like the hardest one?  Maybe it is because I tend to focus on the struggle and lose perspective.  Maybe because it is hard to compare different kinds of struggles and challenges.

Last night it was good for me to take a step back in perspective and look at try to view my situation from an eternal perspective.  In light of spending eternity before the throne of God, my struggles became much smaller.

I was reminded again to see my situation in light of who God is, rather than seeing God in light of my situation.

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." ~ Luke 18:27

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.