Matt and I have been very busy getting ready to move, consequently having all of our belongings packed up, and moved to storage, and beginning our travels.
Not much else has happened. Except that we have become addicted to Downton Abbey! (Seriously, we watched Seasons 1 & 2 in a week [they are 1 hour episodes])!
Oh! Well, I would say much has happened in my own heart when it comes to the impression that our church in Alabama left on me! We went to Crossroads Community Church, a small church started by a faithful couple, in Enterprise, AL. Now, I know they didn't choose to do this for their own wealth or gain. Certainly, this kind of ministry is HARD, and can deteriorate one's soul and one's own life. I was hesitant to begin volunteering there, leading worship every so often. I had been burnt out at my last position, and didn't want to kill the work God might have done in me with a break. But after 5 months of being with this community, I have felt more compassion and love for a community, more desire to see their hearts praising God, changed by God, and more of a passion to work with church communities such as this, to ease the pressure on a pastor of a small church with little funds to simply hire people to do the hard work for them (not to mention organizing volunteers). In the past few months, I have seen faithfulness among the congregants, joy in serving, patience and care when dealing with people who come in drunk to see what all the noise was about, an amazing pool of musical and preaching talent, and a heart for a community like so many other communities in America... that get left out. They do what they can for others around the world, but see that their world is also in so much need. I'm so thankful for this church. So thankful.
Since August 13th, we have traveled through Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Colorado. We have seen our new home in the process of being built, and have spent a little more time in the place we will call home for the next few years. We have been blessed in our travels!
Now we are in Colorado, experiencing the wonderful scenery, walking in mild temperatures, and hiking to the top of mountains higher than I have ever been on my own two feet! We have looked for new couches, new cars, tables, and there are no words to describe the way we feel about being able to do all of this. It is not necessarily a good feeling, but one of extremely gratefulness... like, on your knees praising God and still asking for more ways to use it all for God's glory.
For a brief change of pace, I can't help but mention the Republican National Convention that has been on going this week. I think they have completely succeeded in this major pep-rally! I do very much love feeling inspired, and as cynical as I can be, I have actually felt that way this week. I know that, and feel very sure that we can never just "go back to the way it used to be", because our country is ever changing- war changes things, leaders change things, time changes things. However, I do believe that we can progress (without being a progressive or tea party enthusiast!) and make our country better. Now, that's enough.
P.S. and more than a P.S.:
I have been reading the Bible via YouVersion.com. It is the ESV Study Bible. There aren't really elements of study involved with this plan, but it takes you to daily readings- starting with Psalms and goes through Genesis, Chronicles, and Luke. I am almost done with each of those books, so I'll have to update you on the new places it takes me. God really does speak through his word, even through daily readings that seem simple and mundane. I have read and have put the words of Jesus in my heart, and I have noticed how I have changed and how I react to things in life differently.
Thank you God for how you have blessed me. I pray for this possessions and ask that you use them for your Namesake.
No comments:
Post a Comment