Yesterday morning at church made me think about a lot of things. I guess it started in Bible class when the teacher asked us a seemingly simple question: "What is the Bible?"
The first person to contribute to the answer said that it's a history book. I added that while the Bible is a history book in some ways, it only records certain parts of history about certain people, and since the biblical writers were inspired by God, we only have the parts of the story that God wants us to know. And that sparked an entirely different conversation about what I meant by "inspired," and why would God not want us to have the whole story?
When he first asked us to describe the Bible, part of me questioned where he was going with the whole discussion. Everyone in the class had been attending church for years, and most of us have a fairly good knowledge of Scripture. Why would he want to define "the Bible?"
The answer to that question became clear when he asked someone to read I Peter 3:15. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect....How can we tell others about the hope that we have when we don't even know why we have that hope? Sometimes I wonder if we even know WHAT that hope is, let alone where it comes from. A lawyer can't tell someone what it's like to be a doctor because the lawyer doesn't know the intricacies of practicing medicine. By the same token, we can't tell someone what it means to be a follower of Christ if we don't know the tenets of our faith. Just as important as knowing WHAT our faith is is knowing WHY we have that faith. I noticed that the admissions officers at Harding would often connect prospective students with current students, whether through guided tours of campus or a room in the dorm for a night. Those current students made the choice to attend Harding, and they will know WHY they chose it over others. What better way to attract new students than through the testimonies of people who have been in their shoes? What better way to attract people to Christ than through the personal testimonies of Christians? This is where "always be prepared to give an answer" comes into play.
As I digested the class discussion yesterday, I realized that working in Bremen for these next couple of years will really test whether or not I have an answer to give and whether or not I am prepared to explain that answer to someone else. The fact that we started with something as basic as "What is the Bible?" was also good because some people need to start from there because that's where they're at. Who knows, someone else might be at the point of discussing what the Hebrews writer meant when he called Jesus "high priest in the order of Melchizedek." Whatever the question, I need to be prepared to answer it, whether I know the answer myself or I do some research with the person to find an answer.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
A new addition
Well, as of last night my sister and Matt are officially engaged. I have to say I'm happy for them. They're good for each other.
It is weird, though, to think about my "baby" sister getting married. Somehow in my mind she should still be 14, and my maternal grandmother is the only person I've ever known who got married at age 14.
Even though Amanda and Jacob are both adults, and I'm only 2 and 3 years older than they are, respectively, I guess a part of me will always be that protective older sister who doesn't like to think of her younger siblings growing up and moving on out into the world. I wonder what I'll be like if I ever have kids of my own....
So, anyway, congrats, and welcome to the family, Matt. :-)
It is weird, though, to think about my "baby" sister getting married. Somehow in my mind she should still be 14, and my maternal grandmother is the only person I've ever known who got married at age 14.
Even though Amanda and Jacob are both adults, and I'm only 2 and 3 years older than they are, respectively, I guess a part of me will always be that protective older sister who doesn't like to think of her younger siblings growing up and moving on out into the world. I wonder what I'll be like if I ever have kids of my own....
So, anyway, congrats, and welcome to the family, Matt. :-)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Remember in prayer
About a week or so ago, I stumbled upon a blog by a U.S. naval officer named Daniel. He is struggling to maintain his faith while aboard a warship. Since I know several people who have been overseas for military service or who are related to those who have, and since I know what it's like to prepare to leave your family and friends, I posted a comment on his blog. He then linked to my blog, so I felt it was appropriate for me to return the favor. Please remember Daniel and all of our servicemen and women in your prayers. You can find Daniel's blog here.
Never a dull moment
The past week has been very full. Saturday morning I went with my mom to a friend's house and saw a young woman I went to high school with. I haven't seen her since we graduated over 6 years ago, and apparently she never really knew I was even in her class. I, however, recognized her as soon as she walked in, though it took me a minute to place her. (Yes, I'm a bit weird in that and many other respects.) It was definitely a trip down memory lane.
Saturday afternoon I went to a baby shower for my friend Rhonda's sister. I last saw Rachelle, the one having the baby, last October. Since then she got engaged and married and is now expecting a baby. It's amazing how quickly life changes. It's probably been a couple years since I last saw Rhonda, but she's one of those friends who I can go a year without talking to and then run into and it's like no time has passed. We don't intentionally do that, but I guess life just...happens and the next thing we know it's been 2 years since we last spoke.
I spent Monday morning volunteering at the public library where my mom works. If there is such a thing as destiny, mine apparently is working in libraries. My mom needs some extra help getting caught up on several projects, and she decided I would be the perfect one for the job. So, I told her I'd volunteer Monday and Thursday mornings. I worked there during summer and Christmas vacations several years ago, so I already know most of the people, and the work is more-time consuming and tedious than difficult. All-in-all it should work out pretty well.
Monday night my family had a big scare. We got a phone call a little after 10 PM from my brother Jacob saying that he had slid off the road while driving home. What we found out as the story unfolded was that Jacob had lost control of his pickup, spun around 3 times on the interstate, and then slid sideways about 100 feet down an embankment. He finally came to rest in a drainage ditch. I know the Lord was with him because he didn't hit another car while spinning, and the tow truck driver who pulled the pickup back onto the road told him it was a miracle his truck didn't roll down the hill. The cop who stopped to help walked with Jacob down the road, and they found a low place that was filled with water, so they figure Jacob hit that spot just right and hydroplaned. Jacob made it through the whole ordeal with only a bump on his head and shoulder when they hit the driver's side window. And, his truck seems to be fine as well. We are very thankful things weren't as bad as they could have been.
Yesterday we got a phone call saying that Iva, a young woman from church, was in premature labor. Her baby was not due for another 2 months, and the doctors said that they didn't think the baby's lungs were developed enough for him to be born. After a long struggle yesterday, I heard this morning that they finally delivered the baby by C-section, and so far he looks okay. Please pray for baby Daniel and for Iva and her husband as they recover and struggle through this.
In between everything else, I've been working on getting some more things organized for leaving. There always seems to be some other detail I've overlooked. I guess life's never dull, is it? I don't think I'd prefer a boring life, though. With a full life there are that many more chances to see God working on a daily basis. And who would want to miss that?
Saturday afternoon I went to a baby shower for my friend Rhonda's sister. I last saw Rachelle, the one having the baby, last October. Since then she got engaged and married and is now expecting a baby. It's amazing how quickly life changes. It's probably been a couple years since I last saw Rhonda, but she's one of those friends who I can go a year without talking to and then run into and it's like no time has passed. We don't intentionally do that, but I guess life just...happens and the next thing we know it's been 2 years since we last spoke.
I spent Monday morning volunteering at the public library where my mom works. If there is such a thing as destiny, mine apparently is working in libraries. My mom needs some extra help getting caught up on several projects, and she decided I would be the perfect one for the job. So, I told her I'd volunteer Monday and Thursday mornings. I worked there during summer and Christmas vacations several years ago, so I already know most of the people, and the work is more-time consuming and tedious than difficult. All-in-all it should work out pretty well.
Monday night my family had a big scare. We got a phone call a little after 10 PM from my brother Jacob saying that he had slid off the road while driving home. What we found out as the story unfolded was that Jacob had lost control of his pickup, spun around 3 times on the interstate, and then slid sideways about 100 feet down an embankment. He finally came to rest in a drainage ditch. I know the Lord was with him because he didn't hit another car while spinning, and the tow truck driver who pulled the pickup back onto the road told him it was a miracle his truck didn't roll down the hill. The cop who stopped to help walked with Jacob down the road, and they found a low place that was filled with water, so they figure Jacob hit that spot just right and hydroplaned. Jacob made it through the whole ordeal with only a bump on his head and shoulder when they hit the driver's side window. And, his truck seems to be fine as well. We are very thankful things weren't as bad as they could have been.
Yesterday we got a phone call saying that Iva, a young woman from church, was in premature labor. Her baby was not due for another 2 months, and the doctors said that they didn't think the baby's lungs were developed enough for him to be born. After a long struggle yesterday, I heard this morning that they finally delivered the baby by C-section, and so far he looks okay. Please pray for baby Daniel and for Iva and her husband as they recover and struggle through this.
In between everything else, I've been working on getting some more things organized for leaving. There always seems to be some other detail I've overlooked. I guess life's never dull, is it? I don't think I'd prefer a boring life, though. With a full life there are that many more chances to see God working on a daily basis. And who would want to miss that?
Thursday, September 14, 2006
T minus 5 weeks....
Well, I leave for Germany 5 weeks from today. That's very strange to me. After deciding more than a year and a half ago to go to Germany this fall, I still feel like I have several months to get ready. Somehow it should still be April, not mid-September.
Last weekend was a good weekend. I had the chance to attend the ladies' retreat at College church on Saturday, which I thought was quite appropriate considering it was the retreat 2 years ago that first got me seriously thinking and praying about going to Germany. Saturday's retreat served as the second bookend for my preparations.
Saturday evening I cleaned out my office at the library and visited with a few friends in town. I even had the chance to catch most of the Ohio State vs. Texas game (Go Bucks!). Too bad it wasn't the Michigan game, but it was lots of fun anyway, Chris and Kathy.
At church Sunday morning, there was a send-off prayer for me (thanks so much, Chris!) followed by the singing of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." It was a wonderful way to end my time in Searcy, as well as a chance to say goodbye to a lot of people who have meant a great deal to me over the past few years. I even received hugs from several people I had never met. It's good to know that fellow Christians, even if they don't know me, are concerned for me and for the Lord's work overseas.
After all of the goodbyes I said and the packing I did (not to mention the limited amount of sleep I'd had for several days), there was no way I could drive the entire 10 hours to my parents' house that day, so I stopped in Nashville to spend the night with my friend, Claire. By the time I arrived I was a bit slap-happy and not exactly thinking straight. It was by the grace of God that I made it there without causing an accident or getting pulled over. After a good night's rest, I then drove the rest of the way to my parents' house on Monday.
Please continue to pray for me over the next few weeks as I finish getting ready to leave. There are still a lot of little details I need to work out, not to mention the actual packing! Please also pray for Mark and Karen Abercrombie, who have been in Bremen for 3 weeks now. They have now found an apartment, but Mark is still in language school and I know they are still adjusting to life there.
On a side note, please pray that my sister, Amanda, finds a job soon. She's been through several interviews for one job, but she hasn't yet received a response from them. She needs to find something soon, for her sake as well as ours! :-)
PS ~ Happy birthday to a certain someone who I have a feeling would rather not be mentioned here. :-)
Last weekend was a good weekend. I had the chance to attend the ladies' retreat at College church on Saturday, which I thought was quite appropriate considering it was the retreat 2 years ago that first got me seriously thinking and praying about going to Germany. Saturday's retreat served as the second bookend for my preparations.
Saturday evening I cleaned out my office at the library and visited with a few friends in town. I even had the chance to catch most of the Ohio State vs. Texas game (Go Bucks!). Too bad it wasn't the Michigan game, but it was lots of fun anyway, Chris and Kathy.
At church Sunday morning, there was a send-off prayer for me (thanks so much, Chris!) followed by the singing of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." It was a wonderful way to end my time in Searcy, as well as a chance to say goodbye to a lot of people who have meant a great deal to me over the past few years. I even received hugs from several people I had never met. It's good to know that fellow Christians, even if they don't know me, are concerned for me and for the Lord's work overseas.
After all of the goodbyes I said and the packing I did (not to mention the limited amount of sleep I'd had for several days), there was no way I could drive the entire 10 hours to my parents' house that day, so I stopped in Nashville to spend the night with my friend, Claire. By the time I arrived I was a bit slap-happy and not exactly thinking straight. It was by the grace of God that I made it there without causing an accident or getting pulled over. After a good night's rest, I then drove the rest of the way to my parents' house on Monday.
Please continue to pray for me over the next few weeks as I finish getting ready to leave. There are still a lot of little details I need to work out, not to mention the actual packing! Please also pray for Mark and Karen Abercrombie, who have been in Bremen for 3 weeks now. They have now found an apartment, but Mark is still in language school and I know they are still adjusting to life there.
On a side note, please pray that my sister, Amanda, finds a job soon. She's been through several interviews for one job, but she hasn't yet received a response from them. She needs to find something soon, for her sake as well as ours! :-)
PS ~ Happy birthday to a certain someone who I have a feeling would rather not be mentioned here. :-)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Thank you....
On Wednesday this week, my student workers hosted a going-away party in my honor. I was quite surprised at the amount of planning they put into the event. They brought food, decorated the library's breakroom, and went to great lengths to keep the details hidden from me. They even coronated me with a purple and pink Barbie tiara that twinkles at the push of a button and handed me a silver plastic scepter topped with a butterfly that also lights up. With the reading of a "royal decree," they deemed me Queen for the Day and forbade me from doing any work besides mingling with my "subjects" who came in throughout the afternoon to visit me. We had an all around silly afternoon. It was great.
Yesterday my cup ranneth over again. And so did my eyes...for most of the afternoon.
I have been blessed beyond what words can describe to have worked with the people at the library. Both the full-time staff and student workers have shown me great kindness and support throughout the time I've been planning for going to Germany. They have been true examples of Christian love. And yesterday, as I worked my last day at Harding, I saw the love of God in them again. From the student workers who literally lined up in my office to hug me goodbye to the staff and librarians who shed tears as they wished me well, each of them marked my life forever. I'll miss each of them, unique quirks and all.
So, to my fellow library employees I say "thank you." Thanks for blessing my life. Thanks for being patient with me. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for being you.
Yesterday my cup ranneth over again. And so did my eyes...for most of the afternoon.
I have been blessed beyond what words can describe to have worked with the people at the library. Both the full-time staff and student workers have shown me great kindness and support throughout the time I've been planning for going to Germany. They have been true examples of Christian love. And yesterday, as I worked my last day at Harding, I saw the love of God in them again. From the student workers who literally lined up in my office to hug me goodbye to the staff and librarians who shed tears as they wished me well, each of them marked my life forever. I'll miss each of them, unique quirks and all.
So, to my fellow library employees I say "thank you." Thanks for blessing my life. Thanks for being patient with me. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for being you.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The first of the lasts
Today began the inevitable parade of "lasts" of my time here in Searcy.
At work this morning I greeted my student worker and asked her how her weekend had gone. I suddenly realized that I wouldn't be able to do that again. This was my last Monday, so there won't be more sleepy, early mornings to discuss the goings-on of the weekend.
Sometime later in the day, after whimpering to several other people about how my time here is flying by, I realized I was getting a bit too sappy. I guess I've always been a sentimental person (evinced in my seemingly endless "collections" of mementos and other things I "just can't live without" for risk of forgetting my past), but I want to enjoy my time left here, and over-sentimentalizing is not the way to do it. I want to savor being with these people I've grown to love and consider family. I don't want to spend my time lamenting what I'm losing when I've actually gained so much. The relationships I have with my co-workers, student workers, friends, and other people I've come to know and love will impact me for a lifetime. And I can't even begin to describe all the life-lessons God has taught me through them. You know, I probably shouldn't even say that "I'm losing" anything. When you stop seeing people everyday, you don't stop knowing them or being influenced by them.
So, I've decided that my time left here in Searcy is not about the "lasts" but about the "one mores." I get to have one more Tuesday at work. I get to teach the cradle roll class at church one more time on Wednesday. I get to have one more Friday to help close the library and give Eric a hard time about not wanting to make the closing announcement. I get to spend one more Saturday night laughing and hanging out with friends. I get to have one more Sunday to worship with my fellow Christians here. All of these are blessings. I hope God keeps reminding me of that.
And after all, the glass is half-full, right?
At work this morning I greeted my student worker and asked her how her weekend had gone. I suddenly realized that I wouldn't be able to do that again. This was my last Monday, so there won't be more sleepy, early mornings to discuss the goings-on of the weekend.
Sometime later in the day, after whimpering to several other people about how my time here is flying by, I realized I was getting a bit too sappy. I guess I've always been a sentimental person (evinced in my seemingly endless "collections" of mementos and other things I "just can't live without" for risk of forgetting my past), but I want to enjoy my time left here, and over-sentimentalizing is not the way to do it. I want to savor being with these people I've grown to love and consider family. I don't want to spend my time lamenting what I'm losing when I've actually gained so much. The relationships I have with my co-workers, student workers, friends, and other people I've come to know and love will impact me for a lifetime. And I can't even begin to describe all the life-lessons God has taught me through them. You know, I probably shouldn't even say that "I'm losing" anything. When you stop seeing people everyday, you don't stop knowing them or being influenced by them.
So, I've decided that my time left here in Searcy is not about the "lasts" but about the "one mores." I get to have one more Tuesday at work. I get to teach the cradle roll class at church one more time on Wednesday. I get to have one more Friday to help close the library and give Eric a hard time about not wanting to make the closing announcement. I get to spend one more Saturday night laughing and hanging out with friends. I get to have one more Sunday to worship with my fellow Christians here. All of these are blessings. I hope God keeps reminding me of that.
And after all, the glass is half-full, right?
Saturday, September 02, 2006
An intro
Well, this is my first foray into the world of blogging. So far, so good, I guess.
As the title of the blog mentions, I am preparing to move to Bremen, Germany, for a 2-year commitment to mission work. I'll be working with Jim and Elsa Springer, who have been missionaries there for over 30 years. Also there are Mark and Karen Abercrombie, a couple I have gotten to know while at Harding University. They arrived in Bremen on August 24th and are currently hunting for an apartment and trying to get settled. Mark was supposed to start language school on Monday of this week, so I look forward to hearing from him how that's going! Mark is the only one in the group who has never studied German, so I know language school will be a new adventure for him.
My main goal is for this blog to do just what it says: serve as a chronicle of my time working and living in Bremen. I want it to be a meeting place for my family, friends, supporters, and fellow Christians where they can receive updates on my life overseas. I don't leave for Germany until October 19th, so the next month and a half or so will be my final preparation time, and I want to share that as well.
I have one more week of work in Searcy, Arkansas, and on September 10th I plan to drive to northern Kentucky to visit my family for the last few weeks before heading "across the pond." Tomorrow my parents will arive in Arkansas to help pack up the rest of my non-essential belongings as well as the things my siblings left in storage in town over the summer. Next weekend, then, I'll only have to worry about fitting my clothes from the week and a few other small things in my car when I leave town.
The arrival of my mom and dad signals another milestone in my last days in Searcy. Earlier in the summer I moved out of my apartment and began house-sitting for a couple here in town, so most of the moving is already out of the way; this will just be the final "relocation." I have to say, I'm glad I already got the "moving out" thing out of the way. I don't know how I'd be able to handle that along with everything else right here at the end.
Well, I suppose that's enough for now. Please let me know what you think about my posts and if you have any questions about my preparations or my expected work in Germany. Gott mit Euch! (God be with you!)
As the title of the blog mentions, I am preparing to move to Bremen, Germany, for a 2-year commitment to mission work. I'll be working with Jim and Elsa Springer, who have been missionaries there for over 30 years. Also there are Mark and Karen Abercrombie, a couple I have gotten to know while at Harding University. They arrived in Bremen on August 24th and are currently hunting for an apartment and trying to get settled. Mark was supposed to start language school on Monday of this week, so I look forward to hearing from him how that's going! Mark is the only one in the group who has never studied German, so I know language school will be a new adventure for him.
My main goal is for this blog to do just what it says: serve as a chronicle of my time working and living in Bremen. I want it to be a meeting place for my family, friends, supporters, and fellow Christians where they can receive updates on my life overseas. I don't leave for Germany until October 19th, so the next month and a half or so will be my final preparation time, and I want to share that as well.
I have one more week of work in Searcy, Arkansas, and on September 10th I plan to drive to northern Kentucky to visit my family for the last few weeks before heading "across the pond." Tomorrow my parents will arive in Arkansas to help pack up the rest of my non-essential belongings as well as the things my siblings left in storage in town over the summer. Next weekend, then, I'll only have to worry about fitting my clothes from the week and a few other small things in my car when I leave town.
The arrival of my mom and dad signals another milestone in my last days in Searcy. Earlier in the summer I moved out of my apartment and began house-sitting for a couple here in town, so most of the moving is already out of the way; this will just be the final "relocation." I have to say, I'm glad I already got the "moving out" thing out of the way. I don't know how I'd be able to handle that along with everything else right here at the end.
Well, I suppose that's enough for now. Please let me know what you think about my posts and if you have any questions about my preparations or my expected work in Germany. Gott mit Euch! (God be with you!)
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