Hey guys, just wanted to give an update. No pictures, but plenty of stuff to say.
I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. There is no other person that I can imagine sharing my life with that would even come close to what Gary means to me. It's so amazing how the Lord gives us so exactly what we need in our life partner. Gary is currently tweaking his resume to start sending out to churches around the country. I helped him write his cover letter this evening, and I thought it sounded pretty good. We'll see what churches respond to him and which ones are really missin' out... :) Just kidding. I know that God will put on the hearts of those seeking ministers exactly who should fill their spot.
I am planning on breaking the news to the students this Thursday (day after tomorrow) that I will not be coming back next year. It's extremely bittersweet, as I am so excited about what's coming up (the vast amount of opportunity waiting for us), but scared to death in the same that we will be out in the cold, come August. I know that God will provide what we need when we need it, but this territory of the unknown is always a frightening path to walk. Please keep this in your prayers, as it will be an emotional day for the students. Well, we all know what high school is like - emotions run high - and the choir kids, for some reason, have the tendency to be overly dramatic...I guess it's the artsy right-brainededness that makes them that way... But I love it. I have always been a choir nerd, and I'm proud of it, dang it. Maybe that's why I relate to the kids so well.
We've been doing the pop show auditions today, and this morning I took the opportunity to browse the annual art show that was put on by the art department at KHS. I never cease to be amazed at the overwhelming amount of talent at Klein. It's not just the fine arts, but it's also the athletics, academics, and faculty and staff that are so far above the norm. I will definitely miss the privilege of teaching among such fine teachers, but also having so much talent to work with from the students!
I have recently also had the opportunity to lead a group of girl scouts through their "Religious Award" program. We will finish this coming Sunday, and have a pizza party. The title of the program is "God and Family." The girls have learned about what it means to be a part of a family and how God desires to be a part of our lives through our family interactions. They go off of a pizza theme, and we've been building a paper pizza, as each part of the pizza (crust, sauce, toppings, cheese, etc.) resembles an aspect of family. The girls have done really well with it, and I'm anxious to chat with them to see what they've learned overall. I've never done anything like this before, and it's been a neat experience.
Gary and I recently attended the orientation for our local community outreach organization, Northwest Assistance Ministries. We have delivered Meals on Wheels once a month since last November, and have been so blessed in doing this. It is truly becoming a sacrifice, though, when we consider the rising cost of gas. Unbelievable. However, it is so small when considering the fact that the people receiving these meals have next to nothing, and can DO next to nothing, seeing as they are all "shut-ins." On Saturday morning, Gary and I had been asked to, instead of drive the meals around to the different people, come early and help pack up the individual packages. Right before we left a woman came to the door of the pantry in tears and weeping about how she was at the end of her rope and could NAM help her out in her situation. My heart was breaking, as I was trying not to eavesdrop on the conversation our supervisor was having with her. However I could only hear the despair in her voice and it made me so sad to hear her pleadings. I confess my initial reaction was to think, "Well, how could you have let yourself get to this position? There are so many ways to protect yourself and you should have been planning ahead..." but I had to stop myself from making such horrible judgments and listen to her heart.
How often do I come to the throne of God, broken and despised, yearning for a "helping hand?" How many times has God had the opportunity to say to me, "You shouldn't have done this or that. Why didn't you think of this, or why didn't you go this route like I wanted you to?" But, rather, God in all his lovingkindness opens his comforting arms and rocks us like the babes we are. He forgives us and walks with us through life.
I'm always dumbfounded by those people who possess the arrogance to think that there is no God and that we're all just out here on our own, foolishly thinking that we're it. How miserable their lives must be if they have nothing but themselves to put their hope and faith in.
I am also extremely disgruntled by the new religion being pushed by Oprah and her followers. Up until recently, I used to watch her show on average once a week, setting aside any differences of spiritual beliefs, even though I knew that she had some strange ones, but still claimed to be a "Christian." She is still claiming to be a Christian, but I now see her as a false teacher and someone to be avoided at all costs. People are being led astray and are not being prudent about what they glean from her teachings and promotions. I have since boycotted her show, and I'm very open about my disgust for her.
A book that I recently read has had my mind whirling and my thoughts completely absorbed in what's happening in the world. The book - you may have heard about it - Dead Heat is the 5th in a series of political fiction written by Christian author Joel C. Rosenberg. This novel that I devoured in all of two sittings was breathtakingly terrifying. You see, the clencher of this series and this author is that the things about which he has written have generally come true shortly after the books have been published (click here to read an article on the world events that happened - or are occurring now - according to his "fictitious" novels, 9/11 included!). Rosenberg does not claim to be a prophet or a seer, but he is so keen on the ins and outs and goings on of the world's political leaders, that he basically put together his predictions of things that could very well occur if the leaders continue to go in the direction that they are heading. I won't spoil the book for any of you, but let me just say that the story is extremely devastating, and I'm glad I have my hope in Jesus Christ. Joel C. Rosenberg's website is www.joelrosenberg.com. I highly recommend this novel. I'm anxious to get my hands on the rest of the series. This book has really put into perspective just how with the click of a button, the United States could be humbled to the point of complete annihilation, and the fact that our country has no significance in the prophecies of the end times in Scripture. You'll have to read the book to see what I'm talking about. Hate to put it like that, but I really couldn't say it nearly as eloquently or as thoroughly as was depicted in this novel.
Anyway, those are my thoughts and I'm interested in what you have to say. Please, rather than posting a comment, I'd prefer that you email me instead at my snowpuppy address, if you'd like to discuss any of these things.
I appreciate you taking the time to read through this entirely too-long posting. I'm by myself tonight, while Gary is at his Men's bible study.
Off to do laundry...
