Sweet

Yesterday at GRACE Bible Church I watched a few people, young and old, be baptized in a feeding trough. Funny as it sounds, and I'm not sure that everyone approves, but it is just a reminder to me to strip everything down to the foundation when it comes to my faith. There has been so much added to the rites, rituals, and traditions (like baptism) of Christianity that often people are so caught up with having something "done right" that they forget why it's being done at all. One woman admitted on her "God story" that was previously recorded and played on the big screen that she had been saved and lived a Christian life as a child, strayed away, and came back to CHRIST. Not to religion or a church or a feeling, but to a committed relationship to follow Jesus. And her baptism that day, in the feeding trough, was a public statement of that committment. Isn't that what it's about? Does it matter if her baptistry was lined in gold, brass, silver, find woods, or even in its own spot behind the pulpit? There was water, there was a proclamation of faith, and there was a dunking. I loved it.

I'm really starting to love La Vernia. Not that I didn't like it at first and now it's growing on me; but I thought at first, I will like this place, and now I LOVE it. Small town, amazing people in church and outside the church that we've met so far, close proximity to everything, and a group of students in whom I see so much potential. It is overwhelming and sweet and scary and time-consuming and frustrating and awesome and funny and I could go on. This is the life of ministry that I live with Aaron day in and day out and I wouldn't change it.

Also, There is a possibility for a couple of long term substitute jobs in 1st and 3rd grade in a dual-language school in San Antonio. I am excited for the experience, for the contacts, and for friends who are already looking out for me and thinking of me in so many ways! I am blessed!

And, finally, just to wrap all this randomness up, I found my camera yesterday. It had dead batteries for who knows how long, so putting fresh ones in, I was amazed at some of the last pictures I took before it died. Sounds silly and cliche, but it's kind of a reminiscing of our life before we moved, some great memories, and now I have a fresh start to see what memories we will make in our new home. CAN'T WAIT!

guilt trips

So, we have a dog, Yoda, shih-tzu, 2.5 years old. He is like a child to me, I wouldn't give him up for anything. However, sometimes he does things that are so annoying and I never would have guessed that the reason for his paper-eating, panty-snatching, and annoying barking at the most inappropriate times was a lack of exercise?! Are you kidding me!?

We spent some time with the Barnett family last night (what a cool family, btw!) and Patti was telling me about a possible reason for the things I was describing to her. She said that dogs have this pent up energy that has to be worked off. If it's not, then they seek out these attention-seeking, nervous habits like the ones I was describing and that it could possibly be MY fault that he's doing these things. Whoa.

So, instead of being all sad and pity party-ish, I decided to give it a try. Here's to a 2 week session of run-Yoda-til-he-can't-breathe and hope that these little annoyances stop. I'll let you know how it goes.

battles

I learned this past week the true meaning of Ephesians 6:12, which says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

 If you don't believe that these powers and authorities of darkness exist, trust me they do! I don't give Satan the credit, I give God the glory for bringing me through it. But, he, the devil, knows where we are weak and can twist reality into lies that are believable. It's scary! However, the two verses that precede this verse tell us to be strong in God's power and to put on the "full armor" so that we can stand against the attacks that WILL come! Trust me, when the devil knows you are up to something good, he will do whatever he can to stop it.

I am reminded of the verses that tell us that God, our father, longs to discipline the ones he loves. It makes me feel that He wants me to succeed against these attacks by trusting Him, but also by being strong, having on the armor (combating the attack with prayer, scripture, Godly counsel, etc.) I am working on that part!

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.