What Are You Willing To Risk?

"You shouldn't be here. You could get shot." This was said to our son, Austin, in the inner-city of Philly this week.

Are you willing to get shot?

How safe are you this moment?

What are you willing to risk?


Note: When asked about going back to either New York and/or Philly.... he said he'd go back to Philly in a heartbeat.

More to come!

What's Happening?

There is something in the air.... well, soon any way...

Peeps are coming back to G-town, Texas from Philly tonight!

Watch for testimonies from those in the know about what all has happened there this week. Seeds that were planted through Servant Evangelism... Sharing God's love through acts of kindness. Being the Word Alive... the hands and feet....

Keep praying! It's not over because the trip is ending.

Question:

Why do you have Serve! with Steve Sjogren on your new blog list? (still working on blogs to put on blog list.... lol)

Answer:

Yes, it is true that I do have an article in the current edition of Serve!

Question:

Why is your article not linked on your blog?

Answer:

It is.... Check out Serve! with Steve Sjogren

Just read the rest while you're there!

May you be inspired, encouraged, and challenged to SERVE! We are praying for you..

Question:

Did you really say that your son Austin could stay in Philly?

Answer:

Why, yes. Yes, I did... Note: I did not mean he would not have to finish high school. He's a junior this year. He is totally surrendered to God. He is 'in the ministry' just as much - if not more so than his dad, younger bros and I. Who are we to say "Don't follow Your Real Father?" Remember... we also see him as our brother-in-Christ. We are lifestyle missionaries.. not just in vocational ministry.

Ohhh.... but last I heard he is coming back to G-town. Who knows for how long though?

Question:

When are you going to post the story about you being ill and then healed? Or is it already linked on your blog?

Answer:

It's all over the blog in various posts. That will change... Thank you, Bill (cycleguy).

Question:

Let me get this straight? You were ill and then healed. Your dad was ill and then died?

Answer:

Yep. He got the ultimate healing. Physical healing is only temporary!

Question:

Why do you call it "the physical church building" and not "the church"???????

Answer:

Individuals are the church... not the building.

So where are YOU this moment? Who can you share God's kindness to/with this moment?

Something is in the air! It's moving... It's growing...

And may we never be the same today as we were yesterday and will be tomorrow!

Oh... and by "we" - I'm not just talking about local peeps.

Pain. Free. The River.

Pain:

A good amount of the day was spent listening to other's pain. Pain so thick you could squeeze it out like toothpaste and not reach the end of the tube. They needed my ears, shoulders, and for me to just listen. So, I did. And prayed.... prayed...... prayed.....

One thing that kept coming back time and time again with the individuals whom I've known for some time now, "Camey? You know this pain. I don't have to tell you how I feel." And while I have known and do know pain beyond deep.... there is much to be said for getting it all out. For saying, "This is how I feel." For how one handles pain, sorrow, grief, and etc..... is not necessarily the same as others... although the stages may be similar.

As I hugged one particular individual goodbye.... he said to me, "You would have to be here today. I didn't stand a chance of acting like I wasn't hurting with you looking me in the eyes." And we laughed. It was appropriate at that moment.

Free:

While I was talking with various individuals who had come into the physical church building by way of walking or phone.... Parker and Travis were with some good friends of ours giving out free water all over G-town... at the jail, the admin building, at construction sites.... all over. Sure, it was 100 degrees today. All the more reason to show God's love in such a refreshing way. Ice cold free water..... It does more than the body good.

The River:

RQM's (really quiet moments) were on tap for the evening. So, Parker and I headed down to the river... just the two of us.... We took a towel with us and sat on the edge of the water with more than just our toes in the water.... We would dig around in the water and pick up rocks. Parker would say, "Time to go deeper with the digging." And we did. Gorgeous rocks that had been hidden under the surface. He would look over at me and smile deeply. I would look over at him and think about how thankful I am to be his sister-in-Christ and his mom.

At one point he decided to get up and venture in more. With his back turned toward me - I started throwing rocks to purposefully splash him. He turned around and followed suit... And you could hear it..... the echoes of laughter in unison. We were not alone. Make no mistake about it. From the little fishes nipping at our toes.... to the sun setting on the moments of the day and night... worship was taking place just like it is now.

On the way back to where I am at this moment - it struck me.... it was just last week when Parker and I headed down to the river after I can not tell you how long ago. Funny how that happens..... All this time we've been here - it's been less than a couple of miles away tops! We can get there by car, foot, bike, golf cart, and etc....

And it is free.

Thank You, Lord.... Thank You.

The River. People in Life.

The River:

Last night Brother G, Trav, Park, and I headed down to the river. Off came the shoes and in the water we ventured. The water was crisp... It was cool. It was refreshing. It was the ticket for a great hangout amongst individuals who are nutty about each other.

After awhile of being in the water, I sat down on the bank. I smiled deeply watching Brother G teaching the boys how to skip rocks. Apparently there is a real technique to it. And pretty soon - they were making the rocks skip across to the other side. They kept watching him. He kept watching them. And I could not help but give thanks yet again for the guys in my life.

We danced and prayed..... We got wet. Then we went to the park and swung on swings. As I was laying back in the swing - looking up in the sky through the trees...... we giggled at how incredibly silly I looked. Life is so precious. Each moment to be taken in... Worship is breathing. It is inhaling God and exhaling Him back out. The song that was playing had a rhythm that only Holy Spirit can orchestrate. And it was Holy indeed especially with how bad we smelled.

People in Life:

I never know what to expect on Wednesdays. I arrive at the physical church building at 8:30 a.m. and do not leave again until 8:30 p.m. What a glorious day it turned out to be!

As I sit here thinking about how prayers were so clearly answered..... I am beyond thankful.

Cases in point:

1) There was concern that a dear friend had breast cancer. She does not!

2) A co-worker decided today to not leave. We have so much fun talking trash. She still has a hard time letting me empty my own can even after all this time. Tonight, she hugged me like never before. When I told her I love her like I always do when leaving for the night - she said, "Camey? I have never doubted your love for me. Never. Not once. You make me see God in ways that I would have never thought possible." Funny enough? I was thinking the same exact thing about her.... and without question she is just as much a dear friend as the woman without cancer. I'm thankful she decided to stay at the physical church building instead of coming here to the highly secure gated community. She is as much a part of the church as any one else. I challenge any one who thinks she is just a custodian.

3) As I was closing down the computer at the main desk in the foyer.... there he came.... running through the halls. Laughing.... and running..... and I could not for the life of me tell him to stop.

His running was a sight to see.... Literally. For not long ago - he had to use a cane to help guide him. His eyes would not. And when he realized I had tears streaming down my face from watching him - he said to me, "You understand this freedom."

And I was taken back to the river.... and to the swing...

Thank You, Lord. May I always come back to say....... thank you.

And as much as I value the physical health I have now....

It in no way compares to Jesus and to Spiritual Health....

Talk about The Real Healing.

Thank You, Lord..... Thank You.

Real Transformation.

For those who are looking for updates from Philly......

They can be found on the church's website.

They can also be found through Micky's personal blog - click on his name.

Lives are being touched. Individuals are coming to Jesus.

And while this is all great and worthy of dancing.....

Join with me in praying that real transformation will take place.

Not just fire insurance.

Not just we went on a mission trip and all we got was this lousy t-shirt and worked our tails off.

Real Transformation....

Where are you today?

Are you being transformed?

Or are you simply stuck?

As always, you've been prayed for wherever you are this moment.

On a mountaintop.. or in the ditch face down.

Wherever......

Where are you this moment?

Changes Coming..

Changes are coming to Life in the Moments blog.

Just wanted to give a heads up!

I've been challenged to stretch even more and will accept it.

So, when you least expect it....

Don't say I did not warn you.

And as always... you've been prayed for wherever you are this very moment.

On Prayer. Those Lifeguards.

On Prayer:

Last night we had a prayer gathering. What an incredibly powerful time of blending hearts/minds for the Kingdom. It is safe to say that we worshipped. Young, old, in-between - what a beautiful sight!

Heard from our oldest missionary earlier today. He is enjoying his first airplane flight. He called from Hotlanta during a stop. Must confess - for a brief moment I was jealous as all get out. And it got out soon enough.... thank you very much. Talk about someone on fire... He is one passionate young man. Frankly? I would venture to say it has to do with his prayer life - not prayer time.

Please continue to pray for our missionaries as they serve this week in Philly. Updates to come.

Those Lifeguards:

This is another one of those ways we're said to live a funky life. The younger boys and I went to the pool here inside the highly secure gated community at the clubhouse this morning. As soon as we walked in - the Youngest Lifeguard waved to get my attention. Funny enough? I've known his older brother since we first moved here back in 2005. Don't tell the Older Lifeguard, but the Younger one is growing on me big time. I'm trying hard not to play favorites.

The water was simply fabulous. It's been quite awhile since I've gone in. It wasn't too hot. It wasn't too cold. It was right for napping even. The younger boys and I enjoyed just hanging out, talking, catching some rays, and being. Simply being...... All the while... that Younger Lifeguard keeping watch over us.

One of the Lifeguards was missing today. Well, at least from the pool scene. He is on the plane with our oldest missionary heading to Philly. And while he was missed by the younger boys and I - we would not want him to be any where other than where he is at. So totally cool watching how passionate he is about serving others.

We decided to eat lunch while at the pool. As I was walking past the Youngest Lifeguard who had since changed places - I asked if he wanted a french fry. Of course, he took one... or two.. or three... lol I asked the female Lifeguard next to him if she wanted one... and with those puppy dog eyes of hers said no while thanking me for even asking. It wrecks me up how they are treated by club members. My heart truly goes out to them.

As I was sitting reading The Word and writing as I so often do while at the pool, the Youngest Lifeguard kept looking over to check on me. He would smile big when he realized I was looking back at him. Funny enough? We actually know his whole family. Just took us all awhile to figure that part out. We've already had some great in-depth conversations. Who says that teens do not want adults to ask questions and hold them accountable? To take a vested interest in their lives?

One thing about those Lifeguards - while they are trained to save lives.... they know who really does the saving. But they still keep watch anyway - ready to dive in at a moment's notice. And it is our privilege to know them.

A move is coming soon although we know not to where just yet.

And only the Real Lifeguard knows what it is going to cost.

We'd rather trust Him than the world.

"THAT'S IT!!! NOW!"

Today is taking a cake (note: not the cake, but a cake) on wild conversations/days. The following I share with permission.

Austin is roaming the house - the entire house. He is climbing the walls. He is smiling from ear to ear. He is pacing..... Going into his room, checking his stuff, checking it twice, and even has a game plan for making said cake tomorrow.

"THAT'S IT!!! NOW!" - Austin G.

He is having a hard time with patience. He's been this way since 5:30 p.m. tonight. He said, "At this time tomorrow night, people will be gathering for prayer. I'm SO EXCITED!"

WHAT? Prayer gathering and being that excited? Yep. That's Austin. And really? It is an understatement.

That's what he knew he was suppose to do from a few posts ago now.

Call peeps to prayer.

The cake is being baked for the individuals who are helping pay his way to Philly... which includes his youngest brother Parker. (That story is coming another time/way.)

And is it any wonder that the Spiritual Warfare has totally kicked up?

Nope. Nada. Zipola.

I'm often asked about being lifestyle missionaries. That question crops even more when trips are involved.

And while there is much to be said for going to another place far from where one is normally found to be the Gospel Alive and Living to those they come in contact with and serve.....

If we are not guilty of a living a lifestyle that speaks the same....

Then, it's like have frosting without a cake.

Are you still sitting on a shelf in a box collecting dust just waiting to be put together?

"THAT'S IT!!!! NOW!"

Time to RISE....

There's hungry people in the moments of life wherever you or I may be found....

Near or far.... in-between - even on the plane. (Wal-Mart, restaurant, mall, movies, etc.)

There's Only One who truly satisfies the real hunger, need, and desire.

Now.

The moments have been rather intense lately. The Spiritual Warfare has picked back up again. And while I am not at liberty to share fully.... I can share this:

It does not happen often, but last night - I was in a sour mood. I'm not talking a little sour. Spit it out of your mouth because it tastes so gross - sour. As Austin and I were sitting in the car talking - he said to me, "Mom? Do you really want to have that attitude?" Ouch. He was right. I was wanting to be sour. Sting.........

After examining my attitude - it was clear - the problem was not the other individuals involved or even the situations themselves. It was me. Serious OUCH!

This morning, Brother G's car had a flat. Much to my surprise, he wanted me to drive instead of him to the physical church building. His motive? He wanted to read to me. And as I drove - he read aloud to his bride. It was Alive. It breathed. Talk about just what I needed to hear. He was convinced that my sour attitude from last night was still there to some degree this morning. And dang it, he was right.

As I got out of the car and started walking up to the building... Scriptures started flooding my mind.... and heart. I just had to laugh when asked if I had a word... from The Word.. I could share for our Wednesday staff meeting. Tears came down my face as I shared just a bit of what's been going on lately. And as usual when I let Holy Spirit have free reign - I do not remember one word I said other than Scriptures I read aloud. The very same ones that had come flooding my mind and heart earlier. (And yes, to those who have asked - I miss teaching the Tuesday class. Some of the most freeing times. Still cracks me up there's a teacher inside. Oh, that's soooo God! Those poor college/career students now on Sunday mornings.)

Ministry can be a beast at times as can just life in general. One thing I've found time and time again - you can choose to let it be hairy and run wild... or you can tame it... even if you might have a few split ends like my hair does now. And given how long it is.... what should I expect? Haven't decided yet on the shoulder length or just a couple of inches. The jury is still out.

The testing has been two fold:

1) To see if I could hold my tongue.

2) If I could hold firm and not be moved.

Brother G did have to buy a new tire. And.......

Funny enough? The Spiritual Warfare is still thick and yet, the joy totally outweighs it.

Still....

Testing...

Testing. Testing. Testing.

The Gift of Quietness

Quiet is definitely a gift from God. Sometimes when we speak of the state of something, we put the adverb "perfectly" in front of it...as in "perfectly" beautiful, or "perfectly" delicious...or "perfectly" quiet. It's perfectly quiet in our home for the moment...and it is perfect. Oddity of oddities that I somehow find myself at home alone this beautiful Saturday afternoon, and it's quiet - it's perfectly quiet.

There's not a TV going, no stereos or IPod's playing, and none of the phones have rang for at least an hour. The only sound that breaks the nearly total silence is the quiet hum of the ceiling fan over my head. It's so quiet that even the pressing of the keys on my laptop seem to be almost intrusive. Cooper the very spoiled dog is sound asleep in the chair, and Alli the supreme ruler of any space she's occupying at the moment cat, is in a near comatose state on the couch. It is q-u-i-e-t, and it is perfect.

It's never like this around the Shearon mothership. There's always something going on around here that creates noise of some type. I'm sure it's like that in your abode as well. We just live in a very loud, busy, world. Not saying that's right or wrong - bad or good - but quiet is definitely good.

But this day has brought about some sort of great harmonic convergence in the solar system...and there is not a soul at home save me...and it is quiet. It's amazing how easy it is to think once your brain has been exposed to quietness for just a little while...when there's nothing else audibly competing for your attention. And your hearing? Wow! Your hearing is so keen when it's this quiet. Every little sound makes itself known. It's been a long time since I've heard things this loud and clear! All because it's quiet...perfectly quiet.

Makes me think - no wonder I sometimes feel like I have a hard time hearing God. By way of confession, sometimes...okay, okay...often times, it's because I'm just not listening like I should. But often times, even when I'm trying to listen, God's voice gets drowned out by the cornucopia of sounds and noise that bombard me almost every moment of every day. God's spirit is always a gentleman, and He never screams, so it's up to me to listen...even if it means I have to do some very intentional noise reduction in my life to hear Him. It brings to mind that I have spent so much time preaching to my kids over the years about their "quiet-time" with God - all the while acting like because I'm an adult, and I'm busy, and I have a lot of "stuff" to do, it's somehow okay that I often times neglect that spiritual discipline myself.

God re-teach me the importance of being still and getting quiet before you every single day. Help me purposely tune out all the other "noise" of my day, if only for a few minutes, so that I can hear you speak.

Yes indeed, this has been nice...this quietness...this perfect quietness.

But hey, gotta run, someone just knocked on the door and the phone is ringing!

A Date - Time Well Spent.

One of my favorite guys and I went on a date tonight before my hubby came home. The vehicle we were in does not go real fast - about 20 mph - give or take. The wind was blowing ever so right and the sun was shining. Familiar faces kept passing us by and waving.

There's a particular path this guy and I enjoy going on when spending time together. I could probably drive it with my eyes closed.... perhaps maybe I actually have, but I am not saying and the guy ain't telling. Kinda like a Bush's baked beans family secret recipe.

This guy and I laugh ourselves silly as we go around the bends and curves. Some times we go as fast as we can. Others we go real slow or somewhere in-between depending upon how much public access there really is to that stretch of the road.

As we came to a fork in the road, we decided to venture somewhere the wheels have not gone in a long time. We pulled into the parking lot, got out and started to walk. Underneath our feet the rocks were wiggling as we took each step. He even teased me about going over the railing to keep on our adventure.

Slowly, but surely, the rocks started having sand mixed in as we inched nearer and nearer. The water looking rather inviting - off went the sandals.... and in went the toes.... then feet. Soon enough - I was standing in the river almost up to my knees. The guy kept telling me to watch what I was doing - thinking I was determined to get all wet.

Then, it happened. We both were absolutely silent and listened to the sounds of nature in some of her finest. At times in the craziness of life's moments - we forget the river even exist and that it is so close by. We forget the beauty that waits to be held in our eyes, heart, and is meant to be taken in.... absorbed through our very skin and breath.

The guy and I crinkled up rocks in-between our toes and swayed back and forth as the river flowed gently to the tune we were helping to create with our very movement. The breeze blowing like whispers through the strings of pure oxygen. How peaceful and relaxing the moments were. Time seemed to tick by more slowly. The rhythm like a new song.

As we ventured back, we held hands and shared our thoughts on the whole experience. Before arriving back to the parking lot, we realized that a grassy spot is a place normally filled with bluebonnets at certain times of the year. Once upon a time we sat amongst them and had our picture taken. Sweet memories that had been stowed away until just the right time to pop out.

The drive back to where we had started off was filled with stops and starts and rich laughter along each roll of the tires. The sun setting as a backdrop on time well spent. As we pulled into the driveway - hubby's car was there.... The guy could not wait to get inside to see him and tell him all about the time we had spent together.

One of these days, this guy is going to be taller than me just like his older brothers.

But for today, he is my favorite ten-year-old. And I am beyond blessed to be his mommy.

In Walks Brenda...

I've written about Brenda numerous times before. Last time it was in reference to her being a prostitute.... or at least that was the rumor.

Brenda came into the physical church building this afternoon. She is looking for a job and saw our ad currently running in the local paper.

Brenda has been in CA.... not in jail.

Now, I've not only got that straightened out, but also had the privilege of sharing with Brenda that we've missed her. The highways of G-town have not been the same without Brenda walking up and down them wherever she needs/wants to go. While she was here - I made it a point to introduce her to those around.. Of course, she already knows Austin, Travis and Parker from having rode with us several times before.

I also had the privilege of meeting Brenda's mom who drove her to the physical church building today. Brenda is in her mid-40's.

I'm often questioned about why I pick up hitchhikers.....

Her name is Brenda.

Churches Sharing Resources!

VBS is officially over here at this physical church building.

It's sheer nuts! Individuals working together from various churches/groups/wherever sharing resources.

Clearly God is not found inside any one building alone.

How can you serve another today? This moment?

In the Midst of VBS

Melissa - it is not a coincidence she is working at the physical church building this week as a temp custodian. Her pain is deep. Real... real deep. As she was sharing with me her pain - I told her I'd ask for individuals to pray... So, I'm asking... please pray.

There are numerous others who have been walking past this desk... You can see it in their eyes, the way they carry themselves..... pain, heartache, despair, hopelessness...

In the midst of VBS.... may God be found here at the physical church building.

VBS - 40 Make Life Changing Decisions!!!

Talk about dancing time!!!!!!!

Totals for week in attendance as reported thus far:

Monday - 506

Tuesday - 531

Keep praying!!!!!

God Must Be From Missouri

Don't you just love it when, out of frustration or maybe even desperation, you blurt out a prayer at God that goes a little something like this: "God I know you're there, and I know you love me, and I know you are able to take care of me...but frankly, right now, I just don't see your hand...show me how you're going to get me through this!" Then, as if God just wants to prove the point that He is always good and always faithful, He spends the next several days showing you by throwing neon flashing billboards of His goodness directly into your path.

Let me confess to you that things have been a little tight financially around the Shearon mothership lately. The sluggish real estate market (my wife is one of the hardest working real estate agents in town) coupled with the soaring cost of everything from gas to granola bars, has definitely put the squeeze on this family's budget. The economic downturn has been prolonged enough that lately we've been playing the "tyranny of the urgent" game with our monthly bills...as in, okay, what do we need to pay this month to keep it from getting cut-off. Of course, the real fun starts when your next paycheck is already gone several days before you even get it. Then your left wondering what in the world you're going to do until the next paycheck. For those who've been there, you know the unbridled fun I'm describing here.

At times like this, I must confess to you, even as a Believer, I often find myself stuck somewhere between faint-hearted trust and all-out panic. However, no sooner than I had whispered the words "show me", God commenced showing me how He takes care of my family...all the time, not just when things seem to be financially tight. So here's how all this started. The phone rings at my office and it's a freind of mine from church saying he's been thinking about me lately, and he wants to buy my lunch. Hmmm...could that just be a coincidence? Probably so, I thought.

But then, later that evening I get to church to find out that another friend of mine has just sponsored me for a major portion of my upcoming mission trip expense. Okay God, are you trying to tell me something here? Then after church, the wife and I get invited to dinner by some friends - their treat. By George, I do believe He is trying to tell me something!

If that wasn't enough, the next morning, I get a call from my wife saying that she's just won a $50.00 gas card at her weekly Realtor luncheon. Okay God, maybe I was a little hasty with that whole questioning your hand of provision thing. By this time it's lunch time again, and for the second day in a row, a friend calls and says he wants to buy my lunch. Okay God, now you're just showing off. But it doesn't even stop there though. The next day, we get a check in the mail for $50.00 from some friends who said they had just felt "led" to send us a check. By this time, even someone with as thick a spiritual head as mine is getting the message.

But just in case I had fallen into a coma and missed His point, God sent me one more for good measure. Sometime back, we had paid for something for my mom and she had intended to pay us back, but never did. She had forgotten it until the other day she just "remembered it out of the blue". So when I was over visiting her the next day, she hands me $40.00 and tells me she's finally paying me back. Well by now, I'm speechless...which if you know me, you know is a miracle of sorts in itself!

But in all seriousness - all of this happened in the span of four days. Truth be known, if I really paid attention to what was going on around me all the time like I do when some little crisis is going on in my life, I believe I would find that things like this happen on a daily basis. Unfortunately, so many times it's not until I'm in a difficult spot that I really begin to get in tune with what God's up to in my life...or, as a friend of mine likes to say...God has to shake me to wake me. How true. My pastor announces from the pulpit all the time that we really don't have to learn all of life's lessons face down in a ditch somewhere. Man, I hate being face down in a ditch!

So what did I learn last week? Well, aside from being reminded of the obvious lesson that God is always in control and He is always taking care of us, I also got a refresher in how God's economy works. God doesn't want our worries and concerns - whether they be finances, family issues, physical health, etc - to become an obstacle that stands between us and doing what God wants us to do...which is to love and serve others in His name and for His sake. You see, when we allow ourselves to be consumed by our problems, we unwittingly become self-centered and unaware of the needs of other people around us.

That's why God goes to such great lengths in scripture to assure us that He will always take care of us in every area of our lives. It may not always be according to our time table (it seldom is), and it may not always happen the way we would draw it up, but we are never out of His care and He never fails to provide what we need. Armed with that security, God's desire is for us to always live above our day-to-day circumstances, and be outward focused - looking for every opportunity to be Jesus to those we come in contact with.

But God knows our frame, so says the Psalmist, and He knows that sometimes we need a little extra "showing". I know I did last week...and God went out of His way at every turn to show me His hand. I wonder what part of Missouri God is from!

Thoughts in the Night.

It's funny really. How one can be awake this time of night.... And yet, not surprising. This happens from time to time.

Tomorrow is Wednesday... and so far this week has looked like nothing I had planned. For those who thought you'd be seeing me in person - be thankful I've not been around.. not a pretty sight! Silly stomach bug. And yet, I am so incredibly grateful. WHAT?

As Brother G was preparing to leave this afternoon for another meeting in another city..... it struck me as we were holding hands to pray, "Thank You, Lord, for this stomach bug!" For had I not been sick - I would not have been here right then. Priceless time between Brother G and I as we continue on this part of the journey together especially.

And while the blogging has been quiet since Micky last posted here (thank you Micky)..... I have spent some quality time with The Father. Again... priceless. Really - no words at this moment to describe it.

As the comments continue to roll in about the article - I remain dumbfounded. As plans for the future are continued to be prayed about and discussed - I am found even dumber still. And as always am willing to risk looking like a complete fool.

Last night Austin came into our room and said, "Mom... I've been listening and here's what I'm supposed to do." Not what he might need to do.... not what he may need to do... What he is supposed to do. That totally Rocks! And rolls....

I've been questioned about why I said in the article, "It also included moving to a town I said I would never live in." Simple....

Ahhhhh.....more of that to come!

The Privilege of Service

Can I just go on record as saying that I love our student ministers at our church? Now, I really, genuinely love both Shelley and Ryan because I just really like them as people and as a brother and sister in Christ. But what I truly love about the two of them are the high expectations of Christian discipleship they have of our students. Case in point - in order to go on the summer mission trips each year, each student is required to complete ten hours of service in some area of church ministry. It can be volunteering to work during the Parent's Night Out activities, or during Vacation Bible School, or for the monthly Love Granbury service project, but everyone is expected to complete the ten hours before they can go on mission trip. It's a little different with summer church camp, which is open to any and all who want to go. But Shelley and Ryan have been teaching our students that mission trip...going to serve others in some other location outside our own community...is a privilege, and as such, carries with it a higher degree of personal commitment. I love that! I love it because it's teaching our students the essence of their calling as Christ followers...to love and serve God by loving and serving others for His sake. And guess what - our students are responding. Yesterday and today, we had another opportunity for some of our students to come and complete their mission trip service hours by working on our church's children's playground. The old bark mulch in the entire playground area had to be turned so that it could dry, then there were 200 bags of new bark mulch that had to be spread. This isn't shrinking violet work by any means. It's hot, sweaty, physical work. But yet, there those students were, guys and girls, giving up two mornings of their summer, serving for the privilege to go and serve the children and families of inner-city Philadelphia in two weeks. And there were even a number of younger students who came to work who aren't even going on the high school mission trip...they just came to serve. To me, there is no more valuable lesson of Christian discipleship that our students can learn than this - that people are much more willing to lend you their ears, after you have given them a piece of your heart. Or, as one of my heroes of faith, Steve Sjogren, puts it...being the Good News before we tell the Good News.