Updates as I prepare to leave

My last day at work was Friday the 28th. It was a long day. I worked double shifts to reach a final workweek of just over 38 hours. I will leave with a good last check. I was finally able to get ahold of the human resources people in Chicago and in Dallas. I found out it's still possible to transfer to Chicago. That's surely a blessing. So I filled out the form and got that set in motion. My store manager actually gets to evaluate me and it has to hit the desk of the district manager as well. I'm glad to have that going.

Over the weekend I did some more shopping. My budget for clothes is now exausted and I think I have what I wanted to get. I was able to pick up 7 shirts at thrift stores for a total of about $40. I got a new pair of khaki's and some nicer shoes. I never thought I'd buy brown shoes, but there's a first for everything I suppose. My dad got me socks and underwear for Christmas. I picked up a couple pairs of longjohns for that cold winter weather. I also wasn't sure at first what kind of coat I should buy. My dad recommended a big parka. Someone at church suggested a Navy Peacoat. The peacoat has an interesting style to it and it's 100% wool to keep warm. I did some shopping and found a peacoat for just over $80, which is apparently good for coats these days... wow. Burlington wanted $120 for one. I feel kinda British when I wear it, but I like the style. If I had more time, I wanted to go to a nearby large military surplus store and maybe get a longer coat... possibly German, but oh well. I won't be able to clutter my bags with coats.

Sunday morning I went to open my church and turn the heaters on bright and early at 6:30am then headed off to my old church to say goodbye to the people there. I suppose I'll never stop being sentimental. I've been thinking about my high school reunion lately. It's years away and I'm already wondering who would be there.

I finally finished studying through the book of Romans with MacArthur's commentaries for the year. It's been good and I've learned a lot more in a more focused study than if I were just straight reading. this allowed me to branch off and study certain things within Romans as I was lead. However, I've chosen to return to the One Year Bible for the coming year. I'm finding that my discipline has been wavering this year and that shouldn't affect my morning devotions as it has. So this will help to get back on a better schedule and block of time.

The Jehovah's Witnesses returned Saturday. I asked them about the possible correlation between Rev. 1:8 and 1:17-18. Their immediate response was that Jesus was not saying He is God. The pre-supposition was hard at work. I just calmly said I wasn't debating whether or not He was God, I just wanted their thoughts on the passage. I'm finding this approach to be quite effective. They said they were doing a study of Revelation and invited me to it tomorrow. I asked them for a copy of their study guide. It's not always that you have the opportunity to know what they believe about some things in such detail. When the time comes and I teach Revelation, I should be able to make some good comments. It's really cool this way, because I get to plant seeds of truth that show their own contradiction and yet appear interested, while gaining materials that will help me equip believers more about the cult.

For Christmas my friend bought me Walter Martin's book, Kingdom of The Cults. The teacher has been discussing them in Sunday School at church. I've enjoyed helping him and hearing from him as we share what we've learned about the cults and how to witness to them with the high school students. I can tell they are benefiting from the study. I've also been listening to Walter Martin on audio at www.blueletterbible.com. The JW's don't know I'm leaving for Chicago in less than 3 weeks. As God gives the courage, I am preparing to implement one of Martin's suggestions the last time I see them. Please pray with me that they show up on the final weekend before I leave.

Left on the To-Do list before Jan. 10th: 1. Find medical records and get shots necessary for school, have the doctor mail the forms. 2. Sell my car or at least find someone committed to buying it. 3. Pack and decide what goes and what stays. 4. Move my room into a room in my grandpa's house in my new room. 5. Wash all the clothes I'm taking. And maybe more...

Well... Happy New Years!

This, This, is Christ the King...

I'm so thankful. Christians celebrate a kind of second thanksgiving as CHRISTmas is here. We are thankful for the birth of the blessed Savior, truly the King of Kings. We are thankful for God becoming man. May we proclaim this, rest in this, and remember this, allowing the appreciation of God's mercy in Christ to make impact with our souls afresh each year. I may have said this already, but this is one of the first years in a long time that I enjoyed the Christmas music regardless of the time it played. I remember last year as I was saddened by my family's celebration of the birth of a man they reject, yet not celebrating it. This year I rejoice in Him and am reminded to pray for my family. He receives all the glory. The moment I begin to think that my growth is by fleshly discipline, I'm reminded of grace. May God be glorified in your life and mine. We need not worry what others think of us or what they say, for we have a Savior who was born, died, was risen, and lives still. I hear a song playing recently by a group named Addison Road. I can't find the name of the song or give the lyrics, but I do remember that it expresses exactly how I think we should travel life.

I'm thankful and content this year. God has provided for me to go to Bible college. In fact I have even more than expected. God is good and deserves the only glory. I was looking for the title of my car recently as I prepare to try and sell it and I found $500. I was reminded that my dad said I should keep some money at home in case something came up. I forgot it was even there. What a wonderful Christmas this is! Things left to do before leaving: Get 2 shots (maybe more), try to contact and arrange things with my job down there, sell car, pick up a few more winter-ready items, pack, and move the rest of my things next door. This is my last week at work. I pray that I don't slack off for that reason. This will be a subtle temptation.

I ended this past semester with 2 B's, although one looked like it shoulda been an A-...? I'm waiting for reply from the prof. I haven't been downtown in 2 weeks due to finals and the weather. I can't wait to go back before I leave. My flight departs January 10th. I held my goodbye party this past Wednesday. Old friends, new friends, and true friends showed up. Some were a good surprise even. We watched videos, had some snacks, had some laughs... it was a good night.

The other day I was looking at a container of yogurt that expired Jan. 14th. It occurred to me that I would be out of the state and living away from everyone I know and care for before that container of yogurt expired. I can be so sentimental. Often I toss around the thoughts of where, why, and how God has brought me where He has. A year ago I didn't know I'd be taking steps I am now taking. I didn't know God would open the specific doors He has opened at this time. I didn't know all that has happened would happen. ...Such large changes in life. I didn't know. I've learned that I think God is most glorified exactly when we don't know. He is most glorified when we get a glimpse of His plan as our plan is frustrated, look up, and realize who's really in charge. I've been able to smile more in those times and rest assured that He has used it for His good anyway. I don't know where man's responsibility and God's sovereignty meet, but I still lift my hands high and sing praises in my heart for the things He has done.

May our steps always be taken in light of "not my will, but Yours be done."

A Big Change

So I got into Moody for the Spring...

I knew God would be more glorified if I had less of a financial cushion to rely upon when I got there. Please continue praying for my faith in Him to provide. My dad said it will be tight in the beginning with all the changes and things he will still have to do after the death of my grandfather. After a year at Moody, scholarships open up to me. This will also mean that has to be a good year for grades. I called the school and they'll be sending a more detailed packet this week with more information. I also called the store I'd be working at to get more info from them. Apparently the pay rate is such that an average clerk position like myself would top out at what my manager here in Texas is making right now. That's good to know.

I have a lot to do in the coming weeks. My current list is as follows: Sell my car, Move my stuff into grandpa's house so dad doesn't have to, finish working out transfer stuff with my job, arrange financial stuff and anything else once I get the packet, buy a plane ticket, change banks, and figure out what I'm taking and what I'm leaving. Oh... and study for finals. :)

Updates and Rambling

Today and tomorrow is the re-grand opening of my store at work. This week I've ended with just over 42 hours. My manager will likely hit 65 before it's all over. It's been a tough week. I probably spoke too much at times and kept my mouth shut when I should have spoken up at other times. There were just "too many chiefs and not enough indians" in that place. Either way, after tomorrow it will all be over and I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful that I've almost fully recovered from the cold that began this week.

Today was supposed to be the day Moody called back with a housing answer, yet I got no call. I'll call them Monday morning. Through that and this past week, I feel at peace still. I rest with God. I have a final next week... may I rest with Him then as well. I've asked for less hours at work because of it.

I'm not sure what else to talk about. I can only say I have what seems to be an inexpressable desire to praise God and lift Him up at this time. I can echo with Jeremy Camp... "Give Me Jesus." I can "sing alleluia" with Jennifer Knapp. I can only wonder and marvel at what God has for me in the coming months. Where will I be? I ponder... if He keeps me here, I can save more money and if He takes me to Chicago, it will be more of a test of faith. I only hope that whatever course I'm placed upon, that I may make my life a prayer to Him.

My mind occasionally still wonders where I will be in 4 years or so. I look at the lives of those I once loved moving on and I smile at times shared... good and bad. I smile at the things that God brings us to grow us, mold us, shape us, mature us, test us, and refine the wandering hearts of His children. I can appreciate subtle sanctification. I can appreciate the fact that sometimes... for some of us... the only way to learn how to make good decisions is to have made bad ones. What else can we do but recognize we're precious and beloved, yet still pieces on His chessboard. I'm ok with that, because if I were King... my kingdom would have forsaken me long ago.

I am nothing before Him. I am small. I am but a servant. I pray that I will never forget this. I want to be His hands. I want to be His feet. I must go where He sends me.

Goodbye to My Grandfather

This past Wednesday just after 4pm, my grandfather passed away at the hospital. I expected that it would come any time. My dad wasn't ready for it but he handled it well. As far as I knew, my grandpa was not saved. Of course the final determination of that is between he and God. I don't know what happened in his heart at the hospital there in those last few moments. It would be nice to see him in heaven. I only continue to pray and you may pray with me that God uses this to remind my family and especially my father of their own mortality that they may be drawn to Christ in surrendered faith. My grandpa asked not to have a funeral, but only that his ashes were mixed with those of his wife.

My grandpa had lived quite a life... in the military, was in at least one major war, and started a thriving family business that is still run by his three sons today. He believed strongly in saving money from his earnings and I won't forget that. Once he found a wallet and drove it to the owners' home to return it to him. The owner was about to give him money in return. He stopped him and said, 'just do the same thing for the next person whose wallet you find (paraphrased)."

It's kinda difficult coming here nextdoor to use the computer as I do each day seeing all of his things almost still exactly in place as he left them as if he were returning. I hope to set aside some time in the coming weeks to clean the house a bit. We have a lot to do as a family in the months to come. We will eventually move into his home (as it is payed for) and sell our home. We'll also likely be selling two of our vehicles. Is anyone in need of a car?

This will be a unique Christmas for sure.

Moody should also be calling me this coming Friday with an update on housing. You can pray about that if you desire.

The Jehovah's Witnesses didn't return today. I'll have to remain ready to speak with them when they do return. Please pray that I have continued opportunities to share the truth of Scripture with them and get them thinking.