I could die right now.
28-Jun-2005
S.T.E.P. is done and I’m now home for good – or at least for the two and a half weeks until I leave for Michigan again.
S.T.E.P. was great, God’s hand of blessing continues to follow. Not only did I get back in shape (school did bad things to me 🙂 get a tan, go swimming in the lake, and take pictures; but God gave me the incredible opportunity to impact 75 girls in their walk with Christ.
Some very god friends from the previous years had come back as staff, plus there were several “Verity siblings” that were attending this year; Virginia Evangelista, Elizabeth Millings, Charity Massey, and Anna Fiskeaux. This, and the fact that I was in Texas, helped me feel like I was home, and kept me from feeling too homesick.
My ice cream saga continued there even though I didn’t expect it too, I thought it was a Michigan thing, but God’s hand was even stronger in this blessed land 🙂 God had new aspects of His character to teach me through this rather pleasant medium and I am all too happy to learn. Maybe I should write a book.
Now home, I’m enjoying the simple pleasures of life; family, homegrown tomatoes, okra (if you don’t know what that is, I’m sorry for you) REAL Mexican food, tire swings, my dog, and of course, Blue Bell ice cream!!!
A big highlight is seeing my nephew, Connor. His mom is great about having us over or dropping him off so that we can spend time with him. He has grown so much! Here, he wants to post on xanga (we’re getting him hooked early)
c x bq ZZm,,,,,,wkll,i9999iiiiiiiiu vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv““xxxxxxxxxxxx
I wonder if drool will short circuit my keyboard?
Well that’s it for now, I wish I could post pictures – maybe Brian could figure that out for me. Anyhow, just know that God is good, summer is good and being at home in Texas is good. Life is good!
12-Jun-2005
Saturday was a wonderful day of just being with the family. It was especially encouraging to see God’s working and maturing in my brother’s lives.
We played street hockey in our driveway for several hours that morning. The boys had worked out an ingenious system to best utilize the amount of space that we had. The goals were two laundry baskets on their sides and the goalie would kneel in front equipped with a baseball glove and knee pads. The defender for each side played with a little two foot mini hockey stick and the offense got to use the real big sticks. Every ten minutes or so we would swap places.
Our “puck” was a tennis ball; this worked out very nicely because my dog is a born retriever so she would closely “ref” the game and rush to get the ball every time it went out of bounds. Occasionally she would deem that the ball was out of control and quickly grab it until things calmed back down, usually delivering it to the nearest goalie.
During the whole time we played I was very encouraged to see the sportsmanship demonstrated by my brothers. Also to see how they used my dog to a good end rather than become annoyed by her interference showed a great creativity.
Later that evening my older brother Michael came over and we all went out to play with him. We played until dark and then decided to go try it on an outdoor rink that was at a park about 15 min away (close for us). We played hard from 9:30 to 10:00 and due to the temp and humidity (lovely Texas weather 🙂 we were very sweaty and thirsty. There was only one water fountain and the younger boys were claiming their places in line. I was about to chide them about being gentlemen and letting the girls go first but remembered that the lady’s privileges were not to be demanded but accepted so I quietly waited in last place. Then to my utter delight, David, 14, offered to let me go before him. How wonderful that I didn’t push ahead and dictate, but rather let the act come from his own mind and initiative.
Tomorrow I go back to finish with the last two weeks of camp. I have good friends there and I love the work that I do, but I will be ready to be back with my family, it does my heart good.
11-Jun-2005
Home is good 🙂 A nice side benefit is xanga accessible internet, hence the post. I’m just back for the weekend, a quick visit before I have to go back to Big Sandy and finish the last two weeks of STEP. Things just worked out where my responsibilities could be covered and I could get a ride home and I wanted to see everyone so much – so I came!
STEP has been very good so far, much to learn, much to give. I was able to share my ice cream stories, take pictures, add a little enthusiasm wherever I showed up, and instruct a few classes like river crossing. God has really been working with me here, giving me a special rhema and promise. I had been a little off course but slowly things are coming back together, God is great and His mercies are everlasting.
Coming home yesterday I was able to see my little nephew! He is so cute and responsive, smiling and making little noises. He really lights up when his daddy comes home and my little sister Katie can always get him to laugh. We had homemade pizza for dinner and then played badminton until dark. Brian and I got up this morning and played street hockey of sorts on our driveway. I think we’re going to swim this afternoon and Granny is coming over for supper. Everyone has been so nice, deferring everything to me; they treat me like a special guest (I should go away and come back more often :). All I want to do is just be here and enjoy being with them. With that said, I’d better get off the computer and go do just that. I love family.
28-May-2005
Why am I posting at such an hour? I’m taking advantage of the wireless connection that I have taken for granted. This will be my last opportunity to use such a connection for a while. Later on this morning – hopefully after I’ve slept a bit – I will be headed back to the land I love.
My first stop however will not be my home, but another training center. I’ll be working in Big Sandy for a month officially as STEP photographer, but also as a jack of all trades, filling in where I might be needed – from cleaning, to rappelling, to PT, or just being a friend (my favorite part).
I want to say goodbye to all of the 05 class, and see you in August to all the 06. This has been a wonderful year and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Thank you Micah for working with my brother, he really enjoyed it. Thanks to all who accommodated to let my other siblings help out around the place and thanks to those who were friendly and talked to them and my parents. My family had a good time here and really enjoyed getting to meet everyone and see what it was like to be here.
May the Lord bless each one of you with a purpose and calling. May He grant opportunities of ministry this summer, and may your hearts and minds be molded for usefulness to Him.
