a. I remain overwhelmed with the number of people who call, text, Facebook, and email to let us know we're loved and role models of faith.
b. Some scriptures have been in my heart the past couple of days:
- If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10)
- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
- For the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you. (John 16:27)
- People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.- (Proverbs 14:29)
- A heart at peace gives life to the body. (Proverbs 14:30b)
c. To ensure that I don't feel like I'm "falling on the sword for Jesus," I keep recalling to mind others who have made bigger sacrifices. For example, James & Deanna Dick, who moved their entire family to Tanzania from NC to do the Lord's work.
d. I'm also thinking about George Mueller. At the beginning of this year I read his autobiography, which detailed how he on purpose put himself in a position to show that God worked through ordinary people. He fed thousands of orphans daily by praying in their daily needs. I'm no George Mueller, but I'm open to showing what God can do through one who says, "Yes, sir, I'm willing."
e. While writing daily has been therapeutic for me mentally, it has been a bit strange sharing my inner thoughts with everyone. You see, I'm a "lab" guy. I like to perfect the product in the lab, then bring it in front of everyone.
f. I'm taking a risk by sharing half-baked thoughts, and transactions that are in process. While I'm being circumspect in what I publish, I do think it's valuable to let others see my frailty, and how John 15:4 sums me up pretty well: "Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me" (Names of God Translation).
g. I was in Office Depot, and got some not-so-pleasant news regarding a situation we need resolution on. As if on cue, and for the first time since I had been in the store for nearly 20 minutes, I heard the radio playing My man, James T - a UNC man - sang, “Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there. You’ve got a friend” To me, this was my Heavenly Father letting me know that he’s aware of my dilemma, and cares deeply.
h. Cetelia and I got a message this morning from Pat, and wrote the lyrics to the song Say the Name she heard at church Sunday (Go Muffin!). How appropriate since I read this later in the day: "The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). So glad that God confirms and carries out his word.
i. We visited the Central Fort Worth library today. Perhaps the only bad part for Cetelia and the kids was that they could not take home any books. Cetelia told me that she regularly brought home 75-100 books. Although the library in Greensboro had limits, Cetelia says she was allowed to take more because she had a "hook up" from a lady who knew we were homeschooling.
j. I'm not sure my pristine wife is allowed to use slang words. Must be the Texas heat getting to her!). Anyway, as soon as we get Texas residency, I know we'll have a ton of books at home, and associated late fines to go with them.
k. At the library, Cetelia and I were able to talk for about 60 minutes. It was the first non-rushed, almost kid-interruption free conversation we've had since we arrived. It was a pivotal conversation, and I'll share the details in a future BD (it takes too long to type "brain dump" each time, and just saying "dump" sounds kinda nasty).
l. After leaving the library, we went to a restaurant called Uncle Julio's. But, that was only after we partially entered the door, then backed out of another Mexican food joint. It seemed to be a Ritz-Carltonesque Taco Bell (if you can imagine such a thing) with a patio. But, since it reminded us of Taco Bell, that was enough for us to head to Uncle Julio's.
m. I learned my first bit of Spanish tonight. "Fine Mexican Dining" translated into Espanol is "Expensive Mexican Dining." If you're going to Uncle Julio's, be prepared to pay $17.92 for a fajita dinner OR scan the menu like we did until you get to the $9.99 meals in the very bottom left-hand corner of the menu. (also, if necessary, lie about your age so you can order off the much cheaper kids menu - shhh! You didn't hear me say that).
n. Dinner was full of bloopers by my two extroverted children:
- Max complained about not being able to eat at the 5-star Taco Bell place we first visited, then complained about Uncle Julio's not having ACP, then he complained about the "swarm" of bugs on the patio. The entire dinner he swatted at bugs, which interestingly bothered no one else. I think the Texas heat is getting to him, too.
- KJ spilled her water all over the table, then had a nose bled. According to Cetelia, who took her to the bathroom, KJ was proud to have her first nose bleed, and said that it happened because a bug flew up her nose and she picked it to get it out.
n. On the way home, I got all turned around, and for about 20 seconds drove on the wrong side of the road until I approached an intersection. Hey, it was dark, and these roads are darn confusing -- even with a GPS!
o. Thanks for reading!
j. I'm not sure my pristine wife is allowed to use slang words. Must be the Texas heat getting to her!). Anyway, as soon as we get Texas residency, I know we'll have a ton of books at home, and associated late fines to go with them.
k. At the library, Cetelia and I were able to talk for about 60 minutes. It was the first non-rushed, almost kid-interruption free conversation we've had since we arrived. It was a pivotal conversation, and I'll share the details in a future BD (it takes too long to type "brain dump" each time, and just saying "dump" sounds kinda nasty).
l. After leaving the library, we went to a restaurant called Uncle Julio's. But, that was only after we partially entered the door, then backed out of another Mexican food joint. It seemed to be a Ritz-Carltonesque Taco Bell (if you can imagine such a thing) with a patio. But, since it reminded us of Taco Bell, that was enough for us to head to Uncle Julio's.
m. I learned my first bit of Spanish tonight. "Fine Mexican Dining" translated into Espanol is "Expensive Mexican Dining." If you're going to Uncle Julio's, be prepared to pay $17.92 for a fajita dinner OR scan the menu like we did until you get to the $9.99 meals in the very bottom left-hand corner of the menu. (also, if necessary, lie about your age so you can order off the much cheaper kids menu - shhh! You didn't hear me say that).
n. Dinner was full of bloopers by my two extroverted children:
- Max complained about not being able to eat at the 5-star Taco Bell place we first visited, then complained about Uncle Julio's not having ACP, then he complained about the "swarm" of bugs on the patio. The entire dinner he swatted at bugs, which interestingly bothered no one else. I think the Texas heat is getting to him, too.
- KJ spilled her water all over the table, then had a nose bled. According to Cetelia, who took her to the bathroom, KJ was proud to have her first nose bleed, and said that it happened because a bug flew up her nose and she picked it to get it out.
n. On the way home, I got all turned around, and for about 20 seconds drove on the wrong side of the road until I approached an intersection. Hey, it was dark, and these roads are darn confusing -- even with a GPS!
o. Thanks for reading!