Johnny's Adventure

Johnny left this morning for his trip to India. He will be preaching and teaching at a pastor's conference while he is there. I am so excited for him to go. I can't wait to hear what it's like there and for him to share with believers from another culture. It makes me really excited about my upcoming trip to that part of the world as well. It was hilarious, however, when I was helping him pack his suitcase last night. I love to go new places and try new kinds of foods. There have been very few places that had foods that I just could not eat. I didn't particularly care for octopus that I had both times I went to Greece and I had an allergic reaction to something I ate in Italy. However, I once had a hoagie sandwich at preteen camp that I just could not eat...I still almost gag everytime I think about it. And that was in the great state of Texas. Thank goodness for good 'ole PB&J! Anyway, Johnny's suitcase is full of crackers and pop tarts and snacks so he won't go hungry!! I can think of a lot of things I would eat in a foreign country before I would eat a pop tart, though!

So, here I am, sitting at my computer. I have been researching for my exegetical paper and making notes but it's time for me to start writing the paper and putting it together. It's on Mark 4:35-41, also looking at the same story in comparison from Matthew and Luke. Jesus had been teaching, healing, and teaching in parables. They were up at the Sea of Galilee. In Mark 3:9 Jesus told the disciples to have a boat ready because of the crowds. Sometimes He used the boat to teach and sometimes He used it to get away from the crowds. Either way, it was evening and Jesus got into the boat with His disciples to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus was tired, because while He was all God He put on the restrictions of humanity and He needed to rest, so Jesus went to sleep. It must have been a sound sleep because a storm rose up so violent that the disciples feared the boat might sink. When I was in Israel I saw a boat that was preserved that could have been about like a 1st century fishing boat. It wasn't very big and some mighty waves could certainly have begun to fill the boat up with water. The questions of the disciples, "Don't You care?" and then when He had calmed the sea, "Who is this that even the wind and sea obey?" Who is this, maybe they asked, that heals the sick and lame and demon possessed? Who is this that seems to know our needs and answer before we even ask? I am getting away from the text but here's my point: the disciples had already seen Jesus do some pretty amazing things and still they had doubts. They didn't really fully get it until after the resurrection. That comforts me in a crazy sort of way. God has done some pretty amazing things in my life. He definitely knows my need and answers my prayers when I call on His name. Yet, sometimes, I doubt. I don't doubt that He's real or that He's redeemed me or that He spoke and it was or that He is sovereign over all the earth. It's in the little things...that Josh's broken heart will mend, that Jessica's disappointment will be filled with something else, that Jacob will find a way to make a difference in that kid's life, that I will be able to write my paper without Johnny...

So, I better get to it. The paper, that is. Pray for Johnny as you think of it over the next week and a half. Pray for safety and that he will have just the right words of encouragement from the Word to those he will meet.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

David Crowder playing a modified Guitar Hero guitar

A little study break to share this video...the quality of the video itself check is not that great but chec out what David Crowder is playing!

It's Sunny Again

Sometimes life can just get ya down. The week started that way, but I must inform any that are still reading that I am much better now. It must be because my friend Julie was praying for me. I was really feeling a bit pitiful about the last blog I posted and thought I might delete it until I saw Julie's comment...thanks, Julie! Julie's and my husband served on staff together but we've both gone to different places now. Julie is a creative genius and the mother of 3 adorable sons! You should check her out at www.juliejeandesigns.com -- you can see pictures of the boys and all sorts of creative stuff she does!

Johnny leaves for India a week from today. I just realized he won't be here while I am finishing up my reserach/exegectical paper for New Testament. Yikes! He usually proofreads and makes sure I don't put in anything heretical. (LOL) Nine days all alone with three kids at the busiest time of the semester...

I wish I had something deep or spiritual or meaningful to write. All those words must be saved for my 2 remaining research papers and directed study project I am working on. Until then, this is all I've got...

Maybe you should just check back in December.... Just kidding...come back soon!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Some days are like that

This has been a crappy day. The weather is dreary and it's Monday. My Old Testament professor promised to give us a study guide for our mid-term next Monday. As we went through the pages and pages and pages of notes, it was easier for him to tell us what's NOT on the test -- only 2 small sections. Jacob's game was postponed due to the inclement weather and grandparents were all set to come from out-of-town. MawMaw even made a chocolate cake -- which is right now in Waco since there wasn't a game to come to today. Jess had a big disappointment and we got some really bad news from another friend. UGH!!

Ok, I typed that all out and I don't feel one bit better. I guess I will get back to my research paper which is due tomorrow by the way...

I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I life.
Psalm 116:1-2

And why does He hear my cries? Not because of anything I have done -- nothing makes me worthy that the Creator of the universe would incline His ear to me. Except that He loved me first.

...and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 2 Corinthians 5:15

All I can say, write, is Amen and Amen.

Jeanette

Another First and Last

Johnny and I spent the last couple of days looking through boxes and packages (by the dozens) of old pictures. This one is of the first day of school our last year in Odessa. Josh was in 9th grade, Jessica in 6th, and Jacob in 4th. Josh went to a public jr. high where they were required to wear "standard attire." We looked through old pictures to put together Josh's senior page for the yearbook. At our high school parents can purchase all or a portion of a yearbook page, put current and previous year pictures of their son or daughter and publish a few words of encouragement. Our first time to buy a senior page and Josh's last year in the high school yearbook. It was so fun to see all of those pictures and to relive those precious memories associated with them. We did include a picture of Josh on his first day of kindergarten. He went to a private school then and he wore a tie on the first day. I don't have the picture scanned into my computer or I would have posted it here for all to see. He was so handsome then and he is now, too. A year of firsts (because Josh is the oldest) and a year of lasts. My seminary professor told me the other day that she has heard that senior year is hard on the parents and easy on the child and freshman year of college is hard on the child and easy on the parents. I am hoping for an easy year next year because she's right, this is definitely a hard year.

Off to see #87 play some football,

Jeanette

The Gold Suburban

This weekend I got a new car. Well, it's new to me. I should be excited, and I am. I have driven the gold Suburban since 2000 - forever, it seems. Every important trip over the past 7 years has been taken in the gold Suburban. I cannot even calculate how many hours the gold Suburban has spent sitting in the pick-up lines in front of LBJ Elementary, Nimitz Jr. High, Wester Middle School, Mary Orr Intermediate School, and even Mansfield High School - the school and the field house. How many trip back and forth to sporting events -- too many to count. The states that the gold Suburban has been through: New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Washington, DC, and all over the great state of Texas. It took Josh, Jessica, and Jacob, and me to Georgia the year we went by ourselves because Johnny had to fly out later to meet us. How many friends have been crammed into that gold Suburban? I could never remember...the marks on the ceiling in red marker, though, are a reminder of Jessica's birthday party/scavenger hunt her 6th grade year in Odessa. The first time we brought Josh, Jess, and Jacob to see Mansfield and the trips back and forth when Johnny lived here and we were still in Odessa. How many hours of movies and video games have been played, how many times did I fill the entire back up with groceries to feed the three growing up before my very eyes. They have grown up and that gold Suburban has stayed the same. It's been great -- like a faithful friend. It's only fault is that it gets really bad gas mileage.

So, Johnny thinks I am really silly. "It's not like it's leaving the family," he said. Of course, he's right. Johnny gets the gold Suburban. He says it's an upgrade for him. The white truck (which is actually newer than the gold Suburban) is now "Josh's truck." I guess that makes the Ram Jess's truck. She was only 8 when I started driving the gold Suburban and now she will be able to get her driver's permit next month. Next month, I'll be driving the "new car," but I will never look at that gold Suburban with anything but gratitude for a job well done and precious memories of time well spent.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

He Gives and He Takes Away

or, "A Tale of Three Mommas"

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked I shall return there,
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

I feel myself on the verge of tears. I know three women about to send their children away -- one to the Air Force, one to Bible school in another country, and one to the mission field. All are worthy causes, noble ambitions. Wouldn't one be so proud to send one's child to any of three mentioned places? Yet, I can't help thinking about the mommas. The joy mixed with sadness, the pride mixed with longing.

We went to a party for the one headed off to the Air Force yesterday. He's one of my son's best friends. Family and long-time friends and relatively new friends gathered in his parents' home and ate some good food, looked at pictures of the young man at all stages of life as they passed on and off the tv screen, and talked about memories and stories. We all asked questions about where he's going, what he'll be doing, what he can take with him when he goes. He's a great kid and I think he'll do well. It's right for him...he knows that.

The biggest dilemma facing these moms...facing me in future years as well. We give birth to these blessings of God, we nuture them, pick them up when they fall, make sure they do their homework and clean their rooms, we teach them life lessons at every opportunity, we pray like crazy, and want the very, very best for them. We expect the best. Then they go. Whether it's to a far off country or off to make their own way, they go. We want it, we expect it, we plan for it, but that doesn't make it one bit easier to let them go. Not one bit, I can imagine. The momma of the son going to Bible college told me this morning, "He's going and we're not talking about it." Not because she's not proud or sure or hopeful, but because it's a huge step. In the Lord's plan for his life, apparently, but not easy, nonetheless.

So, fly sons and daughters, out of the nest, off to the great adventure. Your mommas will be here...always hoping, always praying, always expecting the best. I know you'll make them proud.

Serving the King,

Jeanette