Yesterday was just like any other day. Went about my normal business until everything came to a screaching hault with news no one ever wants to hear. On my way to hang out with my brother to watch the game I received a couple calls informing me that Amanda Grubers mother had passed away. Debbie had faught hard against cancer and yesterday went home to be with our Lord.
Obviously unexpeceted and thousands of thoughts and emotions flood your mind. Death is so hard to deal with and it will never get easier. I got over to the house as quickly as I could with Pastor Jeff, Doug, and Cristi just to be there for Amanda, her brother Josh, and the family. We didnt stay long as the house was obviously full but we were able to give hugs and to pray with a few of the family.
I struggled to sleep last night wishing this was all a nasty dream but when I finally fell asleep and woke up today it was still a sad reality. I don’t pretend to know what Amanda and Josh and the family are going through; but experiencing a close death myself when I was their age I know there is just a sense of helplessness and wishing it was just that nasty dream. My heart breaks for them and I lift them up to our Lord constantly.
The good news? Debbie is no longer suffering. She is in the presence of our amazing and loving God and she is breathing better than she has ever breathed in her life. She is the lucky one! I pray for all those who are hurting, many more than me, that they would focus on that truth. Jesus Christ provided a way that when we die and leave this earth that is not the end. It is the beginning!
“O death where is thy victory? O death where is thy sting? … But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
One of my most favorite events is held annually and is “see you at the pole”. All around our nation today students met at their schools flag poles to pray for their friends, classmates, teachers, and administrators. This year I was able to go to Delsea High school to help lead in worship and pray with the students. It is always such an awesome feeling of nervousness that quickly fades to worship and excitement for what we are doing. Even at 25 years old I get nervous knowing that people will see me and be wondering what we are doing. We had a great time of worship and then a great time of prayer and it was so cool to see our group of about 6-7 grow to about 12 by the end of the prayer. Teachers stopped by on their way into school as did more students. I love going to Delsea because the buses roll in literally right next to the flag pole and though it gets hard to hear you know bus load after bus load of students is seeing this unfold and wondering what is going on. Give those who were praying so many chances to share and explain what was happening. The kids on those buses are also stuck on those buses until the bell rings so they just sit there and watch us all pray. God is good!
I also heard from Mike that him and Matt were the only two at GCIT and yet they did their part and prayed for their school. Mike told me him and Matt just kept praying that God would use them and the questions that would surely follow to be a witness. I praise God that Mike and Matt did not get discourage and walk away but stood their ground and spent that time with God. So proud!
I have not heard from Clayton HS or Clearview but I trust God showed up there as well. I did however get a call last night from a lady in our church who is a teacher and wanted to push SYATP at her school and it was not going very well. She received a call last night from an administrator stating that this event could not go on and she was not able to participate because of “seperation of church and state”. While it does seem teachers cannot organize these types of events they have all the freedom in the world to participate and such events do not even need permission to be held since they take place before school officially begins. This is first time I have heard opposition to see you at the pole and am curious to hear what the outcome was.
If you have a SYATP story please leave a comment below. God is good and I am so proud of my youth for taking this stand today.
Ok truth is even if McCain wins the election I am moving to Africa. I just thought such a catchy title might actually get someone to read my blog.
Over the summer God has been working in our lives and through a bunch of weird circumstances we knew God was beginning to tell us it was time to enter the mission field. Kelly and I have always had a calling to one day serve as a family in Uganda but we really thought it would be a few years from now. As many know, God works on His own timeline. Kelly and I are excited about this new chapter in our lives and sharing it with two wonderful boys. I am super excited to see Caleb and Seth experience Africa at such a young age.
There is a sadness that comes with this decision however and that is we have to leave family and friends behind and also our current home church here in Clayton. The thing that helps us through it besides being absolutely certain that this is what God wants is that we feel so much support already by family and friends. Our parents are wonderful and though my dad doesnt want us to take his grandsons away he is supportive. Kelly’s parents have always figured this day was coming and though they are sad they always leave it in Gods hands. We could not be more blessed with family! Our friends are sad but also supportive. Its hard to know you are leaving your best friends for years but I just continue to plead with them to come join us in Africa- all the cool kids are doing it! The other part is leaving our church/youth group. I was able to share with the youth on Sunday about our decision. It seemed to go pretty well. It will be rough when we actually leave but I am so grateful that we get to journey with them through this transition rather than just up and leaving all the sudden.
So whats the schedule? Will we be in Africa tomorrow? Well no, we wont be there tomorrow- though sometimes I wish. Actually we arent even technically “approved” to go- that happens in Dec. Which for all I know WGM could look at us and say “NO WAY! We arent sending you to Africa.” I doubt that will happen- but I guess anything is possible. After we are approved (God willing in Dec) then things will begin to roll. My best guess is that we will end our time here at Trinity by the beginning of summer and begin fundraising. Where will we live? Dont know! How will we eat? Dont know. hahaha. God will take care of all those details.
Thats whats been happening to us. Just wanted to fill all 3 of you in. Now, back to my title of this post. I am trying real hard not to post political thoughts because that just doesnt end well. But let me say I think its real sad that people make these claims that they will leave the country if so and so is elected. Like, will John McCain or Barack Obama really destroy this country? I dont think so. We may not agree with them- I dont agree fully with any of them- but to say we will leave? What does that say about our willingness to work with people we disagree with? Now I am all for Alec Baldwin leaving- he said it twice now about GWB and has yet to follow through. Alec- I will buy you your ticket! No one else though! Ok thats it- no more politics!
