Unexpected Blessing at Graceway

Saturday night was a great time over at the Ruzickia's.  (For those of you who don't know: Chris was my associate for the first 8 years of my ministry in Borger.)  He invited Kent and Kim Liles over for some wonderful apple pie and Ice cream.  He know what I like.  He topped it off with coffee and I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  This was the first time I had got a chance to recount all that God has done and is doing in my life with the move from Borger.  There was discussion about what the Lord has for me in the future and things I might like to do.  As I was thinking along those lines; I think I would love to be a part of a ministry team that was a bit more mature than I am spiritual so that I could be challenged to go to the next level of ministry for the Lord.  As crazy as it sounds: I want to be apart of a movement that changes the world for the glory of God and his kingdom.  I know it sounds lofty but that is in fact why we are here.  I am not thinking high minded, but at the same time I am remembering that we have a mighty God that has chosen me to be in his ministry and he wants to change the world with his gospel message of Love and reconciliation.  I want to join God in this endeavor and I know that mean change, growth, more wisdom and understanding about how the world works and how we, Christians, work in it.  I am ready to take whatever steps that are necessary to make that a reality.  As I am sitting here typing this I realize that I have never been so bold or transparent with my thoughts but I don't see any reason to keep these things close to the chest at this point.  I'm looking for direction, advise, spiritual wisdom, and most of all direction for my Lord and King on how he wants to use me in his mission.  I also realize the discipline, and righteousness that is necessary for this type of ministry and I want to achieve that discipline in my life.

Then we went to Graceway in Kansas City, MO Sunday morning.  We went to the High school class because we all love to here Kent's passion for the Lord.  He preached a great message on living a life that means something for the Kingdom and how not to waist your youthful years.  Then we went to the main service and was able to hear Jeff Adams as he taking the Church through Luke.  I was reminded of the simple fact of why we do ministry at all.  There is a day of judgment coming and God is doing all he can to warn and guide people out of danger and into his salvation.  It is not for money or fame or any other reason.  People need the salvation of the Lord and we are the chosen ones to bring it to the world.  It was good for my soul.

Many of you know of the our friends in Turkey.  He and his wife were here this morning to be ordained and sent out by Graceway.  I was able to introduce Kim to his wife whom she prays for often but had never met. I was excited to see them and catch up with all that is going on in their lives and ours.  I can't wait to go and visit them in there home.

We then went to lunch with the Whitwood's at a Mexican restaurant on the Kansas side.  The food was decent but the fellowship was divine.  I then spent the afternoon with my father in law catching up on "Ice Truckers" on the History channel.  I had never watched a full episode but now I think I'm hooked.  I'm rooting for Austin: kid's got made driving skills.  Finished up with a bowl of ice cream and here we are.  

Family and Friends

July is going to be a very busy month.  We had a great time with Scott and Lori watch the big fireworks production in Amarillo.  It’s nice when you can just sit back and watch for free with no mess and no clean up.  I highly recommend it for all those in the Panhandle.

We headed out Thursday on a little vacation to Kansas City to visit Kim’s Mom and Dad and see some friends while we are here.  we found out last Sunday night that the family that was going to take Zach (my little puppy) was not able to take him.  I was relieved because I really didn’t want to give him up.  So, we got to find out he does on long car rides.  He was right at home slept most of the way and went poddy in the grass just like he was supposed to.  Anywho!  I was so excited just to get to KC and rest, literally.  We have been so busy with the move from the apartment and the selling of the house that Kim and I were exhausted.  The trip on Thursday was easy.  We have made that trip so many times that we can knock down 8 hours like it was nothing.  This was the first time all the family traveled in new Acadia, and it was so comfortable and smooth: it made the trip very easy. 

We spent all day Friday just chilling out and resting napping until the evening when we were going to meet up with some old friends of ours: John, Kellie, and Kathryn Whitwood.  We first met John and Kellie through the discipleship process at Graceway.  We were there mentors and watch them grow in there spiritual walk with the Lord.  They have been walking with us ever since.  They have been cheering us on the entire time we have been in Borger, knowing that it was a call of God for us to go and share with Borger what had been done to them.  They were excited to here of the new changes that are coming to us, so we found ourselves at Chilies recounting all the blessing and miracles that God has done to get us to this point and decision.  We also have daughters the same age both about to graduate from High School, so that made for some interesting conversation as well.  You know we parents have to stick together!!  It is amazing, awesome, and frighting to watch the girls grow up, but I must say how proud I am of them as I watch them both turn into spiritual young women that put Jesus at the top of all they do.

It is the start of a brand new day, and Zach is begging me for a walk. 

Independence day

I believe that one of the main reasons, if not the main reason for me to still be here in Borger is to finish establishing the Biblical Wellness Center.  The BWC is a men's home for those coming out of addition and wanting to begin a new life in the Lord.  We were able to purchase an old nursing home and remodel it into the men's home.  On Monday we had our board meeting and were discussing the need for an open house as well as the fact that we need to start moving by faith and asking God to bring some residence to the house.  I am glad to announce that we have our first man in the house as of last night.  I am still in the process of writing budgets and mission statements, daily activities and the like, for the 501(c)3 paper work, but that will all get worked out in time. 

In my last blog I was telling you all about the miracle of God giving me an SUV for the move to Atlanta.  I just got it back from the shop yesterday and it runs great.  I feel so blessed ever time I get in and turn the key.  The mechanic was telling me that the transmission might need to be rebuilt and if that is the case I will get that done in Atlanta, as for now it is running great and I am blessed.

Last week so one of the craziest weeks of my life.  God sold our house and we were needing to vacate so the next owners could move in on their closing date which was the 2nd of July.  So, we needed to find a place to live and find it fast.  There is a man in the Church that owned some apartments in town and had one and only one available but it had a major leak from the upstairs apartment and was a total wreck.  I told the owner that I would help him get it ready if he could get us in.  This meant that we would paint and clean and replace some sheetrock in the bathroom, etc.  I have to be honest with you all.  When you move from a 4 bedroom 3 full bath into a 2 bedroom 1 bath; it messes with your mind a bit.  As I was diving into cleaning the bathroom (which was horrible) I had a moment of "What in the world are we doing, and What am I leading my family into?"  I wasn't questing the Lord as much as my own ability to lead and follow.  I know the Lord doesn't make mistakes, but I do all the time.  Was this one of those times that I made a huge error in judgment.  It is so good to have a godly woman is there for me in those times of doubt to gently remind me that God is the instigator of these things and we just need to be obedient. 

Between cleaning the apartment and cleaning the house we both got a bit sick.  We were exhausted from the move.  I was worried I wasn't going to be able to put two sentences together on Sunday for the message, but as always the Lord was faithful and it was all good.  I'm sitting in the apartment living room writing this blog feeling like a missionary on his way to the field (not trying to be prophetic).  I am so sure that this is the moving of the Lord. 

Today we have our annual 4th of July picnic.  I started this 12 years ago out at the first house we lived in because we had an acre lot in which we could play games.  After we moved, we moved the picnic to Huber park and it has been there ever since.  We always have fun, food, and games.  It is a good time for all.  This is the first year in which I have no responsibilities and I am so excited about that.  I will be a helper, of course, but I'm not in charge.  It looks like the weather will be perfect for the event, so I'm sure we will have a good time.

Tomorrow we are headed up to KC to visit Kim's family.  We are celebrating a late birthday with Kim's Mom.  We had to move our trip because of the selling of the house.  I am excited to see all my ministry buddies and share my heart with them of all that God has been and is doing in my life right now.  It is always a comfort when you can share with people that have been through what you are going through.  I guess that is all for now.  I left out a ton of stuff for time sake, but I didn't want to bore you.  Please keep praying for us.

P.S.  I got to keep my little dog, which adds a whole new adventure to the mix, but he is doing great.