Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Prayer Request - August 8-18

This coming Saturday, I have opportunity to leave for a 10-day trip to Ukraine. I will be going with a 9-member team from Faith Church in Indianapolis to help facilitate a conference for SEND International missionaries in that country. Our team will provide children's programming, birth through High School and will also lead worship and provide preaching for the adult sessions. Our goal is to serve the missionaries in any way we are able as they meet together for a time of encouragement and renewal.

In the providence of God, the funding for my trip (and for the entire team now!) has all been provided. We would not consider going though without the prayers of God's people on our behalf. Would you pray with us...

- For safety in travel and for all the luggage to arrive with us - much of the luggage will contain supplies to help facilitate the conference
- For health for the team and for the missionaries and their families
- For good communication and Christ-like testimony with the hotel staff where the conference will be held
- For quality time and interactions - the missionaries with each other, as they only gather like this once a year; and us with them
- That we would minister well to these servants of God
- For our families here at home while we are away
- For grace-filled attitudes with each other as we are in close proximity and new circumstances

We depend on the grace and strength of God and know that only by His power and your prayers will He be glorified as we go.

Thank you in advance for your part in this work as you pray.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Happy 21st


Happy Birthday, Rachel.  Here's the first pic I have of you.  I think we have all changed, huh? :-)

Love you, see you, bye.
AL

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Why We Do It

One of the things on my mind as I walked the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon (13.1 miles) today was wondering why people do it?  It is always so interesting to listen to conversations of others as we walk along.  My walking buddy and I are neither one all that talkative when engaged in a task, so we both get some grins and giggles listening to other folks around us.

For some, it's all about conquering some previous health struggle and the motivation that provides for them.  For others it was just the "Indy Spirit" thing to do.  Folks on the sidelines are there for different reasons and cheer us on in a variety of ways - "garage bands" of all types, dogs in sunglasses, high-fives from little guys, cowbells, red/white/ blue "clappers"; volunteers with water and gatorade and participant medals; National Guardsmen pointing the way to the showers and the finish line.

For me, it's the motivation that keeps me moving all year long.  I know that if I don't walk regularly through the course of each year and if I don't train properly, January through April, I will "die" when it comes to the Mini.  The exercise should be a regular part of my life anyway - the Mini is just the "hammer" over my head to keep me on task.

The joke at dinner last night was about the details that are important to me as I approach this day.  I can tell you how many miles I need to walk each week since January. I can also tell you exactly when I want to eat half of a powerbar along the way, which stops are for gatorade and not water (I prefer gatorade), and where the restrooms are.  I know every specific piece of clothing I intend to wear and why, and depending on the temperature, which shirt I will wear and "throw away" along the way as things warm up.  I came to the conclusion that if I were that careful with other areas of my life, I might be much more successful in some of them!

When I got home, I registered for next year - May 8, 2010.  It's all about the motivation for me.  It's a good discipline for me to do, and a generally fun experience.

I likely will take Monday off, though. :-)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Today's Reminder

Thursday evening, I suddenly began not feeling well.  (I will spare you the details!)  Took myself home and had a fitful night, but did sleep some.  Spent Friday at home, not doing much of anything.  Feeling significantly better this morning, thankfully.  I am reminded of a blessing that I probably most often take for granted - my health.

The past several months, I have been faithfully training for the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (13.1 miles) that is coming in one week.  I have walked or worked out 3-4 times a week, essentially every week except holidays.  I have done the weekend "long walks" for the past 6 weeks or so, starting at 6 miles and building up to 12 miles last weekend.  Then, Tuesday, I twisted my back, after doing the same workout I have done since November.  It hurt to walk.  This past week, I walked two miles total, instead of the 20 from the week before.

The phrase ringing in my head this morning is that "the preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." (Proverbs 16:1)  Funny that I have known that for years, but never applied it to other parts of life.  I can do everything that I should to be ready for next Saturday, but I had still better be resting in His strength to make it... or I won't.

Today, my prayers are for my friends who daily struggle with health issues, as that must be an overwhelming challenge many days.  May God give you His strength and His peace today and every day.  May I rest in that same strength and peace, being just as aware of His presence on the good days as I am on the hard ones.


Friday, April 3, 2009

Mosaic, Facebook Style

Yes, I did it - finally responded to one of those things were I was tagged in Facebook.  Once this uploads to FB Notes, I will tag others of you.  Gave me a giggle.

Here you go!

Rules:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search (http://www.flickr.com/).
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker. Change rows to 3 and columns to 3 (
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php).
d. Save the image and post it on this note!
e. If you're tagged, pass it on.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your favorite color?
4. Favorite drink?
5. Dream vacation?
6. Favorite hobby?
7. What you want to be when you grow up?
8. What do you love most in life?
9. One word to describe you?

Monday, March 30, 2009

Mondays

Just a Monday morning post to say I am thankful things have leveled out in the past week so that life is more "normal" now.  Been spending as much time as possible focusing on the things that are within my control and less time on those that are not.  Circumstances haven't changed a bit, but it helps perspective to think properly, duh!

SO, here's to Monday - an opportunity to start the week as effectively as possible, staying focused on being who I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to do, where I am supposed to do it.  Sounds pretty simple when you put it that way, doesn't it?

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Fond Memories

Spring is sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where the flowers is?

Used to quote that poem the first day of the last quarter of school each year. Along with it came the assignment to do instrument cleaning. Once a year, I required that all the band students clean their instruments and submit to an inspection. Yes, it really should be done monthly, but I figured this way it at least got it once a year.

Another memory - winter firedrills. These were private affairs, for the HS band only - the first incredible day in January or February when we got our isolated 70 degree day, I would send all the students out for quick one trip around the trailer, first thing in the morning. Worked much better around the trailer than around the other building. :-) One year it was nothing but mud outside.... Oh, well... Sorry, Steve Martz!

Fond memories. Thanks, Katherine, for reminding me!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Amazing

Sometimes it is the littlest things that can provide the biggest encouragements.  Last night I had a conversation with a friend from the past...  the last time we talked was probably 27 years ago.  What a gift I received last night!

First, it is interesting to try to summarize the key points of life that have taken place in so many years.  Second, it is amazing to look back and see the Providence of God in way more details than I could list here to bring some of those key points to pass.

I am thankful for God's hand putting the pieces of my life together.  I am thankful for those God has placed in my life today.  And thankful for re-connections from the past.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Today's focus

Psalm 145:1 - David's deliberate choices

I will exalt you, my God the King; 
       I will praise your name for ever and ever.

I figure that is more than enough to keep me busy. :-)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Something to say

I am in the process of deciding whether or not to formally abandon this blog.  Too many days when I am not sure there is anything worth writing or anything anyone else would care to read.  We'll see.

Today, I will say I am looking at discouragement and the causes.  Most often for me, it is focusing on circumstances, rather than deep reality.  So, today, I am saying out loud that I choose to focus past my circumstances.  The hardest part is that short-sightedness and needing direct, incremental steps is how I am wired, so I know I need to keep short-term goals in sight.  BUT, it is also time to lift my eyes to some longer-term goals and get them clearly in view.  If you happen to run into me regularly, please hold me to that.

Vague enough for you? :-)  More will come out in time, I am sure.