Wednesday, December 20, 2006

End of the Spear

We watched "End of the Spear" at housechurch last night. I had seen it in the theater with some friends from work. It is the story of some missionaries who worked to befriend and share God's love with one of the most violent people groups on Earth. I had read the stories of Jim Elliot and his friends when I was in college so I was thrilled when they made a movie about it- the movie tells the rest of the story and it is great!! I had such fun talking to my friends when we left the theater, hearing their non-Christian opinions of what these people did. One of my favorite quotes came from Jim Elliott-- "He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose."
It is a marvelous reminder of what Christmas day really did for the world- how one little baby boy changed and is changing lives forever. We are so lucky to be able to celebrate the birth of our Lord, to know that He came, He loved and He saved. He lives now in our lives, in our hearts and in our relationships.
I am so thankful that I go to church with friends who will watch movies with me and discuss them after and we know without a doubt that God is there with us!
Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy the celebration- it is much deserved!!

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Made It

I did it- "I ran the Strip" plus another 7.1 miles!! My poor sister flew into town to run the 1/2 Marathon with me and was so sick with the stomach flu that she didn't get to run. I felt awful for her! I have to say, I still don't like running but I was really excited to be able to say that I finished even faster than I had hoped for! I am very consistant at 12 minute miles so I figured with a little walking here and there I could make it in 2 hours and 45 minutes. I actually finished in 2 hours and 33 minutes!! I bought a Christmas ornament that says "13.1 miles and still smiling" and I will say that though my legs were sore I did cross the finish line smiling!
I also made it through to Christmas break- I am exhausted as always but in different ways this year. I have so much more responsibility this year but so much less structure it is hard to budget my time and motivate myself at times. I have misplaced a very important document and will have to own up to it when I return in January which will probably result in being written up. I don't feel that upset about it because I figure that even in this, a huge mistake that I have made, God is with me. There will be consequences that won't be pleasant but at least I know that through it all God is with me.
I made it through basketball try-outs where I was told I had to speak to each girl individually about why they did or didn't make the team- it was awful! They cried, I felt like an idiot, but in the end I have a team I am excited to work with. We are going to be very young, and very raw this year but I know we are going to see a lot of improvement. I almost forgot how much b-ball takes out of me until Friday when my friends were waiting for me at Claim Jumpers and I was at school waiting for girls to get picked up by parents who forgot them and then had to play taxi to 3 others!! AAHHH!!!
I feel sort of lost in space these days- God is there, He is prodding me, but I somehow just feel indifferent. Indifferent and disconnected. I love House Church but I can't go to Apex again due to the Sender Team meeting for India. I am the leader of the sending team which is totally exciting but right now just feels oppressive with all the other things I am doing and because I am lost. I have carved out some significant time to spend with the Lord and I am looking forward to being found!
I am sitting in a house that I love but can't wait to sell and once again feeling sorry for myself for being in this house alone on a Saturday night. Life... it really doesn't change much but it moves so quickly I just can't catch up to the time when I feel better about what God is doing with me!
Reading Isaiah I keep seeing how God has offered redemption over and over. This Christmas I will remember that my Lord, the Lord who redeems the world once and for all was born. Halleluiah!!