To all of my sweet friends, beloved family, and others who lurk on this blog: I need to share something very sad and extremely good with you tonight.
My friend Kerri Lane died this evening. My girls are without a mother, and I cannot imagine what pain tomorrow is going to bring. I was so honored to get to put them to bed this evening and spend some time talking with them before I left them with their Mimi. A new bed was brought in for Kerri today, and Jolee mentioned that she wouldn't get to sleep on it. So with smiles on our faces, we discussed what her new bed must be like, and what it must be made of. We decided it was either wool or clouds. My heart is breaking over and over again- but friends, she was in such pain. I am so grateful that she is HOME and is in no more pain. She is once again the bright and happy Kerri she always was. It was time, and thank you Lord for taking her to be with you.
I know I will write more in the coming days about this. Over the past months I have asked for your prayers for this family. Once again I ask that you pray for these girls, their Mimi, and their dad. I pray that God will bless Mimi and Tony with wisdom and strength; I pray for boldness and softness of heart for Carlee, who is being the strong one; and I pray for peace and understanding for Jolee, who doesn't understand what has just happened.
2.23.2006
2.20.2006
Thoughts for a Monday…
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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1
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Last week the film “Invisible Children” was shown around Abilene, including Highland. If you have not seen it, please figure out a way to get a copy in your hand then share it will all of your friends. I was excited to see it, because such there was such a hype surrounding the movie. However that hype also made me wonder if it was just another film that was going to give you a “missional high”- one that would make you want to go out and sell everything you have for about 5 minutes… then it would lessen as rationality sets in. Well… after seeing it, the wheels in my mind were certainly turning about the ways I spend my money and what I could do to save more of it But the movie has also stayed with me throughout the weeks. The interesting thing is that most of the men and women that were interviewed are Christians. That fact wasn’t the point of the movie, but it was mentioned. What hit me the most was that these people (including their government officials) truly believe that no one else in the world cares about them. They feel very alone in this nightmare and really believe they are alone. A lot of people may see this movie and want to head over there as fast as possible to share the gospel. Well our African brothers and sisters know the gospel. They just aren’t experiencing the love.
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This is Lectureship week here in Abilene. It seriously takes over the whole town, because all of the hotels are booked, restaurants are packed, and traffic on the north side of town is busier. I never care, though, because I love it. I always see people that I haven’t seen in at least a year. And how having lived and been involved with church and academia in Temple, Abilene, and Nashville, I have so many connections and it’s so fun to randomly run into people (which can literally happen after a keynote lets out and everyone is scurrying around Moody). The people that come in for this from hundreds of miles away are so cute! I can picture myself someday rolling into Moody with my walker and adjusting my hearing aid so that I can be fed by the men (and maybe, someday, women!) who will be leading the generation after me. Until that day, I am glad to hike up the stairs to the top of section S to hear Dr. Money and other fine men not only dream of unity, but bring unity to reality.
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Here’s a picture of some loyal GSP fans from Sing Song on Saturday night...
~ ~ ~ ~
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1
~ ~ ~ ~
Last week the film “Invisible Children” was shown around Abilene, including Highland. If you have not seen it, please figure out a way to get a copy in your hand then share it will all of your friends. I was excited to see it, because such there was such a hype surrounding the movie. However that hype also made me wonder if it was just another film that was going to give you a “missional high”- one that would make you want to go out and sell everything you have for about 5 minutes… then it would lessen as rationality sets in. Well… after seeing it, the wheels in my mind were certainly turning about the ways I spend my money and what I could do to save more of it But the movie has also stayed with me throughout the weeks. The interesting thing is that most of the men and women that were interviewed are Christians. That fact wasn’t the point of the movie, but it was mentioned. What hit me the most was that these people (including their government officials) truly believe that no one else in the world cares about them. They feel very alone in this nightmare and really believe they are alone. A lot of people may see this movie and want to head over there as fast as possible to share the gospel. Well our African brothers and sisters know the gospel. They just aren’t experiencing the love.
~ ~ ~ ~
This is Lectureship week here in Abilene. It seriously takes over the whole town, because all of the hotels are booked, restaurants are packed, and traffic on the north side of town is busier. I never care, though, because I love it. I always see people that I haven’t seen in at least a year. And how having lived and been involved with church and academia in Temple, Abilene, and Nashville, I have so many connections and it’s so fun to randomly run into people (which can literally happen after a keynote lets out and everyone is scurrying around Moody). The people that come in for this from hundreds of miles away are so cute! I can picture myself someday rolling into Moody with my walker and adjusting my hearing aid so that I can be fed by the men (and maybe, someday, women!) who will be leading the generation after me. Until that day, I am glad to hike up the stairs to the top of section S to hear Dr. Money and other fine men not only dream of unity, but bring unity to reality.
~ ~ ~ ~
Here’s a picture of some loyal GSP fans from Sing Song on Saturday night...
2.06.2006
I’ve decided to come out of retirement. It seems that there are at least two girls that still faithfully check this little site, and I suppose my friendship with them is worth at least one post. It’s not that I don’t enjoy blogging… it’s just hard to jump back in after getting out of the groove. I’ll do my best to get my groove back!
So things in my life have definitely changed since my last post. I’ll just use this post as a life update, and then I’ll get back to randomness in the future…
In December I passed all of my classes and even got to keep my scholarship! Christmas was great, because it was one of the few times that my parents, my brother and I were all in the same room for more than a couple of hours. I also traveled to Nashville for New Years and spent some quality time with friends and families. I guess should mention that I began dating a very wonderful man during this month. We’ve been dating for almost 2 months now, and it seems like I’ve known him for years. I will share more about him soon!
In January I started my classes again, cut back on my hours, and switched my degree plan back to the Masters of Christian Ministry. I had been contemplating this switch since December, but was hesitant. So many people were very encouraging of my pursuing the MDiv, and I hate to disappoint. But in the end, my purpose in being in graduate school isn’t to obtain some fancy degree. I just want to grow and learn, and that has been happening greatly since my entrance into graduate school. I’d also like to graduate before I’m 30, and I don’t really want to give up working. I think once you’ve tasted the sweet nectar of ministry, it’s hard to go back. So I’m back to the MACM and loving the idea of graduating in the next few years!
Now it’s February, and Highland has a new children’s minister! Her name is Suzetta, and she has been involved in Highland’s children’s ministry one way or another over the past 20 years. Over the past few months she has become a friend and guide to me, and I’m so excited about working with her! It has been a priceless education for me to be in the “Big L” position in our children’s ministry, but I am so ready to step back and learn from her.
So with my job improving, school being less stressful, and dating the greatest guy in Abilene, my life is just super. How’s that for a comeback post?
(Also, I spent a lot of time with Carlee and Jolee over my break. We pretty much have a standing Friday night date, and look for other times during the week to hang out. I love loving these girls! Please remember their mom, Kerri, in your prayers. She is teaching me, and the rest of Highland, so much about trust and faith right now.)
So things in my life have definitely changed since my last post. I’ll just use this post as a life update, and then I’ll get back to randomness in the future…
In December I passed all of my classes and even got to keep my scholarship! Christmas was great, because it was one of the few times that my parents, my brother and I were all in the same room for more than a couple of hours. I also traveled to Nashville for New Years and spent some quality time with friends and families. I guess should mention that I began dating a very wonderful man during this month. We’ve been dating for almost 2 months now, and it seems like I’ve known him for years. I will share more about him soon!
In January I started my classes again, cut back on my hours, and switched my degree plan back to the Masters of Christian Ministry. I had been contemplating this switch since December, but was hesitant. So many people were very encouraging of my pursuing the MDiv, and I hate to disappoint. But in the end, my purpose in being in graduate school isn’t to obtain some fancy degree. I just want to grow and learn, and that has been happening greatly since my entrance into graduate school. I’d also like to graduate before I’m 30, and I don’t really want to give up working. I think once you’ve tasted the sweet nectar of ministry, it’s hard to go back. So I’m back to the MACM and loving the idea of graduating in the next few years!
Now it’s February, and Highland has a new children’s minister! Her name is Suzetta, and she has been involved in Highland’s children’s ministry one way or another over the past 20 years. Over the past few months she has become a friend and guide to me, and I’m so excited about working with her! It has been a priceless education for me to be in the “Big L” position in our children’s ministry, but I am so ready to step back and learn from her.
So with my job improving, school being less stressful, and dating the greatest guy in Abilene, my life is just super. How’s that for a comeback post?
(Also, I spent a lot of time with Carlee and Jolee over my break. We pretty much have a standing Friday night date, and look for other times during the week to hang out. I love loving these girls! Please remember their mom, Kerri, in your prayers. She is teaching me, and the rest of Highland, so much about trust and faith right now.)
