Magic Wands and PVC pipe what in the world?

A few years go on an Amor trip God gave me an object lesson that I needed very much and it's easy to remember. I shared with the ladies at Tapestry retreat on year. Joy remembers and it really spoke to her.

At the time, I was just starting my teaching career which had a very rough and rocky start. I was really struggling with wanting to be a teacher and wanting to do great and wonderful for God's glory. An new "tool" was introduced. It was a small piece of pvc pipe about foot long. For most people when they look at pvc pipe they think about plumbing and transferring water form on spot to another used by plumbers. However to me, I just need a small section and it's the greatest tool I've ever used. It's used to stretch chicken wire. The job use to be time consuming and hard. It isn't easy to get the chicken wire tight enough. With this pvc pipe, I've heard call the magic wand, it's quick easy and the chicken wire is tight enough.

So the lesson learned is this: that you may see a simple a teacher when you look at me. That's fine. God did intended for me to be teacher. That role in my life has it's purpose. However, when you take me and place in God's hands, I can do amazing. I've built houses. I've a company have a smooth spring season. I've been a nurse's assistant. I've helped children learn about bible. I've feed people.

I don't want to be the pvc pipe. I want to do something that at times seems mundane and boring. I know it's very functional. In fact, it's needed. It's job that somebody needs to do. I want be the magic wand. I want to be doing amazing things for God's glory. I know that both show how great my God is, but you don't have look when you are being the magic wand.

Just so you know

I've been told several times over the past several months about how brave I am because I'm going to become an army wife. That it takes a very special type of person to be an army wife. An army wife has to be independent.

I just think I should straighten things out. First off, I'm not brave at all. I shake on the inside. I'm scared of change and the thought of newness overwhelms. This is the person who walked through security at the airport bailing after saying good-bye to my parents and Kelly the day I left for Korea. I was also running away from problems on that day too. As for being independent, I'm the farther-est thing from it. I need people. I count on them. I love people.

What I do know is this. James is amazing and I love him more than I can express. That God is sufficient. I just have to depend on Him. He will make me into that woman that is an army wife. It doesn't matter that I'm not that brave. This isn't about how brave I am, but willingness. I'm willing to leave everything behind and embrace this new life with James. The greatest part about all this is that I have the guarantee that I'm not doing this alone. James will go with me. When the army sends James away, I'll still have God and that's all need.

So honestly, I'm only pretending to be excited. Deep down, I'm scared half death. I can't tell you where I'm going to live or even what kind of job I'll have next year. What does matter is that God will go before and James will go with.

I just don't understand somethings

Before I get to the main point, I feel I should give some background. I attend two churches. I go to Royal Palms Baptist Church. I have been going there since I was 15, I will probably always think of it as my home church. About three years, I was on an amor trip and had three sites I was watching over. One of these groups was Trinity Baptist of Mesa. I went to a Sunday morning and filled out the visitor info. I was called and told about an evening service. I went and checked out. It was a good service and the people were great. I've been going ever since.

In January, Royal Palms sent Jeremiah Johnson to Mozambique. He went to work with the Dinah family. He was going out to villages and preach the gospels. He was doing amazing things. He was reach new villages and going into to villages that had been reached but had moved away for the gospel. One day, he had gone out to visit the first village he made contact with. He was returning home on a motorcycle on a small one line road when an another on coming car tried to pass him. It hit on the side and sent him flying. God took him home.

Tonight at Trinity, they had a missionary, Doug Cannon, visiting and he spoke. He had be in be over in Asia teaching and preaching. He moved over to China. He was reaching a people that live up in the mountains. These people also haven't really be reached either. About six months ago, he was riding in car on high mountain, it hit an ice patch and slide. The car went over the side of the mountain. He broke his neck. He was taken to hospital in Hong Kong. He had a surgery and has recovered. He has most of the motion back in his neck.

So I'm left wondering something. Why did Jeremiah die? Why did Doug live? It just it doesn't make sense. They were both out there doing great things God. They were both furthering God's kingdom. Why was Jeremiah taken home? Why was Doug healed? Why is Royal Palms left hurting and dealing with the loss and pain? Why is Trinity celebrating the life and healing? I wish I had answers. I wish I knew the reason. I know that God has a reason and his plans are good and wonderful. I just want to know why I had crying at Jon's desk, and why my first friend to pass away was younger than me and doing great things for things God? Why does it hurt? When will it stop?