Writer's Block

As you may have noticed, my posts have been lacking as of late. Please do not think I am suffering from a lack of gratitude. If anything, I am more thankful by the day, as I have trained my heart to constantly be on the lookout for the little things to be thankful for! However, my creativity in expressing that appreciation has been lacking.

In addition to this lack of creativity, the semester is coming to a close, which means that papers are due. I have two 20-page monsters that are weighing on me. Thankfully, I have great topics and thorough outlines for each. I simply am having trouble converting those outlines to paragraphs and pages.

So let's make this easy. Forget the creativity. It's time to just write.

Thus...

I am thankful for all of the visitors we had for several weeks.

I am thankful for a great relationship with a son who speaks honestly and openly.

I am thankful for an empty house.

I am thankful for the quiet. 

I am thankful that I have not had to go to the Strip for four days!

I am thankful John returned home before the big storms in the East.

I am thankful all of our families are safe and sound after those big storms. 

I am thankful for great meetings with church staffs and potential ministry opportunities.

I am thankful that the medical portion of the Navy acceptance has now come to an end.

I am thankful that the chaplain recruiter calls me with almost hourly updates. 

I am thankful for texts of encouragement from those who know I have the ability to write great papers. 

I am thankful for a Dad who will turn 60 in a few days!

I am thankful for coffee. 

Okay, so that at least gets me writing and forming sentences. Now maybe I can get on to this paper writing?

Grace & peace to all!

Easter

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Happy Easter!

This was the first time in eight years that I have not been on a church staff for Holy Week. I never thought I would miss it. The month's of preparation, the endless hours in the church building, the extra services... But I did. I missed it. I missed it like crazy. I missed the excitement, the joy, the fellowship of believers. I missed it all.

While I did not make it to a Maundy Thursday or a Good Friday service, due to our revolving door of visitors, I did worship for Easter...twice! The two worship services could not have been more different. One was on Saturday evening, a Sunday overflow service at The Crossing. This is a mega-church in Las Vegas, and its worship is uber-contemporary. There was sensory worship through artwork, lights, videos, and a full band. The preaching, as always, was extraordinary. I am always awe-struck at the number of people coming through their doors to worship. There must have been close to 700 people there, and that was just the first of six Easter worship services? Amazing.

Sunday morning, the entire family joined me at First Presbyterian Church, whose worship was uber-traditional. We walked in to a full orchestra, handbell choir, and singing choir. The music was extraordinary, complete with my favorite Easter hymns, Jesus Christ Has Risen Today, Crown Him With Many Crowns, and the Hallelujah Chorus. The preaching was again extraordinary and inspirational.  While I was happy to be celebrating Easter at a traditional church, I was reminiscent of so many wonderful Easters at ChristChurch Presbyterian in Bellaire.

This called me further and further back into church ministry. Don't get me wrong, I am gung-ho for the Navy, but it will be reserve status until I finish seminary. I am hopeful that a church staff will want to scoop me up in the meantime, even just part time! So that is my prayerful wish, to use my time and talents to serve the people of Las Vegas... If God wants it, of course He'll make it happen! And if not, He'll guide the way, just as He always has.

Thus, today, I am thankful for beautiful Easter worship services, for a wonderful family to celebrate with, and for the quiet that is now surrounding my home. Tonight will truly be a night of "Be Still..."

Earth Day

I feel like I am becoming a Las Vegas tour guide... "On the left you have the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor. On the right you have one of the oldest casinos, the Tropicana. You may remember Ricky Ricardo singing here.  On up ahead, there is the newest casino, the Cosmopolitan, and of course, there is the Bellagio and across the street is Paris. Be sure to catch the Bellagio fountain shows each night. They're every 15 minutes, and choreographed beautifully to music."

With the revolving door of guests we've had over the past few weeks, my knowledge of the surrounding area has increased by the hour! We've taken Rob, Sarah, Karen, and now my mom to all of the "hot spots." Yesterday, I was a bit incensed by the "Earth Day" spectacle, and the lack of "Good Friday" recognition. The world seemed to be celebrating the Earth rather than the Creator. Thus in honor of our Creator, we visited God's tourist attractions in Las Vegas. (Oh, maybe that could be my new company name!)

We went to Lake Mead with its beautiful blue water and the mountains all around. It is an absolutely gorgeous spot to sit in awe. We also made our way out to Red Rock Canyon. The red mountains, the desert landscape, the quiet and the burros grazing alongside the road... It is absolutely picturesque. As we looked all around, more than once we said aloud, "How can you look at all of this and not believe in God, the magnificent Creator?"

So maybe we did celebrate Earth Day by giving glory and honor to the One who made all things bright and beautiful. Thanks to Him, we have amazing tourist attractions as soon as we walk out our front door.

NC BBQ

I love to cook! I love filling up the kitchen with pots & pans, casserole dishes & mixing bowls. While I'm not much of a baker, I love trying new breakfast and dinner recipes and adding a special touch to make them my own. There are a few things I've actually perfected.... Chicken Pot Pie, Shrimp 'n' Grits, and a few other things. Tonight, especially for the arrival of my mom, North Carolina BBQ is on the menu! It's the easiest recipe, courtesy of my wonderful hubby, and it smells up the house as it boils away in the slow cooker all day long.

We just finished cleaning up the kitchen, and it was, by far, one of the better BBQ's we've had. The roast fell off the bone and shredded itself in the pot. The tenderness and the flavor were perfect! I wish I had taken a picture of it, as your mouth would water just by looking at it!

It reminds me, especially during Holy Week, that I am so thankful for the little things and the wonderful foods that are at our fingertips everyday. I don't go hungry...ever. Sure my stomach growls from time to time, but I am so lucky to not feel the the pangs in my stomach everyday like so many people in this world do. Tonight I will be thankful for BBQ, but mindful and prayerful for those that do not have the luxuries that I do.

Grace & peace be with you on this Maundy Thursday.

The BEST Day

After the "terrible-no-good-very-bad-week," I was prepared for yesterday. I did not have my hopes up, and braced myself for bad news while continuing to keep a positive outlook for everyone else.

The day started out well enough. Harrison Barnes announced that he would, in fact, return to UNC for his sophomore season! This puts a starting line up of Barnes, Zeller, Strickland, Henson, and freshman McAdoo...which is a NBA front court, if I've ever seen one! Can you say #1 preseason ranking and 2012 national championship? My dad has already put in his name for the Final Four lottery!

The day continued well with a Krispy Kreme doughnut! Is there really anything better than sugary soft fried dough?

But the appointment I'd been waiting for finally came at 1:30. The doctor took his time, as they all do, but the smile on his face as he entered the room and the words ~ "it's benign" ~ the relief came rushing like a wave to rid my body and soul of worry and angst.

The excitement continued as I called my recruiter in San Diego. He greeted me with the words, "Congratulations, and welcome to the United States Naval Chaplain Corps." Really?! My packet has officially be signed off, and the next stop is officer development school in Newport, Rhode Island!

The day concluded with pool side laughter, a celebratory dinner with drinks, and watching the Bellagio fountains choreographed to "God Bless The USA!" How appropriate!

I am thankful for so many friends who prayed me through these last couple of weeks of waiting and gave me laughter amongst the nerves. I am even more thankful to God for the continued blessings He rains down on my life each and everyday. This is one amazing life, and I am so thankful to be a part of His journey!

The Young Dubliners

I love music. I love all types of music. Anything from boy bands to beach music, from Usher to George Strait, from Air Supply to Jimmy Buffett, I can just about listen to it all.

The Young Dubliners... Taken from right behind the stage.

We've been on British overload the last couple of days. Last night, we enjoyed Guiness and listened to a live band at Nine Fine Irishmen, an Irish pub in New York, New York. Today after church, we went to the Las Vegas Scottish Highlands Festival. There were, of course, bagpipes and drummers galore. I couldn't get over how in sync the drummers were. Their movements were precise and crisp. On one of the big stages, we ran into a band called The Young Dubliners. (Find the irony there...) They had a great mix of fiddler and electric bagpipe with guitars and drums. I was an immediate fan and found a new favorite group.

Thus, another day of music, another day of fun in the sun, another day of hanging out with Karen and John. I am so grateful for beautiful days and rockin' out to new tunes.

Barry Manilow

It may seem a little random to be thankful for Barry Manilow, but today I am very thankful for Barry Manilow! My great friend, Karen, is in town, and as I was looking through our free tickets membership Thursday night to find something fun for her first night in Vegas, I came across Manilow tickets. Now, I'm not quite the Barry Manilow fan. Honestly, I only know one of his songs... "At the Copa... Copacabana... It's the hottest spot north of Havana..." And not only is that the only song I know, but those are the only words to that song I know! The tickets were free, so I figured we could go, and if we didn't like it, we would leave!

We arrived at Paris, and after dinner, we were in our seats five minutes before the show started. Did I mention we were given FRONT ROW seats? We felt like VIPs, but a little guilty at the same time. Everyone around us was bleeding with Barry love! They were dressed like him, held up record covers, and waved glow sticks galore! We felt a little out of place, but everyone we had talked to said Barry Manilow puts on an amazing show! Oh he did not disappoint!!

Seven wardrobe changes, millions of bright lights, four dueling pianos, and thirty songs later, we were Barry Manilow's number one fans! The energy, the enthusiasm, the realness of it all...it was indicative of shows from yesteryear and not the loud noisy "concerts" of today. The crowd went crazy, and Copacabana closed out the show. Ohhhh yes! We were dancing, we were singing, we were having a great night!

I am thankful for Barry Manilow giving us a wonderful night on the town and opening my eyes to a whole new world of music and entertainment! What adventure will we get into next?? :)

A Night On The Town

There was slight disappointment today... I did not glow. I was hopeful to glow, but I did not glow.

You see, it was test day. Not school test...though actually, I did take a school quiz...but it was doctor test day. Ever since the Navy found the latest hiccup in my body, it's been nothing but hoop jumping. Today was MRI and a bone scan day. For the latter, they inject radiation into your body! So you see, I was hopeful that I would glow. Even went into the dark bathroom, just on the off chance that I'd be able to see something, anything. But no, no glowing. 

With last week still being referred to as the "terrible-no-good-very-bad-week," and with the flux of visitors coming in and out of our house, the dear hubby and I deserved a night out, just the two of us. I bought a new dress Tuesday and could not wait to wear it, and hubby always picks out the right shoes to match! This was the perfect opportunity to enjoy time together, and John & I hit the town. 

Living in Vegas, we really do feel like we are just a few miles away from vacation anytime. The lights, the fountains, the people-watching, the shows, the noises... It's a getaway from reality, yet it's just down the road. We went to a couple of places we had yet to see, and a couple of places that we probably will never go to again, but it was time to spend together, just the two of us. 

Tomorrow Karen comes to town! Dare I say it, I'm surprising her with Barry Manilow tickets! Will she be excited? Will she roll her eyes and say, "Really? Are you kidding me?" The tickets were free, so as long as I can go in long enough to hear, "At the Copa...Copacabana...," I'll be happy! 

Today's thanks? That's easy... I spent time with John! Any time with him is always a special gift! Good night!

Spa Day & Dolphins

For some reason, this did not post on Tuesday! Thus, here's try #2!

My pal, Sarah, and her husband, Rob, are still in town. It's been such a treat to hang out and just be with them. Sarah happened to have a friend who had a nephew who is a dolphin trainer at the Mirage. (Did you keep up with that relationship?) He invited us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the dolphins this morning. After I picked up Sarah at Caesar's Palace, we went on over...and we waited...and we waited. We were so excited. Playing with dolphins ranks high on our bucket lists. We continued to wait and wait. We called the trainer. No answer... Yeah, he never showed up. So instead, we went to BLT Burger and had one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. I am thankful we were able to muster flexibility and creativity in the midst of disappointment! Fried pickles certainly helped put smiles on our faces. 

Our next stop of the day was at Spa Mio at the M Resort. Oh yes, spa day, here we come! It was much like entering Heaven for several hours. We were greeted by a lovely staff of women, who showed us to the lounge area with fluffy couches and pillows. We were shown our lockers, the dressing areas, the bathrooms, the showers, the steam rooms and jacuzzi area, and we quickly understood what "bathing suit optional" meant! We were given plush robes and slippers, and treated to pineapple cranberry juice cocktails. The facial was perfect, but not nearly as wonderful as the simple bit of peace and quiet and relaxation with a friend. We sat outside by the pool under a palm tree afterward and chatted quietly. It really was a slice of Heaven.

Despite our best efforts to see a Cirque de Soliel show, we opted instead for a relaxing evening with our husbands and scarfed down mounds of sushi. I am so thankful to have Sarah visiting. Though she leaves tomorrow, it was beautiful time of renewed friendship. I really do think I am the luckiest person on earth!

"I Saw God Today"

The past two days have been filled with joy and tranquility, especially after the "terrible-no-good-very-bad-week." Our friends, Rob & Sarah, arrived Sunday. Sarah & I grew up together in the Quaker faith, and ventured to Mexico on mission trips in our teenage years. As Sarah's mom put it over the phone, we could sit in a room and stare at each other and still be assured a fun day! It's so good to have a lifelong friend like her. 

After last night's Vegas blitz of seeing casinos and hotels, today was relaxing and full of wonderful foods...especially the pie at Joe's! It was full of conversations and walking and exploring. There really is nothing better!

On my way home this evening, I heard the George Strait song, "I Saw God Today." It reminded me that God is with us always, even though we do not see Him or even feel Him. He is in the little things...sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, enjoying a poolside chat or even sitting peacefully without having to say a word. And He is in the big things...even when you hear bad news at the doctors office or   plans don't go quite as you thought they would. He is everywhere, standing by with loving, comforting arms when needed and celebrating with us in moments of happiness. 

Today I am thankful that I saw God today, in the form of my friend Sarah and in a well-deserved quiet, peaceful day.  

Love God, Love Others: A Theology of Missions

Warning: What you are about to read may induce a deep coma! If you choose to continue, you may be bored out of your mind. However, I enjoyed writing this paper for my World Missions class! It's certainly not scholarly material, but it may get an A...or a B! 

LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS

A Theology of Missions Paper ~ 

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course ICST 500

Introduction

At a job interview several years ago, the pastor said, “Tell me what shapes your theology.” This was a broad statement that he thought required a lengthy answer. However, I said only four words: “Love God, Love Others.” While the pastor was unimpressed with my simplicity, these four words describe our purpose and the two relationships that mission is based upon: first, our relationship to God, and second, our relationship to those we serve in our homes, churches, communities and the world. Mission theology can be boiled down to these four words and two relationships, as we, the members of God’s church, are called to love God and love neighbor. We love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength by worshiping Him and serving Him. As a result of our love for God, we are called to share that relationship and love with others, through preaching the gospel, making disciples, expanding the kingdom of God, and giving the gift of hope.[1]

Scripture Relevant to Mission

The basis for loving God and loving others is found throughout the Bible, as these commandments are the cornerstone for Christianity and mission. The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, is a prayer that we have heard since we were children. Hear these words in the fresh language from The Message:

God, our God! God the one and only! Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

Jesus coupled this commandment with another, based on the passages in Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5:

He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”[2]

Finally, Jesus commissioned his disciples with the following words:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.[3]

When we look at these three scriptures, our purpose is clear and the road to that purpose is drawn for us. This commands each of us to preach the Gospel, to give our testimonies to our friends and families, and to evangelize our neighborhoods near and the far communities abroad. We are called to live each day in mission by worshiping our God with love and glorifying Him by sharing His word.

What is God’s Role in Mission?

God is the great missioner. He is in perpetual engagement with the created world.[4] He is the one who changes hearts. He is the one who prepares the way. Without God, missionaries would make little difference in the world. Without God, the Church would fail to build the Kingdom. In 1963, the World Council of Churches came up with a phrase to describe God’s role in mission. Missio Dei is the Latin phrase for “the sending of God.”[5] Generally, the mission world had become people-centered, rather than God-centered. Our western culture led our thinking down a path of organization and goal-setting, and our missionaries and church leaders were caught up in what they were doing, not what God was doing. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with goal-setting and strategic planning; however, our human minds can lead us down a path of greed and self-edification, and suddenly our work is to build numbers without crediting God for changing hearts and providing opportunities. The introduction of this phrase, missio dei, was an effort to remind us that mission is God’s program, not simply that of the church leaders. This term encompasses everything God does to build the Kingdom and everything the church is sent to do.[6]

Mission Theology’s Place in Theology

Mission lies at the core of theology. As we explored the three scriptures above, we discovered that mission is at the heart of who Christians are and what the church is called to do.[7] Mission serves as an anchor to the scriptures and the cornerstone to the church. The missionary theology of the church must have the purposes of the church in relation to the world as its driving focus.[8]

Mission Statement

Jesus gave his followers a clear mission statement. It was of such importance that four biblical authors recorded the charge in their writings: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8. When we combine these scriptures, we are given a road map of how to live our lives in service to others. Our purpose as Christians is to reflect God’s glory through worship and mission, which is rooted in evangelism, church planting, discipleship, church growth, and salt-and-light giving.[9]

The Apostle Paul is a fine example of living his life in service to the Lord and fulfilling this mission statement through four key motifs: kingdom of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and the Church.[10] Paul understood that the kingdom was ultimately and only God’s, and he was privileged to participate as a follower. He preached the Gospel by giving the historical events of Jesus’ life, emphasizing Christ’s functional works, and telling his personal, dynamic, redemptive encounter with Christ.[11] He allowed the Holy Spirit to guide his travels and prepare the salty lives of his audience to shine the light of God.[12] Paul understood the importance of the Church and how it would contribute to the continual growth of its members. He made church planting a priority, organizing followers into local congregations, which were characterized by a deep commitment to one another and to the order and discipline of the Spirit of God.[13] We, as Christ’s followers, can imitate Paul’s mission strategy as we live our lives in the act of loving God and loving our neighbors.

Being Called To Mission

Mission is not just for missionaries, church leaders or even lay leaders. Mission is a way of life meant for every follower of Jesus. As a Christian, we are designed to love our God and to love our neighbor. Whether one receives a specific call to move their family to live amongst the people in Haiti, or offers their gift of leadership to a presbytery in Texas, or uses their enthusiasm for the children to volunteer in youth ministry in Herndon, all of God’s people are part of His mission. Some are scared of the word “evangelism,” thinking it means everyone should preach the Word on street corners. They feel they do not have the gifts to evangelize. Fear not, for the Spirit will prepare the way and ready the hearts of those we encounter. It may come in the form of playing a game of basketball in Mexico City, painting a house in New Orleans, or installing a clean water system in Haiti. As we stated initially, mission is built upon relationships. He will form the relationships for us and give us an entry point into telling His story and our stories. Living our lives by God’s rules, loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, forgiving others as Christ forgave, and teaching others to forgive, is all part of God’s mission to the world. We need not be scholars. Whether a missionary, church leader, lay leader or recent convert, we simply must have the love of God and be willing to share that love.

Conclusion

The central need of all people is to have an established living relationship with a loving God, and this is why we are called to mission.[14] We are directed to love our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Loving God is the basis for establishing relationships with others and loving others as we love ourselves. Thus, can we simplify the theology of mission to four words? Yes. Love God. Love Others. It really is that simple. 

---

[1] Ralph Winter, Steven Hawthorne, eds., Perspectives On The World Christian Movement. (Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2009),150.

[2] The Message, Luke 10:27.

[3] NIV, Matthew 28:19-20.

[4] Ian Corbett, 119.

[5] Scott Moreau, Gary Corwin, & Gary McGee, Introducing World Missions, A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004),73.

[6] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 73.

[7] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 76.

[8] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 84.

[9] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 80.

[10] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 80.

[11] Thomas Lea & David Black, The New Testament: It’s Background & Message. (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2003), 354.

[12] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 61.

[13] Winter & Hawthorne, 150.

[14] Moreau, Corwin & McGee, 86. 

The Thanksgiving Project

Every morning, I go for a light run. It helps me wake up and put the day in perspective. Since moving to Vegas, I've been listening to podcasts as I run. I have yet to find a church home, and so I've downloaded tons of sermons from pastors I love. Today, like every morning, I put on my iPod and took off.

The sermon I listened to today was entitled "Results of Gratitude," which David Bridges preached on February 6. David is the Senior Pastor at Friendswood Friends Church in Friendswood, Texas. He & I often met for coffee when I lived in Houston, and I still consider him a great mentor.  The first sentence out of his mouth was ... "Gratitude opens the door for contentedness and generosity."

How true is that sentence? In essence, that is why I started this blog. It is not enough to live each day going through the motions... We should be thankful for all things. My attitude needed an adjustment this week, and God provided the means. How can I not be thankful? I have an amazing husband, a great family, extraordinary opportunities. I live a great life, thanks to God.

David's sermon provided me great comfort. He listed four things to do every day in order to get into the habit of being thankful. These, of course, are only four suggestions, not conclusive by any means, but I found them helpful:

1 - Thank God before you eat. It doesn't have to be long or sound like a preacher. It can be simple, it can be easy. Don't do it just before dinner, but before you eat anything.

2 - Everyday, write one or two things you are thankful for! Try it for 30 days!

3 - Remember the past. If it's bad right now, we can be thankful for the good times in the past. If it was bad in the past, we can be thankful that times change and God is always with us.

4 - Whenever you're frustrated or angry, stop right there and list two things you are thankful for. It may be hard to do at first, but just give it a shot.

Thus, today, I am thankful for this blog that I can look back upon and see my gratitude each day. There IS something to be thankful for in every second of every day.

Finally, I am thankful for sermon podcasts that remind me to be thankful to the One who gives me strength.

If The Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me...

The phone never rang yesterday. Correction, the phone rang...it just wasn't the Navy! So another day of waiting is upon us. This, however, made me think of Jimmy Buffett. He wrote a great song entitled, "If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me..." Now that may seem sad, but it put a smile on my face. Jimmy is one of my favorite musicians. I was so thankful to John when he gave me a satellite radio, as it has the "Margaritaville" station. While it doesn't play Jimmy all day every day, I make sure to tune in for the hour-long Buffett Buffet every morning and evening.

One of my friends once called Jimmy a bum who made millions. His songs may not win grammys, but every song tells a story. They certainly make me smile and lighten my mood!

Thus, in David Letterman fashion, here are the top ten Jimmy Buffett songs, according to Ashley:

10) Fins (Volcano)

9) Stars on the Water (One Particular Harbor)

8) Boat Drinks (Volcano)

7) The Night I Painted The Sky (Barometer Soup)

6) Volcano (Volcano)

5) Lone Palm (Fruitcakes)

4) Barefoot Children In The Rain (Barometer Soup)

3) One Particular Harbor (One Particular Harbor)

2) Coconut Telegraph (Coconut Telegraph)

1) Frank & Lola (Last Mango In Paris)

Bonus! Top two remakes - Brown-Eyed Girl & Mexico!

Clearly, others have favorite songs. Did mine make your top ten list?

Thankful today for the music of Jimmy Buffett!

One last thing....favorite collaboration...see below!

Expecting the Unexpected

The last two days have brought nothing but the unexpected. After a great day at MEPS on Friday, it was expected that Monday would be a breeze. The green check marks would be abundant and finally I would achieve medical readiness status for the Navy. The final hurdle would be jumped! ...I could not have been more wrong. While I am not ready for the world to know the extent of the damage, let's just say that I have been medically disqualified.

On the way back from Haiti, I told God that if He didn't want me to join the Navy afterall, it would require a huge sign. Monday left me wondering if this was indeed the huge sign? Or was it God's way of saying that life over the past few years has been pretty easy and joyful and it was time I really work for something? I sought the advice of my two spiritual advisers. Each were bewildered but not completely convinced that this was the big sign. Thus, I chose to continue praying, and let the Navy decide my fate with them. Today I will receive a phone call with the next steps...

Yesterday was just as unexpected. I am thankful for friends and prayers that walked John & me through the day. What would we do without the encouraging community of believers that God has provided us? We would certainly be lost and lonely. I am thankful that I will never have to feel those emotions.

So today, I will look for and expect the unexpected...as that seems to be the theme of the week. Tune in tomorrow for today's big surprise...as I am sure there will be one!

MEPS, part two

This week in the Adventures of Ashley...

Would you believe that I have yet to unpack my bags from Haiti? Well, I did pull out the dirty clothes and they were washed immediately. But the two bags have not made it out of my garage yet. Perhaps today will be the day. It's been a week of playing "catch-up." There was so much reading and school work to accomplish. I had missed my friends desperately, and phone calls and skype chats took up many hours this week. I am so thankful to be surrounded by so many loving people. Every time I finished a call or chat, I would smile for the following hours. It has been a joy to relive the trip over and over as I recount the highlights and the work we accomplished.

With the school work complete, it was time to figure out what the Navy was going to do with me. I have completed the necessary paperword, my chaplains packet is at the National Board for review this week, and my security clearance has apparently cleared. So...are they going to accept my medical history, or is it time to find a new path? When my recruiter called to say I had to go back to MEPS, my heart sank.  If you have not read the previous post of this wonderful adventure, please do so, as it's a day I will never forget. Before I went in yesterday, I made sure to practice my duck walk...

They asked for me to arrive at noon, and being one to always arrive early, I was there at 11:40am. Turns out that my appointment was moved to 2:00pm, but they just figured it would be good to have me there to wait a couple of hours in the crowded waiting area. At 2:20pm, they called me back. I was in and out in a little under 7 minutes and received a big green check mark on my folder. They passed me...but I still have to return for another "consult" on Monday at 9:30am. Does it ever end? (And believe me, I asked if I should give even more practice to duck walking... They said no.)

There was a silver lining to all of this waiting. One of the physician assistants told me that the astounding doctor I saw during the last visit had received a reprimand from his superiors. I assume that he called someone a "spring chicken" and they complained! I know it is the season of Lent, and it is the time of forgiveness, but I could not help but feel a little vindicated!

And so the story continues... Tune in Monday for the update!