Home Ownership

I am 10 days into being a home owner and I must say I am loving it! Here are some of the highlights:

• I can sing at the top of my lungs without worrying about innocent bystanders
• I truly have the best neighbors imaginable- they are all friendly, they have regular cookouts and parties, they sit on their driveways and talk most evenings, and one neighbor is mowing my yard, doing all the trimming, leaves... for a case of beer per year. Yes, that's right. 1 case per year. I will find additional ways to compensate him, but I already bought him his case. He helped hang my shower rod and trimmed my hedges tonight as well. In the winter he plows out our whole area as well. A single girl with no practical skills couldn't ask for a better set of neighbors!
• I have a garage. My car is a reasonable temperature when I get in it, it isn't getting pummeled with hail, and I won't have to scrape snow in the morning. Plus I have lots of storage space there.
  
• My new furniture is amazing! Seriously my sleep number bed is out of control. I still have decorating to do, but I'm not in a rush.
  
• I have a yard to enjoy. I can lay on my hammock or sit on the bench swing and read a good book.
  
• I get to kill spiders on my own. I didn't have them in my high-rise apartment and growing up I had my parents kill them, but now it's up to me unless I am ok with cohabitation. So far I've had 2 unfortunate encounters, but I won them both and am growing less squeamish.
  
• I have plenty of room for visitors. So far it has been a revolving door of guests and I love it!
  

Traveling with Kay

It was really neat to spend some time with Kay Arthur during our trip. Several years ago I would have idolized her or placed her on a pedestal, but thankfully I now realize that she is just an ordinary person being used by God as she is obedient to Him. Due to the overwhelming amount of studying of the Bible that she has done I have a lot of respect for her insights and understanding.

One day in Jerusalem I was with my group at what seemed like the 100th excavation site that we visited. It wasn't really that bad, but our tour guide was a walking encyclopedia and I am just not that interested in old rocks. He kept using the "E" word- excavation. I had a sudden urge to just leave. I can't explain it, I just felt the need to get away. So I decided to just leave the group and take a break by myself. As I left the area feeling like a total slacker it so happened that I left the site just as Kay Arthur was there and needing someone to walk with her and carry her Bible to the next teaching site. So as everyone else was enduring a long discussion on the significance of a pile of stones I was escorting Kay around Jerusalem and talking with her about God and medicine and miracles. She was a nurse as a young woman, so she had a great perspective on medicine.

We talked about the power of prayer, and if it really matters to pray for someone to be healed. The basic premise of what she shared with me is that of course prayer matters and God does perform miracles sometimes. It is also possible to think we know what God wants to do and be completely wrong. She told me that she felt the need to pray for her dad to be healed and so she did and then her dad died. She said she obviously misunderstood God on that one. I really appreciated her honesty! We talked about the "name it and claim it" theology, which her and I both believe is not Biblical. God isn't a vending machine and He certainly isn't going to be strong-armed by us. I personally would rather have God's will than mine for my life. God knows far better what I truly need and what is best for me! We discussed the often used passage, "by His stripes we are healed" and how people often use this to think we should be physically healed when that passage and the context make it clear that it is about God healing us spiritually from our sins through His death.

All in all, it was a really neat conversation as we walked around Jerusalem. Her Bible was heavy and full of markings! I am so thankful for her obedience to God. Watching and interacting with her makes me want to dive into the Bible at a much greater depth to truly get to know God better, not just have an emotional response to what I read.

Mom is Afraid of Camels

One day we had lunch at a Bedouin (nomadic desert dwellers) place. It was really neat. They had camels and goats all over. In fact, one donkey gave birth while we were there. It got fairly uncomfortable to sit on the ground eating, but it was well worth the experience. While there, I wanted to get a picture of mom and I in front of some camels. She was hesitant. I think she was afraid of a camel spitting on her. I convinced her to stand with our backs to them long enough to get a picture. Right after this shot was taken, I grabbed her butt in a way that I thought was similar to a camel-bite. I have never seen her move so quickly. It was hilarious! Thanks mom for being a good sport!

Mt Carmel

While in Israel we visited Mt Carmel which is where Elijah met with all the prophets of false gods to see whose god would send fire (1 Kings 18). Not only are the views breathtaking from the top of the mountain, but it was incredible to read about Elijah's faith as he taunted the followers of Baal and Asherah. I kept thinking of a quote that I heard during some message, "Stick your neck out for God and watch the Holy Spirit defend your testimony." Elijah stuck his neck out big time and God came through in power.

The second picture is where I stood as we sang "Days of Elijah". It was an incredible time of remembering God's power and faithfulness.

One Prayer

I am really excited about the One Prayer movement in churches around the country this June. For those who haven't heard One Prayer was started by Lifechurch. Over 1,000 churches across the country will be watching messages delivered by pastors at various churches addressing their one prayer for the Church. I'm not sure if us common folk are supposed to, but I logged into the One Prayer pastors site and have watched some messages. So far they have been incredible and very thought provoking. I plan on watching many more in the coming month.

Today I watched one from Steven Furtick at Elevation Church. His prayer is for God to make us audacious. He spoke from 1 Samuel 14. The point that stuck with me most came from vs. 7 where his armor-bearer said, "Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." That empowered Jonathan to truly follow God and lead them wherever he believed God wanted them. Do we have this mentality in our churches with our pastors? Do we allow them to lead boldly? What would it look like if pastors around the country knew they had the freedom to truly follow God's leading with their church without concern for pleasing those who resist all change?

Elvis

I've never understood the obsession people have with Elvis Presley. I used to think that it was due to my youth, but my friend Kelley who graduated from high school this week is obsessed with him. I've never met such a big fan. Prior to our friendship I couldn't have named one Elvis song. Tonight at her graduation party there was an Elvis impersonator. I have a few thoughts:

• Who decides that becoming an Elvis impersonator is a valid option for making money? Do they do it out of desperation, the love of tight clothing, or are they too just obsessed with Elvis?
• Has anyone who drove to an event in costume been pulled over? How did that interaction go?
• What does the wife think of all this?
• Viagra sure did ruin "Viva Las Vegas"
  
• I don't understand the scarf thing. Who wants the nasty/sweaty scarf that some random man had around his neck?

Regardless Kelley seemed to have a great time tonight. During one song "Elvis" got on his knees right in front of her and sang an entire (very lengthy) song with about a foot separating their faces. It was so awkward and unending. I couldn't tell if Kelley enjoyed it or found it to be uncomfortable. All in all it was a great night to celebrate Kelley.

Almost a Homeowner

Tomorrow morning I close on my first house. I am so excited and ready to be a homeowner! Ever since match day things have been fairly chaotic as I arranged all the details of a move (not to mention finishing med school, graduation, and a two week trip to Israel). In theory everything should go without a problem in the next couple of days with movers and deliveries of furniture and my dishwasher. The good news is that I am a laid back person, so as long as Harris bank doesn't decide I am unworthy of the loan it should be a fun few days regardless of the inevitable complications!