End of September

Some of the old gang was back together at Joey and Jill's wedding last weekend. What fun it was to catch up with people, some who I haven't seen in years! Its amazing to me how easy it is to fall back into old relationships like that...as if time never has passed. What a gift from God! I was so impressed with Joey and Jill's bravery...their wedding was outside, on the Oregon Coast at the end of September. But it was an absolutely stunning sunset, and not very windy at all. They had cute fleece blankets with their names embroidered into them for people to use. Nice touch!

School is going really well. I am loving my classes and my classmates. There are about 20 of us full-timers, and several who come in and out for one or two classes during the week. It is going to be an awesome group to get to know better, and to learn and grow with. If I am allowed to have a favorite class, it is Old Testament so far. It is so cool to learn cultural context and things that are apparent in the original Hebrew text that we lose in our English translations. I'm sure my favorite class will change week to week though, because they are all so good.

Job-wise, I have now officially finished my run as Children's Ministry Director. I am training the new temporary replacement they have for me though, so I will still be around off and on for at least the next two weeks. I have also officially started my run as the college mission's intern. We had our first 2fortytwo (college group) Wednesday night...and it was great to see the turnout. We have moved to a building much closer to the OSU campus, and I think we are going to really see the benefit of that. I am really excited to be able to take what I am learning in class and apply it to my life in ministry. I think that is when we are most useful to God...when we are not allowing knowledge to pump us up, but when we are constantly being poured into on one side, and constantly pouring out on the other side. In Psalm 23 David writes "You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows". I think that is a picture of my life now. The blessing is abounding because I am taking in as well as pouring out. So there is my plug for getting involved in ministry :) And on an exciting side note: we will be arriving in Brazil 10 weeks from today!! Praise God!!