This weather doesn’t make me a happy camper. Even while I’m thinking how miserable this is, I look back at my experiences in Brazil, I hear what’s happening in the middle east, I read about the fires out west and know a bit of heat isn’t as hard on my life as conditions for many others.

I have so much to be thankful for and considered, for a moment, listing what I could think of but know I would leave something (or worse, someone) off my list. So, I will be brief and just say that God is so good to me. I could and should spend a great deal of time thinking about how wonderfully blessed I am. I am often reminded by what I see that my life is so good. That thought propels me to a thoughts of a greater blessing. It really isn’t this life that should concern me so much but it’s the next life, a life in Heaven that I should focus on. I spent time on my vacation discussing with my son what Heaven might be like. It was started with a conversation about how cool the mini-golf course in Heaven must be (if you’d seen him on vacation, you would understand) and whether he would see relatives and friends and it went from there. I told him I thought part of Heaven had to be just like Colorado with beautiful rivers and plenty of trout. We finished up agreeing that neither of us can probably truly imagine how wonderful Heaven will be but we both want to be there.

I’m thankful for my life but ever mindful that I’m more thankful for a life that was given for my eternal salvation.

So often, I think I can manage things that I can “get my hands around.” I find myself trying to control too much and leaving God out of the process. I get caught up in what I can do and forget what He can do. One of my cousin’s sent the following to me and it’s a good reminder for me. I hope you enjoy it.

Hands (modified by me)

A basketball in my hands is worth about $15 but a basketball in LeBron James’ hands is worth $20 million. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $4 but a baseball in Alex Rodriquez’s hands is worth $25 million. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A tennis racket in my hand is good for chasing varmints but a tennis racket in Venus Williams’ hands can win championships. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A rod in my hands may keep a wild animal away but a rod in Moses’ hand can part a sea. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A sling shot in my hands is a toy but a sling shot in the hands of David can slay a giant. It depends on whose hands it is in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands may be supper for me and a friend but two fish and 5 loaves in God’s hand will feed thoushands. It depends on whose hands it is in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse but nails in the hands of Jesus produced salvation for an entire world. It depends on whose hands it is in.

Put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your family and your life in God’s hands because peace depends on whose hands it is in.

We left Colorado yesterday morning when the temperature was 45 degrees and as we came through Wichita Falls we saw a high of 106 degrees. Amazing. We were sad to leave Colorado because of the wonderful and peaceful time we had. It was a great trip and one we are already looking forward to for next year. We built on our friendship with the Medford family who have been going to Fun Valley for several years. They are sweet, fun people and we look forward to seeing them next year. We met so many people this year, some from Decatur who we didn’t know, others who knew someone from Decatur (especially coaches), some who knew relatives and some who lived in a different part of the country but knew NRS.
The fishing picked up as the week went along and I ended up catching more fish on dry flies. For flyfishermen out there, you know how much fun dries can be over nymphing. My son caught his first fish on a fly rod. I think it might have been a bigger thrill for me but I enjoyed every minute of having him in the river with me. I think he played 6-8 rounds of mini-golf everday and my daughter tried to wear the tires off the bikes.
It was a great week and I am so thankful for the time of rest, relaxation and seeing the beauty of southwest Colorado. All the while, it is good to be home in comfortable surroundings and it was a blessing to be at church today while worshipping with our family.

Colorado is lovely but it has been raining almost non-stop since we got here. This morning was the first sunshine and blue sky we had seen. Josh and I went fishing and I caught one, he had one chasing but couldn’t set the hook. It’s been in the upper-50’s most of the time and we packed for 70’s. Oh well. I hope to do much more fishing with better stories but suffice it to say as I looked upstream this morning and saw the sun reflecting off the water, the beautiful trees lining the river giving an impressive view of the mountains ahead I was again struck by the majesty of our God. I am thankful for this time, this place and this special closeness I feel with Him when I am here.

It’s hard to come back from two weeks in a foreign country, get caught up at work and then be gone on vacation for a week but I’m sure I will suffer through it somehow. 🙂

What continues to strike me is remembering the place I have been and seeing the living conditions of so many and realizing this next week is such a blessing. In some ways I feel guilty. The Brazil trip was to serve and edify and this trip seems in many ways selfish. A week of leisure, cool climate, fishing and doing little while others a continent away may not even dream of such a trip.

I trust that there is nothing wrong with a vacation and that it will give me a time to refocus and refresh. I also believe that the imagery of the differences in the weeks is a gift from God, a gift that will remain a blessing to me and hopefully to others I touch. The gift of seeing my blessing and not taking even the smallest joy for granted. God blesses all of us in different ways and I hope everyone who reads this will remember to thank Him for whatever blessings you enjoy.

This coming week is a treat for our family. A time together without any pressures from the world. A time to soak in His creation, to be with each other without a schedule and a time to reflect. This year, I will enjoy it more than ever because I have been reminded of how blessed I am to have a Father who loves me, protects me and has mercy on me.

Thank you Lord.

Today is a day celebrated in this country in memory of many things but especially our independence as a country. We revel in it and are thankful for it and often try to carry the mantle of independence as our own. I think though that we get often get freedom confused with independence. We are a free people but we remain a dependent people. As Americans, we are dependent on our military and cooperation with other nations to remain free. We are dependent on jobs and the economy to do the things we want to do. We are dependent on many things to celebrate the freedoms we have.

As a Christian, I am dependent on the blood of Christ to be free. I can be free from the grip of Satan only because of God’s love for me and Christ’s sacrifice for me. I am free because my sins can be forgiving by my Father whom I depend on. I’m free to be a servant because of Christ, otherwise I would surely be a slave to sin. I’m free to love and be loved because of Christ or Satan would surely make me a slave to self.

Today I’m thankful for my freedom. I thank God that I live in a country that gives me so much freedom but today, I want to remember how thankful I am to God for the freedom He has given me.

Traveling to Brazil was a great experience but we were all ready to come home when we reached the Sao Paulo airport Tuesday night. It was there that we found out a scheduling mix up meant there was no plane to take us home. American Airlines did help locate us in a hotel for the night. We returned to the airport Wednesday night for our scheduled flight very ready to be home. An hour into the flight the pilot alerted us there was a hydraulic fluid leak and we would have to return to Sao Paulo. At sometime after 4:00 in the morning we were delivered to another hotel (very nice but at 4:00 in the morning it didn’t really matter). At this point, we were all very, very, very tired. We were delivered back to the airport Thursday night and arrived at DFW Friday morning at 6:00 in the morning. On the flight, we found out that a simple O-ring had cracked and caused the leak costing the airlines thousands of dollars and making us extremely weary.

There were many challenges during the trip but all were handled with grace and ease. We prayed as a group before we left for a number of specific hopes and concerns and God faithfully answered all of our prayers. I have returned from Brazil with a new perspective on my life and my faith, I have returned with a great appreciation of the servant hearts possessed by members of our group and I have returned knowing God is more awesome than I can describe. I am overwhelmed by the heart and commitment of Randy and of other missionaries we met while in Aracaju. They have given up a life of convenience for a life of service in sharing the Gospel.

I cannot speak highly enough of our youth that went on the trip. I know them better and am blessed to have spent this time with them. If they represent the future of the what God has called us to be, I am confident they will do a better job of spreading His word than many of my generation have. They are bold in their faith and I am confident what they experienced will only help shape them into stronger Christians.

I hope our church will realize the blessing God gave us when he brought Jacob and Heather to Decatur. Jacob is a servant leader to his core. He models what Christ would have us be and is an example for all of us to follow. Heather is also a servant leader who quietly does whatever is needed. They model the fruit of the Spirit in all they do and I am thankful to God that I have come to know them.

Everett is a blessing also. His desire to serve God, to teach and to lead people to knowing the Gospel is evident. His experience traveling and in missions made this trip easier than I could have imagined. He builds me up and challenges me to know God better and I am thankful for him.

Thank you for all your prayers. Even with a few hiccups, God provided all we needed and brought us home safely. It is good to be home among family.

We will meet in about 2 hours to catch the bus to begin our journey home. I dread the flights but look forward with great anticipation to seeing my family, my home and my friends. It has been an awesome experience – eye opening, encouraging and faith building. I’ve eaten food that is different, tried to communicate with people who couldn’t understand me and slept in conditions I wouldn’t imagine at home yet none of it is was unbearable and I think my perspective on life, on people and the world will be forever changed in positive ways.

I am thankful to God allowing us to be here, for blessing us with safety and showing us the love that is possible between those who believe in Him no matter their language, culture or any other differences. I am thankful for people willing to take the good news to all parts of the world. I am thankful for brothers and sisters willing to encourage others and share the joy of Christ. I am thankful for a church family who supported this trip through prayer, encouragement and money. I am thankful to a wife and family who supported me to go and see all that I have.

I pray that we will return home safely and that the lives of all of us who have made this trip will be used to push our desire to share Christ and His salvation at home and abroad.

One night left in Aracaju before beginning the long journey home. Today was spent going to some markets and seeing both cheap trinkets and handmade goods. We also visited a food market which was quite different than our grocery stores. Everything is open for inspection from both people and flies. I’m constantly struck by the differences of life from America. As would be expected, the pace of life is much slower here and what might be considered on time here is not what we are used to. Our bus driver has been good about being where he was needed and that has been a blessing.

I’m still struck by the love and joy in our Aracaju brothers and sisters. Today we ate at a restaurant owned by a family in the church here. They are so happy and loving and it was good to see them again before we left. Romeo (pronounced home-a-o) did a great deal of work getting food for our retreat and it was good to visit his business. We went to an ice cream store afterwards for a nice treat on a warm, humid day. This afternoon, some of our kids went to the beach and we will return tonight to eat and look around.

I have loved this opportunity and am thankful for those who have played a part in making it happen. The Decatur church has been blessed by Jacob and Heather. He has done an outstanding job in planning with Randy and making sure everything goes well here. He is such a servant as is Heather. Everett has been essential in getting us around being the world traveler. I am thankful for him and his bits of wisdom. Randy took on an uncomfortable role in planning the trip but has come out it well.

Pray for our safe return and pray that the church here continues to grow in knowledge and wisdom of what God wants for them. Pray that servant leadership will be learned and exhibited in the church. Give God thanks that men and women are remaining faithful to the great commission given us.

My title is somewhat tongue in cheek but returning to hot water, air conditioning and being able to flush toilet paper instead of throwing it in a trash basket seems like a return to civilization. We stayed at an encampment that was nice but sub-standard to places most Americans would stay. I was surprised to see the broken glass bottles lining the wall around the camp to keep the bad guys out but a brief venture into the village found people who only regarded us as an oddity.

The time we spent with our Brazilian brothers and sisters was enlightening and uplifting in many ways. The one thing I walked away with was their genuine passion for God and for doing His will. The emotion that came through in their talks and in their singing was evident and their love for one another and us was also evident. They love to hug and they love to laugh. They have little in material things but they have huge hearts.

I’m growing weary of beans and corn meal but it is giving me an appreciation for what we need and what our focus should be about. Being here makes it easier to understand why other countries look down on America. I brought more for spending money than most people in the church earn in a month. What we expect as far as comfort, most Brazilians can’t even fathom. All the while, with language separating us, we sang songs in Brazilian and they listened to us sing songs in English. While campaigning over 1 1/2 days, we gave out 10,000 flyers on the school of the Bible and the school received several calls wondering about the school and who these people were out singing. Our kids played futbal together, our ladies and teens taught Bible classes and the adults were edified from teaching from both Brazilians and Americans because our language was the same in spirit.

I’ve seen so much I can’t begin to describe it here but I will leave with lessons that shall never leave me. I will leave closer to God because He has used this opportunity to teach me. I will leave with more compassion for people and with more passion for our mission efforts.

I do miss home. I have very tired physically and long to be with those I love so dearly. All the while, I thank God for this time and this place to know Him and His children better.