Sadly to say, its been a week since my last blog. Amidst a brief episode of snow on the weekend, we had a relaxing weekend. Church was cancelled because of the weather, but even in the weather we can see that God has a plan for everything. Had it not been that we touched base with the pianist yesterday, we'd have probably never known that church was cancelled. At any rate, today, Tom left home and headed to the church so that he could get his plans laid out for the upcoming Sunday. Then he was going to the car rental job. He had been asked to swap shifts with a guy for Thursday, so he would go there after the church. Once he got to the church, the pastor called him into the office and told him that he didn't really know any other way to say it, but he didn't think that Tom was gonna fit! What a shock! I mean, this was a pastor who after our 1st Sunday began talking about acruing vacation and sick days and getting insurance...and most of all, he encouraged us to cancel another interview that had already been scheduled. Feeling that perhaps this really was where God wanted us, we resigned ourselves to trust the fact that God would take care of us! But this was a BLOW, a slap in the face AGAIN! Tom asked the pastor if he wanted him to go ahead and get his things out of the office and the pastor said "That would probably be best." How unreal! So, basically, our last Sunday was yesterday, that we didn't even get to attend because of the weather. Another thing is that we found out a couple weeks ago that the church paid in advance. At the time, we thought, this is great, this is like an extra check....but now, today was the day that Tom was supposed to get paid, but he didn't get anything. We had taken the money last time and bought tires for my car and set aside a portion for Tom's Taiwan Trip. Now, we are going to have to figure out what we will do. I've talked to several people about this and the opinions are so mixed, which is perfect for how we feel. Some people are saying --"Trust God, you know he's preparing something GREAT for you"...Then others are saying "Well, someone must be blackballing him and whatever he did at the other church is out"...but of course EVEN WE have no clue to anything that contributed to his dismissal the first time, and certainly not now. All I know is that GOD IS NOT the author of confusion, and we have NO CHOICE but to trust God and wait for him to prove himself!

I am so confused right now...We've been so excited about things at this church, and now all of a sudden, Tom feels like there are power plays happening. The pastor AND the associate came in at different times yesterday and made mention of how 'disjointed' they thought the service had been. Of course, Tom took it all very personal and is feeling that he personally is being attacked! It makes no difference I'm sure to either of them, that the choir sang a song that was WAY out of their league. And amidst the struggles, they still received applause afterwards. I don't know, its just very frustrating to feel like I am trying to be the positive factor in all of this. Then today, he says that someone came in and took his computer away. Apparantly the pastor bought the computer from the church, even though no money has changed hands as of yet, but none the less, it was the one Tom used. The one that he got in exchange seems to be a piece of junk. Needless to say, Tom feels as if this has all been intentional and he is beginning to question things.

If any of you, our friends, read this blog, please commit this to prayer. We have prayed repeatedly for God to guide us in this journey and have felt that He has been doing this...But, I'll admit, this is a difficult, difficult situation to find ourselves!

Fancy words and accolades. These are the words I'm hearing now about the loss of a legend...Johnny Carson. What I wonder is that if there had been TV back in Jesus' day. Who would they interview? Would they have reports from his close friends and family. Perhaps Mary, Martha and Lazarus would speak about the perfection of Jesus' timing. I'm sure that there was an InnKeeper who would boast in the fact that his barn and animals were never the same after the night that he sheltered a family. I expect that a Roman Centurion would make a heartfelt confession of the part he played, yet how he was blessed to realize there was something about him that changed his life. The list could go on I'm sure...I think that an interview with Jesus would be so much more rewarding than one with Johnny. The incredible thing is that one day, I will actually be able to have my own 'interview' with JC...Fortunately that will be Jesus Christ and not Johnny Carson!

Dinner with Friends!

Tonite was so special! We had the opportunity to have dinner with our dear friends from our former church. These were our friends and accountability partners from FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY. What a joy to share stories of how we were seeing God at work at both of our lives. The downside to the situation is that it is their daughter who is in jail for attempted murder and hiring of a hitman on her husband. There is a tremendous amount of turmoil and divided loyalties still remaining with her daughter. She appears to be resentful that her mother is maintaining a relationship with her son-in-law in order to keep access to her precious grandsons. As horribly mixed up as it sounds, our friends are trusting God to intervene and soften hearts. We pray that for the sake of the boys that it will happen!

Hearts are hurt
Vows are broken
He said She said
Seems all we know
Can't there be some
peace or mercy
Grace, Forgiveness
and lessons learned
People argue over
Who gets what
Mothers and Fathers
who give their all
The children watch
but stay confused
They come and go
between the two.
God is able to heal the hurt
To turn the anger
Restore the Love
No matter what the children see
No matter what they hear them speak
Their hearts will love and understand
That mom and dad are all they have
For their sake and no one else
They're the vital hearts to save
Let them know that God held true
He gave back love that once they knew

Today has turned into a wonderful day...one that we have prayed about for a long time. We truthfully didn't see how God could take us to a Part-time church, but we have determined in our hearts that this IS where we are to be. As of right now, it is still considered Interim I think, but it will eventually be offered as a PERMANANT position. Even though it is part-time, we are trusting God to continue to provide for our financially needs and if God desires, we know he will provide some type of Full-time position elsewhere, or perhaps this church may grow to that...who knows??? we just know that God is in this and we are so grateful. We have had so much encouragement from daily devotions that speak of 'trusting God in a different direction', 'BE OBEDIENT', and many other incredible things. We will continue to trust God to open our doors and keep us where he wants us.

TRUST

To Place my Confidence

I place my confidence in the Lord with all my heart
I do not depend on what I understand
In everything I do I want to acknowledge Jesus for who He is
My result will be that He will direct my steps wherever I should go.

Those who know your name will place their confidence In You.
Jehovah Jireh
Confidence that you will provide
El Shaddai
Confidence that you are sufficient
Jehovah Rophe
Confidence in your healing
Jehovah Shalom
Confidence in your peace
For you have never forsaken those who put their confidence in you.

If I place my confidence in You,
I know that you will provide me with
the desires of my heart.
I don't expect you to give me things selfishly,
I just completely believe you are faithful
I completely believe
I completely believe in YOU
You are faithful
Worthy of all of my confidence.

The Laws Of The Lighthouse

by Max Lucado

The greatest day of lists is still New Year's Day.

And the number on list is the list I call the Laws

of the Lighthouse.



The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good

ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions.

They are God-given, time-tested truths that define

the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and

enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the

ragged rocks o freality.



The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the

signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.



Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:

-  Love God more than you fear hell.

-  Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.

-  Make major decisions in a cemetery.

-  When no one is watching, live as if someone is.

-  Succeed at home first.

-  Don't spend tomorrow's money today.

-  Pray twice as much as you fret.

-  Listen twice as much as you speak.

-  Only harbor a grudge when God does.

-  Never outgrow your love of sunsets.

-  Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.

-  'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of

scrutiny.

-  God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.

-  When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.

-  Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.

-  Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.

-  The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.

-  Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.

-  Live your liturgy.



To sum it all up:

Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the

vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off

when you get home.



>From In the Eye of the Storm

Today was our first day at the new church. It was amazing to just get there in such a SHORT time! Interestingly enough, it was about half the distance we've been used to driving...also, we only had one service, so we were able to sleep in and leave MUCH later. The Bibe Study class I went in was led by the Pastor's wife. She is a WONDERFUL teacher! And just as God would have it, the Bible study is about OUR JOURNEY!! I couldn't help but interject to the class about how God has led US in a JOURNEY. I have a feeling that regardless of what happens on a permanant basis, God will allow me to participate in this Bible Study. Tom did a beautiful job on his solo this morning and I think the church was pleased. Without a doubt, the service style is an adjustment, but we are completely trusting that God has us here for a reason.

Last nite was a really different experience. We went to a new church that has called Tom as Interim. We have been SOooo spoiled at the previous church. I can't begin to tell you how much we miss them. The church last nite was nice and friendly, but So so different. They are a much smaller church and the musical quality is certainly lacking. God has defintely placed us in a unique siuation where we have to really decide if this is the right NEW place. A part of us feels as though we have gone back in time 15 or 20 years! If this is what God wants, then we want to be open to that but we just don't want to 'jump the gun'. Also, Tom mentioned tonite that the car rental place is about to start looking for a full-time person at their airport counter. I keep wondering if this is God's way of saying "IT'S TIME TO READJUST YOUR MINISTRY CAREER". If you read this, please join us as we pray for DISTINCT CLARITY!

So far from perfection
So far from holiness
I need your perfectness
I need your holiness
In times when I am weak
Remind me you're my strength
In times when I am down and out
Remind me you're the one who cares
No one else may understand
and no one else may lend their hand
but you my God are all I need
You alone on whom I feed
Be my shepherd
Be my guide
Be my helper
Be my all
The only one on whom I call
You are God
My all in all
I bow to you and humbly fall
Help me face the days ahead
and know your footsteps are my tread.

It's been a while since I last blogged. I hope that all my blogger supporters had a Beautiful Christmas and an exciting New Year. We were out of pocket on vacation to TX. My brother was gracious enough to send us money to cover our gas expense so that we could make the trip. We had a fabulous trip made up of visits with my mom as well as my brother and his family. We had several Mall trips, our annual movie trip and some incredible food. One of the BEST resstaurants we visited was caled TEXAS DE BRASIL. I had a 40+ salad bar along with a meal that was phenomenal. We had a 'coin-like' object that wass green on one side and red on the other. When you wanted food, you turned it to the 'green' side and to 'red' when you wanted to stop for a while. The waiters came around with food on a skewer that you chose from. Everything from "Parmesan Chicken" - to "Bacon wrapped filet mignot!" It was amazing!!!! Our bill was over $500!! I've never eaten anywhere like that EVER! Oh well, enough of that, since it has now turned over to a new year and new food plans will prevail.!! As it stands right now, Tom and I have agreed to start our NEW FOOD PLAN on 1/31/05. This basically gives us the remainder of January to get ready to be strict!!

Again--Happy New Year to my readers and may God be with you this year. Continue to pray for us on our journey!