The Awkward Turtle Has Landed

While browsing movie posters at the theater with Chloe:


"Hmm... his moustache makes me hungry."

[silence]

"Happy. HAPPY. Did I say hungry? AGH!"

"Clearly, not only bread and fish are multiplied."

(as my pastor put it.)

My project for the next 18 days: memorizing Psalm 119. For anyone I haven't explained this to already, I'm learning the 10 longest Psalms (18, 37, 68, 69, 78, 89, 105, 106, 107, 119) for a rather generous individual in my church, who in return offers the reward of a 1-oz. gold coin.

My church, together with Reformation Covenant Church in Portland, is coordinating a two-week missions trip to Poland this summer. I had hoped to go, but didn't think I could afford it... until I looked in my bank account last week and found it rather fuller than I'd expected. So, between that and the money from the Psalms, I can go!!

This constitutes a large and lovely Christmas present from God. And, it fits well with Psalm 107, which I just finished working on.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.

A blessed Christmas to you all.

1/8

As of yesterday, I am 12.5% of the way through my time at NSA. Not a lot, is it?

Macaroni and cheese + more cheese + hot sauce + black olives + ketchup = pure delight. I can't believe it took me this long to think of it.

Running to Stand Still

Or, for that matter...

There once was an NSA student
Who felt that to marry was prudent.
He went and he mingled with dozens of singles,
But sadly, he found that he couldn't.

Miracles

God's hand is always at work, but now and then He reminds us more plainly.

Back in September, after the barbecue at Faith's place, Meg and I went stargazing in a field on the outside of town. We were lying on the roof of her car, freezing to death, and the beauty of it all hit me too strongly to resist. I started quoting.

When I consider the heavens, even the works of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars that Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou art mindful of Him?

At that moment, a shooting star went across the sky.

This past week, if my life had been a snowglobe, God would have been the one turning it upside down and shaking it. Miracles happen. My plan is to lie back and watch the snow falling.