Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Archive for May, 2007

Dana and I have a commitment to always go to bed together no matter how tired (or not) the other is. But, we can always expect to not actually get to sleep until 30-minutes to one hour after we climb in bed. The reason is that we have a nightly debrief where we recount the day to each other. We tell the other what we did that day, where we went, who we saw, etc., and more importantly what we felt about all those things. Most of the activities we already know about for each other since we are literally together 24/7. But it is the valuable emotions and thoughts about things that help keep us close.

I hate to open up. Absolutely detest it. I’d just rather be about my own business. Not good when you’re as one with an emotional being. (For the single lads out there, that would be woman just in case you didn’t pick that up.) Over time, I have found that not only do I start pouring out thoughts and feelings once I begin telling Dana about my day but there have actually been nights here recently when I sought to tell her and hear her response to my feelings and enjoyed the fact that time was definitely going to be there. Guys – call me a wuss and I’ve got a big back yard where we can discuss that in further detail.

Just wanted to let you all know how important a committed-to, daily, husband-wife debrief time has become to us. If you’re married, try it.

That’s not actually my hand in the picture, not actually my money either. Metaphorically it could be though. Here’s the deal. I had a really easy choice in selling and leaving everything to go to the mission field. I thought it was all due to my bountiful faith in God and that He’ll provide. But, as our cost to make the move to Africa has increased by thousands over the past week or two, I discovered our savings account was sort of a security blanket for me. Kind of like I had one hand with my fingers crossed behind my back when I proclaimed, “God will provide.” Little did I know that the provision would call for me to sacrifice what I surely didn’t want to let go of.
I’m stretching big time inside with this lesson. I didn’t realize I was placing so much stability and security just in the fact that we had some money saved up in the bank. I’ve had that hold on to it so I can take advantage of future ministry opportunities and needs lie playing out in my philosophy and approach to missionary work… actually to my entire life regardless missionary or not. It became obvious to me (love deep talks with Dana – she is awesome) that I would rather keep money in our bank account just for the sake of my security than to spend it on equipment and supplies that will exponentially multiply my ability to impact people. Ouch. To put it plainly… I was putting my bank account above people… people… living… needing… breathing… hurting… people.

Today’s good: A renewed perspective on God’s favorite thing. Dana got some great new clothes to make her culturally appropriate in TZ.

Our preparation to move to Africa continues to stack up with tasks, complications, and surprises. The latest is figuring out how to get our belongings over there. Not only do we have our personal things but have all this audio/video equipment I’m having to take for my role.
So, here we are at the crossroads of sorting our things into what we need to have with us and what we could afford to be without if it didn’t make it. Our early estimation has this moving cost in the range of $1,500-$2,800. To be honest, we didn’t plan on that high of a number. Our heads are really starting to spin at a high rpm.

Today’s good: Dana finally received her birth certificates in the mail. We finalized the date for our commissioning service and one of our bestus friends is going to head it up… Rev. Brian Boyles. Check the front page of our website tomorrow some time for the details and directions.

That is exactly how my days are feeling now.  T-minus 2 months and counting.  Most of my day today was spent trying to figure out the intricacies of getting a poodle and a lhasa apso relocated to Africa.  It is more complicated than you think and there are third-party freight forwarders out there that take advantage of people in our situation.  I got a quote of $3,700.  No joke.  I am stressed somewhat in making these decisions as Theo and Teddy are very important to us.  But still, I don’t see my stress costing us that much money.  It cost $1,000 less to get two humans there.

I’m pretty laid back so the sooner I can get these arrangements solidified the sooner I’ll be back in chill land.  In the meanwhile, it is not something I’m looking forward to waking up to tomorrow.  I’d be an absolute nut having lost my mind if God wasn’t taking care of me and giving me the grace and strength to make it.  And we haven’t even faced the challenges of the field yet….

We visited the Love Sunday School class at HGBC Main Campus this morning. It is a class full of sweet 70+ year-old ladies. As one of them prayed, she thanked God for giving them their new relationships with us and for blessing them by us going on their behalf. it really made me feel connected to them, not just human to human but believer to believer both in the Body of Christ.

Today’s good: Our great time with the group of classy, loving ladies of the Love Sunday School Class.

This is a picture of Yonaguska. I’m showing him because I am often asked if I am from Hispanic decent. I’m not aware of any of my ancestors coming from that ethnicity but a few generations back is where you will begin to come across Cherokee Indian in my line. So, if you’re wondering where the olive skin tone is from, it is the tiny bit of native american in my blood.

Today’s good: We offically broke 100% support!!!!!!

During dinner with some good great friends last night, Dana answered a question of how many partners we have. Ninety-five! 95! Wow, that’s a lot of people investing in us. What comes to me with that stat is a sense of pressure to produce results. To churn out projects and information for our ‘investors’. But, I don’t want to think of it like that. I don’t want to see what I’m going to do over there as an obligation to anyone, especially God. I want to feed off of the passion He keeps on increasing in me and do it because this is my purpose. It simply amazes me how Christ takes care of so much giving us an abundant, fulfilling life when we let Him. Obligation schmobligation.

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
Matthew 11.30

Today’s good: Some friends e-mailed us and said they wanted to provide the Honda generator off of our needs list! Thank you!

We’ve had a couple of unwelcomed visitors recently so I contacted the church to have their pest control people come over. They responded back with a next-day appointment. Now that is service! The only stressor about it was that the ENTIRE kitchen had to be cleaned out. No dishes. No food. No people. Nothing on the counters. Some serious extermination going on! The 4 of us (dogs included) had to be out of the house for at least 2 hours as well. We spent that time at Reedy Creek Park strolling through the woods. Nice. We didn’t get the kitchen reloaded until 7:30 tonight and we’re beat. Good sleep is on its way.

Today’s good: No Mo Bugs! I saw 2 Indigo Buntings this morning… blue is my favorite color.  We’re closing in on our flight itinerary for heading over to Africa.  Looks like it will be about $3,200 total and in late July… LATE JULY!  Great, now it’ll be hard to sleep.  Y’all shouldn’t have gotten me riled up about leaving.

While sitting in class this past Sunday, Ken iterated that pretty much all cultures and societies have their own proverbs. That reminded me of a Chinese proverb Dana told me a while back that helps me keep a positive perspective.

It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

is NOT

If you’ve experienced any of the same frustrations I have over the past 24 hours, you’ll be glad to read the resolution I’ve reached.

I bought a Wireless Mighty Mouse yesterday and immediately installed the included software/drivers. Minutes later my disappointment exploded as I discovered the extra buttons could only be designated to open applications. I am extremely disappointed in Apple’s design as a Back function has become an integral part of my workflow in both ministry and hobby. I searched and searched for instructions on how to uninstall the software, all to no avail.

Finally, I read on a forum that Steermouse software can operate on top of the driver, thus resolving the need to uninstall. I’ve tried Steermouse’s fully-functional trial offer this evening and have already decided (don’t necessarily like investing a considerable amount of $ to operate a new mouse) to purchase the $20 license. I love that it is bluetooth; no dongle sticking out of my USB port. I like that it is laser precise. The scroll ball is cool but not so amazingly better than a wheel that I wet my pants or anything. Sorry for the visual.

Today’s good: I made my mom’s Mother’s Day presents. Trying to use my creative gifts to give thoughtfully. I’ll show you after M’s Day what I gave her. Also, Dana and I got a LOT of rest today. That was nice.