Life update

Do you ever fell like you have been hit by a bus? My mom is out of the hospital and in a rehab place for one month. Work has accelerated, yet I still like my role as coach and mentor. Balancing a professional role with the spiritual world and remodeling a house is quite a challenge. What they call the rough out for the plumbing is complete. I just need to pour concrete. The electricians are coming to finish up some work. I find myself fully engaged. I pray for a country every day and read the scriptures. When I can I am reading three books: Russian history (in Russian), You will receive Power (German), and Winds in the House of Islam (English). I am trying to study German for the upcoming mission trip to Berlin.

Yesterday I ran across these verses from Ecclesiastes 5:¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

When I reflect on this I find I am content most of the time and glad of heart. That is quite a change because I now view myself in the center of God's will and He has provided me a second gift-my lovely wife, Sveta.

My mom taken to emergency

My mom is in the hospital and quite sick. I have seen it progressing over the past few months. Yet I am very grateful for my mom. She took good care of me. She took us to church. When we stopped going for a few years, she took us back. I heard the message of Christ and it transformed my life. I owe my salvation to her influence. Although she wandered from the faith for many years, she came back in time to help me through difficult times. She accepted me through my divorce and was my prime listener. She was the catalyst that linked me with Sveta. Even though I thanked her profusely for her help, it seems so minute for sticking by me at critical junctions of my life. My Sveta is my true love. God made her perfect for me. My mom was there to help me catch Sveta. Mom always listened to me.
Facing the unknown can be troubling, but faith keeps us on course. Death is inevitable, so praying is difficult. It is in God's hands.

House remodel update

I thougt I had already posted this on the 8th. I have completed the prep work for the downstairs. Building the so called floating frames is quite an art and science. I now have the plumber, electrician, and HVAC folks scheduled. I figured I am at a point that I am not so overwhelmed that I could put the project in my scheduling tool. I started putting the tasks in as a checklist and determine dependencies. I think duration is too hard to figure. I am trying to balance this project with work and spiritual activities.
The only major purchases that come to mind are the shower stall and dryer. There is still much work to do, but I can finish up where the professionals leave off.

Sunday - part 2

After the Honduras meeting, I went over to the cafe. I volunteered to help the cafe in more of a consultant role. Since my doctoral program was based on organizational development and change, it is a good fit to contribute to the cafe. The proceeds for the cafe help church outreach. Mission teams volunteer and receive tips to add to their mission trip. The whole model is interesting and new to me.

After first service, I ran into our section leaders in the cafe. We were chatting and I mentioned the Thorn passion production play from the previous day (See previous blog). During the intermission I was wandering around and saw our section. So I walked around it and prayed. For a left brained, logical person it seems unnatural to pray over chairs, but the Spirit lead me. I mentioned to our section leaders, I planned to go in and walk around the section and pray over the seats. So I walked up and down the aisles and prayed words as the Spirit gave them to me. It is definitely an act of faith, as the process makes no sense to me. This year I am going through a different kind of spiritual transformation. I wish I could explain it, but perhaps it will come out as I write.