DC Recap

We got back from our trip to DC on Monday night. Ian exceeded our expectations in how well he did with us traveling. I spent a week in DC about 9 or 10 years ago and this was a completely different experience. There is so much history in DC. If you have not been in a while or if you have never been, you are missing out!

Thanks to Ryan and Heather for their welcoming us into their house for the weekend. They were incredible hosts and are some of the most encouraging and practical people I know. Heather and Ryan, you guys are a blessing. (I couldn't pass up that historical reference back to the college Destiny days.) I absolutely love Heather's leadership style and believe she is doing an amazing job as a discipleship pastor. God has used her many times over the years to speak into my life.

Saturday we visited the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials as well as the Zempel's favorite, the Einstein memorial. Sunday was spent going to church at National Community Church that morning and night and visiting the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Natural History in between.

I am convinced that God used the time in DC to stir up some things in my heart, and that was worth the trip in itself. Maybe it was the area and the history. Maybe it was being around old and new friends. Maybe it was being in the environment at NCC. I'm not sure what ingredients were in the mix but I'm thankful that they came together and created a slammin' spiritual jambalaya. For all of you non-Louisianans out there, jambalaya is a mix of rice, seasonings and meats. The more the variety of ingredients, the better the jambalaya. (Why am I getting hungry while typing this?)

Be sure to take a peek at the most recent pictures that I've uploaded from our trip by clicking here!

DC Field Trip

Well, kinda sorta. Miriam and I are headed to DC to visit with my college pastor and old friend Heather Zempel and her husband Ryan, to enjoy the history of our nation's capitol, and to be refreshed at a great church, National Community Church. (Heather, I didn't mean anything about the old part in old friend.)

Pray for our safety in travel and that Ian will do well with being in the car for a longer period of time than just going somewhere near our house. This will be our first big adventure together away from home!

God bless and I'll post details and pictures from the trip soon.

What do you do when a dream dies?

One of the reasons I have not blogged much lately is because I have been in the midst of a battle. Battling about what to do next with lots of thoughts running through my head. Lots of questions about why certain things have happened and why other things have not happened. Moments of hope. Other moments of frustration and despair. Mountains and valleys. Highs and lows.

I've decided to put a dream on the shelf and let God give it back to me at the right time if that is what He chooses to do. I am not going to worry about it or try to make it happen myself. I can only trust Him, let Him guide me, and enjoy the journey. Even if it never comes to pass, I have purposed in my heart that I am going to be alright.

What do you do when a dream dies?

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Give 'Em More

I've dropped the ball on my blog over the past week or two. I have to get back into the routine of at least making one post a week.

To make it up to you, I posted some new pictures of Ian aka Smiley.