A Stop By The Past

On our way back from Robert's house in Havelock, NC, we decided to stop by our first base together, Seymour Johnson, in G0ldsboro, Nc. It has been about 24 years since we have been there, and much has changed! We looked for our house-Steve remembered what street we lived on (I didn't). That part of housing no longer exists; a field is where our house once stood. We drove around a bit, and stopped in at the BX where we got t-shirts and Steve a coin. We loaded back up in the truck when a knock on the window startled us. Amazingly enough, Steve's first supervisor was standing there. Wow...we were there less than an hour, and he runs into his first supervisor-someone he first met over 25 years ago.

Shady J was the place where I grew up. I was only 17 when I got there, my first time away from home, not a little girl anymore, but a woman. I learned what "being married" meant, how to take care of my own home. I started college there. It was a time of turmoil and searching. Neither of us were saved and in church. God's grace-we made it through that time, and God took us in a new direction.

Visiting the past gave me a renewed appreciation for the present and the possibilities for the future. I am glad we aren't living that life anymore, but could stop to glimpse back for a minute before moving forward again. Our life has been nothing but change for so long that it is hard at times to find the constant! Of course that constant is Jesus and His abiding love and grace!

Every day presents new challenges and changes...Moving forward...after all we have already been to the past, and we got the tshirt!

In Prison

Yesterday was my first time to go into our ladies prison here. I have actually never been in any prison...wasn't sure what to expect. TV isn't exactly the best picture of what real life is like! I joined our ladies jail ministry team, something I have been pondering for some time, and yesterday was the day! We go in once a week for two hours to do a Bible study with the ladies there. I wasn't teaching yesterday, just watching and listening.

The variance of lady that was there was staggering. The youngest I met was 22, but she looked even younger than that. My partner said she had met girls as young as 17. I was trying to remember names, so kept looking around into their faces. They looked just like everyone else, anyone I would have passed on the street or met in the store; however, they made choices that landed them in a maximum security prison, dressed in red striped outfits, with no control at all over their own lives. My friend who was teaching, on Elijah, stressed how God provides for us, how important obedience to Him is in our lives, and the choices we have to make for ourselves. She mentioned in there that they could have freedom even behind bars and maybe more freedom then if they were out, if they allowed sin to keep them in bondage.

I was so nervous at first, but then I was having a hard time being quiet, wanted to talk, wanted to move around and meet them, listen to them, and encourage them. That time will come-I am already thinking about what I will be teaching and am asking God what they need to hear.

The thing I heard the most, the greatest need of their heart, was an understanding of God's grace. Nothing they do or don't do will get them to heaven, will change their lives, not turning over a new leaf, trying to live differently then they know, trying to free themselves from bad relationships and drug addictions, because the change they need needs to come from the inside not the outside. They don't understand repentance, responsibility for what they have done and lived, and how great their need is for dependence on the Savior. If all could get a handle on the truth of God's grace, and His enabling power to make us into what He wants us to be, how different we would be, and how different we would be towards everyone else.

I went to prison yesterday and spent two hours locked behind really heavy doors with guards watching through windows everywhere, but I went in free, and I came back out free. Lord, work in those ladies' hearts to bring them to saving grace and eternal freedom in you, and you alone!

Home At Last

We got in the jeep, out of the jeep, back in the jeep, and out again...for six days! This trip was different than others we have taken, in that, we took time to just stop. We hung out in the hotel room, sat by the pool, went to the beach at dark, the marina at sun up, stopped to make a few visits and see family...and drove. The countless hours in the vehicle gave us uninterrupted time to talk, to think, and to pray. God is so good and so gracious. All I could do this morning when I opened my eyes (after finally sleeping) was say "Thank you." We all go back to work this morning, but then I will get out the pictures, do a digital scrapbook of all our (mis)adventures so we can share our fun! After that-it is back to demolition and reconstruction of the house!

Serenity

Serenity: Calmness...or maybe an acceptance which looks like a calmness. This is my favorite place on the planet (at least so far)-Destin, Fl. The sand is white, the water is translucent green, the sights, sounds, smells all add to the beauty of the scene. It is that one place in my life which calms my spirit and fills my being with a sense of peace and majesty. What an awesome creator to give us such beauty to drink in. If only it wasn't so far away from where I am, and if only I could spend more time there. Well...no use whining...instead I will be thankful for every moment I can steal away in this short life to recharge my serenity battery.