I don't even like Walmart!

The news came yesterday morning when I tried to redeem reward points earned on an expiring credit card. Instead of seeing the sweet $$$ of money back, I saw an outstanding balance of upwards of $1700, all on things I did NOT purchase. For those who are bad at figuring out the Law and Order plots until all is revealed - someone stole my credit card and used to it "treat themselves" at Walmart and some other places, but all seems to be calm now after speaking with the creditors and explaining the situation.

Also while were gone, we acquired a friend. Not really a friend, but an uninvited guest - a mouse. Mice are cute in children's books and in movies but not when they eat your food and leave little black pebbles in various places. A breakthrough moment came when I went into the kitchen to get a drink and, sure enough, saw him - the manifestation of all that is bacteria-ridden and mousey running on our counter-top (...yup, that is what I thought too)! What is more is that he ingratiated himself to our coffee maker for his abode (...yup, that is what I thought too)! It may help you to sleep at night, as it does us, that not one but two mice were successfully captured and met their demise due to my strategic placement of glue traps. TAKE THAT MICE!

Other than conversing with creditors and chasing little furry critters, we have had a great week and a half. Kirsten has resumed her Monday Bible study, and I have resumed many of my duties teaching - Sunday morning and night, Monday, Tuesday and Friday. This week I am hoping to catch up with some people in a more relaxed and intentional way than time has allowed us to date. Trevor is growing, beginning to teethe, and is ready to MOVE! I have a funny feeling that it will not be long before we are chasing him all over Buff Bay.

Isn't it incredible how easy we can be thrown off by life's issues and miss all the good that is going on? The apostle Paul got this and warned against missing Christ and God in the midst of frustration and setbacks - "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, REJOICE.... The Lord is at hand...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content... I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:4, 5, 11-13).

Dazed but not confused

The past two weeks have been an absolute blur. If you have ever moved away for an extended period of time, you know what being in the blur feels like. It is not just the rush of getting all the last minute items together while saying final "goodbyes," there is also the rush of trying to get situated once you arrive. Since we have returned, I have preached three times, gone on a 15hr youth fellowship conference, had my computer crash, and much more. Days had been running together, but now that we have been back in Buff Bay for a week, things are beginning to slow down, and life is returning to a more normal pace.

Our flight down was easy with no serious delays, and Trevor handled traveling like a champ (he may possibly be a future Amazing Race contestant). (See below for video of Trevor's first take-off - he was much more concerned for the bottle.) The day was long, but it was nice to sleep in our house in Buff Bay again, especially because it was so nice and clean thanks to several dear women of the church who wanted to bless us and clean up before our arrival! The weekend was full of unpacking and reconnecting with our church family. On Monday, the Youth Fellowship had their annual Youth Conference, which was a great day in which God's word was preached and the young people reconnected with camp friends from other churches. The rest of the week has been spent trying to reorient ourselves and prepare for getting back to work.

Trevor certainly adds a new wrinkle to our schedule. He has adjusted fairly well to all the new places, smells, and sights. The rooster next door gave him an unexpected wake-up the other morning, which seemed to startle him at 6am (another reasons why we hate that rooster). Everyone is smitten with the little guy and, to be honest, how couldn't they be - the kid is a cutie! Continue to pray for Trevor as he adjusts to life in Buff Bay and also that we will be wise in planning and scheduling our days.

Despite the hustle and bustle of the days so far, one thing has stuck out in our minds - we feel like we belong here. No doubt we love being in the States, and we had a fantastic time in NJ with family and friends, but regardless of the challenges, Buff Bay is home right now, and it feels like it. It is good to be back; we are ready to get back to work!

Apples to Apples

The world is about to change. Well, maybe. As I write this, the geeky, cult-like following devoted to everything Apple is awaiting the news of what is expected to be the release of the iPhone 5. If this does not sound like news to you, let me be the first to assure you that it is. Seriously, it really is... I think. Either way, people are on the edge of their seats, the stock market is bracing for a bump, and small figurines of Steve Jobs are being raised in celebration and worship (think golden calf from the book of Exodus). As in all of these cases, anticipation is extremely high, particularly for those who have been holding out on buying a new phone for quite some time. What will be new (or old)? How will they make something unbelievably awesome even more awesome-er?!? I don't know. But I do know that Kirsten and I share this feeling of anticipation, but not for the new iPhone. The reality is that we are excited about and a bit anxious for getting back to Buff Bay!

We leave in less than two weeks, so life is now full of packing and good-byes, while trying to savor the last couple of days in the States. There is an excitement and burning desire to get back to work and to people we dearly love in and around Buff Bay. There is also a sadness to leave people we love and care about in the States. Throughout our extended stay we have been incredibly blessed by the kindness, hospitality, and love so many have shown us, not least of which our supporters (both churches and families/friends)! Kirsten and I have always boasted in how well God has supplied our financial and spiritual support by the means of His people! Even with this foundation of support and excitement, there is still a feeling of anxiousness as we gear-up for travel. How will the ministry be different (what will remain the same)? How do we reengage? How can we guard against past mistakes, short-comings? What does this phase of the ministry look like going forward?

Neither the stock market nor a world-wide audience will ever know how these questions will be answered, unlike the unveiling of the iPhone. However, in terms of eternity, only what is done for Christ will last. This is not an attempt to overstate our roles and responsibilities, but simply a restatement of a biblical truth (1 John 2:17, 1 Peter 1:24-25). We are ready, but anxious for what the future holds, and we trust that every detail is sovereignly controlled by God, who is able to turn anxiety into excitement and joy!