Showing Up

Two men were working. The first was busy digging holes. The second was busy filling filling in those same holes. Finally an observer's curiosity got the best of him and he asked one of the men what they were trying to accomplish. The worker replied that they usually worked as a three man team however the tree planter hadn't showed up. Ever had days like that?

We all enjoyed a relaxing day last Sunday as we all got together for a noon meal after church. The guys see each other throughout the week so it's extra special when the girls and the kids are around to visit with and tease.

We pray and ask God to help us fix our countries problems. Sometimes we expect immediate results. God is timeless. Sometimes he answers our prayers by sending us the next generation. Some examples. David wanted God to have a temple. His son Solomon built it. Moses led the people of Israel for 40 years to the promised land. His young helper Joshua actually led them in. Our 6th president, John Quincy Adams, hated slavery and worked his tail off to get rid of it. It wasn't until after he died that his young helper grew up, became president after many losses, and abolished slavery. His young helpers name was Abe Lincoln.

After lunch last Sunday the guys shot clay pidgeons. It was fun although I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

Since it was wet this week I thought I would stop and visit my 90 year old father-in-law. He likes to tell stories about the old days. I have most of them memorized from all the retells however he told me one on this visit that I hadn't heard before. I wished I could have been there.

He told me the Blackwood Brothers showed up to sing at Cedar School when he was a young man. He said they were driving a brand new Mercury and he emphasised the brand new part. He continued his story by telling me that the singing group forgot their trunk key and all their music was in the trunk. The group then asked my father-in-law(a young man) if he thought he could get their trunk open for them. He assured them he could get it open but it would be the hard way as he put it. He went in the school and came out with a crowbar. He concluded his story by telling me, "I got it open for them and I want you to know it wasn't pretty." I can only imagine.

Our young peoples group sponsored a waffle supper at church to raise money for a mission trip. The gentleman in charge kept 12 waffle irons going by himself.

Six of us showed up to coffee time at Marv and Jean, our landlords. We had a good time eating apple cake and apple bread. Every winter they help Wycliff Bible Translators.

Sometimes you wonder what we do when we're not in the field. Well three semi loads of seed showed up Saturday morning. Below Ryan is signing the paper work while the drivers, Larry, Nathan, and Justin are getting ready to head back home to Holland, Iowa.

Last Friday evening was the fall music program at our local christian school. Once again the kids and their teachers did a great job of communicating their theme, the fruits of the spirit.

Last evening Jan and I had supper with Harold and Betty and the pastor and associate pastor and their wives of their church. It was an event held in Des Moines. The theme was our countries need for revival. Bob's new book, If 7:14, was introduced and David, an historian, talked about our countries past revivals.

This afternoon we are looking forward to watching The Christmas Candle with friends. It's a film about modern day miracles and the people that don't believe in them. Do miracles happen today?

In Joshua 3:5 young Joshua tells God's people, "Get ready because tomorrow the Lord is going to do incredible things among you." Miracles are God showing up in our everyday lives. We have to recognize opportunities. We have to be ready. We have to believe that God can use us.

When was the last time you took a risk and did something that had a good possibility of failure. Miracles won't happen if we never step out of our comfort zone. God does show up sooner and later. Are you ready?