Today I had the honor of spending the morning praying with some great women that God has placed in my life. We get together on Thursday mornings and pray for our kids and in doing so, we share a little about what is going on in our home and the challenges and victories we face in parenting. It is so encouraging to not only be able to pray with one another but also to know that we are not alone in many of the things we experience as we diligently desire to raise our kids in godly homes with love and respect. In addition, we inevitably end of speaking about our husbands too and one of the wives mentioned that in a recent blog, she wrote a portion about him that really blessed him.
Well, that got my mind churning. You see, I write the blog so you get to hear a lot about our experience from my perspective. While I do try to keep you up-to-date on the kids and Luke, I know that for the most part, what you get to hear is my personal experience with the move and life here. Today I'd love to share with you a bit more about what the last few months have been like for Luke. Keep in mind, I am still the one writing so, it's still my perspective but it will be about him.
When we arrived in July, Luke had the opportunity to start to get to know several of the others students here at seminary and get a feel for what classes, professors, and seminary life would be like. On some days, he'd wake up so excited to start classes and enthusiastic about what studying for a master's would be like. Other days, he woke up less enthusiastic and more cautious and concerned. The workload, the readings, the high expectations were all daunting tasks that lie ahead. He was even told that one of the professors he had for his first set of classes was one of the toughest on campus. Luke is a great student and absolutely is in his element when it comes to academics, especially ones that center around his faith. But even he could not help but be nervous about what was in store for him.
The first week that Luke actually went to campus was for New Student Orientation. In addition to a number of activities that I was able to attend with him, the Student Services and Family Formation departments had a number of workshops and events to help new students familiarize themselves with the school and with one another. By the end, Luke was pretty jazzed and ready to start classes. The only bummer was that his family (that would be me and the kids as well as his parents and siblings and their families) were all heading to the beach. Luke stayed behind to start his seminary career as we basked in the sun and played in the waves. I guess he missed us a lot (and loved us even more) because on Thursday evening, he surprised us in North Carolina by showing up, skipping his afternoon class in order to drive 10 hours to spend the last part of vacation with us.
But honestly, he loved seminary. He loved his classes, his subjects, his fellow students, and even his assignments. I have know Luke for almost 15 years and never have I seen him so "in his element" as he was in seminary. He ended up adding another 3 credits to his schedule by hiring a tutor to help him pass out of Greek I so his fall semester, his first semester, rounded out at 15 credits. That's a lot of reading. That's a lot of papers. That's a lot of work.
He's handled it like a champ. Thanks to the sale of our home, he was able to not work this semester and focus on school. Next semester he will be looking for a part-time job that will hopefully help us to meet our bills. In the meantime, he is working hard at his classes and getting to know the staff and faculty at the seminary. Dr. Stamps, the dean of chapel, teaches one of Luke's classes and we have truly enjoyed getting to know him and his wife Ellen outside of the classroom. Luke attends a small group where he gets to interact with Dr. Coleman, the author of The Master Plan of Evangelism and that has been a great experience for him. Luke is becoming more involved in the chapels offered each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday on campus and has had the opportunity to serve in various capacities there.
But the best part, at least from my (and the kids) perspective is that we get to see Daddy a lot more than we used to. He is able to be home most evenings, often when I can't because I'm working, and we eat dinner as a family on most nights. Luke comes home almost every day to eat lunch with Caleb and me, which is awesome, and has time on most weekends to have a family night or afternoon. Currently the girls are having fun with Daddy going through the Bible. They read a portion of the Bible and then Luke gives them a project to do relating to what they read. They love it!! I do too :)
I count myself extremely blessed to have this godly man in my life. Our conversations about his classes have pushed me to grow in my walk with Christ and to keep myself moving forward in my faith. While it is not always easy to have him involved in so many great experiences that for this time I can't share in, I appreciate so much that he always invites me into his assignments and lets me participate as much as possible with my limited scope and experience.
So, for those of you praying for him as he works his way through seminary, please continue to pray for wisdom for him as he balances school, family and eventually work; for clarity of thought as he writes his papers and completes his assignments; and for continued growth in his walk with Christ and his fellowship with his fellow students here.
Luke, I am so proud of you and the way you have striven to keep God as the head of our family, His Son as the reason you learn, and His Spirit as your motivation and strength as you serve. You have blessed me and the kids and I pray that you will continue to grow as Jesus did, in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
By the way, I usually let Luke read my blogs before I post them but I'm not going to this time because he won't let me post it. :) This time, I'm just going to say, "I love you honey!" and smile.
At a conference I recently attended where Skit Guys were present (yes, THE Skit Guys who made a personalized video for my girls - eeekkkk!), Eddie shared with us a story about a trip to Target with his little girl where they ran into her Sunday School teacher in the aisle. He said that he was so blessed to sit back and watch her little face light up as her teacher called to her, asked her how she was doing, how things were with her soccer team and told her that he was looking forward to seeing her on Sunday. As they walked away, Eddie asked her if she liked her new Sunday School teacher and why. Her simple answer was, "Yes because he knows my name."
Such a simple thing really, our name. I mean the only real stress involved in it for most people is when your parents agonized over baby books and naming websites to come up with the perfect name to add to their family. Your name gives you identity in this world. For some reason, your parents thought that the name you'd been given would somehow connect you to something or someone of significance that they hoped would help form you in this life. Most of us even know the meaning of our name. It's one of the first things kids like to tell me when I start teaching them. My name is ________ and it means _____________. For instance, my name is Christina and it means "follower of Christ." I know my parents intentionally picked that name along with the prayer that I would indeed personify its meaning.
So our name has significance. And when we hear it spoken, that also has significance. And the way it is spoken carries with it much significance. Therefore you can imagine how significant it was to me when my kids and I pulled up in front of our Pennsylvania church last Wednesday night and was soon greeted by the sound of our names being shrieked and screamed with delight as we soon became engulfed in hugs, tears, laughter and excitement... and that was before we walked in the door. Cesar Ramos stopped mid-conversation (and if you know Cesar that's significant too) and jumped up yelling and ran to hug me. My heart swelled. Love personified. I was wanted.
Our whole visit was like that. Over and over again our names were spoken with love, excitement, and surprise as most people didn't know we were coming. Hearing those familiar voice speaking our names was such a comforting and fulfilling thing. I'm not sure I can accurately explain it except to say that the familiarity of it all was like a warm blanket on a cold day or a cup of hot tea on a blustery afternoon. My bucket was filled. Or so I thought...
Because on Monday morning as we emerged on our first day back in Kentucky, I heard something. It came from the distance and was filled with much enthusiasm and genuine love. It was the voice of a little girl yelling, "Miss Christina, is Caleb there?" Our little neighbor Anna, our new friend, who knows our name. And throughout that day my heart continued to fill as our new neighbors and our new friends repeated similar greetings of welcome and excitement, saying our names with love and friendship.
I feel as though I have been doubly blessed. Here and there, I know love. That's a pretty incredible thing that not many people of the joy of experiencing. I think of our friends here from other countries. Try as I might, I know I butcher their beautiful names on a regular basis. How comforting it must be for them to hear someone who is a native speaker say their name. It feels like... home.
And that is why dear friends, it is so, so, so important to hear that name from the One who created your very soul. To hear your name spoken with the most joy, the deepest care, the greatest excitement; to have it resonate within your soul with the most intense love ever from the only One who can bring the rest and comfort your heart desires. Jesus knows your name. He speaks it when we need it most, where we need it most, in the tone we need it most. He speaks with excitement, he speaks with love, he speaks in comfort and correction, in joy and in peace. And when He speaks it and we hear it, our souls are home.
We had a wonderful trip to Pennsylvania! Thanks to everyone who came out to see us on Saturday and especially to my sister for letting us sleep in her home, eat her food, drink her coffee and make a general mess of the place. Thanks to my parents for spoiling us with two lunches out and a fun trip to Reynolds farm. Thanks to CBIC for the welcome and love we felt on Wednesday and Sunday and for the lasting friendship you offer in spite of fire alarms. Thanks for knowing and saying our names.
This week starts the second marking period for my girls at school. They are loving life in Kentucky - great teachers, great friends and a great community here in Kalas. Luke has midterms this week and will be starting the last half of his first seminary semester. He is really enjoying his classes and the fellowship he has with the other students here. I am spending my days with Mr. Caleb and working with the seminary kids in childcare. God has given me such a vision of what my time with those kids can be in terms of spiritual formation and growth and I would love all of your prayers as I seek to serve and hear God's voice and be as my name defines me - a follower of Christ.
Chase. I think it is the most timeless game of all time. It requires no toys, no gimmicks, no instructional videos, no extra materials, no costumes, no directions, nothing; nothing except two people who decide to run after each other. I think watching two toddlers play chase is the most fun. Not only are they super-adorable on their chubby, wobbly legs, they also lack any restraint when it comes to just having fun with this game. The giggles and laughter are contagious and you can't help but want to join in. But the funniest part of toddler chase is when they forget who is chasing whom. Eventually they are just running in circles, pursuing and being pursued and delirious with joy, or dizziness... but they are usually smiling.
Seminary has been a force to reckon with already for Luke and I as we have jumped headfirst into a community where theological discussions happen on a regular basis and where each person you meet is looking forward to a life of ministry within Christ's body. We have met people from all over the world; people of every race, every denomination and every background you can imagine. We've visited churches that are so far from our background we probably look more like tourists than worshipers and prayed with people whose native language we don't even speak. It stretches you. It forces you to examine your faith, to test it and see if it stands the test. You are, in a way, forced to pursue Christ deeply and earnestly; to immerse yourself in His Word in a way you've never done and to seek wisdom in a way you've never sought.
On the other hand, what a blessing to see Jesus in the lives of so many others! I have shared before about our "same but different" stories here. The people we have been privileged to share this time with have so blessed us by their single-hearted devotion to Christ and His calling on their lives. We come together and our burdens are the same: to see people active in a vibrant faith and walking in a growing relationship with Christ. Our visions are the same: to serve in the Church as ministers of grace and truth to stir people up by way of the Word and through the Holy Spirit. And our hearts are the same: to be fully His so we can serve fully for Him.
In each testimony and each prayer, we remind each other over and over again of this thing - we are not here because we thought it'd be cool to be in ministry or because we were bored with our lives as they were. We didn't leave behind friends and families on a whim or for a selfish cause. With each interaction we are reminded that we are here because we were pursued by a God who loves us wholeheartedly and who desires to use us as His vessels of grace and truth, to share His Word and His love to this generation, to be His hands and feet and to do so with all our heart, soul and mind.
And so as we are pursuing Christ, He is pursuing us, calling us ever onward to the "upward call of God in Christ Jesus." The pursuer and the pursued are no longer defined. He comes after us with his grace and we go after Him with our will. And the result, when our eyes are fixed on Him, is that unspeakable joy and faces that reflect the glory of the One and Only.
This blog was inspired by a few things. One, a dear friend of mine here at seminary recently wrote her own blog post about her faith journey and in it she wrote,
"Through those years, I ran from God. I thought that He wouldn’t want me to even claim Him, because I was so damaged and broken. And yet, He was always there. In the quiet stillness, I would cry out in my pain, and He would be there. His presence was tangible to me, His arms comforting me. Even so, I continued to push away. But God is not easily deterred. He is a God of mad love, crazy about me….crazy about you." (Read her whole testimony at http://familyinsanity.wordpress.com/)
God pursued, God loved, and God never gave up. Having prayed with this friend, I know that she is now pursuing Him - pursuing and being pursued; never still, always growing.
The second inspiration was going to church with Dr. Stamps and his wife on Sunday morning. Before we went Dr. Stamps stopped by to give me directions and left me with this challenge that I cannot forget. He said, "This isn't church like you are used to but these people need Jesus. I have pastored three churches in my life, two in my tradition and one much more liberal. I won more people to Jesus in the liberal one than the other two combined. There is my mission field." God pursuing through Dr. Stamps in a way I never dreamed and I saw the fruit of his ministry on Sunday as he challenged and proclaimed, holding up a standard of truth in love and revealing his pursuit of His Pursuer.
And finally, through this sign on the seminary campus that has spoken to my heart many times since we started here. The text reads, "We grab hold of the grace that changes us." What a picture of beautiful pursuit! The grace that teaches us to say "No" to sin, the grace that covers all of our unrighteousness, the grace that unconditionally forgives and fulfills; we chase it and grab hold of it and it transforms us.
This game of chase is not a game. It is life, fullness of life, abundant life. It doesn't wait until heaven; it is available now. This awesome opportunity to know and to be known by our Creator deserves our full attention. And as we join the chase, I know our hearts will lift in joy. The whole idea of God always being with us becomes even more amazing when we know that He is indeed pursuing us with His love. He's not just idly sitting by; He is coming after us with more life, more joy, more wisdom, more grace. As Peter says, "Make every effort to add to your faith, goodness and to your goodness, knowledge and to your knowledge, self-control, and to your self-control, perserverance, and to your perserverance; godliness; and to your godliness; mutual affection; and to your mutual affection, love. For IF you possess these qualities IN INCREASING MEASURE, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." There is more and more abundant life to be had! Pursue Him and be pursued by Him and grow richer, deeper, fuller in your knowledge of Him!
It may have taken seminary to help me see this but the reality is, it was always there. From the beginning of my walk with Christ, I can see the pursuit. From the moment we felt called to ministry, I can see the chase playing out. From the second we decided to take the step to go to seminary, I can see the quest from both sides - God calling, us following, us seeking, God answering. So the next time you see two toddlers chasing each other, laughing and squealing, imagine the pursuit you are in! God loves you, He is pursuing you, He has so much abundant life for you. Pursue Him and allow that grace to "grab hold" of you!
Well, that got my mind churning. You see, I write the blog so you get to hear a lot about our experience from my perspective. While I do try to keep you up-to-date on the kids and Luke, I know that for the most part, what you get to hear is my personal experience with the move and life here. Today I'd love to share with you a bit more about what the last few months have been like for Luke. Keep in mind, I am still the one writing so, it's still my perspective but it will be about him.
But the best part, at least from my (and the kids) perspective is that we get to see Daddy a lot more than we used to. He is able to be home most evenings, often when I can't because I'm working, and we eat dinner as a family on most nights. Luke comes home almost every day to eat lunch with Caleb and me, which is awesome, and has time on most weekends to have a family night or afternoon. Currently the girls are having fun with Daddy going through the Bible. They read a portion of the Bible and then Luke gives them a project to do relating to what they read. They love it!! I do too :)
