The Big Event and More

Here are a few things I have intended to blog about for awhile, but haven't taken the time to sit down and do it!

1. I flew home from my Fayetteville trip on November 7th, a few days earlier than I might have in order to attend an event with our students at church. It was cleverly titled "The Big Event." Our students had been inviting their friends and family for months and the student staff and adult leadership had been praying for months. There were over 700 people at the event, but more importantly over 80 students and adults experienced a life change that night when they confessed their need for a Savior and asked Jesus Christ to be King of their life. Around 25 of those were then baptized this past Wednesday night. Perhaps the greatest thing about November 7th, was that the generator that was running the sound equipment went out about 5 minutes before the event was to start. Although it ended up being a little different than first planned, a backup system was brought in and the Gospel was presented. We were then able to have a time of worship at the end. I heard someone say after the event was over that maybe God was trying to remind us that he doesn't need smoke and lights....he doesn't even need a powerful sound system. All He needs is His Word to be proclaimed. Plain and Simple. It was a good lesson for me. As I continue to work on writing curriculum for the students, I need to remember that it is just about God's Word, nothing more.
2. Continuing on the writing theme....I had turned in a query letter to a publication in September. They accepted the query letter and asked me to write the article on speculation: meaning that they don't guarantee they will publish it. The article was about a very personal struggle and although it was difficult to write, I was thrilled they might be interested. I submitted the story. After a few weeks, I got an email saying they weren't interested in publishing it. Honestly, I was crushed. I don't handle "failure" any better at 26, than I did at 16. But, I learned a few lessons from this denial. Hal asked me after I read the email, if I learned anything from writing the article. I told him that I had...and he reminded me that is what was important. It was also a good pride check. I wanted and still want to get published, but I need to remember that getting published isn't any more important than the writing work I am doing for our students at church.
3. Costochondritis. This is a new word in our lives. No, I didn't make it up although I thought the doctor was making it up when he told me that was what was causing my pain. In September I began to experience pain in my chest. It could be quite sharp at times and other times it was just a dull pain. After a few weeks, we went to see a doctor. He felt that since I was young and my family didn't have any history of heart disease that it was costochondritis. He told me to take Advil and it should get better. It did get somewhat better, but never seemed to go away. Over the past few days, it had become quite painful again, so I saw a different doctor yesterday. He gave the same diagnosis, and told me he experiences the same pain as well. He gave me a shot and a prescription to help with the pain. Simply put, costo is inflammation of the joint where the ribs join the breastbone. They aren't quite sure how I ended up with it since it usually occurs in those who have chest trauma nor are we sure how long I will experience the pain. We are praying it goes away soon. See this link of you are curious. :)
4. Hal's home!!! We think he has finally made it through all of his trips for this year! He should be able to get some much needed rest. Of course we will be traveling for the holidays, but those are fun trips!