...My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
The last 4 months have taught me the truth of those words like no sermon ever could.
A ridiculous amount of stuff has happened since my last post. Boiling it down? Here goes:
Centreville (August and September):
-- I moved to live with Tom and Charli Couchman, who have become so dear to me. I resided as their basement gnome for August and September of this year, and they tolerated me extremely well.
-- Taught several lessons in English--trying to learn what is most helpful to do in a sermon. I tend to benefit most from personal studies, then Bible classes, then sermons. What makes a sermon effective? And sometimes even more importantly, what makes a sermon memorable?
-- Taught several times in Spanish with hermano Estaban Orellana at the Spanish group in Centreville (meets in the same building at 2 on Sunday afternoons). Received a very generous gift from the brethren there as I was leaving. When you know brethren don't have much and they continue to give... wow. I have selfishness I didn't realize I had.
-- Taught a song worship class over 4 Sunday afternoons in my time at Centreville. Good discussion and examination on what makes leading and following effective.
-- Been working over and over again on a Bible reading plan. Settled in to 6 chapters a day for a while, got off track, now trying for 12 a day until the end of the year--I'll finish just before the year is out at that rate. I highly recommend the 12 a day if you can. It takes me about an hour on average, but the "bird's eye" view is refreshing and often breathtaking.
-- Finished studying Revelation with Jim--excellent study. One of the biggest challenges: staying consistent with how you look at the book throughout. It's SO easy to jump from figurative to literal even when you're consciously trying to stay consistent. Especially near the end.
-- Drum Corps International show--got to see and catch up with Kurt Walters, who was aging out of Carolina Crown!
-- Surprise visit to VA camp. Epic. I love all of you. So much.
-- Being in Constant Friendship with Tim Broadwell.
-- Been working on several hymns: "How Can I Be Silent?" "All My Longing" (see last post) and "Father, Help Me Through Each Trial." I'm really trying to FINISH hymns. It's so difficult to just be finally DONE. Very, very close on "The Lord is a Warrior" and "Lord, Help Me Rise Up Again."
-- Fallen more in love with... ultimate frisbee.
-- Did a wonderful weekend study on Galatians with Tim Broadwell and Scott Smelser. So tired, but so worth it.
-- Visited with Katherine Mitchell as she went through a crazy heart surgery. Went amazingly well. It's amazing to see God work through medicine.
-- Took an amazing trip to FL with Drew Matthews, Dan and Drew Robertson, and Alex Smith. AllnightdriveGAbeachsunriseJacksonvillebeachMinigolfMilleniummallBiggestMcDonaldsDowntownDisneyRockclimbingBurger21NTsurpriseDQLauraBowleshouseBenCopelandHeidisurpriseinHomeDepotAnnaMariaRunofpainBdubsblazinwingsFirstticketSnorkelingcrystalriverBernssteakhouseanddessertAlldaydrivehome. Yup.
-- Excellent lessons from said trip.
-- Online course from first ticket. Alas.
-- Started studying Micah with Antoine. Passed that study on to Jim. Seems to be continuing to go well.
-- Drive through hurricane Irene to preach in MD, stayed with and ended up worshipping only with the Bowles. Encouraging trip, crazy circumstances.
-- Finished Tuesday Hosea study and finished out with several studies on different prayers and then group prayers with the guys/girls. Thoroughly encouraging.
-- Enjoyed good time with Zach, Emily, and Andrew Couchman--DC and battlefield tours, photoshoots, and spiritual discussions.
-- Crazy hike with Centreville group in the Appalachains. In the pouring rain. Jumping off stupid-high rocks into questionably deep pools. Exhilarating.
-- Getting to study with and baptize Tori Yardsley--she has an amazing heart and an amazing story. Still studying Philippians with her.
-- Was blessed with a 23rd birthday... and an iPhone 4. It is quite the handy tool.
-- Got to see the Avett Brothers live in Charlottesville, VA. So. Much. Energy. Fantastic show!
-- Got to enjoy several bike rides with the Couchmans, especially the 8 miler in the steady rain. :) Also really liked the restaurant Beans in the Belfry.
-- Attended an excellent gospel meeting with Ferrell Jenkins--topic was Bible geography, climate, animals... very helpful!
-- Began to learn how to cook with Mrs. Charli--lemonade pie, different spaghetti (one can never have enough), and, you guessed it... yes indeed... Hot Dog Bun Pie.
-- Some tearful and heartfelt goodbyes from the brethren that have been such an encouragement to me.
The Week In Between:
-- Driving with a carful of possessions (and a doorful of rainwater... weird, eh?) to Kennesaw, GA to stay with the Palmers. Such wonderful, hospitable people!
-- Drive to Titusville, FL to surprise the FC XC team (except Kenny) and run an 18:52 5K. Not bad for no training. :P
-- Wonderful times in in Tampa: MOSI, DQ, old prayer spot, Tops, Fresh Mouth with Nate, Wendys with Nate & Laura, Sutton Singing, Teen Study @ Chandlers, Stephanie Thompson's B-day, Prayer w/ Squirrels, NT, baptism of Claudia!, TB, Spanish Seffner, Growing Servants, Subway, and Singing @ Laura's. SUCH a great little trip!
-- Drive home to AU--Em's soccer game, wonderful runs with Nathan, hearing about the last Spanish church meeting, Tommy Holly on Psalm 103, wonderful time with the fam!
-- Re-sorted my possessions and packed another moving trailer. Count your many blessings--load them one by one. :)
Gettysburg (October-November):
-- Moved in to this excellent "man-cave" apartment on Main Street in Biglerville, PA. Just moments away from the Bieseckers, Bishops, and Smelsers. Perfect size for bachelorin' it up.
-- Been studying quite frequently with Scott Smelser--we've done Philippians, Romans 1-8a (still working), and a host of side questions/topics from AD 70 to evidences to instrumental music to just advice as an evangelist. I am SO blessed to be here with Scott.
-- Been learning names like crazy and getting settled in with the brethren here--so many encouraging people!
-- Gotten involved with several studies already: Lee Craft, Ryan Laughman, and Scott Bailey/Markus Ried with Scott on Mondays, Foreshadowing in the OT @ the Abel's and Psalms @ HACC on Tuesdays, study with Holly (a local real-estate agent) on Thursdays, Teen Studies on Friday nights, and a study in 1 Pedro (1 Peter) en Español on Saturdays.
-- Met some people at HACC, Gettysburg College, and the laundromat (which is right next door)--no solid contacts yet, but working on it.
-- Getting used to small-town life. They don't deliver mail to my apartment, so I have a pleasant 2 block walk to the post office. The library is just down the street. I live next to the ::ehem:: World Famous Country Store. It's pretty cool/crazy, and over 100 years old!
-- I live a 5-minute-run away from Oakside Community Park--excellent running trails, a beautiful lake, and a quiet spot that begs prayer and reflection.
-- Saw the movie Courageous. Twice. Not-dry-eyed both times. Support efforts like this.
-- Hosted a couple of singings and a young people's study--I'm still pretty new to this host thing, but I have a MUCH deeper appreciation for those who host and do alllll the prep for those things.
-- Been blessed to make 2 trips to NYC: one to do some street evangelism with Jady Copeland, and one for the YELL (Young Evangelists Living and Learning). Such encouraging people, such an amazing place in need of the gospel.
-- Designed and began construction on my own bed with brother Craig Bishop (who has all the know-how on this). It'll be a loft bed with a honkin' big desk and some shelves underneath. Carpenters, I respect you much more. Brings new meaning to the phrase, "You've made your bed, now lie in it!"
-- Ran the most ridiculous race of my life: The 9.6 mile VA Tough Mudder. Team ThreeSixteen: Brad and Marissa Glinkerman, Dan and Drew Robertson, Ezra Ward, Shawn Glinkerman, and Your Truly. The most ridiculous hills I've even run (seriously. hands down.), the coldest water/ice/carcinogen concoction I've even been in (including the lake in New Hampshire), more mud than one can process, and the chance of a 10,000 volt shock at the finish (after getting hosed down, of course). Amazing team building and grit-testing experience! Looking to possibly do another one in February.
-- Been present for the relatively immediate aftermath of one stroke and one cancer-return diagnosis among the brethren here. It's amazing to see God present in the outporing of care after these events. Thank God for His body!
-- Received our first snow: 5-6 inches! On... OCTOBER 29. Yup. Was involved in a minor car accident (as a passenger), almost brained by a falling snow-covered tree branch, and thought I might have to work with live fallen telephone wires. Praise God for safety and the beauty of the season!
-- Speaking of seasons: this is my first fall in 4 years! It's fading at this point, but I have fallen for fall all over again. Working on the beginnings of a seasons hymn.
-- Been blessed to help with moving one of the families here--again, such a blessing to see brethren in action.
-- Saw Owl City in concert. So much bueno.
-- Flew to AL to help lead the annual evangelistic singing in Moody, AL. Great contacts made--good to see old friends!
-- My family came back with my for Thanksgiving week--battlefields, photo shoot, 5K (with Adam as well), and Cracker Barrel... and just spending time with my family has been such a blessing!
-- Become part of the volunteer staff for the Biglerville High School indoor drumline program. Trying to develop contacts in the community and keep my percussion chops alive. Remembering how hard it is to be in the world and not of it.
-- Just began teaching two classes with the brethren: Hosea with the adult class on Sunday mornings and 1-2 Peter/Jude on Wednesday nights with the 9-10 graders (ish). Pumped about these classes!
-- Just learned last night that my cat of about 10 years, Lily, was taken by a car yesterday. It was such a blessing to have her as a comfort and a joy for as long as we did!
-- Even writing this post has helped me realize just how much God has blessed me to be where I am, in this place, with these people. Thank You, Good Father!
Goal: post more frequently and not just lists of events. ;)
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, and
endurance produces character, and
character produces hope, and
hope does not put us to shame,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
- Paul (Romans 5:3-4)
