This past Sunday a good friend, Carol Balwanz, went home to be with the Lord. She fought a good fight through two heart valve replacement surgeries in the span of 10 years. Carol loved her family and was so fond of Caroline, her granddaughter.
My prayers continue for Rick, her husband, and her daughters, Morgan and Jessica. Carol truly touched countless lives through the school, the community, and the church. Many are grieving today because of her death.
Death seems to be the ultimate enemy because it takes away people we love and cherish. But, our Lord, Jesus Christ, conquered death through His death on the cross and His resurrection. Paul so eloquently wote in 1 Corinthians 15, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Carol has won the victory! Thanks be to God! She has experienced the healing for which we have all prayed. In our finiteness healing is only physical, but in God's infitness, true healing goes beyond the physical to the giving of a new body. Thanks be unto God!
To Rick, Morgan, Jessica, and Carol's family...So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
At Home
The long week of packing and moving is over...PTL! I wonder why we have so much stuff. Even after going through boxes and discarding some things, we nearly filled up an 18 wheeler! In reality, the things of this world mean nothing and have no eternal value, but still we want to accumulate.
We were able to connect with some precious friends in Sheridan, if but for a moment or two. But, the time in Sheridan seemed weird. It is no longer home, but there are many memories there. A part of each of us is still in Arkansas. However, the closer I got to Big Spring the more comfortable I felt because it is now home. We love the people here and are learning the value of true friendships developed over the course of time.
The house hunt has been slow, but we are not discouraged. Sherry and I are waiting on the Lord to provide the right property. In the meantime, we are settling into the apartment. Having our own furniture and things are a great comfort. Who knows, we may even want to stay there permanently! Maybe not.
The transition goes on, but at least it is made easier knowing the Lord's hand continues to guide us.
We were able to connect with some precious friends in Sheridan, if but for a moment or two. But, the time in Sheridan seemed weird. It is no longer home, but there are many memories there. A part of each of us is still in Arkansas. However, the closer I got to Big Spring the more comfortable I felt because it is now home. We love the people here and are learning the value of true friendships developed over the course of time.
The house hunt has been slow, but we are not discouraged. Sherry and I are waiting on the Lord to provide the right property. In the meantime, we are settling into the apartment. Having our own furniture and things are a great comfort. Who knows, we may even want to stay there permanently! Maybe not.
The transition goes on, but at least it is made easier knowing the Lord's hand continues to guide us.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Blog
In looking back on my previous posts and talking some people here in Big Spring, perhaps I need to clarify the purpose of my blog. I simply want to give insight to our lives as we adjust to a new situation. So, I tend to focus on the struggles and to find the comedy in it. Sherry and I are thankful to be in Big Spring. We love the people and we love the church. The wind, the gnats, the roaches, and all the rest are nothing but silly topics to write about. In fact, there will be more to come!
Today I learned a $64 lesson. Without going into much detail, I secured a storage unit for us to use until we find a house. The apartment cannot hold all our "stuff" so we need some relief. However, after putting down the $64, the church offered to let us use some unused space in the church building for storage. There is a "no refund" policy at the storage place so I lost the bucks. Once again, as I have been known to do, I got ahead of the Lord and paid the price. Will I ever learn?
Today I learned a $64 lesson. Without going into much detail, I secured a storage unit for us to use until we find a house. The apartment cannot hold all our "stuff" so we need some relief. However, after putting down the $64, the church offered to let us use some unused space in the church building for storage. There is a "no refund" policy at the storage place so I lost the bucks. Once again, as I have been known to do, I got ahead of the Lord and paid the price. Will I ever learn?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Roaches
Alright, now I have had it. The gnats were bad enough (thankfully they are gone), now the roaches have moved in. They have been found in the kitchen and in the living area. Hershey spots them and we go into action.
Black Flag is now our best friend. Once the roach is sprayed, it is dead. I mean it turns over on its back and gives up the ghost. I know all of God's creatures have a place in this world, but our apartment is not that place!
Sherry has been dreaming about these roaches and hopefully the roaches will not decide to sleep in the bed with her. I just have to be careful she does not start slapping me in her sleep thinking I am a roach! So I keep my distance.
We have been promised the bug man will be here on Wednesday to exterminate our little guests. So once the roaches are gone, I wonder what plague will be next. Please, no frogs!
Black Flag is now our best friend. Once the roach is sprayed, it is dead. I mean it turns over on its back and gives up the ghost. I know all of God's creatures have a place in this world, but our apartment is not that place!
Sherry has been dreaming about these roaches and hopefully the roaches will not decide to sleep in the bed with her. I just have to be careful she does not start slapping me in her sleep thinking I am a roach! So I keep my distance.
We have been promised the bug man will be here on Wednesday to exterminate our little guests. So once the roaches are gone, I wonder what plague will be next. Please, no frogs!
The Weather
The weather is certainly interesting in west Texas. One minute the sky is brown with dirt flying around while the wind blows constantly. It can be hot during the day, but at night it is cool. And, thankfully, the humidity is almost nil! Yet, we were not prepared for Saturday night when the hail came.
While dining in Midland, the rain began and soon there was the thud of hail falling on the roof - and our car! As soon as we could finish eating, we drove home only to catch up with the storm and drive through the hail again. It was blinding at times. But, we made it home.
When we arrived home, I decided to put my truck under the covered parking at the bank across the street before the hail arrived. But, the parking lot was filled to overflowing with cars from who knows where! Finally, I found one last spot in the bank drive-thru two blocks away.
Sherry and I are enjoying the changing weather because it is always a challenge to decide what to wear for the day! As I write these words, the weatherman said, "Changes are on the way." Great, now it will probably snow! Whatever happens, though, there is nothing I can do about it.
I am glad God did not give me the authority to control the weather. My only job is to talk about it - and rejoice in the fact that God created the forces of nature. Everything God created is good. In fact, God is good. There is no one like my God!
While dining in Midland, the rain began and soon there was the thud of hail falling on the roof - and our car! As soon as we could finish eating, we drove home only to catch up with the storm and drive through the hail again. It was blinding at times. But, we made it home.
When we arrived home, I decided to put my truck under the covered parking at the bank across the street before the hail arrived. But, the parking lot was filled to overflowing with cars from who knows where! Finally, I found one last spot in the bank drive-thru two blocks away.
Sherry and I are enjoying the changing weather because it is always a challenge to decide what to wear for the day! As I write these words, the weatherman said, "Changes are on the way." Great, now it will probably snow! Whatever happens, though, there is nothing I can do about it.
I am glad God did not give me the authority to control the weather. My only job is to talk about it - and rejoice in the fact that God created the forces of nature. Everything God created is good. In fact, God is good. There is no one like my God!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
