Church today

Church today was amazing. We had a guest speaker, and he walked us through the first eight verses of chapter two of Nehemiah, explaining that he had Perspective, a Plan, and a Purpose. (I usually despise those "Three P's" or "Five Q's" sermons as a genre, but this was actually pretty cool. This guy was so energetic; and the P's actually did help me remember the sermon (it did help that I heard it in two services...). I guess maybe I'm just opposed to the "Five Q's" and filling in the blanks on the cute little handout in the bulletin...). Anyway, it was a really convicting sermon. I really need to focus on keeping my focus where it should be (getting the right perspective), on figuring out where God wants me (finding my purpose) and making it happen (getting a plan). I think this lesson applies in a general way, and in each specific way as well, if that makes any sense. I honestly have had a pretty good idea about being called to a particular people for a long time, but I know it's not time for that yet. I need to take some proactive steps to get myself prepared for when it is time. (I have no idea when that will come, or where exactly it will be, or whatever...).

One of the things he said that impacted me the most was when he asked if people know we are Christians. I have friends who nobody can doubt are Christian. But if Bryan wasn't in seminary (that's a dead giveaway), would anyone know I am? How am I different? And more importantly, how am I striving to be different, in my everyday life?

The other cool thing that happened today was that I got to sing in church again. That was a lot of fun. And at the last minute of the second service, KF changed the last song (to one of hers), so it was totally unrehearsed. And it was awesome. I really love that she is so open to change, so flexible, and I totally think God uses that in our worship time.

Speaking of KF, she's leaving in May; she got into a doctoral program in CA. Which makes me incredibly sad. I can't believe I am reacting this way, but it's really hard for me to let her go. We have spent a lot of time together this fall, usually two evenings a week, plus Sundays, and all along I knew she might be leaving, and I know that this is a great opportunity for her, but at the same time I am so torn about it. And I'm writing run-on sentences! I wrote her a congratulations card and cried while I wrote it! It was all mushy and gross, and I can't help it! Maybe it's because she is such a Bostonian, and like KN said, she had this hard outer shell that was hiding this very soft underbelly. I love the underbelly. And I love that I'm privy to the underbelly. I know there are still four months before she goes, but I am really not taking this well. Maybe it's hormones. Eh.