Change of Plans

Well as you can see, I didn't break my "record" for "most consecutive days posting", so we'll see another day. This past weekend was quite an exhausting, yet rewarding one, to say the least. It didn't, at all, turn out the way we had planned.

The Jr. High Class was supposed to take a trip up to Oklahoma City to visit the OKC Bombing Memorial and Museum. It was supposed to be a trip to educate our class about what happened that dreaded April day when America saw its first major "domestic terror attack", considering this class was as young as some of the children who were killed in the blast, when it happened. That makes me feel a bit old now that I think about it. Anyway, we were going to go there, eat and go to a mall, and just have an all around good time until time to come home Saturday evening.

Thursday evening, we received a "Phone Tree" message from Bro. Holley about Bro. Brian and Sis. Gloria's horrid tragedy with the flooding of their home. He explained in the call that anyone who could, come help them either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday so that they might be able to cope a bit easier with the tragedy. I was washing our car when the call came in and thought to myself, "Man I wish we could do something for them, but I've got to work tomorrow, we've got the trip Saturday" and I never really knew exactly what to do, considering things are a bit tight with us, financially, figuring out our new life in our own home.

I tossed and turned most of the night, wondering what we could do and some time in the "wee" hours of the morning, God laid it on my heart that our class shouldn't go to OKC. I knew this probably wouldn't sit too well with Kim or any of the class, but I really felt like it was what we needed to do. I was pleasantly surprised at the response to "my idea." Everyone, though a bit dissappointed, was happy with my decision.

Instead of going to OKC and having fun, our class gathered at the church Saturday morning, loaded up and went to the Pursels' home where we met the rest of the class and oh so many other church members. We spent most of the day doing whatever we could, tearing out the old, packing up items, cleaning, and moving furniture. We spent most of the day doing what our Pastor has taught us, to put others before ourselves. I was so happy to see the money, that we had put aside for our trip, buy lunch for all who came to help Saturday. I know I was blessed to know we helped just a little, and to see "our kids" from "our class" helping others in need just made my heart leap! For I know that they learned more from a few hours of loving their church family, then they could have ever learned in a museum. Thanks Jr. High for all you did to help and know that you haven't seen the last of the blessings from everything you did.

I'm not saying any of this to pat myself on the back, but I just want everyone to know that it's not hard to love. The hard part is getting past ourselves. If we can do that, God will give us the strength we need to do whatever we are called to do... like tearing out walls... moving 500 lbs. entertainment centers... cleaning stinky water up, or helping a complete stranger do the same.

-approved by Farley Wells, CMDI who's complaining about his back hurting.... call the wahmbulance, Farley!