A Pool to Pee In??

My first blog post ever was written on I-75 telling about our little 'bootcamp' to Houston. It was a happy little post. So full of hope for the adventure ahead. And it was clueless.

My second blog post ever was The Paradox of Going & Leaving. Man, is it ever a paradox. I just read those words again and I can't believe I wrote 'em. 

Praying, "Here am I, Lord, send me!" is not the same as praying, "Here am I, Lord, I'll leave!" Who would say that? That is crazy talk. And, that is exactly what you are saying when you say to the Lord, "I'll go!"

We did that. We said we'd go. Wherever. Blank check, Lord.

Brilliant.

North Carolina for school? Let's check it out. Loved it, but it didn't seem right. Better stick with 'home schooling' for Spouse, too. It keeps us mobile.

Houston for a few months? Sure. Why not!? That will be fun to visit, but not to live.

Manila? Yes, Lord! Sign us up! Um, nope. Wrong again.

Couple more months in Houston? We liked it. It fits us. We like it there. Let's go!

Dallas area? Us? Dallas? Ok, I guess. But, man, I like Houston.

Now what? We look like a bunch of fickle yay-hoos, that's what!  I hear is Lucy van Pelt saying, "It's your own fault, 'cause you're so wishy-washy."

Then, I hear a better voice. 

"...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways..." Isaiah 55:8

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it's the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

"Go and make disciples of all nations..." Matthew 28:19

"Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

My ways. The Lord's purpose prevails. Go. Do what it says. 

In our case, for a season, we are to go to Houston. We are going to do what we said we would not do: Move to Houston. We don't get the last word. He does.

Bottom line: Spouse took a two-year assignment in Houston. 

"Go and make disciples of all nations...." Do you know how many nations are represented in Houston? Do you?? I don't either, but it's a bunch.  I told y'all before, Houston is international missions! 

Why are we going? I heard Dr. Danny Akin say, in one of Spouse's lectures for school, "You don't need a reason to go! You need a reason to stay!" (You should write that down.) We are going because Houston is the 4th largest city in the nation. There are forty (40!) colleges and universities within Houston city limits. Imagine the reach!

How are the girls? Hmmm...how do I say this gently? They went ballistic. There was weeping and gnashing of teeth. At first. They are doing better now. Not great, but better. Pray, friends. Pray that these children don't kill us in our sleep. Our very lives are in question, here.

When are you going? I am guessing beginning of October-ish. Mark is finishing up his assignment here in DFW. So, we get to be here during the hottest months of the year. Awesome.

How do you (Melissa) feel about it? Which hour? The highs are high and the lows are low. I think it is the right and very difficult thing to do. I like Houston. We love the little church we've been visiting. People are so nice to us. I could love it immediately with my whole being if it were a coastal community. That is the only thing wrong with it. No good beach. 

Die to self, Melissa. Die to self. Fine, but I'm insisting on having pool access. My skin must still look Floridian. I found a possible rental house with a saltwater pool. Please!!?? I will invite the unsaved neighbors and let their kids pee in the pool, Lord! I will! In Jesus' Name, I will!

In other news, I'm gonna lose my lunch over fretting about my College Ministry...um...I mean, God's College Ministry. You know what I mean. I think they should all choose from one of the 40 colleges in Houston, have Spouse find them jobs at the bank, or get jobs and go with us. I will feed them fajitas when they are well and soup when they are sick. I heart them more than I heart this Nutella & pretzels that I am soothing myself with this very second.

Paul knew this sort of bond many times, but with Thessalonica, he told them, "Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,  so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." (Thessalonians 2:7-8)  More on this in another post. 

I don't expect this to make sense to a lot of people. I get it. But, rather than question our intelligence or motives and say to someone else, "Why don't they just...." or "I thought they were going to..." or "I'm surprised they just....", don't. And don't let anyone else.  Just pray for us. 

Pray for my girls' hearts to align with ours and pray that our hearts are aligned with God's will. 

Pray that we are focused and steady and consistent. 

Pray that all of this points people to Jesus.

Pray that we don't mess this up.