February 27 – “Adventures”

OK.  44 degrees with a wind chill of 39.  How is that water ever going to get warm enough to do baptisms on Easter?  Brrr.

Speaking of Easter, I had an appointment yesterday with a young single father who just started coming to Seaside.  He just wanted to talk and try to get the lay of the land.  To make a long story short, God had already been drawing him closer and closer.  He had started praying and really felt close to God when he did.  He also felt a great sense of peace when he prayed.  He just wanted someone to help him make sense of it all.  After we talked for a while, he prayed and asked the Lord to take over his life.  Very sweet, simple prayer.  He wants to be baptized at the sunrise service on Easter.  And so his adventure begins.  I’m really proud of you, Alex.

Yesterday afternoon I went with Chris to her physical therapy evaluation appointment.  Had to make sure she told them all the relevant details, a little task she has had all too much practice with when I have gone in.  After the initial exam (which began after the initial, initial intake interview), the therapist was kind of stumped.  The symptoms didn’t seem to match up with what the doctor had suspected.  They set up a plan of therapy, though.  Looks like the first step is to strengthen her hips and core.  Hope Chris is able to be patient with this phase of adventure.  She is chomping at the bit to go hiking somewhere.

Last night was our Ash Wednesday service at church.  We had at least five new folks there to hear the explanations of the traditions involved and to receive the ashes on their foreheads.  They joined 30 or so Seaside regulars, so it was a nice group.  I talked to the early voting judges, and they told me they had several voters who came in with ashes from the Episcopalian’s Ashes to Go offering in our parking lot earlier in the day.  I guess that arrangement worked well all the way around. 

Psalms 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Father, please ease some of Chris’ pain, and help them figure out the cause.  And be with Alex as he adventures with you.  Amen.