Life

A lot has happened since the last time I blogged. Bible studies, school excursions, preaching, pathfinders, youth rallies, elder’s meetings, evangelistic series have for sure kept me busy. When I am not working on a chapel talk or sermon or in a Bible study or planning something I am getting kid’s shoes off the roof, jamming with the some of the high school kids in their music class, learning how to play touch (a version of football that is really fun!), filming for a music video that the kids are doing for class, going bowling (Man, I wish I could have gone bowling for PE when I was in high school!), answering their questions (One primary students named Kayden is very proud of himself for coming up with spiritual questions and every so often will come up to me with a very serious look on his face, “Pastor Jeff, ...?" Kayden and I have a special handshake that he taught me. He makes sure to run up to me and do the special handshake with me even if I just saw him a few minutes ago=), writing the Chaplain’s Corner for the newsletter, hanging out with the kids in my office, or my favorite: playing “ship” with the kindergarten kids (I love those little kids. So simple. So fun. “Pastor Jeff, come play with us!” “Alright, if you insist”=)
I know, doesn’t sound like I do a lot of work, but as my chaplain used to say in high school, I am doing presence ministry! So many of these kids need that positive encouragement because they don’t receive any of it at home and I hope and pray that these kids will somehow see in me Jesus. At times it can be frustrating because I wonder if I can do any more. Should I be starting up a new program or some new creative way to do chapels? I am always asking myself these questions. A few weeks ago I was very tired and came home and was super frustrated. I just sat on the couch for a while and thought of my busyness and while I had heaps to do I wondered if I was accomplishing anything, wondering if I should be doing more, wondering if I was making a difference. I went to bed early that night and was about to skip my habit of getting on my knees before I got into bed because I knew that if I prayed God would give me encouragement and I was halfway enjoying my pity party. But I am glad I decided not to skip prayer that evening because the minute I said “Jesus I need you!” I started feeling peace and my discouragement turning into joy. And as I got off my knees that night I praised God for making me realize that He truly is my strength! “He has given you a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind!”
So yes, I have had my downs but also I have had my ups as well. Just a few days ago was probably one of the best days ever and one of the biggest reasons was because I had a stellar breakfast!! I hadn’t gone grocery shopping for a few weeks prior to this killer breakfast and had been living off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pasta, and cereal. I would go to the store to buy milk and bread and that is about it. However, I finally broke that trend last week and went grocery shopping and was super excited to have fresh veggies and fruit in my fridge! So back to my amazing day. I guess it wasn’t that great but I was excited because I had not had fruit in a while, but I had some cereal, some cantaloupe (which they call rockmelon by the way) and a piece of currant/sultana/cinnamon toast. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten so excited over some cantaloupe but it started off my day well=) And then I was really praising God because the next part of my day went smoother than expected. I had organized for our high school students to go over to Eastside Lutheran which is a similar, small Christian school for a combined chapel service and I was not too sure how it would go. But the kids interacted with eachother, the song service went better than expecited and the whole program was very positive. It was good for the kids to see how another school runs and to jus talk to other kids outside of their own circles. Praise God=)
Another up: I had the opportunity to go backpacking with Mr. Norman (the principal) and his wife at Cradle Mountain which is in the northwest corner of Tasmania. We had Thursday and Friday off from school about a month ago and Mr. Norman invited me to go backpacking for the weekend. I had to preach on Sabbath at the Glen Huon church but I decided to at least backpack in with them and spend Thursday night, do some hiking on Friday and then hike back out. Cradle Mountain is one of the most beautiful places I have been. There are so many lakes in the area, the views are fantastic, and there was still a little snow on the peaks. I was just glad to get away from everything and get outdoors! The whole trip was seriously a big blessing and I praise God for that “up” moment.
I praise God that now every lunch period is filled with a Bible study! A couple of them are serious and actually want to learn and it is hard to tell with the others. I study with three people on Tuesday and I wonder every week what I will study with them. They have a very limited understanding of spiritual things and I have never had to explain some of the things I am explaining to them. But I do appreciate the challenge and I also appreciate their honesty. Sometimes I wonder if they actually care. I can say the Bible says this and this is why the Bible is legit and this is what God did for you and this is how you should respond and they will go “So?” Some of them just don’t care, but who am I to judge? They are at least there and want to come back. And perhaps deep down the desire is there. And I take heart in the fact that perhaps some years down the road when they are at a spot in their life where they don’t know where to turn they will remember what they learned at Hilliard Christian School and turn to Jesus! The Holy Spirit will use it somehow=)
I am real excited about this Sunday, November 22 because I am running my first half marathon. A couple of months ago a doctor at the church I go to told me about this Point to Pinnacle race which goes up Mount Wellington. I considered it then but decided against it because I thought it would take up too much of my time. However about three weeks ago I had gained a little over 10 pounds and realized I needed to shed a few so I started running! Then I reasoned that since I was running anyway I might as well do this race and it might give me some more motivation. So I signed up for the race! The weather is supposed to be rainy and it is really cold up on the mountain but oh well=) It will be one of those ‘for the memories’ things.
All in all, I am doing well. I definitely miss home and friends but that is expected. I am continuing to learn the importance of studying God’s word and abiding in Him. I was going to put up lots of pictures but then my computer was not working. So I will try to put up a few next week. Cheers.