kelly and heather, the new youthworks area and regional directors over west virginia left today.  they were here for a few days getting acquainted with their new sites and their new friends.  it was nice to get to know them better and to be able to show them around logan and mingo counties, introducing them to some of my friends who they would be working with.  through the weekend i was reminded of a few things that i have learned: (1) God takes time; His own sweet, perfect time.  and usually my american-bred self doesn't like that. luckily, i have a new identity now which has a fundamental characteristic of patience.  (if only i could remind myself of that more often).  i'm not sure exactly what all the necessary steps are going to be to get to the ultimate vision God has given me for logan, but i know that they will take time and that there are worse things that could happen. my plans are always changing, but there is only one way that is right, that i am seeking [prov. 16:9]. (1b) being alone, i have to always be on guard against falling into apathy or indifference. when times are tough (or in most cases just repetitive), apathy does not equal patience. God is a God of action even though action sometimes consists of a quiet stillness, or a crying out to God (something i have have not been brought up or socialized to appreciate) [1 sam. 7:8, psalm 34:17, psalm 57:2]. (2) the Church is beautiful.  seeing it work together for the good of the Kingdom is amazing, and i'm glad i got to see people this weekend so willing to help the Church.  God brought so many improbable events together to help kelly and heather meet the people they needed to meet, and everyone seemed excited about being a part of this weird thing called the Church [ephesians 1:15-23, 4:1-7]. (3) God is good and life is simple.  not easy, but simple.  things get hard and motivation waxes and wanes with the circumstances, but God is always good.  and life is about responding to Him [acts 20:18-24].

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(newsletters are going out, check your mail.  i noticed, however, while i was writing them that many of you are pretty unacquainted with what exactly is going on. so expect a photo tour soon!)