To Texas Or Bust

Well. The last month and a half have been the equivalent of...nuts. Downright crazy. Like "let's travel to 8 states in two weeks" crazy....Oh wait, that's what I did. *chuckles*

The adventure began about the second week of March. We got a phone call from a named Shelley that I have helped previously with her family ministry. Their family has a Ministry called "History Come to Life" (or "His Image Ministry"), where she and her husband reenact characters of the Christian Faith. They go to different venues as Corrie Ten Boom, Ira Sankey, Fanny Crosby, General & Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, Katy Luther (etc.) and present to full out Gospel as these different characters. It's actually an incredible wat of presenting the gospel, because it is a historical approach--but with the Gospel message being crystal clear. Anyways, she called me to let me know her husband has been diagnosed with Cancer and requested my help on a whirlwind trip down to San Antonio, Texas. Shelley was trying to compile an immense newsletter to let friends and family know what was going on with her husband.**

[**Side Note: If you could actually be keeping their family in prayer, they really really need it. They have two young teenagers in their home, and they have just been going through a lot of testing. Please keep Jim and Shelley in prayer!]

That was Friday. I packed for over a week and they picked me up Sunday. Logistically, everything that happened was actually impossible. I work part time, plus always have a bunch of stuff going on; However, it was as if the Lord literally arranged everything Himself. We drove from Virginia to Knoxville, TN. From there, we shot down to Louisiana--stopping in the town where our dear friends the Andersons are from. I got to eat at their Panera. ;) Delicious...but kinda funny sitting there without them! *teehee*

|| Slidell, LA ||

|| One of the many bridges ||

|| Getting Down to Business ||

 Once we got to Texas, Shelley's son Nathaniel was a part of the Christian Worldview Film Festival. It took place over the course of the week, beginning with a "Guild" (workshop classes for aspiring filmmakers/cinematographers), and ending with an entire weekend packed with Christian films. Varying from "Shorts", promotional videos, full length feature films, and even Stop-Action--it was an incredible weekend! Shelley (the lady I traveled with) went to provide events for the kids (AND for the kids of the volunteers), but also making appearances at the beginning of different films. After finalizing her schedule for the weekend (which took a lot more work than one would assume), she blessed me by sending me off to go see whatever films that piqued my interest. "Polycarp", "Where Was God?", "Behind the Mask", "The War Within" are just a few of the incredible films coming out of hearts that truly love the Lord. I don't cry easily....and let's just say I wish I had brought some tissues.

|| All fancy shmancy ||

|| uh...a bit of comedic relief amidst a crazy day ||

|| Shelley and I ||

After the conference finished on Saturday night (around 9:30ish), we drove 2 hours to Yorktown, Texas. Shelley had 3 Characters scheduled to speak on Sunday, then 2 on Monday at a Public High School. The Lord provided above and BEYOND our imaginations! Shelley's ministry is Faith-based, meaning they rely on the Lord to provide for their needs. He did. The community there graciously opened up their little retreat center, blessing us with the sweetest cabin by a Lake. 

|| This was my view right outside my cabin door ||  

|| El Shaddai Ranch in Yorktown, TX ||

|| Corrie Ten Boom ||

 Sunday Morning, Corrie Ten Boom and Fanny Crosby both made appearances at welcoming little Church in the middle of Yorktown. Later that evening, Katy Luther (Martin Luther's Mother) happened to stop by as well. All three beautiful characters of History challenged and encouraged the members of the Church body to press on--press on toward the prize and to never compromise your beliefs for the sake of the world's approval.

 Monday morning, we were up bright and early. Corrie Ten Boom and Fanny Crosby both made appearances at a Public High School, clearly presenting the Gospel to hundreds of teens. Shelley's son Nathaniel also does "Chalk Talks" (drawing picture on a huge canvas while a monologue is given, then at the end, a black light is turned on and there is a hidden picture within the picture..very effective), so he joined his mother in giving a short presentation for the High School.

On the way back, I will just casually mention that we drove from 1:00 p.m. Monday afternoon till 12:30 a.m., slept for 3 hours, then drove alllllllllll the way back from Baton Rouge, La to Knoxville, TN  in order to meet a 4:00 p.m. deadline for the rental car. That kind of describes the trip though: crazy, but amazing. The Lord has a funny sense of humor though. I love driving and I honestly find traffic somewhat relaxing (call me crazy, okay?) and Shelley hates driving. She loves talking on the phone, and I find it exhausting. We didn't find out until the day we were leaving that I am too young to drive a rental car (you have to be 25).....and the plan was for me to drive. So, she drove and I did all the tons of texting/phone calls/emails and anything else we could come up with. *snickers*

But, despite that quirky little issue, I have never been more exhausted and glad to be exhausted. It's one thing to tire yourself out with trivial things-- to exhaust yourself shopping or even be tired by wasting time. But to be tired because the name of the Lord is being glorified? To drop wearily into bed because the Gospel is going forth and people are leaving filled with determination to follow after the Lord? Now THAT is the most precious and beautiful feeling anyone can possibly feel. For the Lord is worthy to be praised, as high and as loud as we possibly can! :)

~In Him,