Safe in the Storm

Drew and I are just fine after the events of Hurricane Ike. All that Bryan/College Station saw was alot of rain from about 3am Saturday morning to Saturday afternoon and alot of gusty winds. We are very grateful to be safe and dry!

I'll admit I did get a little worried beforehand, having never lived this close to the Gulf of Mexico. But we just kept checking the weather reports and they never encouraged our county to evacuate, plus most of the people we know who have been here a while didnt seem too worried. Although, the grocery store was a mad house when I went on Friday - the water and canned goods were all picked over. The checkout girl told me it was worse on Thursday. I think it took most people 45 min. just to get to the front of the checkout line!

It is interesting to see how people respond when disaster hits. I wish we always saw the best, but at least for me, I observed mixed responses. First, at the grocery store another car unapologetically swerved in and stole the spot I had been patiently waiting on (with my blinker on and letting the old ladies in front on me walk by!). And then in the grocery store people were bumping into each other and grabbing whatever they could when they could. On the other hand, that same day I heard of so many volunteer opportunities and shelters being opened. Drew and I both volunteered Friday evening (he went to Reed Area, a make shift hospital on the A&M campus, and I went to our church) only to find that there were almost more volunteers than evacuees. The Red Cross folks I talked with said they were blown away with how nice our shelters were and the level of generosity they had seen both at the church they were at that afternoon and then at Grace Bible that evening. It made me proud, although I am not really sure what of...I guess I think this what Texas should be like what I would like us to be known for. But most of all I really want anyone who calls themself a Jesus follower (and especially churches) to be known for their hospitality, generosity, and eagerness to serve. We should be the very hands and feet of Jesus to an unbelieving and suffering world.

I know we will have so many more opportunities to serve in the coming days and weeks. I think the Hurricane was certainly a disaster, a true representation of the fact that we live in a broken world. But our response to it...our response doesnt have to be broken or a disaster. Our response can be full of love.

New Small Group

My efforts in building a community for myself continue. Drew and I came to the realization that I am far more social than he is, so I am looking for outlets for myself. I signed up for a women’s Bible study at the church. I was actually a little hesitant knowing how badly small groups can go and unsure if I really wanted to put in the energy. So instead of not signing up and threw a prayer up to God as I registered for the class online. My sincere hope was that I could find a community, even if it wasn’t spiritually rich or deep, but one that would accept who I am and who might even support me in ministry (through listening, prayer for me, and/or financially). It was kind of a fatalistic prayer – I really didn’t expect much. I think I was just trying to keep an open mind and not let myself be disappointed if the small group proved to a dud.

Boy, was I wrong! We had our first meeting today and God placed me in the perfect small group, truly perfect. We didn’t get into the study today, it was just a time to get to know each other and pray, but I am so encouraged. The ladies in the group are from all ages and walks of life, but I am pretty sure I am the youngest one – praise God! I so wanted the group to be a little older and wiser than I am so I can learn from them. I think I am the only one without any children. The other thing I hoped for but certainly didn’t expect was to find a woman who understands the medical school life…well guess what, God provided not one, but three! One of the ladies is a doctor herself (who graduated from Texas A&M at Temple, which is where Drew and I will go in two years), one is the wife of a family practice doctor who also happens to teach at the A&M medical school (and she said they love having students over to their house), and one is the wife of a doctor who graduated from Texas A&M (they were married all through med school, internships, and residency) and just moved back here – she even said she is looking for community and when she heard I was married to a med student she just looked at me with knowing eyes and said “Lord bless you!” Who else but the Living God, who knows his children better than we know ourselves would provide such abundant understanding and wisdom in one small group!

And just in case this wasn’t enough, I was able to openly share my need for supporters in ministry, especially financially. One of the women even asked me how she could find out more about donating immediately after the class! Miraculous? I think so.

Greek Class

I don’t consider myself a linguist. But I love dead languages, particularly Ancient Greek. In college I took 5 Greek classes and while I struggled through parts of it I really enjoyed it! There was certainly something about the challenge I really loved. And I will admit there is a joy that comes when you succeed at something difficult and can tell people you know ancient Greek (yes, in case you didn’t know I am a nerd). I have missed having those classes and being challenged in the same way.

I have been hoping to at least keep up with it on my own since I graduated - I have kept all my flashcards (mountains of them!), my books, and bought a Greek New Testament in hopes of applying my knowledge to Bible study and talks I give. However, I have yet to take out my flashcards or crack open those books since I graduated. It’s difficult to schedule in the time without someone holding you accountable to it. I regret this because I don’t want to lose this skill. In fact, I hope I can grow in it, especially as I consider going to seminary.

I heard a few weeks ago that our new church – Grace Bible – is offering a class in Biblical Greek, which is a bit different from Attic Greek (what I studied), but supposedly easier. I signed up for the class hoping this can be a way for me to keep up my language skills (especially since I wanted to know Greek for the sake of understanding scripture better) and a way to meet some new people in our church. I went to the first meeting on Monday (Sept. 8th) and absolutely loved it. It is a real class (not fluff) with regular homework, quizzes, and a final exam. I came back home elated! I am so happy to be a student attending classes again – there is something comforting about it – this I know how to do, I know how to thrive. I truly believe this class is a blessing from the Lord because in a time where I feel completely out of my element, I now have this one small oasis. It makes me realize how foreign and new the rest of my life feels right now. I am so excited!