Preparation

I could spend the next 7 days writing about Shannon Wham’s mama, and what type of impact she has in his life, but I won’t.  What I will say is this:  I dreaded this day, somewhat, as Shannon’s direct words almost 3 years ago was, “Take away my guns, and be ready to haul me into the loony bin, ‘cause when mama goes, I’m all comin’ apart.”  Now that is paraphrased, but read it with a deep southern drawl, and know that there was truth in it.  I knew God would provide here, and He did.  I arrived about 30 minutes early, and helped the mortuary guys move the casket from the hearse to the lowering platform at the grave.  Slowly but surely, many people showed up---family, friends, the Waffle House lady.  He certainly was in control, but I hadn’t seen Shannon or his wife Dana yet---he could have had a downward spiral and started the process as stated above.  However, God has been working in Shannon’s life, and as I listened intently, staring at Shannon as he gave his mother’s eulogy at a graveside service yesterday, his eyes were as clear as the cloudless sky, and his words as crisp as the morning’s air.  It was God’s strength pouring through him, and it was certainly a great ceremony.  Shannon closed with the timeless truth of the Gospel, and pleaded to those who were there who were not Christians.

All of this to say this---I feel God is preparing me for this trip.  He is paving the way to help me learn to Listen for Him and to Him, as He speaks to me in oh so many ways.  I thank Him for it and pray this mini-revival continues here on Holy Thursday through the trip and beyond.

Provision

3/27/13

Since the previous entry, I’ve traveled to New Orleans on business, had several meaningful happenings and encounters that only God could have set up, came back, set up and hosted a Daddy Daughter Dance, led worship at a 24/7 (7^th and 8^th grade) retreat, led a Seder for our small group, helped pray over a small group member’s dying mother, attended a funeral, bought a car, sold a car, repaired the jeep, and have had my eyes absolutely open to how GREAT God is and how he has provided and continues to provide. 

Regarding the Daddy Daughter Dance---I had to make one, as the church’s version of it was being held the week we were in Kenya.  Eve and Ellie have been talking it up so much that I had to do something.  Below is an email I sent to one of my church’s campus pastor, Ed Sweeney, who sets up the annual Daddy Daughter Dance.  He asked me how things went for our “mini” DDD, here is how I responded:

Hey Ed. 

This email will be long, but I feel the need to share,

First of all, it went wonderfully.  My daughters were so excited and had a wonderful time, and the other guys and their daughters did too.  The particular high light by far was Ashley Tomlin's Photo-booth...the Watson's had a stack as thick as 100 worth of dollar bills---they took so many.  Everyone enjoyed many pictures of it, and he was entirely GRACIOUS by doing "at cost," and even at that only took the cost of the film, and the rest he is donating for a ministry purpose (ask him if you get the chance, it is an awesome thing).  

Cole Anderson (high school kid who was in one of my Fusion Groups for 5th and 6th grade years ago) did a great job as DJ keeping momentum going, and slowing down when needing to---remember, this is a high school kid who could do a lot of things on a Friday night, but jumped at the opportunity to help serve.

Trecy Watson's wife and one of their small group members helped out tremendously by taking money at the door for us, and were sort of gate keepers for the young ones.

Overall, I'd say best of all was God provided it all.  You can see that by above and I don't say this lightly or with indifference, nor do I say this because it is a "church-y answer."  But there is so much to this little story that has God's interweaving in it, I have to share:

·        He gave me the passion and desire to do this yet given me the realization that I have responsibilities for my daughters, and I couldn't be passive about this thing.  God provided.

·        He's given me a wife who not only encouraged me to go to Kenya to serve God, but help me in tons of ways through this process---knowing when to let me do it, and when she needed to come along side and help.  God provided.

·        His timing is perfect---between my busy schedule, He allowed a busy BUSY week to be filled with Him running the show.  My stress level was nothing (except between 6:30 and 7:00 night of---I was running late due to dinner and all of the George Straight concert traffic and parking:):), and I had full confidence that He would provide, and He did. God provided.

·        He gave the finances available to cover certain costs.  God's faithfulness in my job and work is no small thing (to me), but He gives me such opportunity and the few times and ways I can try to give back to Him, I will---and He allows that here.  God provided. 

·        He gave the place (Hyatt) to be within the financial range, for the size we needed, AND no construction, tons of beautiful things within the hotel.  AND, there was a women's ministry conference (Perimeter Church from Atlanta), starting Friday, so the hotel was filled with wonderful Godly women that "oooed and aaahed" at all of the daughters going by.  Think about that---hundreds of women, encouraging young girls and ladies as they walked by to and from the dance.  Coincidence?  Nope, God provided.

·        He gave me chance to spread His good news by me telling, inviting, and having attend coworkers, friends from Clemson, as well as their friends.  He used them to help serve me in this too---my buddy who came had all the songs I needed AND the computer AND offered to let us use it for the evening.  No problem.  Yea, that was Thursday, dance was Friday.  God provided.

Ed, I could go on for hours on how God provided this week for me, not only for the DDD, but for the 24/7 retreat, a business trip to New Orleans, some intentional, open time with my wife and kids, and tonight, a Seder meal with our Small Group, and prayer time over difficult circumstances with group members.

God is good.  If you remember any highlight or story, that is it.  He provides what we need, when we need it.

I pray and hope that Grace's DDD does the same wonders for all who serve to run it.  I hope that they recognize it and take pleasure in WHAT God is providing, WHEN God is providing.

 It is truly inspiring to me God's provision---we don't need to look hard to find it---it is always there.

Thanks for being there, Ed.  Thanks for listening/reading, I had to tell someone, and well, I guess God provided you:)

Since then, I feel I’ve had an awakening of my soul---being able to speak freely in prayer to God, and just let Him be in control.

Beginning...

3/18/13

 Here I am 1 month prior to going to Kenya, and God knows what I have ahead. Here is how we began. As a Christmas Gift, Katie gave me the time, space, and home-holding ability to allow me to go to Kenya for 9 days in April. I can’t say enough about how she is absolutely coming along side and helping me lead and helping me be the man I am. I would absolutely not be who I am without her. Make no mistake that God IS working through her, to me. I thank Him, and thank her (not enough on both counts).


 The next step was assuring that work was going to be able to survive with me gone. Early January, I sat down with my boss, Mark, and he tells me he is going on a Mediterranean cruise the same week I’m going to Kenya. On top of that, we were waiting for news from a major supplier that we won a bid on their material. This is a significant source of revenue for us, so we have been on pins and needles until that news came in. Well, it came in for sure earlier this month, at which I approached Mark, told him I thought we’d be OK with the two of us gone, and have Chris and Eric and other guys running the show.


By this time, it was only a few days ago, and I had only begun to put “both feet in” for this trip.

Starting Anew

I'm going to try and keep a journal of sort prior to, during, and after my upcoming mission trip to Kenya.  If you know me, great.  If not, that is OK, too.  Either way, enjoy.