Don’t you love surprises!? This past week was our home church’s mission’s conference. It was an awesome time to see God working all over the world, that we get to be apart of His work, and to hear some very impactful messages.
Dr. Don Sisk challenged us to use our life to the glory of God (as in the parable of Matt. 25 and the servants with 5,2, and 1 talent). God does not want us to be stagnant and “hide”, but to use our life to bring a great reward for our Master. Later that night Don Sisk brought a message on “looking at the back of the book”. He challenged us that when times are hard (and they will be), to be encouraged by looking at the back of the book (Revelation). Knowing God has overcome the world, and the situation you are in right now will not last forever, but God’s Kingdom and glory will last forever!
God’s timing is always the best! This past weekend I (Seth) had the chance to come home for the mission’s conference (and by God’s grace I have not missed one yet since I started going there) at my home church. Also, I got to come home and surprise my mom for her 50th birthday. I snuck into her work and several of her coworkers watched with anticipation as I walked into her classroom and gave her a hug and shouted “Happy Birthday”! She immediately turned red and had that look “why/how are you here”, with tears in her eyes and a big smile that didn’t go away for hours, I was able to be with my mom and celebrate her birthday.
Before any of this ever happened, I had to say good-bye to my wife at the Saint Louis Airport. With tears in both of our eyes, big smiles, and a long hug we said “good-bye” for the longest time we have ever been apart in our marriage and it was painful. We both agreed that this was the “best thing” to do, to surprise my mom and to make it to our home church’s missions’ conference. But it was still very hard and my stomach hurt all day being away from my Beloved. This trip truly was a trip filled with joy, tears, smiles, and sadness.
Stoking The Fires 