A Little Behind

I'm a little behind on updating, and I don't have pictures from Liz and Jacob's wedding or DC with Teej ready to post yet...but I promise, I'll be working on those tasks (and many others) on Friday. You see, it's a Catholic Holy Day, so our office is closed. Nice!

I did, however, want to touch on three things briefly:

1. Happy birthday, Clemma! You are one of my best friends and I am so glad we'll be the same age for a few months. I like to feel old together...

2. I seriously almost had a heart attack, peed in my pants, and broke the floor jumping up and down simultaneously last night while watching the men's 4X100 meter relay at the Olympics. That was, without a doubt, the most intense, out of control, amazing, exciting relay I have ever seen! I've already watched it online 2.5 times this morning. Amazing!

3. Yesterday, we had several of our Burmese refugees attend our church. A few have been coming for several weeks, and they say they're understanding more of the sermon, learning the songs, and are really enjoying the time of worship. A few incredibly touching things happened yesterday. As soon as we sat down in the sanctuary, some of the guys who had not been to our church yet immediately bowed their heads and started praying. Coming from a country where this act itself could be cause for persecution, I am amazed at what they must feel with this freedom to openly pray and worship. While I was out in the lobby, Isaac told me he was talking with one of the men who understands English pretty well. I'll name him "Z" for confidentiality purposes. Z told Isaac he really liked this one song we've been singing over the past few weeks, but didn't understand some of the words. A few moments later, our worship pastor begins practicing the song, and Z and "J", another guy who has great English skills, begin discussing the words. J apparently understood more of the lyrics and explained them to Z. Z got tears in his eyes when he understood the lyrics. I got tears in my eyes when Isaac told me the story. And one other amazing thing happened. At the end of the service, when the offering plate was passed down our aisle, I saw the two who had just arrived in Columbia on Friday reach into their pockets, pull out their wallets, and put some money into the offering plate. Most refugees come to the United States with very few possessions- some clothes, shoes, and maybe a book or two (if they are able to read). For them to so eagerly reach into their wallets and give freely when they have so little was convicting. I hope and pray that those of us who have lived in a country or area where we are allowed to openly worship and pray without fear of persecution are able to learn a great deal from these people. Because we truly have so much to learn from them.