Vacation!

I am leaving on vacation in a few hours. I find trips are a whole lot better when you've been progressively busy prior to taking them. Not stressed out busy. There's a difference. If I'm stressed out busy, then I just stay stressed while I'm away. But, when it's progressive, accomplishing busy, and I get to go away knowing I'm leaving behind a job well done, oh man, that's a good break.

This week has been spectacular. I couldn't think of a better note to leave on. Vacation Bible School was a wild success, and despite running around like a crazy person a lot of the time, I still managed to get a lot of actual work done. I've got several new students in the wings for the upcoming year, we have a confirmed foreign exchange student, I got some excellent news on a personal front, and I discovered that my biceps look amazing. Anybody want tickets to the gun show?

Have I done anything to make all this come about? Maybe a little, but I know better. I'm wrapped in His blessings. On a sad note, my very good friends Tiffany and Jordan are leaving Sunday night to take a position in a church in Indiana. They will be greatly missed, but I know this is an opportunity for them to grow as individuals, as a family, and minister to others. In Jordan's last lesson, he defined grace as "divine favor." It's a good thing to have, especially when I consider how undeserving I am.

How humbling it is to sit and think af all the blessings I already have, and then think ahead to the promises God hasn't fulfilled yet. He's already done so much, and I know I've only begun to know Him. Still, serving God isn't just about the mountain tops. He's with us in the valleys, too, and we are to praise Him in every circumstance. He is always worthy. So worthy. If it's ever difficult to find something to praise Him over, try telling Him you can't find anything. I bet He'll bring something to mind.

I'm going to try and post while I'm away this next week, but I make no promises. It's going to be a full week. I'm driving to Meridian, Mississippi, today (6-hour drive), then on to Brunswick, Georgia, tomorrow with an excursion through the Okeefenokee thrown in (10 hours). Tuesday through Friday I'll be in Savannah, Georgia, a place I've wanted to go to since ... forever. Friday, I head to Chattanooga (8 hours), and Saturday I'll wind up in Memphis with an aunt and uncle, and two awesome cousins. It's going to be fun!! I'll post pictures if nothing else.