August is gone.  My to-do list isn’t.

I have a tri-board that I’d like to set up, scrapbook style, with seed thoughts for deaf and hearing as they relate to ministry.  I’m really excited about it, while I’ve been focused on getting other things done first. A board, check.  A plan, check.  Initial reviews, check.  Some materials, check.  Well, it’s a start…

I assembled the box of NAD materials and made a fine list of every organization represented – now to get everything (printer, data, memory) in the same spot at the same time to finish it off so I can make it accessible to others (which was the whole point).

I’ve got 3 sewing projects in mid-stitch.  The biggest hurdle was the one thing I expected to be easy-breezy, ain’t that just how life goes?  I’m taking on two new challenges that I may never do again, or I may do them again and charge big prices.  Either way, it’s an opportunity to learn & grow, and perhaps something to check off for my bucket list.  Getting the machine out has also inspired me to think of several other salable ideas, as though I needed more ideas or directions to go in…  One of the sewing projects, without question, is ministry…the other two might be.  There is one more that jumped to the forefront, a matter of prayer for some time already, and a matter of faith from the first stitch to the last – may it be so. (He knows what that’s all about, and anyone can pray for the undisclosed things He’s doing in other peoples’ lives)

I made a list of the many things I learned while on my tour of the southern midwest, then pulled out the most important ideas that floated to the top and whittled out a lot of other insights.  This, I presented to our congregation on the 19th, in a service we’re confident God had a hand (or two) in.  Now I need to go back & revisit the items that landed on the cutting room floor, there’s some good stuff in there.  As for the message, key points were:

• God owns everything
• God prepares to provide
• Relationships are God’s highest priority

There were a couple of babies born, a few families mourning the loss of loved ones, newlyweds returning from their honeymoon & setting up a lovely home, and more insight into issues that people continue to struggle with.  Add to that the start of school with all the excitement and angst that entails. Both the prayer list and the praise list got longer, but we can rest assured that God doesn’t change, and He doesn’t let anything thwart His purposes, and He doesn’t miss even one of our cries for His attention and/or help.

I may have a job in one-on-one client services with a deaf person, or perhaps the person is hearing and relies on sign language, I’m not certain.  A second interview is pending, and of course there’s the confidentiality thing.

There are budding relationships with new people, and I’m looking forward to nurturing those and starting more.  I went on an outing with friends, and circumstances worked out to meet a person who is just starting their foray into the signing world – the whole thing had Divine Appointment written on it.  One long day came down to 30 minutes of introduction, but that’s how God works.  It’s not the first time He’s dropped a short opportunity into a very long day – hope He keeps doing it!!  Pray for these seemingly random people, that they will recognize how un-random they are to Him, and how much He cares for their specific situations.

As the weather cools down, I’m increasing my focus on what it will take to build a tiny house (on a towable trailer) – I’m starting to look at options for where to build it, which of course includes what materials and people will be available to help with the heavy lifting.  It could turn into a ministry of it’s own, we’ll just have to see.  Once I get a movable residence, I can make sure I’m always within reach of whatever deaf community I’m serving in.

I still have 2 in-home Bible studies ongoing here.  In one, we’re with David in his flight from King Saul and his murderous jealousy.  It’s a chapter-by-chapter read through the Bible.  In the other, we’re looking at statements Jesus made and exploring the context and “the rest of the story” that takes it beyond a mere soundbyte to an actual understanding of what He was saying.  This is driven by a devotional application and allows for exploration of a variety of themes in a short time.  Our church begins a study of James this week, which will likely spark some interesting discussions.  Add these to your prayer list, especially that in our confidence we don’t gloss over or misconstrue something very important for the people involved.  I’m very relaxed in the role of working through the scriptures, but I also have a very high regard and respect for the weight of the responsibility.  My prayer on the 19th applies, as always…  “Hide me, You teach.”

And with that, I’m off to dart from cave to cave with David and my Bible study companion.

Blessings to all.