Past. Present. Future.

Maybe a more apt title might be "The Bold and the Blunt."

Brandon is about 4 weeks away from his last final at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Has it really been 2 years?

We arrived here almost 2 years ago with a few expectations. Be here 2-3 years. Brandon gets a degree. We see where God takes us from there...hopefully within the continental US of A.

Just 3 short months into our journey at SEBTS, God started showing us a different plan. By way of SEBTS, He moved in us, changed our hearts (both at different times), and began preparing us for returning back to The Big Chicken. (i'm linking that because I can't remember if I've ever clarified why I call it that...just take a look and see if you can't see it.)

I'm interjecting at this point a little tangent about SEBTS. I can not say enough good things about this school, what it has done for our family, specifically Brandon, and what is has instilled in us. I literally don't even know where to begin to sing the praises of SEBTS.

But I will link you to this. Watch it. and watch it again. And then if you find yourself disagreeing with anything David Platt is saying, then you're theology is messed up (there's that blunt part). If you want to talk about points in his sermon, please leave comments as I'm married to a man that studies and goes to the school with all the answers. :) ha! only kidding. (well, just a little) But I do believe that SEBTS is firmly grounded in the word, teaches straight from scripture, therefore teaching TRUTH. And week after week the speakers in Chapel are just like Platt, motivating, teaching, inspiring, and ultimately sharing the gospel with every word.

So carrying on...

After knowing that our future was going to look differently than what we'd "planned," Brandon switched degree plans (thereby losing a $6000 scholarship...but thus, the Lord HAS provided anyway! amen!), and we began the paperwork to return back overseas.

So four weeks from now we'll be loading a trailer with hopefully not very many belongings to take to Texas where we'll be spending several months enjoying time with family and allowing Brandon to take 9 more hours of online courses during the Fall.

We have our names officially on the books for a certain job, but if you know much about Aunt Lottie Moon, you know she's been struggling to make ends meet over the past year or so. This affects us. We're hopeful for a March 2011 deployment, but have been told at this point there are no guarantees. We're just waiting. And there's not much more we can do but wait and be ready.

And then yesterday a man who trusts in Christ as his Savior approached us with these words, "I can't believe you are going to *the big chicken*. I mean, North Carolina has perfect weather and it's so beautiful. Plus, you know they're communist, right?"

(were we born yesterday?!) whatever, I digress.

He continues, "I just don't think I'd ever want to go there. There's just not anything there that would make me want to go.

(oh you mean like lost people going straight to hell?)

Ok sure. Maybe that's not EXACTLY what he was meaning. But he might as well have come out and said it.

So during this whole waiting process to head back overseas where we feel like our family is called to, desires to go, and is eagerly anticipating, please please please don't approach us with questions or comments such as this,

"Are you taking your children with you?" (Really?! Well, we do plan on it. You can come and visit and babysit if you'd like)

"You know they're communist right?" (matter of fact we did attend 8th grade history)

"I'm so glad it's you going and not my son/daughter." (We actually HAVE been told this...and if you find yourself feeling this way, then please understand that I think your knowledge of God is extremely lacking (blunt part #2) and would LOVE to have a chat with you about Him!) (and go back and click on the Platt link above!)

------

Am I getting under your skin?

I hope so, I guess.

But that's our plan for the coming months. This way you'll understand what's going on when the background of our pictures all of a sudden turn from forests to the barren plains of Texas.

We'll be there...waiting...waiting...waiting...to be sent!