Birthday Weekend and ...

So today is the big day, but the celebrations started on Sat. I went to lunch with Aunt Jo and Uncle Phil (actually, they kindly took me to lunch), and my mom too. The temps were close to 80 here this weekend, after having 6 inches of snow last Mon morning, so we sat outside and had a leisure lunch and great conversation.

On Sunday, my little "Chinese sister";) cooked a beautiful Indian curry and some daal (lentil soup), and invited a few good friends and my parents over. (I never know who to expect over there, so it was a fun surprise!) It was so relaxing and nice. All of the kids played together really well—they almost outnumbered the adults!—and we all got some good "hang out" time in. It was a huge blessing!

Today, I met with some friends and my dear, sweet mom for lunch. I walked back to work from the restaurant, and then had a nice walk later in the afternoon with one of the volunteers who comes and helps me out at work. She and I have gone to lunch a number of times now and I really appreciate not just her work, but her friendship too.

I am excited about my 36th year of life. I look forward to what life has in store for the next year—even in the face of the financial crisis (the SIM leadership team is reviewing my whole office to make budget cuts for the next fiscal year even as I write this!)—because I know that God is faithful.

One of the things that Pastor Scott said on Sunday was that the hope of the Christian is different—it's not like "hoping that it doesn't rain"—it's a hope that is based on the person and work of Jesus. It's a sure thing! As believers we do know "the rest of the story"—and we don't need Paul Harvey to tell us what it is! We just need to believe what God says in his Word!!

I don't have the exact numbers, but one of our financial officer's at work, who was leading our chapel a week ago, gave us the percentages for the increases in giving from 1929—the Great Depression—up through the next 10-15 years—and do you know what?? The giving to SIM went up every year—even in 1929! And it was the 2nd or 3rd year that it was up nearly double!!

But regardless, God does have a plan for his children. It doesn't matter what you do or where you work; it doesn't matter whether you raise your support or whether you get paid by an employer—God's economy is different, and he will never need the federal government to bail him out!

So, just an encouragement not to get all caught up in the doom and gloom of the media on either side. Be wise, be faithful, continue giving ... because there is plenty in God's storehouse to cover your every need.