Adventures in the PNW

A brief pause from my normal postings to share: A couple things I learned from my first grand opening trainer trip!

1. Don't ever bring a pair new Shoes for Crews to an opening. That was one of the worst packing decision ever.

2. People are awesome! I don't know why I would expect Chick-fil-A people to be anything but friendly and welcoming... but all the trainers and employees I met were pretty cool people! Thanks for making my first opening so memorable!

3. Bring a bigger luggage bag with room to spare. Especially when there is a Target right next to the hotel...

4. I knew I didn't like scary movies, it was fun sitting under my pillow guys. ;)

5. Explore!

Saying Goodbye

It's been a fun ride, Inky. I wish I didn't have to say goodbye today.

Thanks for being the best buddy of a cat anybody could wish for. You were such a cute little cuddle bug and a really silly kitty! I might just have to pretend that you are on a world adventure with my other little friend Moppets...

I miss you so much and wish I could give you one more hug.

Perfectly Healed

Faith brought them--only Jesus could heal their friend.

"Please bring me to Him," he said.

So they carried him on his mat. Every now and then they had to rest, trying to find some shade in the hot, dusty streets. Finally they found the house--crowds filling the rooms of the house, crowds outside the windows and doors.

"Excuse us, this man needs Jesus' help."

"Wait, he's teaching right now."

"Go away. He doesn't want to help a cripple."

One from the crowd spat on the cripple.

"Worthless," another whispered.

"They won't let us through," one of the men said to his friend lying on the mat.

"Go to the roof, it will let you through."

Around the back of the house they found the stairs to the roof. They worked their way up the stairs with their heavy burden. Step after step.

"How are we going to get down to Him?"

"Have faith, I know He'll heal me."

They reached the top. Setting their friend down, the men set to work removing the tiles. A small space emerges from the roof--it gets larger--the people below look up.

"What are you doing? Don't you know Jesus is teaching?"

"Oh yes, that's why we're here."

"Just wait 'til He's done; don't bother him now. He's too busy."

But Jesus stopped speaking and walked over to the almost completed hole in the roof. Mutterings among the crowd spread, "What will He do?"

"Why isn't He rebuking them?"

The friends found some rope to lower the mat with. The paralyzed man lay at the feet of Jesus. He waited for Jesus to speak. Was he wrong to think Jesus would heal him? Had he heard wrong that Jesus healed any that came? He looked into Jesus' eyes, his own eyes and heart pleading, "Lord, heal me please!"

And then He spoke, "Take heart, my son."

Peace flooded over him. Jesus would heal him. But what did He say?

"Your sins are forgiven."

What? My sins! Amazing! This Jesus is greater than even I knew!

Jesus was talking with the scribes now, but he heard none of it.

I'm forgiven! My soul is healed! He knows I need more than just physical healing!

But now Jesus knelt next to him and looked into his eyes again and said, "For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise, and walk?'"

Not allowing anyone to answer--even if they had an answer--Jesus continued, "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--and Jesus looked directly at the paralytic and said--"Rise, pick up your bed and go home."

He moved his legs. He stood up. He took a step. He knelt down and picked up his bed. In a daze he walked out. The crowds parted, the mutterings began again, "How can he do that?"

"Look, the man is walking!"

He had to find his friends. His friends! They had brought him to the roof. He ran to those stairs his friends had carried him up. There they were, putting the tiles back in place. He paused, hearing them talk, "How amazing, he just got up and walked out."

The healed man walked up behind them, "He forgave my sins!"

Inspiration...

This week I wrote about as many real sentences as the typist in this piece...

Enjoy.

Patrick: A Changed Heart Part 5

If you missed the previous sections: Patrick: A Changed Heart Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4

God's Servant, 423 A.D.

     It has been seventeen years since Patricius left. The days and years have been even more lonesome than the few years after Patricius and I were captured before he followed Christ. Though I have shared the love of my Saviour with many here, none have chosen to follow Him. I am still alone in my faith. Many have followed the druidic gods and customs from childhood and live in fear of leaving the sorcery that enslaves them. I continue to persevere in faith that only Christ will rescue me from the struggle of this life to the hope of eternity forever with Him. As the years continued, many of the slaves who were here when I was brought to Ireland died. Almost a year after Patricius escaped, Ita died. I become one of the overseers with Etromma and new slaves took my former post. Miliucc is aging. Though Patricius's escape had caused so much anger within Miliucc, he soon returned to his old moods and demeanor.
     I have learned that Patricius is back in Ireland! When I heard from one of the slaves who had gone to the village that Patricius had returned, I almost started crying because of the joy of knowing he is still alive and well! I hoped he would come back to our Rath to visit me, that we might once again encourage each other and that maybe the people would listen to him. Every time someone comes back from the village, I hear more of what Patricius, now known simply as Patrick, is doing as a missionary in Ireland. During the years that he was gone, I learned, he was ordained as a priest and sent out as a missionary. He is teaching in villages throughout Ireland against the druidic practices and rather that God is the only God and that only faith in Christ's sacrifice will bring them eternal life. God is using Patrick to change the hearts of many of the Irish and to show them how to become children of God!
     When the news was brought back to the Rath, and Miliucc heard that Patrick had returned to Ireland, a fierce and frenzied anger came into his eyes. I saw the rage from seventeen years ago when Patrick escaped come back. I heard him say, "I will not let him rob me of more of my slaves! He will not take my possessions! He will never change me!"

–—-----

     Each day I hear of Patrick coming nearer to our Rath. I look forward to seeing my good friend again! But each day he progresses closer, Miliucc becomes more panicked. The whole Rath is stirring, ready to hear from the former slave.

–—-----

     As I have been doing since Patrick became a follower of Christ, early this morning I went outside the gate of the Rath to sing and pray before my day starts. While I was walking back to my room, those who greeted me were all talking about seeing Patrick today! They are in great anticipation of his arrival and excited to see this man everyone is talking about. As I hurried back to prepare for my day, I noticed Miliucc rushing about the Rath carrying fire brands. He is crazed and beside himself with anger. I fear what may happen today because of his hardened heart and violent, delirious actions! Even though this place is not my eternal home, I must do what I can to protect the people here from what evil Miliucc might bring upon this place.

-----

I, Patrick, found Rhoswen, crushed under a smoldering beam on death's door. She only had breath left in her to say to me, "Continue your work, Patrick. Our Lord has great things for you to do." Then she passed on to see the face of her Savior and example. She always showed Christ's love to all who crossed her path and ran her race with endurance, not growing weary but "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

_______________________________________________________________________

Note: Saint Patrick was born in Bannaven Taburniae in Roman Britain to parents who were Roman citizens. Patrick grew up in an aristocratic household. When he was sixteen, his family's villa was raided by Irish raiders who took him captive and sold him into slavery. He was a slave for six years during which time God softened and changed his heart to believe in Him. Following his conversion, God sent Patrick several dreams which gave him directions to go home. But going back to and staying with his parents, who had escaped the raid, was not God's plan for Patrick. After a few more God-sent dreams, Patrick went to Gaul to receive training to become a missionary. God would use Patrick to turn almost all of Ireland to Himself.

Legend has it that Miliucc, rather than seeing Patrick again, burned his Rath down around him.

The prayer quoted in Part 3 is attributed to Saint Patrick.

Patrick: A Changed Heart Part 4

If you missed the previous sections: Patrick: A Changed Heart Part 1,  Part 2, and Part 3

Alone, 406 A.D. 

     My days feel empty now. I can no longer look forward to the encouraging times with Patricius. I pray now daily for his safety. Three days ago, Miliucc discovered that Patricius escaped. I have never seen him in a rage, but that day, his wrath was let loose. No one was exempt from his anger. He questioned all the slaves about their knowledge of Patricius's escape. I knew I was the only one who knew where Patricius was. I would not lie about what I knew. I knew if God had directed Patricius, He would protect him and Miliucc knowing what I knew would not change God's great plan for Patricius. So when my questioning came, I told Miliucc everything I knew. He fumed and stormed out of the room. I assumed my interview was done and returned to my work, fervently praying for God's guidance and protection for Patricius.
     Miliucc set out that day to attempt to find and recapture Patricius. For the past three days, everyone has been waiting for him to return with Patricius in chains. Today Miliucc returned. Though, I will miss him greatly, I thanked God that Patricius was not among those returning. God had protected Patricius against Miliucc and I know God will take Patricius safely back to our home. I sent a message to Bretta for Patricius to deliver if he should find her still alive.
     I never expect to see Patricius again. But we promised to pray for each other, that we would continue to follow our eternal Father and stay faithful to our loving Saviour. I do not think I will see earthly freedom during my life. So, now I will submissively work for my master as I wait for my God to rescue me and take me to my heavenly home.

Patrick: A Changed Heart Part 3

If you missed the previous sections: Patrick: A Changed Heart Part 1 and Part 2

God Works through Slavery, 404 A.D.

It has been three years since I was captured and brought to Ireland.  I despise this land as much as when I first came.  I yearn to be home every day.  I wonder if anyone is still there.  I long to be with Bretta always; her company is most missed.  My one connection to home is Patricius, with whom I rarely talk or see. Since he is a shepherd, he spends much time away from the Rath in the fields. From the little I have interacted with him, his temperament has changed since our capture. His spirits seem crushed, much like mine.

Despite the endless ache of loneliness, I thank my God every day because He has kept me safe all these years. He has given me the strength, peace, and hope I need each day to survive in this land.  Every new day I wake, I pray that He will give me strength to do the things He has planned for me—and every night I fall asleep trusting that what I did that day was His will for me. Though some days have their struggles following His will, I keep pressing on, obeying him as best I can.

What I have to do every day has been the same the whole time I have been here.  The days are exhausting and monotonous.  I wake long before dawn, prepare for the day and walk to the kitchen.  There I meet Etromma and Ita, the two other cooks.  We prepare the meal for those who work in the fields all day.  This task must be completed before dawn so I may be able to deliver them to the quarters of the slaves who work the grounds.  This is one of the few times I almost feel free. To walk in the outside air and have time to think and pray away from the bustle of the kitchen keeps me focused on God's presence in my daily life. The days I see Patricius when I am delivering the worker's meals, I fervently cry out to God before I see Patricius that I can show him God's love.

While I am delivering the meals to the slaves, Etromma and Ita begin making the morning meal for Miliucc's household.  By the time they are done with it, I am done delivering the slave's food and then begin serving the morning meal to Miliucc's household.

I abhor being inside the house of Miliucc.  He is a member of the heathen Druidic cult and his practices sicken me.  Those who participate in the cult make customary sacrifices and seek the stars for guidance instead of looking to their Creator.  Every time I enter his house I pray for his eyes to be opened to his despicable sins against God.

The midday and evening meals are made and served to the house in the same manner as the morning meal.  The work grows more tiring each day.  Although after three years I have endeavored to befriend many of the servants, I still have no one to whom I can tell my deepest thoughts.  It is then I miss Bretta the most, for I know she would listen to me and care for my troubles.  At these times I cry out to God knowing He hears and cares more than any other one could. He is my only friend in Ireland.

-----

Today was a wonderful day!  Patricius and several other herders began shearing the sheep yesterday.  It takes several days, but today was the best day of this season.  This morning as I made my rounds delivering meals to the slaves, I met Patricius waiting for me.  I was very confused. While he had treated me with much more respect than when I served Bretta, he still did not make any effort to befriend me since coming to Ireland. But today he was waiting for me with a smile on his face! He told me that God had shown him the error of his ways and that the Lord had turned him from his hard-hearted ways, saved him from his sins, and brought him into God's fold.  He then begged my forgiveness for how he had treated me at home.  I gave him my forgiveness gladly.  We rejoiced together in our new bond of freedom. I was overjoyed to see Bretta's and my prayers answered!  I only wished that Bretta could know.  I had already taken too long on delivering the meals, so I had to run back to the kitchen to continue with my duties.  But all day today, I have been ecstatic, knowing that God does act even when everything seems to go wrong. I cannot wait to talk with Patricius more; it will be wonderful to be able to encourage each other.  But now I must get some sleep.  I cannot stop praising God for what He did in Patricius's life!

-----

Since Patricius came to recognize Jesus as his Savior it has been nearly two years.  We have been able to share God's word with each other when we see one another.  When he is not with the sheep in the field, we meet either before I start my work in the kitchen or after our day's work is done to sing or encourage each other. Each time Patricius comes in with the sheep he shares with me his new poems and songs. Today he brought this: 

"I arise today

        through the strength of Christ

                    with His Baptism

        through the strength of His Crucifixion

                    with His Burial

        through the strength of His Resurrection

                    with His Ascension

        through the strength of His descent

                    for the Judgment of Doom

Christ to protect me today

        against poison, against burning,

        against drowning, against wounding,

        so that there may come abundance of reward

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit,

Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart

        of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth

        of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today,

        through a mighty strength,

        the invocation of the Trinity,

        through belief in the Threeness,

        through the confession of the Oneness,

        toward the Creator

Salvation is of the Lord.  Salvation is of Christ.

May Thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us."

As we talked that night, he told me that a week ago, as he slept, he had heard a voice saying to him, "You do well to fast:  soon you will depart for your home country."  And he told me that again last night he heard the same voice saying to him, "Behold, your ship is ready."  He said he is going to escape to find the ship that God prepared for him to go home.  When he takes the sheep out to pasture tomorrow, he will leave.  As we said farewell tonight, tears sprung to my eyes.  My only connection to home and the only other Christ-follower here is leaving.  Even now the tears stream from my eyes.  I am once again, alone.