Moth & Rust

Matt and I went for a swim yesterday, well... sort of. As we looked at this ancient pool, tucked in a corner of one of the many old, majestic palaces here in Portugal, we couldn't help but be reminded that all the strivings and vanities of man come to ruin.

“19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

— Matt 6:19

The message of God's word is so opposite of our worldly desires. Beautiful Jesus is a picture of this; he shows us that weakness is strength, where sin is, there grace abounds, that giving is receiving and the big one, that death is  life. Death is no longer the end; it's the beginning, a culmination, an "in your face," if you will, to what we hold in high esteem. Our stuff, our time, our very lives are all going to pass, but there is redemption, re-creation, and fulness of life that you can't get anywhere but in the will of our Father. 

Lord, may our lives be about your Kingdom, about the everlasting. Let us not build pools for our vanity, but help us dig wells that quench thirst.

downsizing our life!

To save money and get on the mission field faster, Matt and I decided to move in with his parents. We packed up all our necessities and a couple cherished favorites, like the wooden rocker with yellow seat cushion that we rescued from an estate sell, and restored with Matt's parents help; the rest we gave away. At first I thought I would be really emotional with this huge change, but each day as we took a step toward moving God gave me beautiful, wonderful peace. The day before the move I had, as Matt said, "the house looking like a genuine thrift store."  Chi Alpha students, friends, and family came in and out of our disheveled loft apartment for hours and hours grabbing whatever they wanted, whisking their finds off to a new home. Then the move out team arrived and we loaded all the rest, most of which Matt's sister Jessamy will be using in her new home when the remodel is done (WHOOT for some foosball fun at Christmas)! A couple days later and we are settled in and loving life as Marlin duos, that is until we move overseas.Thanks for your support and love in this time of transition. You are the best.