Happy Monday!

What an awesome day! I completed a portion of the candidacy program today by taking two personality tests. One of the tests had 567 questions. Two of the questions I found particularly funny. (1) Would you like to be a singer? I answered no. I already am a singer. And (2) Do you have any pain in your neck? That question was about 250 or so questions into the test and I could have honestly answered Yes! By then my neck and shoulders were a bit stiff and they did not ask about my back side.

One of the tests assesses personality traits and the other assessed strengths and weaknesses. I am interested to find out what these tests say about me. I also sent an email to the counseling service with the loooooooong Autobiographical Questionnaire as an attachment. They will receive it in the morning. I think I am caught up as to the current requirements for candidacy at this time. I hope so. And last but certainly not least…I got an A in pastoral care class!!! I was so excited. Thank you for all of your prayers. The teacher is mailing our papers back to us via the USPS. I hope to receive them one day this week.

Job 42: 12 “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.”

I am sure many of you have heard the saying that God does not call the prepared, He prepares the called. I have heard this little proverb for several years now and today I began to understand what it means for me.

I am in preparation for the purpose to which God has called me. It is sort of like planting a flower bed. Before you plant the flowers or sow the seeds, you have to prepare the bed. Bed preparation takes quite a commitment before you ever put anything to sprout in the ground. The soil has to be turned so it receives more air. Then nutrients are added to help make the soil richer and provide the best possible bed in which to hold seeds or seedlings.

As I attended the class on pastoral care I began to realize how unaware and inexperienced I was in the different types of suffering that people go through. I am gaining a better awareness and the “bed” is being prepared for me to have greater understanding of my fellow travelers in this world. I am not ready to work in this field yet, but I am so willing to learn all I can and be led by God and His teachers, Pastor Joel and Pastor Marc. God has led our family through some very difficult times and it is my greatest hope that someday I can help others in their time of need as a pastoral care giver.

God prepares each of us for His service. The “bed” prep falls to us and God plants the seed. Our seed beds are prepared with prayer first, learning all we can through the Word, being courageous enough to allow God to turn the soil of our lives and add His richest blessings in the greatest measure through the love of Jesus and the love of His people. When our ground is prepared in love and the soil is at its richest and best then the seed is planted. The seed planted in the bed prepared by God can withstand the storms, the heat, and we can give thanks in joy when it is time to harvest.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for each of you, please continue to pray for our family especially Geni who is still struggling in biology. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.