Marshal's Blog
It has been quite some time since my last post. Lots of life experiences. Some I am grateful for...and some...not so much. But God is good. The
act of pulling the car door handle at the moment the driver unlocks the
door, rendering the attempt fruitless, and resulting in minor
frustration and/or embarrassment. "Could you unlock it again dude? I pre-pulled."
Stephanie and I are awaiting our firstborn's arrival. Jackson Reid will be here soon and we are VERY excited. Stephanie has been having contractions off and on for the past few days and is a few days past the due date. Tuesday she has another doctors appointment to see if we should induce birth or wait it out a little more.
On a lighter note, Stephanie and I saw Tyler Perry's A Family That Preys, it was very good. The movie sold out and we actually had to sit on the 2nd row....you know, the row where you laugh at the people that sit there when you are in your favorite spot in the center just to the front of the middle of the upper section. (My fav spot). Still enjoyed the movie and will probably buy it when it comes out on DVD.
I do plan on blogging more...but don't hold your breath. If you held your breath since my last post, you would be dead. O_o
Posted on Well hello there! Post and view commentsThis explains Global Warming:
What do you think?
Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 Post and view commentsPray
Most of you by now have heard of the tragic school shooting at Virginia Tech this past Monday. Please pray for the students not only at VT, but everywhere as this effects us all. God, please make yourself known in this crisis.
Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 Post and view commentsMatthew 5
We have been discussing Matthew 5 in our Satellite (Bible study) over the past few weeks. A lot of discussion arose from the Beatitudes, especially on verse 5: "Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth." We had some issues coming up with what it means to be meek. We looked it up and it fits nicely: "enduring injury with patience and without resentment: MILD"
I have a customer that I had done lots of work for last year as an independent computer/network guy and they still have not paid the second-to-the-last bill (from May 2006). I have been very patient and nice about it, but at this point am trying to figure out what to do. I was talking to Matt DeGier (campus pastor) about the situation and what he suggested/thought about the situation. I then looked at the glass counter where we were standing and the word "MEEK" was reflection off the glass straight at me. (It was coming from a big banner for "INDIA WEEK")
God has unique ways of communicating to us. I discovered a couple months ago that there was some bitterness starting to take root in my heart as feelings of being used, betrayed, etc came to mind. But that is not what God wants my heart to look like.
I will paraphrase Matthew 5:5 this way: "Blessed are those who endure when cheated from payment deserved with patience and without resentment, for they will inherit the earth."
Thanks God for the encouragement!!
On a side note, Stephanie and I will be making our decision on where we will be going post-internship tomorrow (Friday). Please pray for us!! We covet your prayers ;)
Marshal
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 Post and view commentsSpring Break
We did a lot of traveling during spring break as we visited family and friends and scouted-out a potential XA positions for post-internship. We traveled through Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Louisiana. We clocked in over 4,000 miles...it was something else.
We got to meet Dick and Joy who are national Chi Alpha field staff who are basically the "parents" of the national internship program. It was really cool to spend some quality one-on-one time with them. We learned a lot from them in the short time we were with them.
We also met the campus pastor in Bozeman, Montana. He is from Texas and that is evident!! ;) He is an awesome guy that has a huge heart for Montana State.
We also got to see my uncle Clyde and Claude, Casey, Kelly, Tara, my grandma and grandpa Bookamer, and Brock and Kim.
::EDIT:: We also got to see some family in Ruston area too!!!
Pictures!!
Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Post and view commentsGathering Tonight!
According to urbandictionary.com, we have a word for when someone pulls the car door handle at that moment when the driver unlocks the car...leaving the passenger locked out.pre-pull
We have the Gathering tonight at the University of New Orleans. This week we are specifically focusing on the Holy Spirit in the Gathering, Satellites, and prayer.
A little over a week ago a couple of our Satellite groups put on a night of fun playing capture the flag. We had a great time and some guys did not want to leave...so these got their pictures taken. This was with my cell phone with no flash...at night. We had over 35 come out and have fun. Most of them are not directly involved in Chi Alpha...yet
Pictures:
Apparently the only time Alex was able to give Bryson the smack down.
The remnant after playing several games of capture the flag and other night games.
Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 Post and view commentsFebruary 24th...
"The day I became a man"...quoting a student who got the use a jackhammer at the Habitat for Humanity project we did in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. This time we actually got to build!! The day started with picking up construction trash and pulling nails out of boards to be re-used in construction. We had about 32 people there this time because the Chi Alpha from LSU came too!
After that we headed to a house several blocks away and put up siding. That was really fun. By 2:00 a lot of us were tired. The students worked hard and many of them did not want to take a break...their hearts were totally into it. Here are some videos. Pictures will be up soon at www.marshalandstephanie.com
Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 Post and view commentsRoses for Valentines Day
We are selling roses at the LBC at Tulane on V-day from 11-2:30 to raise money for our summer outreaches. If you are going to buy flowers please stop by the Chi Alpha table in the LBC!! We have singles and full-blown arrangements.
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Post and view commentsTornado
Some of you may have seen the news about the tornado that ripped through the New Orleans area. We wanted to let everyone know that we are ok and our block was spared; however, only two blocks away is where roofs were ripped off houses. Our campus pastors Matt and Jen's house suffered quite a bit of damage.
The community has come together and lots of progress has been made on making repairs and fixing roofs. Here are some pics:
This is at the corner of Cherokee and Hurst. The rubble in the background was a bar.
The last pic is two blocks from my apartment. (Only 500 feet away)
Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Post and view commentsWinter Happenings
I was told winter does not touch New Orleans...they lied! It has been very cold with no sun for the past week or so. It has warmed up a little...to just cool off again. Ahh good ole' Louisiana...it keeps you on your toes!!
We has an awesome Christmas break and got to spend time with both of our families. Yes! Then it was off to the Uprising, an annual regional conference for XA students. The Uprising was awesome and I have heard many great stories from the students. Some were set free from struggles they have dealt with for years, others received a peace from God they have never had before, while others were just changed! I really like what Heather Blair said at the Uprising: "I know that if I can just put a student in a room with God, they will be transformed!" What a powerful expectation placed on God's presence. Makes me wonder if I have "lackluster" expectations...not on what God does, but what He can do!
Since this semester has started it has been non stop for all of us...Stephanie, myself, and the students. I am growing so much in strengthening my relationship with Christ each and every day. Thank you to everyone who is praying for us. We feel your prayers!
I am interested to see who all reads this and what you think about this blog. I know I have not updated in a while, however, I wanted to find out how this blog could better serve its readers (do you want more weekly updates, daily life in N.O., cool God stuff, etc)
Comment away!
Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 Post and view comments