Today was a good day, at least good for these days. It was the first day that Caleb was able to go to school. It was nice to see all the kids again (only 11th grade today) even though I couldn’t place names with faces for most of them because they were half covered by masks and had grown and changed in the 7 months since I had last seen them.
Caleb walked through the library and I realized how tall he has gotten. I knew from seeing him at home and bc his shorts keep getting shorter, but the stark difference as he walked in front of my desk for the first time was shocking.
Also good — my coworker tested negative for Covid after possible exposure from a family member. Really good for him because testing positive would have meant being shipped off to a government hospital for 14 days (even if asymptomatic). Let’s just say the Yelp reviews on that experience aren’t the most favorable. 2 stars, wouldn’t recommend.
I love that things are less rushed. Life is more stressful, but we do less so it kind of evens out. School starts later and gets out earlier and there are no after school activities. So when we get a last minute notice that we have to go for covid testing today, (for work) there’s not much in the schedule to drop.
Lazy evenings on the couch watching Cobra Kai, Walking Dead, Prison Break, In the Line of Duty . . . my kind of hardship.
I love that our new weekend routine is church in the morning (at home), then to the mall food court to meet up with a few friends from home group in a legal way. Only 4 to a table, but it’s in person fellowship that we don’t get any other time.
And then after chatting, we head to the club and read on the beach or next to the pool for a few hours.
But my favorite part of these Corona Days is getting to work out with Caleb. Because he has no school sports or PE, we got him a membership to our gym and he goes with me almost every day after school. It’s an hour where he picks the music in the car, tells me about school, critiques my parking, and says he’s going to beat me in every workout (and he usually does).
And we’re off for another workout together. I may beat him today in the clean and jerk, but the second half with burpees and bike will be all him.
Dear Lord, thank you for another month — for all of the blessings and grace and mercy that you have poured out on us. Help me to continue to be thankful and think on the things that I have gained, rather than lost. I struggle with keeping my thoughts focused on whatever is true, noble, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8) and instead find my mind wandering to those areas where I see lack.
Thank you for the UAE and the effort they are putting forth to keep its residents and citizens safe. I pray for unity within the country and that each individual government will work with the other emirates to present a united front both within the country and globally. I pray that there wouldn’t be conflict, but that all efforts both in foreign policy and in rule of the nation would be cohesive and effective. (Yes, that’s partially a selfish prayer as I’m tired of living in the emirate that has the most restrictions.)
I pray for Josh’s company and thank you that he is employed and can continue to work. I pray that they would be successful in their efforts here in UAE and that it would be a mutually beneficial relationship between the government and the company. I pray that their success would contribute to UAE’s success and prominence globally and that peace would be brought to the region. That relationships between allied nations would be strengthened. Thank you for the progress that has been made in the past few weeks and for the boom in business for Josh’s company. Thank you for good leadership and for a push to have work/life balance. I pray that these measures would be implemented successfully so that the increase in business doesn’t equal an increase in burnout.
Lord I pray that we would be able to travel without restriction. There are so many here who live apart from their families (90% of the country) and these travel bans and restrictions upon return are keeping people from family connections. I pray that borders would open up, that the travel industry would recover, and that people would once again be able to go home and return, as it’s those visits home that allow people to go on. I pray for economic health to return to the UAE and to the travel and tourism industry. That all those who are on partial salary would be restored to full pay. That demand would increase and jobs would increase and people would once again be on a firm financial foundation. I pray that all those who have been released from their jobs would find employment and that you would sustain them while they wait.
I pray for those here who are alone, who are without connection to others as we are restricted from gathering. I pray that the law would change to allow small gatherings in homes so those without family here can reconnect with others in person. Lord, you made us to love you and to love each other and I pray that we would find ways to do that as we wait for the doors to our homes to be opened again. I pray that you would comfort those who feel alone and give them peace while they wait.
For those that are fearful, I ask that you would cover them with your peace. I pray that the virus would be ended, either by supernatural means or through healing that come from within the medical community. I pray that those who know you would be a light to those who live in fear and that your peace would be something that everyone desires and seeks to have for themselves. Please show the lost that joy can be found in you and that this life is not what we are living for. I thank you that I don’t have anxiety during this time and that I have peace for myself and my family.
Lord I ask that you bring wisdom to the decision makers of UAE. I pray that as they make their next decisions about virus control that you would be in the driver’s seat. Please bring wisdom to those meetings may all measures that are implemented come from you. I pray for a miracle — for logic and order to prevail over fear and disorder. I pray that we would all act in a way that honors your creation and protects it. Show us how to best love one another and to lift each other up.
Finally, I pray for church leaders in UAE. That they would look to you for encouragement and provision and that you would show them how to lead a flock that has been scattered. That this period would be a time of preparation for the coming harvest and that they “would not grow weary in doing good” (Gal 6:9) for while it seems that not much is happening, we know you are at work. Please make visible those who are in need, who are too proud to ask for help. May your spirit be visible among the body and please pour out your gifts on us as we seek to serve those who know you and those who do not know you yet.
And one more — I pray for the coming election in the US. I thank you that no matter who is in the White House that you are on the throne and therefore, I have no reason to fear. I pray against the words that we use to tear each other apart when we encounter someone who disagrees with us. I know it grieves you when you see your creation at odds with itself and I pray that we would see others the way you see them. I pray for a spirit of peace no matter who wins the election and I pray that you would use that person to do your will. Amen.
I’ve been writing to Carter at boot camp almost daily. Since we are in the Days of Covid, there’s not much happening around here to talk about. I got swabbed and tested negative. Caleb got swabbed and tested negative. I got swabbed again (every 2 weeks for me). Star finally peed in the front yard instead of waiting to be taken on a walk (victory!) Camille was mad at me and said, “I’d rather spend 24 hours with a pair of snakes than with you!” which is such an awesome burn considering her snake phobia that I was quite proud of her.
All that to say I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to family news. So when I wrote to him yesterday, I decided to “live tweet” church for him. We are pretty terrible at home church and I thought he’d like to relive some of the pain along with us. I’ve copied and pasted the stream of consciousness writing below for your … enjoyment?
Hola baby! I thought I would live tweet church for you this morning. Since you can’t be with us, why not bring church to you? 10:01 — church begins, Jaco is leading service, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans as usual, and impassioned as always. Talking about Caleb and Joshua being brave in the face of fears. That giants existed in the Promised land, but they trusted God to make a way in spite of the troubles they faced. That we get to trust in God for a breakthrough for us when we face troubles.
10:03 Bob wanders in, having showered. Camille trails behind, in her pjs. 10:04 Bob and Camille interrupt service to ask why Micah isn’t wearing his cone. Gets the big shush and the first WE’RE PRAYING! of the day from Dad. (Micah is wearing a cone because he has a big rash on his belly that he keeps scratching. The vet gave him cream for it, but he licks it. The cone we have is from star and too small for him so even with it on he can lick the area, but then bangs into walls and is restless so after he kept me awake half the night I took it off.)
10:06 singing Our God is Greater — Henry (guy with the fedora) is leading worship. The big guy is on the keyboard, the one with the dreads, but i don’t remember his name, and a filipino lady who I’ve never seen before is playing guitar. Maybe she’s from Yas. Our God is greater, our God is stronger, our God is higher than any other . . . 10:10 Jaco again. We are free because of Christ. We are unshackled from the sins of the world so we can live a life surrendered to God. ooh! Early communion! A big surprise. Good thing we have leftover Pretzo’s sitting out on the coffee table from last night. Bread. Thank you Lord that you are cool with Pretzo’s as communion bread. Oh, I missed the time to take the juice, but I guess we are doing coffee this morning because that’s what I have in front of me.
10:12 Amazing Grace. (not the old one, the new one) Dreadlock keyboard man is leading vocals and has a very nice warm voice. I guess he’s not just a musician. Dad says he sings sometimes and I’m just not observant. Truth. My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, my God my savior has ransomed me . . . and like a flood his mercy reigns, unending love, Amazing Grace. 10:15 Henry takes the mic (well no one is taking the mic from anyone because it’s still all the split screen of covid church, but you get what I’m saying) Hmm, do I know this song? Oh yes I do! I love it, but it always takes me until the chorus to recognize it. “The darkest night . . . you can light it up, you can light it up! Oh God of revival! Let hope arise, Death is overcome, you’ve already won . . . Oh God of revival! I’ll paste the lyrics below.
We’ve seen what You can do, oh God of wonders Your power has no end The things You’ve done before in greater measure You will do again
Pre-Chorus There’s no prison wall You can’t break through No mountain You can’t move All things are possible There’s no broken body You can’t raise No soul that You can’t save All things are possible
Chorus The darkest night You can light it up You can light it up Oh God of revival Let hope arise Death is overcome You’ve already won Oh God of revival
10:21 2nd Cor 9:10-14 tithing scripture: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
10:23 Calvin texted to see how I’m doing. I told him I’m churching and taking notes for you. 10:24 intro to the sermon. Series on Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul is preaching
10:25 Dad shushes Camille 10:28 conversation gets off track. Dad participates and then shushes. lol I don’t know what they are talking about as I was texting with Calvin, figuring out a good time to call me.
Sermon about speaking in tongues and prophecy. 1 Cor 14:1-5 Paul says “speaking in tongues is weird.” lol I agree and I’m looking forward to hearing him
10:31 Bob says his gym membership expired as he’s blocked from signing up for the WOD tomorrow. Dad gets concerned because he prioritizes fitness as much as church. LOL You can see him fighting his brain to focus on service, while still trying to get Bob’s membership renewed so he can go work out with us tomorrow.
Speaking in tongues is: The supernatural ability to speak a language that the speaker has never heard. Speaking in tongues is praying free from the limitations of our language . . . and then the slide went away. Dang it. Paul listed a few definitions from different theologians.
Points of tongues from 1 Cor 14 It’s us speaking to God it’s not understandable to others, unless there is an interpreter It builds us up It’s intended for all Vs 14 and 15: Pray and sing in the spirit vs 26-28: we should expect it in our gatherings
10:36 Camille asks what is speaking in tongues and dad says, “If you’d just listen to the sermon, you’d figure it out!” He really hates home church and finds us all to be distractions.
10:40 — Camille is distracting all of us, but you’ll be happy that she’s snuggling with the dog on the Bahrain bench. She gets several “Camille, just chill” from dad. 10:42 I just got a Jolibee text announcing their 9 piece ChickenJoy special. I always think of you when I get Jolibee texts. 10:43 Bob distracts all of us by pointing out a guy in the tree across the street. Camille closes the curtains.
10:45 Paul says “be natural about the supernatural. Lets be expectant. Let’s pray for each other to speak in tongues and pray for interpretation.” He announces that he created bonus video content with more practical instruction on how to get started if you’ve never spoken in tongues.” 10:48 Oh Dang. He’s just now getting to part 2 of the sermon — Prophecy. I might run out of room in this letter. 10:51 — am I expectant? 10:52 I’m running out of space so I’ll have to end before the end of church. I’m sure it’s more of the same. LOVE YOU
PS: Trump and Melania both tested positive for corona yesterday. But he’s still tweeting so I guess he’s fine.
