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Kim has had a difficult time this week and not felt very well. So I have have taken Michael with me the past several mornings to give Kim some down time. Thursday Michael and I bought a new office chair and then he helped me put it together. Friday morning we went to the beach (our usual Friday routine) and we caught the biggest blue crab I have ever seen at Rockport Beach. He was at least four to five inches across. He was also quite crabby -- aggressively crawling out of my net, pinchers reaching for me, spitting on me, calling me foul names, and stealing my Bible -- all in front of my son! Well...he did try to pinch me and then jumped in the water and ran off. I couldn't let that stand so I chased him down and caught him again just to show my son that his father was better than some old blue crab.

Michael allowed me to take him out into the deep water, past the last sand bar where it is up to my shoulders. The waves were not rough and he was able to enjoy it. He does not trust easily, but once trust is earned he trusts completely and quickly. I'll be speaking on that Sunday morning.

Friday afternoon I mowed our yard because I was already dirty from the beach. Not wise. The heat was brutal. I learned that we have all the descendants of the ancient Sleestak living in our yard. With so many lizards you would think we wouldn't have any insects around. But I think the lizards are eating each other instead of the bugs.

With caring for family this week I have fallen woefully behind in my schoolwork. I have two weeks to get everything completed before the fall term begins in August. I am taking a seminar entitled Jesus and Leadership, which requires us to read 8 books, write a 30 page research paper, and design a syllabus for a bachelor's or master's level course on pastoral leadership. All due by Thanksgiving! Hooray! I am also beginning theological German this fall. I hope to have my German completed by next summer so I can begin taking theological French. Ugh.

As our church nears the end of our time of self-study and planning, and as we begin to formulate specific steps to take into the future in obedience to God's leadership, my biggest concern is that we will chose to respond with pride (I don't want to do that! We've never done it that way! I want what I want!) and fear (That will never work! What if people drop out!? What if people stop tithing?! What if people start going to another church?!). I am praying that God will speak so that we know it, and that He will produce humility and confidence instead of pride and fear as we follow in obedience.

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