Jason & Kimberly

Hey everyone! I just finished posting new photos. Hope you enjoy!

I went to Mars Hill Church today. I have never been to a church like this one. The outside looks like a 100 year old Church. The inside, though, you could never tell you were at church, except for the pews inside the sanctuary. The lights were dim throughout the building. Their was a room (called the Commons) designated as the bookstore/coffee bar/overflow room with a projection screen, seats, and communion table ready. In every area their were very nice sound systems set up playing music. The people were very friendly. I had to park 1 block up and walk. Their were people designated at each parking lot. Greeters were their at the entrance of the building as well as guides inside the sanctuary. The bulletin they gave me was unlike any bulletin I've ever seen. It was very small, about the size of a CD case and very creative. Inside the sanctuary they had announcements scrolling through the projection screen. You could take your coffee inside the sanctuary. People buzzed and talked until the service started. It began by the band playing some music which was to introduce the campus pastor. He came out and made some announcements. Then the band, whose lead singer was a woman, led us through the worship of Jesus. The songs were so God centered and the band was as good or better than any major artist in the industry. Pastor Mark Driscoll then came out and preached on Nehemiah chapter 8. His major points being that two signs of God bringing revival are that the fathers' hearts are turned towards their families in love and service and that God's people obey God's word. Great sermon, filled with glorious truth, funny sarcasm and stories, and application. After the sermon we sang about 5 songs (songs of repentance and praise) and took communion, which consisted of two people at the end of each aisle. One held the basket of cut up bread and the other held two wine glasses, one labeled wine and the other labeled grape juice.

If I'm not mistaken, taking a class on Text Messaging (if there were such a thing) would not be unlike sitting in any Air Force instructed class. Abbreviations are everwhere! Just an observation...

What can I say? It has been quite interesting these last two days. God has been good and has given me grace to give thanks and rejoice in our circumstances. Well, the trip started at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning when Kimberly and I woke up to travel back from Valdosta (we were at a wedding). Even now I miss her, sitting there in the passenger seat so sleepy. We arrived at the apartment at 7:30, just enough time to change, eat breakfast and say our farewells. The driver came to my apartment at 8:30 a.m. to pick me up. Kimberly and I were outside waiting when he came. It was hard leaving her there. Yet, for all the emotions, she didn't resent my leaving. She was excited for me and it makes me love her all the more for it. One thing that has occurred to me while on my trip so far, not one of my coworkers has come right out and said that he will miss his wife. Now granted, they may miss them. They call and talk to them, so that means something, right? I have heard them say that the persons they will miss the most are their children. This seems backwards to me, but who am I? Anyways, I rode with Gordon (a coworker of mine) to the airport via Powers Transportation. Here is a bit of advice: Go inside and check your luggage. Curbside check in is $2. Yeah it's convenient, but what are you saving? Having to open the door to go inside the airport? Well, we get to the airport and connect with our 2 other guys going with us. Not long after this, our flight is delayed 2 hours due to storms in Dallas Ft. Worth. I'll spare you the flight narratives and just tell you that the scenery was breathtaking, the day long. When it was all said and done and we landed in Sea/Tac Int., got our rental van and arrived at the Inn, I had been up for 23 hours. I was goofy tired.

This Sunday I will be leaving for Tacoma, Washington (State, not D.C.). I will be going up with four coworkers to McChord Air Force Base for the purpose of being trained on the tactical C-17. I'm excited and Kimberly is excited for me. It will be the longest stretch that we have ever been apart. I will miss her. Yet, I look forward to the time alone also. I will be able to visit geography that is utterly breathtaking (Mt. Ranier for example). The dry climate and cooler weather I'll enjoy, and having rain most of the time will definitely be a change. Good coffee and good beer is another perk of being in the Seattle/Tacoma area. This visit is almost a shock to me because I've always longed to visit Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I never thought I would be able to, but now I'm going to be about 45 minutes from there. Kimberly will come to be with me for the last week and a half. It will, Lord willing, be a sweet time. Please pray for the Lord's strength for Kimberly and I as you are led.

P.S. I'll try to keep a journal of the visit as I go!