I recently gave most of my belongings away. I have some stuff here, in Jerusalem, and I have a few special belongings left in various places around the U.S. of A. But the point is, I own very little, and that makes me very happy.

On the other hand, I spent a lot of money on new clothes this summer. They really are cheaper and much better quality in America than they are here. "Dressing the part" helps you act the part, too. When you dress professionally, then somehow, magically, your persona is changed into someone much more efficient than slouchy, jeans-and-a-tshirt you. They've done studies on this, you know. (And it does make me so happy to look in my closet and see all the pretty things to wear.)

I've recently discovered that my 10th grade students really like me. They've told other teachers and the secretary that I'm a good teacher and I explain everything really well in class. (You don't know how much this thrills me!) I've also found out that they watch everyday to see what I'm wearing. Apparently they like my style. How cute is that?

The thing is, the fact that they like my clothes makes me more relatable. There are, of course, many other ways to relate to students. But the point is that those clothes, that can seem so frivolous at times, are actually aiding my ministry somehow.

Please don't misunderstand me. I know there are countless ways to read this. My point is that there is a balance to everything. It is honorable to live with almost nothing to your name, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes God wants us to have things in order to use them for his glory. (I'm trying to figure out how I can convince him that I could really use a new black macbook for his glory.)

Here is a conversation you can have no where else:

Where is that other mall? You know the one down where what'sit was born.

Moses?....No, no. Elijah?

Was it Elijah?......No, John the Baptist!

Yes, John the Baptist.
What is the name of that mall?


I taught school today, and tutored, and then had an arabic lesson. Not to mention preparing for class tomorrow. Busy day.

Yesterday we went up to Galilee. It was too hot, and not that exciting, but it was nice to be able to show my brother new things. It is beautiful up there.

I'm tired. Good tired, though.

Before we get too far away from it, I want to tell you a little bit about my summer. I was able to do many of the things that were on "the list".

Six Flags twice! (Thanks alli and kevin!)
Went on a road trip (with my grandpa, from MI to TN)
I had a very patriotic 4th (including a lake, a boat, amazing friends, hot dogs with all the fixin's, fire works and fire crackers, singing "God Bless America" at the top of our lungs, listened to Leonard Skynard on the radio, and just a bit of sun burn.)
Ate good food (including taco bell)
I did go out with friends (and did a tiny bit of dancing)
I saw an old friend and a new friend play their sweet music (Meagan Coffee and Tyler Lyle)
I did not raise money (oh well)

The best things were not on the list. I got to spend time with the most amazing people on earth. I made new friends, the rare kind that I would actually like to keep for a very long time. (You know, I say they're rare, but I seem to have a lot of them.) I learned a lot about relationships and a lot about myself. I invested in people, and they invested in me. There was some reconciliation, some healing, some releasing.

I saw a store in Mount Pleasant, MI called Assmann's flooring and rugs.

It doesn't get any better than that.