Blood = Life

Lately I have felt a real call to sacrifice. While I didn't know what/how, I knew the Spirit would lead and make it clear. Walking into church on Sunday morning, I noticed the "Blood Bus" (Carter Blood Center) and my stomach sank. As a child several nurses were called in to hold me down so that they could take my blood for a routine cholesterol test. Just the idea of blood leaving my body (much less knowing that people are willingly TAKING it from me) has always been a source of anxiety. Immediately after seeing the Blood Bus, I knew what type of sacrifice I had been called to. Just like the widow who gave a mite showed Jesus her true sacrifice, me giving blood - my own blood - would be an ultimate sacrifice.

The message Sunday morning was on Bloodlines and the fact that we are called to sacrifice for "even for the least of these" in accordance with the will of God. That Jesus gave not just one pint of his blood, but all 12 pints demonstrates His love and desire to give us life - ABUNDANT LIFE! We learned how a lack of just one pint of blood can be the reason to call off many surgeries. At this point in the service there was a knot in my stomach, my mind was racing and thinking of all the reasons I shouldn't give blood today, and my heart knew that if blood gives life, then I would give blood.

As the service ended Pete looked over to me and said, "So should we give blood now or after we help out with the family worship theatre?" This not only confirmed what I knew I had to do, but gave me no way out - I couldn't just go home and then bring it up later as one of those "I should have done that" type of thing. I love how the Lord overcomes the evil of Satan even in our minds as we are battling over the sacrifice we are called to make.

After the line at the Blood Bus grew short, Pete and I hopped aboard and started to fill out our paperwork. We both began at about the same time and laid head to head while the blood was being drawn. The entire time I knew that the Lord was overcoming a fear of mine and would be able to use the blood to give life! The Carter Blood Center employees were a delight to spend time with and made the experience better than expected.

With apple juice and oreo cookies in hand, Pete and I left the bus and began talking about how amazing the Lord is and the joy of obedience to Him!

Therefore I urge you, bretheren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1

This is how the Lord is using aviation to change lives around the world.

Summertime Fun

Summers in Texas are much like summers in Georgia... heat, heat, and more heat. One thing is for certain about a TX summer - the heat is worse, the humidity is better! While faculty and students take a month or two off from the rigors of classes and meetings, the Admissions Office (along with a few other offices) stay for the long hot summer months. Luckily, this is also the best time for us to take vacation days. After Pete had completed his summer classes we packed up our bags for a trip east. Along with 5 other couples, we hid out in the Outerbanks of North Carolina! It was a great time of rest, fun, and THE BEACH! While we were at the Outerbanks, a group of us went to Kitty Hawk - home of the first powered flight! It was incredible to see where Orville and Wilbur had worked, slept, and prepared for their first flight. Pete and I had a great time at the Memorial! In addition to our trip to Kitty Hawk, we also enjoyed local restaurants, putt-putt golf (I got two holes-in-one!), ice cream, and the waves!
As all good things do, our vacation came to an end - but it will not be forgotten and the rest that occured was much needed. We are already looking forward to our next adventure with the couples we vacationed with and are grateful that the Lord provided such a perfect week for us.