Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Wow it's been around two years since I last blogged. So I am back I figured you all should know! Anyway for my innagural post I am going to keep it short and make you giggle. Here are some of my favorite church signs. Those crazy baptists.
There are many more but I dont feel like finding them.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Well a lot has happened. Weirdly enough all of it was yesterday.
My day started around 7:30 I got up had a cup of coffee and prayed. I was having a wonderful time with the Lord in preparation for the Baptism of an older fellow who is fairly newly saved. He has cancer all throughout his body and cannot move his left side. The peace in his house is however incredible. His eyes shine with the peace of Jesus. While visiting him with a church board member he requested to be baptised. So yesterday at 9:00 I baptised him and it was incredible. A little while later the church board asked to see me. I am currently preaching for the church while they search for a new Pastor. They wanted to make sure that everyone is on the same page concerning the next step for the church. As we talked they asked me to fill in during the search as Interim Pastor, I agreed and they then annointed me with oil and prayed over me. Which is an amazing step for me in ministry. I am excited.
After this I went to a cousins house for a visit. Toward the end of the visit we started talking about how nice it was to line in our town. How incredible it is to be able to leave vehicles unlocked and to never lock houses. As we talked about this my brother called. He said someone was in the house and he didnt' know what was going on. So not very worried I went up to the house. When I got there he came out and met me on the porch. He said they were gone. I went into the house and saw drawers open and stuff missing. The dummy didn't know we were being robbed. So I called the cops and now the search is on. It's ironic that during a conversation about my town being safe I was being robbed. On the same day that such good stuff happened as well. It wasn't too bad. Most of what was stolen was mine. My laptop and a digital camera. Several thousand worth of stuff of mine but the insurance I believe covers it. My joy will not be stolen though. God is abundantly good and I know that stuff isn't important. What's important is that they did not harm my brother. God is our protector. So overall I count it a good day and I rejoiced and was glad in it.
Blessings,
Craig Adams
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Home
The summer is coming ever closer to an end and gladly I am drawing ever closer to the next step in my journey the Lord has me on. Tomorrow I go to visit a ministry that is fairly new on the other side of Oregon which potentially may have a job for me. I am really excited regardless because tomorrow I get to go out in the streets and be Christ to teens who believe they have no hope. Many have had their destinies stolen by the enemy and just need to realize who they actually are. Who the bible says we are. I dont believe mankind can "fail". We can choose to believe lies that we are failers but we aren't created for it. Anyway I wont preach I just thought in this post I would give my future self a few pictures of my home.
Kind of random. This is one of my wonderful grandmothers.
I feel blessed to have such a wonderful place to come "home" to when I am not away. The yard is a bit non-existant due to an underground sprinkler system being installed.
This is the view from my bedroom window. I love it. Sitting on the balcony in the morning with a cup of coffee is paradise.
I am one of the people in this world that is blessed to have a home with positive memories. I know that there are many who dont have that. I feel so badly for the many young ladies who do not have a father that does his duty to protect her emotians. Young men who never had anyone teach them about being a rightous man. It is in many ways a sad world. The redeeming factor however is that all of that old negative self can be given to Jesus. All of the lies of failure you've recieved can be given to him. So that the person you really are, the incredible success built in to your DNA can come out. I am talking to everyone. All of you are made to soar. All of you should be having fun in life and serving God. It's what we are here for :D
Blessings,
Craig Adams
P.S. I have had a few comments about my display pic. No I am not in a bar, lol. I dont drink. It's a small diner in Copenhagen, Denmark that I ate at while attending a Benny Hinn Miracle Crusade. I am the guy in the orange. The other guy is a friend from Scotland.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
The Leigh Chronicles
This xanga focuses on my recent trip to France. I had a wonderful time as you will tell by the entry. It would of course be interesting to hear the Leigh's perspective but you only get mine. :D Pictures will be forthcoming but things are hectic at the moment.
Blessings
Friday, May 26, 2006
The Leigh Chronicles Day 1:
I awoke at 5:00 this morning very tired but excited about the day. I am hoping for great things this weekend as far as relationship building. I arrived at the airport and began my journey.
Arriving in France at around 10:00 a.m. I met Mr. David Leigh. After brief introductions we left to his home. On the way we had a very insightful visit on living as a missionary in France among other things. Arriving some time later I met Noah and Rachel for the first time. Introductions were again brief and there was very little time to visit either one as they seemed intent on projects. No bother as I was quite happy in speaking with Mrs. Angela Leigh. Mr Leigh had taken reprieve to a meeting. Mrs. Leigh after lunch took me to the home I was to stay over the weekend. The proprietor was unfortunately not home so we visited a market and returned to the Leigh home. The family seems to be very busy often doing things on their own. I was able to have some time with Noah the youngest of the Leigh children. He showed me his Lego collection and introduced me to his cats. Tizzy the mother and three kittens. Dinner was served at around 8:00. Rachel the eldest Leigh child did not join us on account of a fast. It was a most wonderful Shepherds pie. After dinner was a short chat with Mr. Leigh. Around 9:15 I was given sheets for my bed and left to retire for the night in my rented room. Tomorrow promises to be a full and most fulfilling day. My first impressions of the Leigh family are very positive. It is probably not a sentiment they hold about me yet as they are introverts and my extravertidness will probably take them some getting used to. Lord help these poor people 
It was a great deal of fun to hear the insights on Christianity in Europe that they hold. I am certain I will be gaining a lot more insight on Christianity on continental Europe as I endeavour to serve them.
Saturday, May 27, 2007
France Day 2
I did not sleep well so I did not start my day until 10. I felt badly as I was supposed to be at the Leigh’s at ten but in France schedules do not seem to matter as much. In fact I got lost on the way and did not find their house until well towards 11 am. I started out by getting shutters down for a spraying of the house and then had a spot of lunch. I was convinced I probably would not like the sandwich as the recipe involved mayonnaise but it was incredibly good. After lunch I sprayed down the house getting exhaust fumes and mud off. I also sprayed the shutters to remove excess dirt. I then started to sand them but we realized there was led in the paint and so that ended the sanding. This ended up being most of my workday as I was going to youth group. I arrived at the youth group and we played volleyball the “French” way which basically is volley without rules. It was very laid back and we had a nice barbecue with different items. I was able to visit with some of the students who spoke English and it was a lot of fun. We hiked to the top of a hill where a crucifix was and had a lesson, also in French so I did not pick it up but it was good I am sure. The hikes were a lot of fun. Tomorrow I get up for church and have a “laid back” day I suppose.
Sunday, 28 May 2006
I had an incredible time today. I have decided though that my punctuality is out the window. I hate being late, it is the bane of my existence, and I am never late to anything. Yet the last few days I seem unable to be where I am supposed to be at the right time. Yesterday I got lost in Soultz and managed to show up quite late in fact a lot later than I had thought because today I find out I’d forgotten to set my watch back and woke up late for when I was supposed to be heading to church. Even with these little things I am having an incredible time. The French are wonderful people and my heart truly goes out to them. The church was great they have a wonderful heart of worship through the unique expression of banners, symbolism, and music. It was refreshing even though it is all in French. Things are relatively relaxed and people seem generally very friendly. I feel more at home here than I have anywhere else in Europe so far. Bonjour, Par Le Vou Engle? That is my expression to everyone I come in contact with. No doubt with a terrible accent. Anyway back to the subject I spent the afternoon in church with a potluck and then watched “Return of the Jedi” with Mr. Leigh and Noah. It was fun although I ended up falling asleep near the end. Most of the house took a nap after this but Noah was kind enough to show me around Soultz and take a little hike through the vineyards until around 7. We returned to the house played a form of catch with a bouncy ball for a while and then had popcorn for dinner. Mrs. Leigh tried to get everyone rounded up for a game but most of the family had things they needed to do so we were unable to play. I did end up having a nice chat with Olivia and Mrs. Leigh over various things concerning spirituality in Europe and the mission lifestyle. The Leigh’s have really stolen my heart. They are true pioneers on the brutal wild lands of the world. What amazes me is they are doing this not on a 15000 a month budget that many missionaries carry but on general support and great reliance on God. They do not have a denomination to support them and make sure everything is met they truly and faithfully trust God and he delivers. In fact I believe great blessing for them will soon be here in the financial area. They are raising wonderful children who have a heart for God and seem to have embraced the life they been given, God is truly amazing and it does my heart good to see such families. After being in Europe for this time God is moving my heart in an interesting direction. We shall see what comes of it. All I know is I have to increase my income so I can support more people like the Leigh’s. Above all though God is good and his plans will be faithfully shown in there own due time. But sit to consider what you take for granted in America. Things as small as Oreo cookies to big things like not having to pay a tax to own a TV. Or buying fuel for 3 dollars a gallon and being able to afford S.U.V. or Pickups. How about people bagging your groceries? Have you ever stopped in Wal-Mart or Costco to consider that you don’t have to do those little things? Ok lets move on, how about buying a gallon of paint for under 60 dollars? That’s the cheap stuff. And Christians don’t ever tell me that America is not greatly Christian. We have built in Christian morality that Europe has lost. We are saturated and surrounded by Christianity in ways unimaginable to Europeans. In fact in France home schooling was just legalized. Europe is a mission in which the Missionaries here deserve our prayer, respect, and financial support. While you drive you plush automobiles and sit in your large air conditioned houses, they suffer for the Kingdom of God, and feel it a privilege to do so. All I can say is Come, Come, Come, and if you cannot come, then send, send, send, your prayers and money. God will bless it.
Monday, 29 May 2006
Today began and ended with myself in a state of utmost optimism. Aside from a few problems I was able to get a bit done. Though not as much as I would have liked. I painted shutters and took down hideous wallpaper. Making the house feel a bit more open. The day was also filled with wonderful conversation with the Leigh’s. I am beginning to gain a bit more understanding of what it is to be a mission family. It is in some ways the giving up of ones culture to adapt to another…although in entirety it is impossible. Appreciation for other cultures is paramount, and God given love for the certain culture you are called to is a must. Although I think we should love all people and the uniqueness their cultures bring. It is amazing to see a fusion of both cultures that creates something not quite American (although dominant) and not quite European but an indo-culture which some have phrased “Third Culture”. My problem is that some of the people in this “third” culture I have met take on the eyes of their host culture in view of America. I would speak of America not from an American nor European view but from a Christian view. I have come to terms with the fact that above all, we Christians are not “European” any more than someone is “American” but we are from another culture altogether the heavenly one. We should embrace and love what our culture brings but it should not form the standard of all of our choices. A biblical culture should be the standard in our homes. In this I have come to the idea that although God is the creator of culture it has in many ways become an idol. You cannot “unmake” who you are. God created you and put you in the nationality you are in and knew who you would become. On the other hand we should never be so tied down that we miss the call of God on our lives. This trip has shown me a lot and is continuing to teach me. Every conversation I have gives me a bit more depth and insight. I am becoming not more a citizen of America, nor of Europe, but a citizen of heaven. My prayer and longing is to do as my God wills and never be hindered by cultural baggage. I appreciate so much our multi-cultural world and cant wait to experience as much of it as I can in the path of God’s most perfect will.
Tuesday, 30 May 2006
Today I painted part of some shutters until plans were changed. I then started peeling some wallpaper. As far as accomplishing much I feel I haven’t done enough today but I have received a lot. I got to visit with all of the Leigh’s today. Every time I speak with them I receive something. They are an amazing family, such a blessing to be around. I did a lot of discussing math and literature with Rachel today. She is incredibly salient and grasps things that others miss. Truly an amazing girl. I haven’t had such a good just sit down and talk about literature time since AP English. I feel sorry for her because there is probably no one on this earth that gets as much enjoyment out of that than me and she had to bear the brunt of it since she was doing English. Meeting her this weekend certainly has challenged concepts within me that needed challenging especially when it comes to national pride.. God is amazing in his plans to bring you to where you should be. The day ended with pizza to bring on the evening. Before it was completely dark I went with Olivia to the park and had a great deal of fun. The evening wound down with a wonderful and touching movie “Winn Dixie” truly today has been one of those days you just have to be thankful for. Though I am sad I will be returning to England tomorrow I am refreshed and invigorated from this week. I do hope they will have me back once they’ve recovered from this week. I am a bit hard to handle. God is good.
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
Today was my last day with the Leigh’s (at least for now muhaha). I really wish I could have accomplished more or pushed myself harder. I am a bit ill and so it was tough going but I am coming away so blessed. I haven fallen in love with this family and the more I am in Europe with missionaries in general. I woke up around 9:30 and proceeded to feel very ill. I also had a huge sense of foreboding which I thought was because I was leaving France. That did not make since though. IT all came together later. After cleaning up the room I had been staying in. I packed my belongings and took a short walk to the Leigh’s house. The shutters became a fiasco. I feel like I created more work than actually helping but I know God will deliver a solution there. Because of the problems in the shutter work I ended up stripping wallpaper and a glue-like paper underneath from upstairs walls. The house is very cute and unique. It has a nasty outer layer that when you peel off it becomes workable. They will have fun watching it become the house they deserve. Although I find it amusing that a family of non-diyer’s would choose such a house, I think its potential is just too much of a draw. After stripping the wallpaper until finished I started to get myself ready to leave continental Europe (which I am growing to love) and get ready to head back to “The Island”. Praise God for all of his mercies. After stuffing envelopes with letters of “Goodbye” to each of the Leigh’s I proceeded to visit a bit. I am really going to miss the conversations with them. The whole family is a lot of fun. In fact one of them shares my love for Lego, although he is a great deal more creative than I was. He built an amazing little tech warrior with joist that simulated realistic movement. There is Olivia a hybrid of two cultures with strong ties to France. Her ability with languages is nothing short of wonderful to see. I foresee a leader in the making. To Rachel who is as intelligent and reasonable a person I ever hope to meet. It was fun to discuss issues with someone reasonably close to my own generation that actually understood them and could express opinion with salient reasoning. To the Leigh parents who have created in the midst of financial lack and no denominational support a spiritual home holding to God’s morality and living out the Christian life. Also Mrs .Leigh is a wonderful cook. She made me eat things I would have normally avoided and I discovered I liked them. Somewhat like Mrs. Fischer often did. Mr. Leigh is a great listener and has given me thoughts to ponder on aspects of spirituality I might not otherwise have thought about. Overall I have grown exponentially this weekend and I have the Leigh’s to thank for it. Now we come to the sense of foreboding part. After all of the goodbyes I was taken to the airport. Having no wireless connection I got on one of the kiosk pay computers and logged in to web messenger. Here is where I find out a friend that I grew up with (in Spray you grow up with everyone) has gone to eternity. I know nothing else and am sitting in a black London cab heading towards the home of another friend. I am still assimilating the information but it doesn’t want to go in. I am greatly lucky to have taken a certain book called “Letters Never Sent” from the Leigh’s to read. God’s timing is impeccable for that book, which I read on the plane ride home, was exactly what I needed to help me stay together for the trip and speak to God rightly. Now I take a journey of grieving thousands of miles from all I know. Lord Help Me…….
