Monday, May 29, 2006

On Vacation

Carrie and Daniel and I are on vacation. We came down to Georgia for Carrie's dad's wedding last Saturday and will be here all week. Next Saturday is Nathan Glasser's wedding. We'll be getting home Sunday, June 4.

Daniel continues to grow up quickly. He loves to laugh and smile! And I've got him playing the piano already. Check him out:

I have an update on the con artist situation from early April. The Norfolk Police Department has decided that this is not a big enough case to worry about. The MacArthur Mall Security workers have decided that they are too busy to review security tapes. And Bank of America just notified me last week that they don't bear any responsibility to return my stolen money to me. So, just for the record, I will be switching to another banking institution as soon as we finish closing on our house. Bank of America has been very unhelpful and difficult to deal with throughout this entire situation.

Carrie and I have been reminded, however, that when we suffer for the sake of Christ we have a great reward in heaven! I know that my intentions were absolutely pure as I spent hours sharing the gospel with this man who eventually took advantage of my kindness. I know, then, that my heavenly Father will watch over me!

Speaking of the house, our closing was pushed back to mid-June. Please pray that we will close soon without any glitches in the process.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Reflecting on the "Moveables"

Wow. It's been a long time since the last post! Things have been kind of crazy around here. Let me share some of the events that have taken place over the last month or so:

1. Daniel is very healthy and growing well. He loves to smile and laugh, and we love to play with him. It's amazing how fast he's growing up! Yikes! We have lots of new pics here: http://photos.yahoo.com/wlee795.

2. Carrie is starting to feel better. After some complications following delivery that left her very run down and a little discouraged, she is beginning to progress and regain some strength and energy. She has had such a wonderful attitude through it all; I'm very thankful for my wife!

3. Okay, this one wins the award for the most outrageous event of my life. On Tuesday, April 4, I was out at the church working at my office. I received a phone call from a man who called himself Josh. The short version of the story is that I spent several hours on the phone and in person with this man that day. He turned out to be a con artist who preyed on my compassion and relative innocence. He stole property from me and a lot of money. Unfortunately, that "short version" leaves more questions than answers, but the "long version" is much too long and very disturbing for me still. To be taken advantage of emotionally is a very difficult thing. God has been good through it all, and I have learned a lot. The police and other security personnell have not been very helpful, and we're still waiting to hear back from the bank's investigative department about whether they will give us our money back. Please pray about this situation.

4. The semester is pretty much over...sort of. I have quizzes and a Hebrew exam to take on Wednesday. Then I have to finish a correspondence course by the end of May.

5. Carrie's dad is getting married on May 27 and Nathan Glasser is getting married the next Saturday. Carrie and Daniel and I will be in GA from May 26 through June 4 for those weddings.

6. Now, the "moveables." I titled this post, "Reflecting on the Moveables" because of a line from one of Rutherford's letters to Lady Kenmure when her husband, Lord Kenmure, passed away. He wrote,

"Your Lord never thought this world's vain painted glory a gift worthy of you; and therefore would not bestow it on you, because he is to provide you with a better portion. Let the moveables go, the inheritance is yours. You are a child of the house, and joy is laid up for you."
Rutherford was so focussed on heavenly realities that he could view every earthly treasure a "moveable." My son is a "moveable." My wife and our health are "moveables." My money is a "moveable." I dare not hold so tightly to those transient pleasures that I forsake the eternal rewards that are laid up for me. I must learn to "let the moveables go."
I hope to get back to blogging a little more regularly. I trust you all are doing well. Thanks for stopping by!