Headline: Asian street gang unloads Pastor & Wife

Today, (Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008) marks the culmination of our first week in the Phoenix area! It is definitely strange to be back in the "big city" and have so many stores, restaurants, and gas stations less than 10 minutes away, along with literally millions of people...and I absolutely LOVE IT!

We had about 10 guys help us load in Mesquite, and it took us right at one hour. When we drove into our new apartment complex here in Glendale, there were so many Karen young people hanging out waiting for us that it looked like an Asian street gang gathering. I'm fairly sure that's what many of our neighbors were thinking as they peered out their windows towards the parking lot here in the complex. Of course, that would have been what they thought until we arrived and they observed all these Asian kids joyfully unloading the Budget truck of the tall, slightly overweight, gray on the sides, goofy looking white guy and his good looking wife. There were at least 20 of them, along with Adam and Tansy, and believe it or not, we had that 24 foot truck unloaded and everything into our upstairs apartment in 45 minutes!

The reality of what we've actually done is smacking us in the face pretty much everyday as we arrange furniture and unpack boxes in this apartment that really is spacious compared to most apartments but seems so confining compared to the large home we've been living in. Everything has to be put in just the right place in order to maximize the space we have. And sometimes, much to Helen's dismay, something can't be placed where it would have the most visual appeal because to do so would be to not adequately make use of the limited space we have in the most efficient way. In contrast to our house in Mesquite, functionality in this small apartment many times must take precedence over the placement of things in the way that is most pleasing to the eye.

Finally, the Lord has impressed upon me afresh that it's time again to seriously resurrect the "Pilgrim" mentality and worldview that we had when we went to the mission field. I'll explain what I mean in my next few posts.

Thanks for praying for us...He responded to your prayers.