So, since the last post, I have started feeling a twinge of guilt (but only a twinge) about our under-cover work at the pawn shops. You see, that following Wednesday night, at Bible study, Brenda came up to me just distraught over how bad she felt that we had lied about our true intentions in the pawn shops. She said she had repented and she was really sorry.
Before we went on our little escapade, I had thought about whether or not it was the right thing to do to make up a story about why we were there or if that was lying and was ultimately always morally wrong. I had come to the conclusion that we were not trying to hurt anyone and that it was for the "greater good", I guess. To be honest, I'm not really sure what my full reasoning was, but I ultimately decided if we were going to go to the trouble of driving around looking for this stuff we should figure out the most likely way to find it.
Now, however, I am reminded of Abraham and his lies about Sarah being his sister based on his own logic. But I'm also reminded of Rahab and the fact that she hid the spies and lied to protect them. Both are considered people of faith. Now, that said, I realize that our mission was quite ridiculous in comparison to either of those stories, but it does make me wonder if there is something awry in my heart that I don't feel more guilty for what we have done, or is it true that lying is not always the wrong thing to do. Please discuss...
Also since the last post Zak has made his latest trip to Washington DC for work and had a chance to hang out with the fam for a brief visit. He was able to be there for his Dad's birthday (well, sort of, they were able to dine in celebration of it a couple of days early) which was a nice treat. Happy Birthday, Grandpa Stimple!!
He was in DC over finals week for his classes with Wayland Baptist University, so he had to take one of the finals early and one in the hotel while he was there (thank goodness for modern technology!). So those classes are done and another semester comes to a close. While he was gone his books for the next semester came in the mail. At the end of this month he begins Historical Theology, Church History, Preaching and a supplemental writing lab. Whew! I'm worn out just thinking about it!
Zak delivered his second in a series of four lessons last Sunday morning and he is quickly approaching his third. He is presently studying hard while I try diligently to not distract him. (I'm not always very good at that especially when I haven't really gotten to see him all week!)
While Zak was out of town this week Koa and I got to ride the train at the Dole Plantation. Brenda's son, daughter-in-law and two of her grandkids (Matt, Allison, Joel and Owen) were in town, so we got to spend the day with them and Stephanie and Mason. It was a lot of fun! You will find pictures of our adventure in Koa's 14 month photo album.
We have also been diligently keeping up with our little garden even though I have been very negligent about posting the pictures. We got to eat our very first tomatoes this week! I intend to post those when I post the rest of the pictures for this month.
I have been busy in the kitchen with my latest creations--crackers! We eat so many crackers in this family (mostly Koa) because they are very easy to transport and have on hand at all times, but it is kind of hard to find really good, healthy crackers. Also, our friend, Wes, just left on his six month deployment and he needed some healthier snacks to have underway with him. So, I have been making loads of crackers lately! My most recent attempt was graham crackers. They don't taste anything like graham crackers you buy in the store, but they are pretty tasty! Koa likes them raw or cooked. He's not picky! In fact, now when he sees me get the rolling pin out he goes crazy. That used to just mean he was going to get to eat tortillas soon which he also loves very much, but now it means crackers, too. Now that he is climbing on anything and everything...as soon as he sees the rolling pin come out he heads for the table and climbs up on the chair to help me and snag some early bites.
I have also been busy trying new recipes for healthy bread. I have a friend whose husband is training for the Olympic trials in swimming and she was needing some healthy carbs for him to eat so she asked if she could buy some homemade bread from me. Of course I agreed and I take her a loaf about once a week. Well, she also has a little girl who is allergic to eggs, and until now I have always put eggs in my bread. So, now I have been experimenting with recipes without eggs and with lots of other healthy things. I'm still waiting for feedback on my latest attempt.
I told my mom one summer when she tried to teach me to cook and sew that I had the rest of my life to learn that. I guess I'm working on the rest of my life now....
