Jesus Pepper

Today we are in Charleston, SC visiting Mike and Amber. I think Booker is going to be happy here at his new home, I sure will miss the little guy! There is a chance Mike may be going to Africa and Amber will be deployed January - May, so........ let me know if any of you are wanting a very cute and well behaved little guy named Booker for a few months :-).

So far our road trip has been awesome. Omaha was great hanging out with friends, Cedar Rapids was fun meeting AA's family, and Charleston has been very relaxing.

This morning at 9:53 AA announced (while I was mid-conversation on cell phone with Katharyne) that he'd found a church for us to go to and it started at 10. So we dressed and were out the door by 10, and pulled into Calvary Baptist Church at 10:06. Me in my khaki capris and black sleeveless shirt, AA in his shorts and white Tommy Bahama shirt. We stood out! Late, under dressed, and the only white people in the church; however it was one of the warmest welcomes I've ever received. After standing in front of the church and announcing our name and where we're from (we were the only visitors), they had us sit, and then the entire congregation stood and clapped for us, welcoming us to their family. Next, every person in church came over to us individually and gave us a hug. It was great! Lots of singing, clapping, and praising Jesus going on this morning. Minister Bunkem preached a relavent and passionate sermon about giving our resources, forgiveness, mercy, and invitation to salvation. My favorite quote: "I have a pep in my step that comes from Jesus. I like to call it my Jesus pepper. Others want a Jesus pepper too!"

I really enjoyed seeing a new style of worship today. This is just the first taste of many different styles we will encounter over the next year, and I look forward to broadening my palate. Today I learned to confess with your mouth what you believe in your heart.