Nate-Dogg Becker came to our church’s Wednesday night meeting to give a little presentation on his upcoming missionary work. Bethany and I baked a cake for the occasion and iced it (very beautifully, I might add – swirls, thick icing… mmm mmmmm!), then Beth wrote something encouraging (I forget what) in decorative icing… it was quite the cake. but it stayed in my car all day, and so by the time church rolled around, all of the icing was liquid and there were no more words. oops. =) at least it all got eaten.

we (four of us) sang an old hymn from the hymnal – simple arrangement where we sang parts for the first verse, last verse, and all the choruses, verse 2 with just the 2 women and verse 3 with just the 2 men. our voices really match – the four of us – and there’s something beautiful about singing in tune… so the hymn had a quaint charm. on the last chorus, Pastor Tom had all (us and the congregation) sing together. looking out from the front of the room over a sea of faces – black, white, filipina, mexican, lithuanian – all raising their voices in song… it was almost like a little glimpse of heaven.

so, Nate got up and did his thing. I hope that turns out to be something profitable for him – that it helps him raise the support he needs, prayer or financial. it was so good to see him again (possibly for the last time) before he leaves for Davau (in the southern part of the Philippines). it’s been exciting to watch him grow into this desire to do mission work. he’s got an amazing testimony (don’t we all in some way? God is so good!) and is so willing to follow God’s leading! I’m glad for him that he’s finally found a place, a way in which to minister and to serve.