Potpourri Friday - Patrick, the God Fearing Shepherd

For this Friday post, I am linking up with Potpourri Friday 2805.  This is a new link for me but an association I think I will enjoy.  Please visit 2805 and see all the great things she and her friends have to share.

 Several weeks ago, I mentioned having met Patrick who took a leave of absence from West Point to become a shepherd in Israel.  On this Friday, I want to introduce him to you and let this interesting young man tell you his story.

Let me just digress a minute and say that if the handsome young man above had come to the door the first time I met him, I would not have been nearly as hesitant to let him in as I was.  In fact, he had to call my daughter-in-law to confirm she knew him before I opened the door to him.  Below is the person who rang the door bell and wanted to come in and visit, the day after arriving back in Granger, Indiana.

I will let Patrick tell you his own story from his blog:

"When I came to West Point two years ago and prep school before that I felt called by God to be a soldier. I came to serve my country and my God. But to be honest with everyone I have always doubted if I was doing the right thing. In high school, I served in both middle school ministries and with 2^nd and 3^rd grade kids. Serving the youth is what makes my heart beat fast. I get excited the days I am able to do this. But should I do this full time? Should I serve in youth ministries full time? This is a choice I have talked to many people about. I have sought advice from wise council and prayed a lot about it. I feel like God wants me to do both. It seems I should serve in the military and work with youth. I do not know how that works but God does. And I continue to pray for his guidance.

A few months ago I was sitting and thinking about this very thing. I was wrestling with God asking Him questions and seeking answers. Then I had a Genesis 12:1 moment. God told me to “Go!!”

“Go where Lord?” I asked.

“Go to Israel and leave behind your friends and family. I want you to spend a year focusing on me.”

This hit me like a bunch of bricks. God wants me to leave? I did not know what to do. Do I leave? How do I get there? What will people think? But God began to open doors.

But then there is the obstacle of West Point. Will West Point let me leave and if so can I

come back? The answer to both questions is a big yes! West Point will let me leave for a year to do mission work, but the process is not without risk."

After making the arrangements with West Point, Patrick then had to face the fact he didn't have any money, so here began a campaign by his church, Granger Community Church and family and friends to raise the necessary funds for such a long trip.  This explains Patrick's commitment:

"I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself." In an earlier post, I discussed that God has called me to Israel and that it was so strong I felt like God would send a whale down the Hudson river to swallow me up and take me there if I did not listen."

God provided the necessary funds and Patrick arrived in Israel on September 28, 2011 to work with a family on their sheep farm.

 This was Patrick's home away from home while watching the sheep.  He shared with me that this was a blessed place where God protected him from the sun and elements but also provided a quiet place where Patrick was able to read the Bible through not once but twice during his time there.

 This was his typical self-prepared lunch while in the pasture.

Patrick's day usually began around 5:30 a.m. and this is a typical sunrise that welcomed him each morning.

The sheep know the sound for meal time.  Patrick wrote regarding this picture:

"When I see this everyday I ask myself. Am I this excited for the word of God? (my spiritual food)"

One of the most interesting things Patrick shared with me was his 99 and 1 story.

 Matthew 18:12-14 says:

¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

One afternoon when it was time to take the sheep back to the corral area for the night, Patrick realized that all the sheep were there except one.  He immediately remembered the parable as told by Jesus in Matthew 18 and knew he could not leave that one sheep out in the pasture all night.  He left the dogs in charge of the "99" and went to look for the "1."  Not far away he found the lost sheep had fallen into a well.  After rescuing the poor thing, they realized it was blind and had not seen the hole.  After medication, the sheep was recovered.  But, this Biblical experience was so meaningful to Patrick as were so many other experiences in this Holy Land where Jesus actually walked and lived.

 When it came time for Patrick to return home and get ready to go back to West Point, he reluctantly said "Goodby for now" to the sheep,

 the pasture,

and to his home for 7 months.

This was a wonderful, and life-changing experience for Patrick but I'll let him wrap it up for you.

What I learned:
Be flexible
God became more alive than ever
Other cultures are just as, if not more, important than Americans.
Do not worry about tomorrow.
Take time to enjoy life, relationships are important


These have been the main things God has taught me in Israel. There are many more that I may never realize, but I know I have been changed for the better. I am more patient, calm, and collected. I see interruptions as God ordained opportunities and that people are more important than work.

I did not know when I first left for Israel why God was calling me to Israel or what I would accomplish there. But it was not about me accomplishing anything. It was about me doing my best to help the family I worked for, and to take time for God to work in me, to literally do a major surgery on me. And He did amazing things and I feel closer to God than I ever have before.

 Thank you Patrick for setting an example for all of us to seek what God would have us do and to be sensitive to His calling.

You will enjoy reading Patrick's personal account of this amazing experience at:

God Fearing Shepherd

Miscellany Monday - Girls

Rather late getting to the computer for this Miscellany Monday.  But, I decided my housework has waited this long to get done, it can wait a few more minutes.  I'm retired, right?

Fun with Girls
This past weekend, I had my #5 granddaughter and two of her cousins for the weekend.  M-E has been visiting with her Louisiana family for a few weeks, having come down with us from Indiana.  As she will be returning home this week, it seemed a good time to have a girl's weekend.

My original plan was to let them make patriotic pancakes for breakfast Saturday morning.  But for my Spring, Sanguine, Type 1 granddaughter, Neon pancakes carried so more appeal.  So neon it was.

  We made a fun trip to Sci-Port and watched "Born to be Wild" at IMax.  The two cousins had never been to an IMax theater, so this was a thrilling experience for them.

A trip to Charming Charlie's was a fun event and gave these little diva's a chance to do their favorite thing - shop.

 

A photo session topped off the weekend and gave them each pictures to take home in their new picture frames as mementos.

 And this was the trip to meet the moms on Sunday afternoon.  A good time was had by all!

Neighbor Girls
These are the precious little girls of our neighbors who are moving today.  They are such a joy to see outside playing and to have watched grow these past five years.  Dad has finished medical school so they will be going back home to a new house and to join the family practice.  Daughter #4 will be born after they leave, so I will miss getting to know little Allie.  Rau family, we will miss you greatly.

 Julia

 Emmy

 Ella

Friday Favorites - Mansions, Kids & Jazz

WHERE DID MY BLOG POST GO?

I worked and worked on my Friday post yesterday and when I was ready to finally publish, it disappeared.  I guess it is floating around in cyberspace somewhere.  Who knows?  Well here we go again with an abbreviated version.

I am doing a recap of some of my favorite memories and pictures from our month-long visit with family and a fun night with friends.  So here goes AGAIN!  Thanks Rachel for hosting

Friday Favorites.

When we are at our son's in Granger, Indiana, I always pay a visit to South Bend which is only a matter of a mile or two from their house.  Because my family drove a couple Studebakers when I was child, and I have very pleasant memories of playing in those classy cars, not to mention taking many a pretend adventure behind the wheel, I have an affinity for this, the home of the Studebaker Family.

This is the original home of Clem Studebaker, the founder.  Behind this home is the Studebaker and Natural History Museums.  They are both very interesting and worth a visit if you are in the area.

 

 Here I am standing next to a model like we had when I was approximately 9 years old.  A real classy car, huh?

In 1884, Clem decided he should build a much larger home in keeping with his position in the country, so the next year he began building the final Studebaker Mansion.  It was completed in 1889.  This home has approximately 40 rooms, 20 uniquely different fireplaces and close to 24,000 sq. ft on 4 flours.  The woodwork is unbelievable!  Now get this!  The total cost plus furnishing was $350,000.  Unbelievable in today's market right?  It was named Tippecanoe Place.

Eight months after moving in, a fire destroyed the top of the home.  After an additional $100,000 to rebuild and refurbish, the home still stands.

George, a son of Clem who inherited the home, declared bankruptcy in 1933 and until 1988, was used by various agencies and for various purposes until it was purchased and became the

Tippecanoe Place Restaurant, as it remains today.  A great place to eat!  And don't forget to ask for a tour of the place.  By the way, it is reported to be haunted!

 I never go to South Bend without driving through the Notre Dame campus.  You can't miss the beautiful Golden Dome in the middle of the Campus.

Or, the "Touchdown Jesus" mosaic on the Library.  This gold enhanced design got its name because it can be seen between the north goal posts in the famous football stadium as seen below.

By the way, each entrance to the stadium is named for a former Notre Dame coach.  Interesting!

God's spotlight on Savannah!  My absolute favorite picture of her.

Father and son sharing a fun moment.  Love it!

One of the creative things I did while there was to create this two-sided poster for grandson Jackson's Rugby Banquet.  It was so much fun to re-create his fantastic 2012 Rugby season in this way.  I trust it will be a keepsake for him.

Before we left, Dick took this picture of me with my two Indiana girls.  Aren't they precious?

We got home in time to make a flying trip to Dallas to see our littlest granddaughter in her second dance recital.  Need I say more?

Even her big sisters let me be seen with them.  Love those girls!

After all the traveling, it was good to get with friends at home again.  Cele and Randy prepared a delicious picnic and invited us to attend an "Evening with Jazz" event in downtown Shreveport.  The breeze from the river and the enjoyable music, not to mention the company, made a great evening.

And that folks are my Favorite Friday ramblings.

Wednesday Trivia - Doors and Entrys

Today, I am linking up with Susan at Outdoor Wednesday.  I look forward to meeting some new bloggers through Susan and introducing some of my followers to this link.

Where does the time go?  And I'm retired!!

When I realized it has been over a week since I've updated my blog, I figured I better at least make my presence known again, lest I be forgotten.

Actually, I have not been exactly idle - not over worked either, you understand - but my attention and time has been focused elsewhere.  I edit our Twelve Oaks Times, our subdivision's HOA newsletter which is published quarterly.  Since I was gone all of May and part of June, I am humping it to get the July 1 issue ready for submission.

I thought I would share with you one of the the features I am including - Community Scenes.  I decided to feature some of the eye-catching door and entry decorations in our subdivision.  Some are very creative, others just pretty and others very inviting.  Hope you enjoy!