First day of summer leads to spiritual banquets

Today is the first day of summer... Whoopi doo. It has felt like summer for 3 months already.

On a lighter note, we have our Special Assembly Day this weekend. "Refúgiese en Jehová" ("Take refuge in Jehovah") is the theme. These assemblies are awesome. Nothing new is given, really. Yet we are shown how to apply what we know. And the fact that our lives and the world are constantly changing (1 Cor. 7:31), we desperately need these reminders. For example Juanito Testigo is 15 years old. Just a kid. He hears at an assembly counsel for parents. He doesn't give it a lot of thought. 15 years later, Juanito is no longer Juanito. He's Juan and he's married and his wife is pregnant. They are at an assembly and counsel is given for parents. Naturally, he gives a lot of thought into that same information. Jehovah is so patient to do that for us.

And if that wasn't great enough, we have our District Convention in August. And in October, if I'm not mistaken, we have the Circuit Assembly. Wow. Jehovah is great.

I've had these conversations with this nurse here at work. She says she loves discussing Scripture. So we've discussed thigs like the trinity and how she beleives that we don't need works to accompanied by faith. She has been told that we, Jehovah's Witnesses, preach from door-to-door to win ourselves a place in heaven. After explaining that that is not the case, she cited Ephesians 2:8,9. It reads in The New World Translation: "By this undeserved kindness, indeed, YOU have been saved through faith; and this not owing to YOU, it is God’s gift. No, it is not owing to works, in order that no man should have ground for boasting." And by reading that alone, it may seem that works are not necessary. But what about James 2:14-26? It says, in part, that faith without works is a dead faith. This cannot be a contradiction for the Bible does not contradict itself. The key is in the context of Ephesians 2:8,9. The explanation was pretty interesting after I researched it.

Well, gotto go. Til next time.

Time Has Wings

Wow! How time flies! I can't believe that on January 24 will be the 5th anniversary since I was in Florida. So much has happened.

A few days ago, I spoke to my friends, my sisters, from Deltona, FL. I spoke to Lori. When I was there, I stayed at her aunt and uncle's house next door to her and she became the little sister I never had. She was 10 when I was there. Now she'll be around 15! Her sister was 13 and now 18. The brothers I stayed with now have 2 kids that weren't around when I was there. I miss them so much. I still remember when I first got there that night. I remember as if it were yesterday... [cue harp]

The brother who picked me up from the airport took me to the Daytona Beach Assembly Hall where the family I was going to stay with was going to pick me up. I had no idea who they were. As I walked in, I met my extended family. The only thing I regret is not regularly keeping in touch. But I do know that they are doing well and still serving Jehovah.

I have been thinking about visiting them for a long time now. But since a suitable and stable employment has been an issue, it hasn't been possible. But since I recently got a job that will more-than-likely be the one that will work with my schedule, I can now plan a much needed vacation. And if it be possible, also visit Bethel during the same vacation period! I had already visited about a year ago, but it did not go very well. That's a sad story that should not be brought up. Anyway, hopefully I could go.

As for the immediate future, I am going to my old stomping grounds to spend time with my family. And it turns out that they are having the C.O. and the D.O. visiting their congregation! So I will get to be there tonight and enjoy that special meeting! Then tomorrow, I will be spending the day with a very special friend. :D That, also, makes me very happy. Then I will return for field service on Saturday and have a great meeting on Sunday. We will be having a visiting speaker from San Angelo, a young brother. Then have a wonderful lesson from The Watchtower directed to the young ones.

Truly a wonderful weekend, as all are for Jehovah's people.