HOLY week

It's been like a year and a half since my last post. Or so it seems. Life in Maimi has been crazy at the least. Which by no means that it has not been amazing. Sorry that it's been so long. I guess I haven't kept up quite as well with lots of things that I wish I was.

Today is Maundy Thursday. Which Pastor Brian did an awesome explanation of today, when I asked what "Maundy" meant. It's from the most romantic of languages, Latin of course, but for the life of me I can't remember what the Latin is. Ha:) Anyways, it stands for New Covenant, which what we celebrate on Maundy Thursday is the last supper and communion, and was the final night that Jesus spent with the disciples before being taken away. I was priviledged to be the worship leader tonight for the service, and we (Amber and I) brought our neighbors, Itzell (11) and Ayleen (8). While they don't really understand much of what is going on, they are sooooo excited to go. I got home around 5pm today and they came running out, and I had to get some laundry done, shower, and get back up to the church for the service. "When are you going to take us to church with you? Sunday?" So, I said, I'm leaving at 6:30, you can go tonight!

And hour and a half later they show up at our door, wondering if what they were wearing was ok, and Ayleen was showing off her mom's new flip flops that she was letting her wear. B-e-a-utiful. Both of them. Sunday for Easter I believe they're going to go to church with Amber and Rachel, to Homestead Mennonite.

Never have I loved serving a church more than I have this week. Pastor Brian closed the offices on Monday and Tuesday, so I headed up to Ft. Lauderdale to see the King Tut exhibit (which was fantastic, by the way...got to see artifacts taken straight from the tomb!). Tuesday I attended a Perrine/Cutler Ridge Council meeting to talk about Dare to Care, which is a service day that South Florida Urban Ministries is hosting this year at our church. This was pretty neat because I went in as point person at the church and came out learning so much more than I had already known, and being even more excited for the event.

Today was the best day of the week so far though, as I got to spend all day in the office working and just talking with pastor Brian. We talked about everything from what the group Jews for Jesus is all about to the heart of Gnosticism (fascinating), from the Passion and the awesome experience of watching it with the youth, to how Jesus does not talk as a teacher, He is authoritative. We set up the sanctuary, sang the Andy Griffith, Gilligans Island, and yes, the best one yet: Walker: Texas Ranger themes! It's funny how much I look forward simply to the interaction and discussion with people, and this is what I get so much out of.

As I said before, tonight we did foot washing at the service. It's been a long time since I really felt convicted, as though I really felt the presence of God, but more than anything tonight I knew that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. Jesus didn't say "Do this in remembrance of yourself and how great you are. Jesus said "Do this in remembrance of ME". JESUS CHRIST. Not Emily Miller. Stooping down and washing Holly's feet zapped me into my place. It humbleld me, if you will. I started to cry, and just couldn't stop...I think most people thought it was because of dad and everything that is happening with him. Which, of course, that has gotten to me as well. But most of all it was the full comprehension of the power of God, and what it is that I am called to do. I just kept looking at the table that is engraved with "Do this in remembrance of ME." Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...

I happened to be listening to this song tonight and thought it was a good explanation of what I was feeling tonight, but didn't know how to say:

I need words as wide as sky
and I need a language large as this longing inside
and I need a voice bigger than mine
and I need a song to sing You that I've yet to find.
I need You. I need You. -David Crowder Band

ok...bed time...

this time next week I'll be at home, in my bed, in Hinton, VA...or spending time with the most important people on earth to me...my family. Ah. I cannot wait.

peace, love, and feeling at home in Christ...
-em:0)