Texas is a pretty big place... it's kind of hard to miss. I had the experience of living in Texas for a few years. I came to realize that it was a pretty big place full of a lot of the same. It's not exactly the most beautiful place in the world. It's not the kind of place I would like to live indefinitely. The food is OK, but I really don't like chicken fried steak or brisket all that much (except maybe Spanky's Texas Philly). Oh, and having lived in San Diego during my youth, the ever popular fried catfish basket is not exactly my idea of seafood... if you know what I mean. However, the one thing I do like about Texas has little to do with the drastic topography and the overwhelming cultural diversity. What I like about Texas has a lot more to do with the godly people that live within its borders.
So, on my most recent of visits to the Lone Star State, it wasn't surprising that the heart of its people impressed me once again...
I was privileged to officiate in the wedding of Tupac Alcauter and Summer Power in Paradise, Texas (near Dallas/Ft. Worth). It was a blessing to meet Summer's parents, siblings and family. What a great group of people!
While I was in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I stayed with Jeni's aunt Judy. It was great to get to know her better. She shared some great stories about her trip to Finland and in classic Walding fashion, most the conversation centered around family. I even got to see Mia for the first time (Evan and Jessica's daughter).
After Tupac and Summer's wedding festivities, I made my way to Lubbock, Texas to recruit an AIM team from this year's class. It is always good to be in the halls of Sunset, but for some reason I always feel like God is telling me to "Go..." when I am there. It was good to see and talk with godly people like Chris Smith, Pat Shaeffer, Kevin Haynes, Tim Brumfield, Doyle Gilliam, Bill Tracy, and Jay Jarboe (I would have liked to have seen Truit Addair and Bob Jackson). It was also great to meet many of the apprentice missionaries from this year's AIM class: Victor, Jeff, Toby, Chutney, Mike, Sarah (both of them), Sasha, Rayner, Ashley, Brettin, and Darin. It was especially awesome to spend a few days with Matt and Vanessa Hoffman, along with Noelle (who they are currently adopting). Matt was one of the AIMers in Cuernavaca, when I was coordinator there - back in the day. I can see how much that experience was used by God to help shape him. He has married a wonderful mission-hearted young lady. To be able to "catch up" was well worth the cost of being in Texas. Matt and Vanessa - May Mexico continue to be on your minds.
So... no thank you, Texas. But THANK YOU my Texan friends.
