Strange Boy In A Strange Land!

In my last post, I explained that nothing had happened to me lately. It is amazing just how much my blog has impacted my life, and this last week was one of those times! Andrew had been staying at the Coopers/Bendixens for the last few weeks, and I was disappointed not to hear Paul Washer preach last Sunday.

Praise God, my family and in-laws came to the rescue! Washer was speaking at a week-long missions conference, so Amanda and Barak arranged to come to our house after one of the services, spend the night, and take me to Washer the next night! Here is everything that happened starting then, and ending on Saturday when I returned home:

Tuesday
On Tuesday, I decided to go witnessing at the mall. I prayed that God would send me someone to hear the Gospel. After being there for about an hour, I hadn't talked with anyone. So I went into the dollar store to buy some candy. While checking the candy out, I conversed with two guys that I had witnessed to before. They were in line right behind me in the checkout isle. After paying, I began to walk away when one of them stopped me, asking if he could have a dollar. "I haven't eaten anything all day," he said with a bag of unpaid chips in hand.

It is amazing how many things can rush through your mind as you are making a decision. (1) I thought of the possibility he was simply a drug-addict and wanted money for that, but I knew this wasn't true. (2) I thought of what would happen if I just walked away. Finally, (3) I thought of Luke 6:38: "Give, and it shall be given unto you".

I handed him the dollar. However, I then said, "Hey, wait. If you want the dollar, you've gotta take a tract as well." He gladly took both the money and the tract. I was really excited about that as I walked home. Not only was God able to use me to give to someone who was hungry (Matthew 25:35), I was able to be a positive witness of Christ!

Imagine if I had refused the dollar. My testimony with these guys would be gone. They'd consider me just another spoiled, selfish, religious nut who's not worth paying any attention to. But, praise God, He kept me from messing it up! 1 John 3:17 says, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

As I walked home, I said to God, "Lord, if you'll somehow repay the dollar, it will be such a good testimony of Your power!" So I just prayed and waited. About an hour later, I was online when my mom came downstairs and said, "J.J., do you want to stay at the Bendixens' house for a few days?" Praise the Lord! I had been dying to visit them. I gave a guy a dollar, and God repays by letting me stay here for three days! What an awesome God we serve.

So Barak and Amanda came on Tuesday night, and spent the night at our house! We had a good time, but I don't have any pictures from it.

Wednesday
After spending the morning and afternoon with Bear+Manda, the three of us left to hear Paul Washer speak. He gave such a good and challenging message! In case you haven't heard him, I recommend following him on Twitter or visiting HeartCry Missionary Society. After that, I when to stay at the Bendixens!

Thursday
Thursday was a really productive day. Levi and I worked hard loading four furnaces and other scrap metal into the van, and hauling it to the junk yard. Plus, I got some school done. Finally, I went on three services calls with Bear and Ele! (They did all the work, though. ;))

Levi going to get another air conditioner:


Bear and Ele working hard:


At one point, I sat in the car for about ten minutes. What to do when you don't have anything to do... ;)


Afterward, we hanged out in Levi's room:


On Thursday night, we again went to hear Paul Washer again! And again, it was really good! But, this time, Kevin, Ryan C., Ryan W. and Joel came! We went out to Taco Bell afterwards, and had an awesome time.

Friday
Levi and I walked to Walgreens to pick up some milk:


I was really lazy on Friday afternoon, and didn't get much done. Case in point, me in the blanket. ;)


The As and the Heys came over for volleyball on Friday! We played in the pouring rain... and it was a lot of fun! The As had to leave at 6pm, but the Heys stayed until about 7:30 and ate dinner with us. :D

After volleyball, we played air hockey and fooseball with the Heys:


Some people eating dinner:


We played a really good game of Spoons!


In the end, it was Andrew vs. Victoria (I came in third, and Andrew won):


After they all left, us guys played in the basement:


Saturday
Saturday morning was spent on getting ready to return home for Amanda's baby shower. It was a good morning.

Levi and Andrew playing accordion and packing:


As soon as we arrived at our house, we went inside and saw a bunch of ladies arriving! Like real men, all us guys (minus Barak) jumped in the car in search of a place to hide! :P We all went out to Cottage Inn Pizza, followed by a lot of other places!

Ele at the pizza place:


Mr. Bendixen got a whole pizza with anchovies on it. It was the first time I've ever seen what an anchovy looks like... gross. :P


Reading books at Goodwill:


We went to two dollar stores. This little boy was taking a nap in an odd position. ;)


Levi, Andrew and I took a late-night trip to buy airsoft guns:


Jeriah and Barak, the brother duo. ;)


Bear and Manda played some songs for us, including Lavender's Blue. We had a lot of good laughs in the living room. :D


Ah... what a great weekend it was! There were so many more things I could mention. Ele also posted some good stuff about this. I can't think of a good way to end this, so I'll just say this. God is so awesome. He is incredible beyond belief. His blessings are everlasting. Praise Him for His wonderfulness. Hallelujah!

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God bless, J.J. Biddinger