A Special Request...

Because we know that several of our wonderful friends and family use this blog as a way to check in on us and our lives, we wanted to take this opportunity to do a couple of things. First of all, we want to thank you. We truly feel that we have been given the world when it comes to our family and friends. It is because of you that we are encouraged day by day to be who we were created to be. Your smiles, your calls, emails, visits, thoughts and prayers have translated into volumes of fuel for us to press on in this journey… a journey of love, marriage, ministry… of life.

Secondly, we would like to ask you for your prayers. There are very specific things that we are in need of, most of which are emotional and spiritual in nature. While this is in no way an exhaustive list, we appreciate your prayers for the following:

* Continued discernment as to the steps that need to be taken to further develop a relevant and significant model of ministry for this church

* A local network of supportive friends who can share in the "trials" and loneliness of ministry

* Expressed support from the congregation ("Expressed" meaning action in addition to words)

* The heart to say "No." We are learning very quickly how easily offended people will become if we don’t do what they want, go where they want us to go, or do what they want us to do how they want it done.

* Thicker skin. In ministry, the encouragers are few, and the critics many.

* Creative ideas for how to best utilize our resources, both in the church and personally

* Continued health and physical well-being (particularly for Betsy as she undergoes some testing and exams)

* For God’s peace to give us the rest and focus we need to daily lead this church

We are so grateful for you. Thank you for sharing in our journey! We love you.

I Love My Church Paint Day!

Happy Valentines Day!! We spent the morning and early afternoon of Valentine's Day giving our church a fresh, and much much needed coat of paint. We decided that since Valentine's Day is the infamous day of love, there was no better time to love on our church, and give it a good dose of TLC.

There is still work to be done, but we had a great turn-out and lots of willing and capable hands to help. Of course, as ministry often goes, there are many opinions about this change (among others), but we are committed to being faithful stewards of what God has given us and this church body. The status quo just isn't an option. Knowing that, we have committed to doing the best with what we have where we're at... and for today, that means giving our church a Valentine's dose of LOVE! The rest (critics and all) we will trust to God.

We love our church!