Yesterday I ran to the mail box, in the freezing cold, half expecting a bill and certainly not expecting what I found. A sweet envelope with bubble letters, a precious note and a large gift enclosed. What a blessing, on so many levels. We love you~ even though we don't know the who ~ we love you.
Merry Christmas~
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Found My Center
Yesterday was my first Sunday back at our church. The music was incredible! All of the classic Christmas carols that I have grown up with sang by our beautiful choir. Our pastor's message was amazing. I think it is probably one of the best Christmas messages I have ever heard.
I looked up in the choir and saw the faces of the beautiful women that I have looked up to for some time now, singing and praising Jesus. I felt a whirlwind of activity during the greeting time as everyone rushed around to hug the people they had missed before church started. We were actually~lovingly arguing :)~ over who got to hug next! I LOVE THAT!!! I have missed that.
Mid way through the music and the hugs and the incredibly preaching, I realized that for the first time in a while I felt grounded and centered. This was the first place that I found roots and felt established. Being back among the buzz of love and excitement of everyone being together under one roof, all there for the one purpose of loving and praising Jesus put my restless heart at peace.
One of the things I learned while being in Louisville is that I need a loving community right now. As much as I would love to be on the mission field in China, I am not ready. I need the body of Christ too much at this point in my life. And not just any church body, but this church body.
I have never been more excited to go to church on sunday morning and sunday night than any other time in my life. Feels good.
I looked up in the choir and saw the faces of the beautiful women that I have looked up to for some time now, singing and praising Jesus. I felt a whirlwind of activity during the greeting time as everyone rushed around to hug the people they had missed before church started. We were actually~lovingly arguing :)~ over who got to hug next! I LOVE THAT!!! I have missed that.
Mid way through the music and the hugs and the incredibly preaching, I realized that for the first time in a while I felt grounded and centered. This was the first place that I found roots and felt established. Being back among the buzz of love and excitement of everyone being together under one roof, all there for the one purpose of loving and praising Jesus put my restless heart at peace.
One of the things I learned while being in Louisville is that I need a loving community right now. As much as I would love to be on the mission field in China, I am not ready. I need the body of Christ too much at this point in my life. And not just any church body, but this church body.
I have never been more excited to go to church on sunday morning and sunday night than any other time in my life. Feels good.
Friday, December 19, 2008
"To Him be the Glory"
We are home! And in true form we came in with a bang. Moved into one house and 48 hours later moved into another. The first was terrible! The second, perfect !! Thanks to the Lord and my brave husband for always taking such good care of our family. I love him!
Also, Belle Aire welcomed us with open arms and has loved on us non stop!! I almost forgot what that was like. We have been visited by friends and invited over for dinner and really, been saturated with so much support. I love our church family.
There are little things we miss about Louisville, and I definitely miss the friends we made and the community we lived in. But truth be told, this is our home and to me, it is further confirmed by the Lord bringing us back. Louisville is filled with great people and nice churches, but our hearts were restless for our church family. Hindsight is 20/20 right, probably a dumb cliche but still true. We learned so much from our life there, I wouldn't trade it for the world. But I'm glad it's over :)
We will post pictures soon of the house and children. Oh one thing that makes me sad about leaving Louisville, we miss Daniel Patterson! Come see us soon dp!!!!
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen!!" 1 peter 5:10
Also, Belle Aire welcomed us with open arms and has loved on us non stop!! I almost forgot what that was like. We have been visited by friends and invited over for dinner and really, been saturated with so much support. I love our church family.
There are little things we miss about Louisville, and I definitely miss the friends we made and the community we lived in. But truth be told, this is our home and to me, it is further confirmed by the Lord bringing us back. Louisville is filled with great people and nice churches, but our hearts were restless for our church family. Hindsight is 20/20 right, probably a dumb cliche but still true. We learned so much from our life there, I wouldn't trade it for the world. But I'm glad it's over :)
We will post pictures soon of the house and children. Oh one thing that makes me sad about leaving Louisville, we miss Daniel Patterson! Come see us soon dp!!!!
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen!!" 1 peter 5:10
Thursday, December 4, 2008
It's been real...
it's been fun~
but it has not been real fun.
So I guess the reality is, my excitement around leaving Louisville has been a bit juvenile. But I must admit I feel like a little kid at Christmas for sure! I am so excited to go home to a place and church that I love and that truly love our family.
However, I am thankful for our time here at the grand ole' southern seminary. I praise God for the way He has changed and molded us. We have met some interesting and very wonderful people. I feel like we are leaving completely different people than when we arrived. And I am thankful for the Lord's infinite sovereignty and lovingkindess to our family.
I also can not wait to get out of here!!!!!! So thank you Jesus for the next step and thank you to all the friends that blessed us immensely in our time here.
Farewell Louisville!
but it has not been real fun.
So I guess the reality is, my excitement around leaving Louisville has been a bit juvenile. But I must admit I feel like a little kid at Christmas for sure! I am so excited to go home to a place and church that I love and that truly love our family.
However, I am thankful for our time here at the grand ole' southern seminary. I praise God for the way He has changed and molded us. We have met some interesting and very wonderful people. I feel like we are leaving completely different people than when we arrived. And I am thankful for the Lord's infinite sovereignty and lovingkindess to our family.
I also can not wait to get out of here!!!!!! So thank you Jesus for the next step and thank you to all the friends that blessed us immensely in our time here.
Farewell Louisville!
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