We have had a wonderful and busy last few weeks at church! Personally we celebrated an anniversary, my birthday, battled a violent stomach bug and most recently celebrated Gibson's 1st birthday!
The youth went to camp (mission fuge) in Williamsburg, KY and we have seen a positive outcome of renewed committment in a desire to show Christ's love for others by ministering to their needs, our youth are certainly growing!
This past week we have had VBS at church, We had approx 35 student and close to 100 people particapate this week, it was wonderful to reach out to the community and hopefully we formed some lasting relationships, (Matthew and I taught 4th-6th graders).
I know this is a short post to catch up on so much but God is working at Fox Hill and we are thankful :)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Hello Again ;)
Wow, what a difference a month can make! A lot has happened since my last post so I'll try to hit all the "high points" of the last four weeks!
On May 4th we had our "youth night" at Capri Pizza in the Willow oaks shopping center in Hampton. The first Tuesday of every month the restuarnt will donate 15% of the food purchases that evening to our youth mission fund to help with camp expenses! Matthew, Ethan, Gibson and myself were invited to eat with some wonderful church friends (thank you Max and Pam!) and we saw lots of church members! The night was a success and we look forward to this time of fellowship next month!
On Thursday May 6th we celebrated Matthew's 26th Birthday!
On Friday May 7th we invited the youth "regulars" to leave their mark on the youth room and paint a brick with their name the years they were in the youth group and a favorite scripture verse. We had a great time with the kids and its nice to see their names on the wall to remind us what we're doing! There was some drama that night when a parent who was in a hurry and not paying attention opened Matthew's office door and hit Ethan. He was crying but it took several minutes to get out of him what hurt. Finally he told us his foot and we could see the big toe on his right foot was swollen and black, we got him ice and it seemed to satisfy him!
On Wednesday May 12th Ethan got up complaining with his toe and hadn't slept well the night before, I was afraid it was infected and called the dr to see if they could check him out, they could but I would have to wait so I dropped Gibson with my aunt and headed to the dr. To make a very long day/story short I will say the Dr thought Ethan's toe/foot might be broken so I had to go to the hospital for x-rays and what I though would be a quick visit turned into almost 6 hours! Praise God nothing was broken but we have to keep it bandaged until the toe nail falls off and a new one grows- near impossible on a two year old!
The evening of the 12th was a business meeting to discuss Matthew's job and the possibility of full time. Our youth graciously set through the entire meeting to vote for Matthew and exactly one year and one week since the day Matthew lost his last full-time God blessed us with our first full-time vocational ministry position!
On Saturday the 22nd we had the churches annual spring fest, birds, ponies, police dogs, jumpers, slides and food. We had lots of visitors attend (the best count of people we could get was between 175-225!) and several people were interested in more information about our church!
We are so thankful to be in ministry and so desperately seeking God's will in every aspect of this journey! Please keep us in your prayers as we adjust to 24/7 ministry and pray for the relationships within the church that everyone will want to be God pleasing in their thoughts and actions and that any damaging or decisive people will be removed for the fellowshsip of God's people. Pray for the members of the church as we can see God working there that they will be receptive to the Spirit and open to changes within the church, Pray for our students that they will be on fire for God and a light in their school. Pray for our family as we begin this journey, that we will allow God to use us to the best of our ability and that we are open to whatever he asks. Pray for Matthew as his classes are beginning again this week that he can find the balance between school, work and family times and also pray for me as I seek God's "placement" for me in the various ministries at the church that I won't try to do too much or too little but that I am sensitive to the exact place that God is preparing for me to work in.
We love you!
On May 4th we had our "youth night" at Capri Pizza in the Willow oaks shopping center in Hampton. The first Tuesday of every month the restuarnt will donate 15% of the food purchases that evening to our youth mission fund to help with camp expenses! Matthew, Ethan, Gibson and myself were invited to eat with some wonderful church friends (thank you Max and Pam!) and we saw lots of church members! The night was a success and we look forward to this time of fellowship next month!
On Thursday May 6th we celebrated Matthew's 26th Birthday!
On Friday May 7th we invited the youth "regulars" to leave their mark on the youth room and paint a brick with their name the years they were in the youth group and a favorite scripture verse. We had a great time with the kids and its nice to see their names on the wall to remind us what we're doing! There was some drama that night when a parent who was in a hurry and not paying attention opened Matthew's office door and hit Ethan. He was crying but it took several minutes to get out of him what hurt. Finally he told us his foot and we could see the big toe on his right foot was swollen and black, we got him ice and it seemed to satisfy him!
On Wednesday May 12th Ethan got up complaining with his toe and hadn't slept well the night before, I was afraid it was infected and called the dr to see if they could check him out, they could but I would have to wait so I dropped Gibson with my aunt and headed to the dr. To make a very long day/story short I will say the Dr thought Ethan's toe/foot might be broken so I had to go to the hospital for x-rays and what I though would be a quick visit turned into almost 6 hours! Praise God nothing was broken but we have to keep it bandaged until the toe nail falls off and a new one grows- near impossible on a two year old!
The evening of the 12th was a business meeting to discuss Matthew's job and the possibility of full time. Our youth graciously set through the entire meeting to vote for Matthew and exactly one year and one week since the day Matthew lost his last full-time God blessed us with our first full-time vocational ministry position!
On Saturday the 22nd we had the churches annual spring fest, birds, ponies, police dogs, jumpers, slides and food. We had lots of visitors attend (the best count of people we could get was between 175-225!) and several people were interested in more information about our church!
We are so thankful to be in ministry and so desperately seeking God's will in every aspect of this journey! Please keep us in your prayers as we adjust to 24/7 ministry and pray for the relationships within the church that everyone will want to be God pleasing in their thoughts and actions and that any damaging or decisive people will be removed for the fellowshsip of God's people. Pray for the members of the church as we can see God working there that they will be receptive to the Spirit and open to changes within the church, Pray for our students that they will be on fire for God and a light in their school. Pray for our family as we begin this journey, that we will allow God to use us to the best of our ability and that we are open to whatever he asks. Pray for Matthew as his classes are beginning again this week that he can find the balance between school, work and family times and also pray for me as I seek God's "placement" for me in the various ministries at the church that I won't try to do too much or too little but that I am sensitive to the exact place that God is preparing for me to work in.
We love you!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Under Attack?
I know I'm not very good at keeping up with this blogging thing, I have the best of intentions but somehow I always get distracted and whenever I sit down to blog I can't remember what it was I was going to say :(
That being said we've been averaging between 15-18 for Sundays and Wednesdays which is awesome because the students are very excited and consistent! We had some extra week day activites the week of spring break and had good turnouts for both those events as well. We're looking forward to summer ministry opportunities and being able to reach students who have more "free time" during the summer months.
On April 15th we had our big fundraier for camp. Outback steakhouse brought food and cooked and our students served. We held a silent auction during the dinner as well featuring items that were donated by church members. The event earned the students around $2000 for their summer camp/mission trip and also give the church an opportunity to see Matthew and I work together as a couple and together with the students. We viewed the event as a success!
April 24th marked our 90th day at the church and what was the last day of our 90 day interim. We gave the personal committee a list of all of our expenses and asked them to make the job full-time and offer enough to meet our needs. On Wednesday evening we received a call with a counter-offer. While the committee didn't feel at this time they could pay quite what we asked they offered close enough to that amount that we knew God was calling us to full-time ministry at this church. There will be a business meeting on May 12th for the church to vote on the position so please pray everything goes smoothly at that meeting! May 6th marks the one year anniversary for Matthew loosing his full-time job and since then God has supplied EVERYTHING we've needed so we're continuing to trust Him!
Please pray for us this week as yesterday we were going to Macarthur Mall for a "family day" and our honda accord broke down. We believe it was the timing belt and it was towed to a shop and we're waiting to hear from them. Today while leaving church the power steering pump in my jeep wrangler broke and that had to be towed also :( Fortunately, my dad and Matthew were able to remove the old pump and should be getting a new one to install in the next few days. That leaves us with only Matthew's 2-seater honda until one of the other cars is fixed. We thank God that in both events we were in safe locations and getting tows was quick and easy. Please pray that the repairs are also quick and easy.
As God continues to provide for our family we are thankful. We are thankful for you as friends who bathe us in prayers and we are looking forward to the things God is doing at Fox Hill Road Baptist. On may 22nd we have a spring fest which is a huge outreach event and we are hoping to be able to make contacts with many families and youth through that event. Please start praying now that God will use us and our church to reach that community for Him.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us, until next time!
That being said we've been averaging between 15-18 for Sundays and Wednesdays which is awesome because the students are very excited and consistent! We had some extra week day activites the week of spring break and had good turnouts for both those events as well. We're looking forward to summer ministry opportunities and being able to reach students who have more "free time" during the summer months.
On April 15th we had our big fundraier for camp. Outback steakhouse brought food and cooked and our students served. We held a silent auction during the dinner as well featuring items that were donated by church members. The event earned the students around $2000 for their summer camp/mission trip and also give the church an opportunity to see Matthew and I work together as a couple and together with the students. We viewed the event as a success!
April 24th marked our 90th day at the church and what was the last day of our 90 day interim. We gave the personal committee a list of all of our expenses and asked them to make the job full-time and offer enough to meet our needs. On Wednesday evening we received a call with a counter-offer. While the committee didn't feel at this time they could pay quite what we asked they offered close enough to that amount that we knew God was calling us to full-time ministry at this church. There will be a business meeting on May 12th for the church to vote on the position so please pray everything goes smoothly at that meeting! May 6th marks the one year anniversary for Matthew loosing his full-time job and since then God has supplied EVERYTHING we've needed so we're continuing to trust Him!
Please pray for us this week as yesterday we were going to Macarthur Mall for a "family day" and our honda accord broke down. We believe it was the timing belt and it was towed to a shop and we're waiting to hear from them. Today while leaving church the power steering pump in my jeep wrangler broke and that had to be towed also :( Fortunately, my dad and Matthew were able to remove the old pump and should be getting a new one to install in the next few days. That leaves us with only Matthew's 2-seater honda until one of the other cars is fixed. We thank God that in both events we were in safe locations and getting tows was quick and easy. Please pray that the repairs are also quick and easy.
As God continues to provide for our family we are thankful. We are thankful for you as friends who bathe us in prayers and we are looking forward to the things God is doing at Fox Hill Road Baptist. On may 22nd we have a spring fest which is a huge outreach event and we are hoping to be able to make contacts with many families and youth through that event. Please start praying now that God will use us and our church to reach that community for Him.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us, until next time!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Palm Sunday
I am really bad at keeping up with this blogging thing :( but I will try! This past weekend we had a painting/movie night on Friday to finish painting the youth room and then we had pizza and watched the Blind Side. Awesome movie!
Sunday morning the church had their annual Easter Cantana and we had TWENTY students come for Sunday School! We had 5 students come that haven't ever been to class before and we were able to make contact with them and hopefully they'll come back! With next week being Easter we're hoping for more students to come that haven't been since we've started at the church, we have some activities planned for spring break that will hopefully aid in getting those students more connected/involved!
We just passed our 60 day mark for working at the church, my how times flies! We are praying that this will become a permanent, full-time position as we can see God working in the church and are glad to be the ones he's using for this work! Please continue to pray about that!
No church this Wednesday but we will have a Maundy Thursday service this Thursday at 7pm!
Sunday morning the church had their annual Easter Cantana and we had TWENTY students come for Sunday School! We had 5 students come that haven't ever been to class before and we were able to make contact with them and hopefully they'll come back! With next week being Easter we're hoping for more students to come that haven't been since we've started at the church, we have some activities planned for spring break that will hopefully aid in getting those students more connected/involved!
We just passed our 60 day mark for working at the church, my how times flies! We are praying that this will become a permanent, full-time position as we can see God working in the church and are glad to be the ones he's using for this work! Please continue to pray about that!
No church this Wednesday but we will have a Maundy Thursday service this Thursday at 7pm!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Lock In
Friday March 5th we had our first youth lock in, we had 41 youth attend and only 20 were church members the rest when visitors! We had an amazing time of games and fellowship as well as worship and a message from our friend Mark Turner. It was encouraging to see that many students attend and be genuinely interested and know we are just scratching the surface of the number of students that live in the area.
Sunday morning we had 15 students come for Sunday school, we are still working through the book of John on Sunday mornings. This week we started on time and most of the students arrived on time!!
Please continue to pray for us, we will be starting a study on Wednesday nights based on John Macarthurs book "found: Gods purpose for your life" and we are looking forward to the student interaction.
We are praising God for the lock-in attendence and praying that in the coming weeks these students will come back!
Sunday morning we had 15 students come for Sunday school, we are still working through the book of John on Sunday mornings. This week we started on time and most of the students arrived on time!!
Please continue to pray for us, we will be starting a study on Wednesday nights based on John Macarthurs book "found: Gods purpose for your life" and we are looking forward to the student interaction.
We are praising God for the lock-in attendence and praying that in the coming weeks these students will come back!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Painting Day!
Fifteen in Sunday School this morning, and my sissy came!! Woo-Hoo!! Now it's just trying to get them to arrive on time ;)
And during the service there were two more baptisms plus there are others waiting to be baptized! It's amazing to see God working!
Matthew and some of the youth stayed for a time of fellowship after the worship service, it consisted of painting the youth room and pizza! We're trying to give them times to grow together as a unit and develop christian friendships, what better a time to do this then while "sprucing up" the youth room!
Looking forward to the coming weeks with these teens and praying God uses us to work in their lives!!
And during the service there were two more baptisms plus there are others waiting to be baptized! It's amazing to see God working!
Matthew and some of the youth stayed for a time of fellowship after the worship service, it consisted of painting the youth room and pizza! We're trying to give them times to grow together as a unit and develop christian friendships, what better a time to do this then while "sprucing up" the youth room!
Looking forward to the coming weeks with these teens and praying God uses us to work in their lives!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
I'm a slacker :(
OK it's be over a week since I updated :( Sorry, I Have no good excuse other then I've been slacking!
A week ago Wednesday we had 14 kids! That's the most we've had so far and it was an awesome time of fellowship, Matthew spoke on the sovereignty of God and it developed into a great time of conversation. He tried to show a John Piper video but as technology would have it, it wouldn't play :( That opened the door for great conversation and we are consistently impressed with the questions being asked!
Sunday morning we had 13 and Matthew is working through the book of John. We're still seeing lots of kids in the worship service that aren't' coming to Sunday School so we're trying to personally connect with them and invite them to class. (Sunday school is first so it's easy for kids to float in for service and not come to class!)
In church news we had 2 people baptized on Sunday and there are at least 3 more waiting to be baptized! Almost every week people are coming forward to make decisions or join the church! It is so encouraging to see God working!
This Wednesday night we decided to have a "game night" and just a time for fellowship and developing friendships. We had 17 youth come! and 3 of them haven't been before! We're excited about upcoming opportunities and looking forward to God's working in and through our lives!
Please continue to pray for the youth, that they will bring there friends and become on-fire for God in their schools and communities, pray for Matthew as he ministers to the youth and their friends and as he seeks God's leading for lesson plans and times of fellowship. Pray for the church as a whole that it continues to grow in God's plan and that God continues to work there and grow His kingdom through us! Thank you!
A week ago Wednesday we had 14 kids! That's the most we've had so far and it was an awesome time of fellowship, Matthew spoke on the sovereignty of God and it developed into a great time of conversation. He tried to show a John Piper video but as technology would have it, it wouldn't play :( That opened the door for great conversation and we are consistently impressed with the questions being asked!
Sunday morning we had 13 and Matthew is working through the book of John. We're still seeing lots of kids in the worship service that aren't' coming to Sunday School so we're trying to personally connect with them and invite them to class. (Sunday school is first so it's easy for kids to float in for service and not come to class!)
In church news we had 2 people baptized on Sunday and there are at least 3 more waiting to be baptized! Almost every week people are coming forward to make decisions or join the church! It is so encouraging to see God working!
This Wednesday night we decided to have a "game night" and just a time for fellowship and developing friendships. We had 17 youth come! and 3 of them haven't been before! We're excited about upcoming opportunities and looking forward to God's working in and through our lives!
Please continue to pray for the youth, that they will bring there friends and become on-fire for God in their schools and communities, pray for Matthew as he ministers to the youth and their friends and as he seeks God's leading for lesson plans and times of fellowship. Pray for the church as a whole that it continues to grow in God's plan and that God continues to work there and grow His kingdom through us! Thank you!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentine (Sun)Day!
I didn't post on Wednesday because church was canceled again due to snow! It may have been a premature move but Wednesday morning it was coming down hard and the decision was made then. That being said we were able to spend some great time of fellowship (over mexican food!) with Tommy and Daina. They are incredible examples to us, as well as a great source of encouragement!
Today is Valentine's Day!! It's a bittersweet holiday for me because I spent 6 years working at a florist that closed about 15 months ago and I miss the people and the hussle of the business. That was a blessing tho because I know I couldn't work the crazy hours and be "mom" to my boys.
For Sunday School this morning we had 11 students and several more in the service that we're trying to encourage to come to class. 3 people came forward during the church invitation and two of them are youth age, (one was a 6th grader and one graduated last year but the college age is still closely involved with youth) it is so amazing to see God working in the little things! While it would be so easy to get discouraged by only having 11 in Sunday school we had two people make professions of faith and a new member join! Thats what its all about!
Matthew was also able to lead worship this morning since the person who usually does it was away! Please continue to pray for us, that we'll allow God to use us in any way he needs and that we will continue to find encouragement in the little things as we see Him working!
Today is Valentine's Day!! It's a bittersweet holiday for me because I spent 6 years working at a florist that closed about 15 months ago and I miss the people and the hussle of the business. That was a blessing tho because I know I couldn't work the crazy hours and be "mom" to my boys.
For Sunday School this morning we had 11 students and several more in the service that we're trying to encourage to come to class. 3 people came forward during the church invitation and two of them are youth age, (one was a 6th grader and one graduated last year but the college age is still closely involved with youth) it is so amazing to see God working in the little things! While it would be so easy to get discouraged by only having 11 in Sunday school we had two people make professions of faith and a new member join! Thats what its all about!
Matthew was also able to lead worship this morning since the person who usually does it was away! Please continue to pray for us, that we'll allow God to use us in any way he needs and that we will continue to find encouragement in the little things as we see Him working!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Official First Sunday
Would you believe that it started to snow on Saturday again and they were calling for 1-6 inches! WE only got about an inch so Sunday morning services proceeded as planned but Sunday night was cancelled since there was a lot of ice in the parking lot. Sunday nights they usually do awana's which is a program we are not familiar with so this still wasn't a "normal" Sunday!
Driving to church with the boys (running late as usual!) I heard this lyrics:
Sometimes your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity
But I'm a man of dust and stains
You move in me so I can say…
Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life I make an offering
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of your plan
Here I am
When setbacks and failures and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that You will finish what You began
And these broken parts You redeem
Become the song that I can sing…
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces
I can't put this together but You can
How true, God is using our failures and upset plans to minister to these students and all along it was HIS plan! Matthew took the opportunity this morning to share his testimony and in doing so gave advice to the students on how to most effectively share their own testimonies. We only had 10 students since the weather was bad-ish but this is our "core" group and it was encouraging that they are coming and excited! They even made a cake for Matthew and brought it this morning! It's wonderful that they're accepting us!
Gibson is much better, his fever broke on thurday and he has steadily improved. Please continue to pray for us and the students at Fox Hill Road, pray for Matthew as he works on planning and scheduling events for the youth and for the boys and I as we adjust to our new positions in ministry!! Thank you! ;)
Driving to church with the boys (running late as usual!) I heard this lyrics:
Sometimes your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity
But I'm a man of dust and stains
You move in me so I can say…
Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life I make an offering
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of your plan
Here I am
When setbacks and failures and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that You will finish what You began
And these broken parts You redeem
Become the song that I can sing…
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces
I can't put this together but You can
How true, God is using our failures and upset plans to minister to these students and all along it was HIS plan! Matthew took the opportunity this morning to share his testimony and in doing so gave advice to the students on how to most effectively share their own testimonies. We only had 10 students since the weather was bad-ish but this is our "core" group and it was encouraging that they are coming and excited! They even made a cake for Matthew and brought it this morning! It's wonderful that they're accepting us!
Gibson is much better, his fever broke on thurday and he has steadily improved. Please continue to pray for us and the students at Fox Hill Road, pray for Matthew as he works on planning and scheduling events for the youth and for the boys and I as we adjust to our new positions in ministry!! Thank you! ;)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday #2
Well I'll start off by saying we must be doing something right because this week we've been under attack! It encouraging though! I feel the closer we get to God's will and fulfilling that will the harder the devil tries to discourage. After my wonderful snowy weekend I spent 3 1/2 hrs in the emergency room with my boys Monday to find out Gibson has pneumonia :( We've been battling that with antibiotics and painkillers but the recovery is slower then I'd like :( Tuesday Matthew left to take this grandmother to a dentist appointment and called about an hour later to say the car wouldn't start :( After having it towed one thing led to another and the repairs will be approx $700! (thats what we get for having cars older then most of our youth!) Thank God for our coming tax return!!
That being said, tonight with the youth group at Fox Hill Road Baptist Church was awesome! We were able to have a time for drinks, snacks, and games before getting into "lesson" time. I made a very quick visit since I didn't want to bring Gibson out (thank you mama for watching him) but Matthew said there were 13 students and they had a great, interactive conversation about the soverignity of God. The feedback he received was positive and it's exciting to see students that are interested and genuinely excited about God's word! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we minister to these students, pray for Gibson as he is recovering also! Thank you so much! We love you!
That being said, tonight with the youth group at Fox Hill Road Baptist Church was awesome! We were able to have a time for drinks, snacks, and games before getting into "lesson" time. I made a very quick visit since I didn't want to bring Gibson out (thank you mama for watching him) but Matthew said there were 13 students and they had a great, interactive conversation about the soverignity of God. The feedback he received was positive and it's exciting to see students that are interested and genuinely excited about God's word! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we minister to these students, pray for Gibson as he is recovering also! Thank you so much! We love you!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Snow Day!
After a week of planning and preparing for our first Sunday morning it snowed and church was canceled!!! I absolutely love snow so while it was disappointing that we weren't able to have our first Sunday at Fox Hill it has given us a bit more time to pray and prepare and we got "free" time to enjoy God's awesome creation in 8 inches of snow!! This week we were able to get a fridge for the youth (thanks Frank!!) and an industrial size coffee pot (thanks mom and dad) as well as snacks and a few other things to help draw the youth in. Believe me when I say there was absolutely NOTHING for them. I am looking forward to Wednesday night to see who returns and also next Sunday since I know there will be a larger crowd on Sunday. Until then I'll be enjoying the snow! til it melts anyway...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Getting to know them
Matthew started work on Monday and as of now we're planning on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule at the church. (the job description is only paying for 20 hours but the work requires more then can be done in 20 hours and God has always provided what we need, so we're confident that with Matthew doing other work on Tues, Thurs, Sat things will work out!) The week started off with having to make decisions for summer camp and cleaning and organizing his office! Tonight we had our first Wednesday night and had no idea what to expect since there hasn't been anything for the youth on Wednesday's for some time. It was very informal "get-to-know" each other session and we had 15 kids come so that was great and more then we expected. They are such an awesome group of teens who are really searching and we desire so much to connect with them. They were very outgoing tonight and seem to all "mesh" very well with one another, so that's an incredible starting point. Right now is go time for trying to make mid-week connections and really start developing something for the kids. Even the simple things such as coffee, drinks, snacks and structure are lacking so it's like starting with a clean slate. Please continue to pray for us as the next few weeks will be critical in starting this ministry off on the right foot. Pray specifically as we're seeking God's plan for structuring the youth activities and as we find a balance between Matthew's 20hrs at the church, his work elsewhere and our family time!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Bittersweet Morning
Our last morning at Nansemond River was bittersweet to say the least! We've leaving the church I was born into, where we were both saved, both baptisted, where Ethan was dedicated, we're made wonderful friends and had awesome experiences but most importantly we've grown in our relationships with Christ, our knowledge of His word, our desire to enter his ministry and our love for youth. That's what brings us where we are now. Tomorrow Matthew starts his first ever paid ministry position! Quite honestly he's been in ministry since the moment he was saved and we've known that each day was bringing us closer to full-time ministry and the last year working with Nansemond River's youth has confirmed that that is where our heart is but nothing prepared me for saying good bye to NRBC. Granted we're not moving (thank you Lord!!), and we'll always be connected to Nansemond River, just the dynamic has changed. We'll be attending Fox Hill Road Baptist Church in Hampton where Matthew will serve as interim minister to students (starting part-time 20 hours a week but moving in the direction of a full-time associate pastor). We've been trying to get to know the youth over the part 4ish weeks and they are an awesome group of students who are hungry for the word and longing to be lead. The church just went through revival and MANY youth made decisions and are looking for what to do next. We are so excited for the opportunity and covet your prayers! Please specifically pray for Godly leadership that Matthew can trust and rely on so that he doesn't wear himself out, pray for our children (Ethan especially) since they are almost the entire nursery at the new church and we are coming from such an awesome preschool program, pray for me as I find a balance in working with the youth and developing something for the children, Pray for the people of Fox Hill that they can see our hearts and our love for these students and will be moved to quickly develop this into a full-time position, and please continue to pray for work for Matthew in this interim time that will provide for our needs but allow him adequate time for ministry work as well as his schoolwork. Thank you so much for your prayers, love, support, encouragement and friendship!
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