We're In!

I'm learning that we have many regular blog readers! Thanks! I don't want to be too surprised...but you never know who is reading! Thanks for caring to check up on us and pray with us! We appreciate you and recognize that your love and prayers are one of the reasons God is going to do Ephesians 3:20 type things in northeastern Franklin County!

Well- we're in! Moving day was quite an adventure. From what the natives say, the day we moved (or tried to!) was the worst snow and ice storm Columbus has seen in about 5 years. I'm learning that right from the start- God is teaching us that church planting is about flexibility. My supervisor (Martin Guerena) constantly teases me- because I'm not naturally flexible. However, I am learning that things will not go as planned and you just have to figure out how to get the job done without ideal circumstances. I look forward to applying this lesson to winning souls for Christ and not driving moving trucks on unplowed roads!

Anyway, due to snow, we really moved stuff over the course of a week rather than one day. And, in God's providence, that worked out better. We got to gradually process through stuff and try and empty some boxes a little at a time since we didn't have everything all at once. With two kids in tow, it was easier to do a little at a time. Martin and his brother, Phil, were a huge help in the snow and mess one day and three men from Northwest Chapel (THANKS JIM, DAN, AND DAVID!) helped us empty our stuff from our storage unit and unload it in our house/garage. God was good in helping us get all our stuff home in such crazy weather.

Incidentally- the weather gave us great opportunities for beginning connections. Due to so many being outside to shovel snow and ice throughout the week, I got to meet Steve, Maurice and his daughter Raden, Cathy and Greg, and Tommy. I'm thankful to God for this odd weather and the chance to meet so many when people would normally be inside.

Trish made our first night as a family in our new home a special time with a great Valentine's Day party! This time was extra special because it helped us celebrate an event in our new home. I think all of us feel a bit out of place in this house and area and have an ache in our hearts for familiar friends and places- so a time to celebrate and have special fun in our new home was truly a great first memory.

Otherwise, our last 10 days or so have been filled with all the joys of moving- unpacking, moving heavy stuff back and forth 13 times as you try and get it in the right place, hanging pictures (which I usually hang 5 times before they are in the right place!) taking plenty of breaks to play with kids, change diapers, clean up throw-up, etc. Fun, fun, fun! Seriously, we constantly remind ourselves why we moved- and are continually challenged and excited by God's call on our lives and the work ahead of us.

We've also been able to begin making connections with our new (sending) church family. The staff at Northwest Chapel has been extremely helpful and welcoming, for which we are grateful. Trish has also enjoyed the opportunity to attend a monthly mom's gathering and is on a women's retreat with the church as I write.

A continual challenge for us physically, spiritually, and emotionally, is Silas' health. He does seem to be recovering well from pneumonia he had a few weeks ago, but now is again throwing up and having diarrhea regularly. He also went through a long bout of this type of stomach issues around the Holidays. We're not sure what the issues are but are watching him closely for dehydration and praying God spares him from elongated sickness. Please pray with us for healing.

That's a brief (?) update. We are ready to roll. Please pray with us for God's great work. We're asking for wisdom to do the right things in the right time- for God's glory. Pray that God would help us take advantage of every opportunity He gives us to be a light for Him. Pray with us for a healthy baby church to move from embryonic to birth stages in the next 18 months. We appreciate you so much!