A Big Step

Tonight marked a significant step in the life of the little church plant we call Providence Presbyterian.
We elected elders and deacons.
We officially called Brian as the pastor of PPC, instead of the planting pastor.  (I think those are the right words.)
And the church voted to petition the presbytery to allow us to "particularize" or become our own church and no longer a mission church.
If all goes well, our church will particularize March 1.
Wow.
I have to say it is humbling to see all God has done in His church.  It seems to me that there has been beautiful and sometimes painful growth flowing throughout this body.  Those two things often go together, don't they?
It also seems to me that PPC is a community of grace.  Not perfect people doing everything right but imperfect people seeking to love and encourage  and serve each other.  I really love that ministry happens across the board.  Brian and I are neither the best at nor the only ones pursuing  hospitality, service, or anything else.  It's the church learning, failing, forgiving, growing, loving.
We are grateful for it all.

Summer Book Study

A cozy house.
A group of ladies.
A good book.
That sums up Tuesday night, our first ladies book study of the summer for Providence PC
Really, it was our first ladies study, ever.
I was excited about it, maybe a little nervous, too.  But I was encouraged and so thankful for each one who could be there.
We are reading through Loving the Way Jesus Loves by Phil Ryken.  He looks at 1 Corinthians 13, the "love chapter."  It's so often read at weddings, and yet it's meaning goes much deeper than just romantic love.  He says,

"The Love Chapter is not for lovers, primarily, but for all the loveless people in the church who think that their way of talking about God, or worshipping God, or serving God, or giving to God is better than everyone else's."

And my favorite quote from chapter 1:

"No one cares how much we know unless they also know how much we care."

Just the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 13 are enough to make me squirm if I really think about them.

Looking forward to digging in more and more this summer.

A Great Blessing

It is cold and windy and even a little white outside.
Perfect in my book.
The kids are all on the couch with popcorn and a Christmas movie.  I have plenty to do around the house- just the normal stuff plus wrap some presents.  For now, I'll sit with the kids and my coffee and the tree- and recount some of what I am thankful for this Christmas.
Last Sunday night we had an advent service at church.  We worshiped together and it was beautiful.

Can you see the worship team?  We are so blessed.  And of course there is Brian- the pastor (!!!) of this church plant.  I loved that six months ago we were not meeting yet and here we are having our first advent service.  For some reason it was a little surreal.

A few of the kids even sang.

I count this church plant as one of our greatest blessings this year.  For the church itself.  But also for the people.  Most weeks I leave somewhat overwhelmed and grateful at the many people who serve week in and week out, to set up chairs and the sound system- then take it all down again.   For those who teach Sunday school, who set up and serve in the nursery.  For people who sweep up and empty trash.  For those who stuff bulletins and welcome people in.  For those who plan and lead worship. For those who lead home groups and for those who go to them.  For those who bring food and coffee.  For those who encourage their pastor.  For those who meet during the week.  For every person that comes on Sunday morning.  For our mother church that sacrificed greatly. For the leadership.

 For those who pray.  

For the truth of the gospel that is held out to all every single week.

For Jesus- this is His work and He is faithful to grow us all and change us by His grace.

"To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen."

1 Timothy 1:17

We're in the Paper!

We're in the paper!  Well, we will be soon. 
Here's a link to an article (online for now) about the church plant, written by a friend from our "old" church.
Well done, Dawn!

http://blogs.roanoke.com/theburgs/community/2012/10/03/hometown-boy-leads-church-plant/

First PPC Service

Whew!
We had the first worship service for Providence PCA yesterday.  It was kind of hard to believe when we were setting up on Saturday night that it was really happening.  Neither of us (and a few other people I know of) slept much that night.  (I got up and watched the meteor shower- which was very, very cool.  I saw 10!)
There were around 120 adults and children at Sunday morning worship.  Who would have thought?
Friends-old and new.
Family.
Family friends.
New visitors.
It really was a great morning and a true privilege to see so many months of planning, talking, and praying come to fruition.  God has given this church gifted, willing servants.
We are truly blessed, humbled and thankful.
But... it's only the beginning- so keep on praying!

First week's bulletin- I stole this picture from you, Erica!

Someone was very clever- do you see the "church plant" tag?

Sunday school

Today is the Day!

Today's the day!

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a  people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9

One Hurdle

taken at the June wedding

What can I say?
My eyes are puffy and I have a headache.
Lots of tears this morning.
Lots.
It was our last Sunday at Grace Covenant.
But, I am grateful that there is a reason to be sad, that there is something to be missed, that there is a church we love so much.
And now we look forward to next Sunday.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you no perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rives in the desert."  Isaiah 43:19

A Little Off

There are parts of my day that I really don't want messed with.
Coffee in the morning, alone, while the house is still quiet.
Cereal (and plenty of it) in my chair at the table with the newspaper.
A little quiet time (30 minutes or so) in the afternoon, alone, to read or take a power nap.
And then the evening.  My favorite.  All the kids should be quiet and in their beds.
Then it's time for ice cream on the couch with Brian.  I look forward to that ALL day.
When one of these things is "off", I notice I am off.  Just a little.
(So tomorrow morning, when there is no coffee and no cereal (which there won't be), there could be reason to wave a warning flag where mom is concerned.)

Understanding a little about myself helps me understand a little more about my kids.
I asked Sammy one day what he was thinking about going to the "new church."
"Well, it's kind of frustrating."
"What's frustrating about it?"
"I don't know where my class is going to be or who my teacher is going to be."
Things are a little "off" for Sam and a whole lot of other kids.
In one way those are little things but in another, they're not.  They are big to Sam, and I would guess that the other kids coming along on this venture have their own thoughts and questions.
It's an opportunity for them to see that God provides for them, too.  That He answers their prayers and cares about the things that bother them.

So, I am remembering to pray for all these little ones (and not so little ones).
I'm waiting expectantly to see how God provides for them and grows their faith.

11 days

Wednesday Odds and Ends

It's almost time for the Olympics!   Can't wait for the opening ceremony- we're having homemade milkshakes and popcorn.  Our library stack includes books about the Olympics this week.  Also, a book for me called The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.  What a great title!  It was recommended at Amy's blog.  I thought it would have something to do with the south (because of the title) but no- it's a mystery set in 1950 in England.  So far so good!

In other news, Jack mowed (part) of the yard this week.  First time!

Sunday school materials came in for the church plant today!  Less than three weeks!

Isn't this cute?

Sammy and our new little friend Isaac doing a "fist bump."

Beans and Books

We just had a really nice rainstorm.  Things are clearing off now- probably pretty humid out.
I got another bowl full of green beans in from the garden.  Lucy likes to pick a few with me then just hold the bowl.  Fresh green beans cooking on the stove is one of my favorite smells.  Maybe another memory trip back to summers at the grandparents?

This weekend was a busy one.  The kids and I did some shopping for the church plant- crayons, scissors, a few baby toys, etc...  Brian and the older two cleaned his new office.  Two more Sundays left then we launch!  People are working so hard- pray for our group if you think about it!

Brian went to the Goodwill book store and found this:

1948!  The pages have that old book smell.  Think I'll read it again just because I have a "new" copy.

Firsts and Lasts

The firsts are mixing with the lasts.
Seems like a few more "lasts" are creeping up, as they must.
I realized Friday that Brian would preach his last sermon at GCPC today.
A last.
My heart was a little heavy but encouraged at the same time- a first is around the corner- his first of many at Providence PCA.
We are gearing up for Summer Bible Camp this week.
Another last.
Last night, though, we had a "first"- ice cream and yard games with the core group.  That was a lot of fun.  Great people to spend a few hours eating ice cream and watermelon with.

We're still excited.
Still laboring hard.
Not looking forward to saying good-bye.
Eagerly anticipating a launch come August 12.
Seems like I have been led to this often lately:

"Let your work be shown to your servants,

and your glorious power to their children.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be 

upon us,

and establish the work of our hands

upon us;

yes, establish the work of our hands!"

Psalm 90:16-17

Two Months to Go

There has been more than one reminder that today, we are two months away from the first Sunday service of Providence Presbyterian.
Not that I needed a reminder.  Things are getting busy.  There are beginning to be the "lasts..."
People ask me all the time how I'm feeling about the church plant.  While I don't want to take them on a rabbit trail to answer the question, the trail seems appropriate because it reminds me of God's faithfulness. It's good to remember what He's done because it reminds us of who He is.

I think it was the summer of 2004 when Brian and I started talking about going to seminary.  Through different means, God seemed to be leading us in this direction.  Jack was three, Kayla was a year and a half old.  We really liked where we lived.  We really liked our church.  It was not easy to think about moving to a big city- further from our families, further from friends to a place where we didn't know anyone.
Eventually, we sold our house (in just 3 days), packed up, said good-bye.
I cried.  A lot.
The first year was not easy.  But we always could look back and remind each other that we believed God had paved the way.  We trusted, obeyed, and stayed (sometimes I really wanted to leave!).
He gave us good, faithful friends.
We found a new church, had our second miscarriage, explored a new city, began homeschooling.
Sammy was born!
We saw God provide financially over and over, said good-bye to new friends, learned more about ourselves, persevered when we (I) wanted to quit, grew as a family, and I could go on.
**Not to mention, what a gift to see your husband study and learn and be in his element- to be able to do what God has gifted him to do.**
As I look back, it is easy to see God's care and blessing.
He provided in every way, all the way.
So now, there are times when I have a pit in my stomach (what are we doing???) and times when I am ready to jump in with both feet yesterday!
I don't know what tomorrow holds, or next year.
But I am convinced that God will provide yet again.
That is what He does.

"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:24

A Few Things

Well, no nephew yet.  We'll all be excited when he gets around to making his debut.
Twice now I have pulled out the same dress for Lucy to wear to church and realized it is missing a button for the strap.  This morning, Kayla offered to sew it on.  How sweet was that?  The button is back in place and Lucy wore her dress.
It's a good thing I didn't go ahead and put away those winter coats like I was thinking about doing Friday.    We're in for a cold snap tomorrow.  39 degrees.  Rain and snow and wind.  Sounds like a good day to hibernate with something warm to drink.
Last night we got together with some members of the core group for the church plant.  All together, we have about 40 adults and twenty-some kids.  A few of us read and talked through the mission/vision statement for the church.  I wondered what that discussion would be like.  It was a good one.  To see the many ways God has provided already and paved the way for this church is humbling.  It is His work.  Church planting would never have been on my radar but it is exciting.   I think we have a wonderfully gifted group of people.  I am thankful for them.  

Here are a few of the little ones coming to Providence PCA.

I just noticed little Q is helping himself to Lucy's spaghetti.  

Providence Open House

"I think the name fits the church."
I can't remember who said this today but we were talking about all the ways God has already provided for this church plant.  There is good reason to be overwhelmed at His goodness.  His provision and His plan are perfect- we need only to follow.

The turn-out for the open house was better than I had expected.  It was a good chance for us all to see the facility (a private school) we will meet in.  When we were really in the thick of things, I didn't have time to take pictures.  But, I did get a few before and after the rush.

Here are some dear, dear people.

Of course we had snacks. 

There's even a gym!  

You might not have one of these in your hand but if you think of us, pray for us.

Debrief

We are home from assessment and glad to be!
Our kids did great with mom and dad all week.  Maybe I should say mom and dad did great with the kids!  They deserve a shout out- thanks guys!!
We spent a lot of time in "debrief" sessions during the week.
For most of the things we did, there was a debrief session afterward.
I feel like a need a good long debrief from it all now that we are home.  That will probably take a while.
But what I know for sure is:
*my nerves have had a chance to settle down!
*we learned a lot about ourselves and each other
*I really like my husband- even more than before!!
*we learned a lot about the church planting process
*we met a lot of neat people that I hope we can keep up with
*the week was good time away for the two of us
*God was faithful and showed us His kindness over and over again.

Fear and Trembling

Assessment Center.
Church planting.
These words struck fear in me when we were in seminary.  I was thankful that we didn't have to go to the center (it is what it says- a place to be assessed personally in every way), thankful that other people wanted to be church planters.  I was in awe of them to a certain extent.
Haha.
Where are we?  The Assessment Center.
What might we do soon?  Church plant.
I cannot remember a time in my life when I have felt so much fear and trembling:
more nervous lightening bolts shoot through my body and my heart pounding so often over a couple of days.  I don't think my poor nerves can take much more!  :)
I have felt nervous, uncertain, fearful, unsure.
And I can honestly say that God's loving kindness to me has been so evident through it all.
No need to be afraid.
Is there ever?
He's using these few days and these people here as true instruments of His grace to us.
We have been encouraged, challenged, and drawn out of our comfort zones.
We have heard stories of His grace.
We have met some dear people, all of us different, all of us seeking His will.
We have learned a lot about ourselves and each other.
We are not done and I can pretty much count on my nerves being shot again, at least one more time.
Ugh.  :)
But... that's OK.
He is good.  He is faithful.  And He writes the story.

 Hi...lar...i..ous.

Just for comic relief.