2009 - Growing

Its been hands down one of the craziest years for our family and our ministry!...and I mean that in a good way!

I am sitting at the 3^rd coffee shop in the 3rd state in 3 years that represents “home” for me. First it was the Starbucks on Gilbert rd in Mesa, Az, then Aspen Coffee (the best) on Main st in Stillwater, Ok. and now the Arlington Starbucks by my house.

It started at Aspen Coffee in Stillwater where Ryan and I were on a ‘date’ that would set the tone for big change. We began planning and dreaming of what we wanted life to look like and what we believed God wanted life to look like in 5 years. Long story short, on December 31^st 2008, we left the church I was working and she was serving in and moved closer to family in Edmond, OK: I got a good job from a great friend and we paid off some debt. Leaving vocational ministry WAS NOT EASY but we felt it was right! But only 2 months later, we were completely discontent and frustrated; and had even been teased with another opportunity at a great church by an interview that fell in my lap. It didn’t work out. Frustrated further! This began praying and fasting for what the heck we were supposed to do! Did I miss it to leave Stillwater? Are we being weak by considering other positions? We couldn’t tell. God doesn’t speak very clearly to me. It takes time and trusting that what im feeling and thinking is His Spirit’s influence.

So we coasted and finally felt the urge to look for another ministry opportunity to serve and lead like we KNEW we are wired to do! The one resume and the one pastor ‘head-hunter’ we spoke with led us to one Church. A Church that we might not have guessed. Pantego Bible Church in Fort Worth/Arlington, TX and we got acquainted for about 2 months and through a series of interviews and experiences, we were convinced that this would be a great place to grow and began seeing God’s hand in the entire process.

We moved to Arlington, TX and bought a beautiful house where we believe God has brought us to grow in our ministry and as a family for a long while! (While house hunting I actually got a fortune cookie message saying I would buy a house within the next year – the more I think about it, that was probably a political conspiracy that Obama influenced heavily) We are about 30 minutes away from good friends weve known since highschool, Jared and mischalla – and they are pregnant with their first! We live near Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, the Ballpark at Arlington home of the Ranger and the new Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium. We love Downtown FTW and the zoo here is GREAT (they’ve been a few times already…8)!

In April, Lil-E (our rescued black-lab and ?? mix) joined the family as Graham’s Birthday present. She has grown beautifully with the rest of us in our new home! Graham (G) who is growing into the smartest, most soft-spirited little boy in the world has started going to school pre-school at Holy Cross Lutheran (they wear robes and chant and repeat lots of stuff during their services. I know because we had to sit thru a service when the kids had a “play” that lasted 4.5 minutes and they same 2 Christmas songs! Can you say bait and switch?) He loves school and is good friends with Hanna Clair and plays dogs and kittens with the girls and power rangers with the guys. He is getting really good at letter and starting the reading process along with the numbers except he always forgets the number 15 (must have missed that day on Sesame Street). He loved Toy Story, Handy Manny and Imagination Movers. He played YMCA T-ball and we made some amazing connections with the team and the parents (Talton Russell and Marty Collier) – great season and I was an asst Coach but you wouldn’t know it because I missed picture day…bummer! He fell it love with Jack in the box too. G, while he loves people, is continuing to shape up to be our more introverted, sharp, observant very talented kid! I pray God protects his mind and reveals Himself to G in a real way early as he is wired to analyze and critique. Graham is confidant and ive never been more excited to see him grow into a boy! I can see god using G in ways other may be intimidated by!

Cooper (Coop) is just a chaotic stubborn little angel! He is proving to be a match for G’s smarts…maybe not quite, but he does pack more of a punch than his big brother. We tore down the crib and made the adjustments for his big-boy bed – he just needs some milk and his sound machine (humidifier that he turns off himself every morning) and he falls asleep fine…but he will likely wake up in the night! This is when I sleep like a rock or pretend to…J/K Ry. His hair makes every man and woman jealous and he is just a beautiful little boy. There is something special about getting Coop alone, he is a blast and does not stop! He will likely be our more extroverted athlete type. Time will tell. I pray that God protects his heart as he is more emotional. I am excited to see how he searches and sees God. I predict it will be unique like his mom – there is such a beauty in that tender, vulnerable confidence in who God is to her.

Ryan has been busy mothering our kids, managing our home, and serving like always with me in our student ministry as our worship leader among other things! Ryan is part of weekly discipleship and bible study groups and is just 20 minutes away from bridesmaid and college roommate, Dawn. She got a piano for her birthday along with a fun surprise dinner with some friends. She has embarked on the adventure and challenge of scripture memorization and is (expected) a pro at it – and she has a great teacher! We are currently beginning to plan and pray about what life looks like with the boys in school and excited about the opportunity she will have to serve more, contribute to a company and provide another income. Life is changing and is very BIG for her and she is doing amazing and growing from each new challenge – I am so proud of what she’s done and WHO she is! She is more than ever my best friend and I am blown away to do life with her and serve HER! She silently grows deeper and deeper as a woman of God and I am continually inspired by her. It makes me think theres is something of God that I haven’t seen and makes me want to discover Him more. She’s beautiful and very pretty! Hot – even!

I have had more questions this year than ever and wouldn’t change it for the world. I am committed that every uncertainty drive me further into Him and for the times ive trusted well, He has certainly not failed – as though He could. I was stretched more than I expected as a salesman for 6 months and felt more uncertainty; frustration and fear than I thought He would ever allow me to feel. Romans 8:28 has been so true this year and I have seen Him change how I feel and think about so much this year. I love my job and the position I am in to lead and staff and team of volunteers to lead and love students into His story. I have great leaders in front of me – smart men that have truly been changed by God and truly live sacrificially to see Him glorified. I am more hopeful of our ministry to students than anywhere I’ve been and look forward to growing roots into this community as we delve into the lives of students and families here!

We still have questions and life is not perfect but we are settled. We are still. We have been planted in a place to grow and change. That’s nice for once.