Everyday Church by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis

It has been a little while since I read this book, but if I remember correctly it was pretty good. A couple of the early chapters I struggled with because of style and some tediousness. The rest was very practical and gave general vision for how the church can begin to work together to follow the Acts model of the Body. We read this book for school of missions and it is highly recommended.

I would give it 4.5 stars.

Women's Prayer

Today several women from Sojourn gathered to pray for our workers and the world. This time was such a blessing as we shared each others lives and things from the lives of those serving our God in the world. Not only did we pray for our workers but we prayed for Asia as we know the Holy Spirit is moving there. It was a pleasure to have one of our workers from Asia with us as well as a worker who is preparing to go and a Sojourn member who is from an Asian country.
If you are a woman at Sojourn let me encourage you to be a part of these meetings. Even if you do not know the workers, it means so much to them to know that we are lifting them up monthly together. God moves when His people pray!

A Different Sort of Good-Bye

So at this time it is not yet good-bye, but the good-byes are starting. We have been in community with 4 wonderful families the past 9 months or so and knew when it started that this time would come. All of us have a heart for the nations and it is fast approaching the time for all of them to move to the next phase God has planned for them. We met Sunday night to discuss these things and it was so bittersweet. These women have become prayer partners, friends, sisters and I love them as my own family. It is difficult to get to know people for a little while and then it be time to say an earthly good-bye. I am so excited and proud of these families as they follow God's call on their lives. Knowing that no matter what happens next here on this earth we will be reunited around God's throne one day helps tremendously. Though I am not a huge technology buff, when they are gone I know that because of the technology we will be able to "see" them and talk to them no matter how far they are. I pray that God continues to grow my heart for them and their work as we support them on this side. I pray "Lord, please help me not to forget" as in our culture it is so easy to be "out of sight out of mind". Guard me from this and let me remember them everyday.
As I said, it is still not an actual good-bye yet. For 3 of them a couple more months remain, but 1 family will be going on the next phase in about a month. It's so bittersweet but a wonderful time of learning how important following God really is. It is a testimony to all around us that Jesus is more important than anything in this world.

Church & Unpacking

Great day today. We all went to Sojourn this morning. What a wonderful time of worshiping our Lord. We had lunch at Red Lobster, which is always delicious. We enjoyed our last few minutes with Anna and Winston as they had to head back to Atlanta today. They have been such a great help to us as we have moved into our apartment here and leading up to this day. We are so grateful that they were able to take some vacation time to come with us on this part of the adventure.

I am thankful for Sabbaths. We have worked on a few things here and there but have mostly been able to rest this afternoon. We will have to work on several things this week but it will be good as we get settled. I am thankful that I have most of the things I need and want close to the apartment. Great stuff.

Day2

Another Week

Wow! Has this past week flown by. How is it that when Jim has a week off of work the time just seems to zoom? With another week down it is another week closer to our big move. It is getting exciting, especially as I hear of friends at church preparing time and getting others involved in helping us with our move. It reminds me of how great it is to be a part of the body of Christ. We all have a part to play. We all have gifts and talents that need to be shared. We are all apart of each others lives no matter what we are doing, where we are, what church we attend or Sunday School class we're in. We are all connected by the Saving Grace given to us through Christ's blood. How grateful I am for this.

This week has been fun and tiring. We got to spend last weekend with Jon (Jim's brother) who is such a delight. Not knowing if we will get to see him again is difficult, but it just spurs the prayers for the whole family that much more.

It was also great to see Brit and Kyle and eat lunch with the Mayers, McMurrays, Wisenauts and Papaw Jones. These times I will miss but will be even better in the future as they will be less frequent.

Monday the family went bowling (yay for Groupons!). But I did terrible! :( I still am regaining my strength from the pregnancy. I would say I forgot how long it takes to get back, but I never got it back the last time. :)

Jim only has 4 night shifts left at Northside. This is so crazy. We need prayers for a job in Louisville as it really needs to be part time. We have found a couple possibilities. Just waiting to see where God leads.

2 weeks 6 days

Last Night of Choir

Though I am a couple days late, my last night of choir practice was quite surreal. I have sung in choir at church since I was 3 years old. Mr. Wallace pointed this out on Wednesday and it really just blew my mind. 23 years of singing in a church choir. How amazing is that? I love to sing as a form of worship to my Lord and though I will never quit singing, it will be strange no longer singing as a leader of worship. My choir family had a special time of prayer for my family and me as we move on to this next stage of our lives. It was a beautiful time and truly encouraged me knowing that people at home will be praying for us and supporting us from afar. I still have 4 more Sundays to help lead worship and I am thankful for that as it is close to my heart. I will cherish these moments and hold tight to the memories.

4 weeks until we are in Louisville.