HA!
Yesterday, some friends called to tell us that they had extra tickets to the Creighton University basketball game. We all loaded up last night to take the boys to the game. We had a blast at the game and then left to walk back to the van. In case you haven't noticed the weather out here, it has gotten cold. It was 17 when we left the game with a pretty steady wind of 10-20 mph. Here we are walking across the parking lot to the van. The open parking lot had nothing to break the wind and it was hitting us right in the face. It was rather cold.
We were all bundled up with our coats and toboggans. J'line was carrying L and he had his head buried in her coat. I was holding J and A's hands as we walked. We hadn't gotten far when the yelling started. J is screaming "AHHHHH, my brain is freezing! My face hurts!" over and over. On the other hand, A is screaming "I'm cold. I'm cold. I wish we had never moved up here in the first place! I wish we had never left Florida!"
Sigh. I'm sure it was a funny picture.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
11/27/2006 UPDATE
We had a whirlwind week last week. My parents, my sister, and my two neices were here. We also had a prayer team from Goobertown, Arkansas (I'm not being mean, that was the name of their community). We went to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a mission downtown on Thursday night. J had her traditional Black Friday shopping trip. AND we got a contract on a house.
Despite being overloaded (which I think is just a foretaste of what the summer will be like), the week went great. My family got to see O (and decide that it was too cold). We got to see my two neices - one for the first time ever and the other for the first time in a couple of years.
The prayer team from Arkansas was great. I have the target area narrowed down to 7 square mile blocks. They prayed through all of the neighborhoods. We had a couple of contacts surface - at church, one family found out where we were focusing and asked us to pray for their daughter and husband who live there but don't go to church. Another lady from our association was helping and said she has extended family in the area who don't go to church. They did a great job of laying a prayer foundation for the area. Many of them will be coming back in June and September to follow up with other ministries in the area (Block parties, Backyard Bible clubs, etc.) It is humbling to see people give up time and money to help in the ministry God has called you to. Thanks to them and all of you who are helping as well.
One prayer that was answered is that we found a house. It has been difficult finding something because most of the neighborhoods are new, so you can't find an older house that is cheaper or a fixer-upper. We finally found a house that is 13 years old, is right in the target area, is in a neighborhood that is crawling with children, has plenty of room for an office for me, and has a basement that is almost completely finished (mainly needs a bathroom) for my mother in law to move up. We are set to close on Jan 5, so pray for us as we jump through all the hoops. (The address is 16820 L Cir, Omaha, NE 68135 if you want to look it up on Google, Tommy. Check out all the houses around.)
Also, on Thursday, we'll be meeting with a family who read our story in the associational newsletter and called to express an interest in helping. Pray for God's leadership.
PRAISES:
We've had several contacts from churches and people interested in helping.
We've been given several contacts in the area.
The house.
The prayer team's work.
PRAYERS:
That the closing on the house will go through if this is where God wants us to set up an outpost.
Pray for various contacts we've had, specifically for opportunities to share the Gospel and God to draw them to salvation:
Valerie, Brad and Mandy, Kent and Kim, Shawn and Sara, Lindsey.
God to give a clear calling to those who are supposed to help.
God to raise up a core group.
We had a whirlwind week last week. My parents, my sister, and my two neices were here. We also had a prayer team from Goobertown, Arkansas (I'm not being mean, that was the name of their community). We went to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a mission downtown on Thursday night. J had her traditional Black Friday shopping trip. AND we got a contract on a house.
Despite being overloaded (which I think is just a foretaste of what the summer will be like), the week went great. My family got to see O (and decide that it was too cold). We got to see my two neices - one for the first time ever and the other for the first time in a couple of years.
The prayer team from Arkansas was great. I have the target area narrowed down to 7 square mile blocks. They prayed through all of the neighborhoods. We had a couple of contacts surface - at church, one family found out where we were focusing and asked us to pray for their daughter and husband who live there but don't go to church. Another lady from our association was helping and said she has extended family in the area who don't go to church. They did a great job of laying a prayer foundation for the area. Many of them will be coming back in June and September to follow up with other ministries in the area (Block parties, Backyard Bible clubs, etc.) It is humbling to see people give up time and money to help in the ministry God has called you to. Thanks to them and all of you who are helping as well.
One prayer that was answered is that we found a house. It has been difficult finding something because most of the neighborhoods are new, so you can't find an older house that is cheaper or a fixer-upper. We finally found a house that is 13 years old, is right in the target area, is in a neighborhood that is crawling with children, has plenty of room for an office for me, and has a basement that is almost completely finished (mainly needs a bathroom) for my mother in law to move up. We are set to close on Jan 5, so pray for us as we jump through all the hoops. (The address is 16820 L Cir, Omaha, NE 68135 if you want to look it up on Google, Tommy. Check out all the houses around.)
Also, on Thursday, we'll be meeting with a family who read our story in the associational newsletter and called to express an interest in helping. Pray for God's leadership.
PRAISES:
We've had several contacts from churches and people interested in helping.
We've been given several contacts in the area.
The house.
The prayer team's work.
PRAYERS:
That the closing on the house will go through if this is where God wants us to set up an outpost.
Pray for various contacts we've had, specifically for opportunities to share the Gospel and God to draw them to salvation:
Valerie, Brad and Mandy, Kent and Kim, Shawn and Sara, Lindsey.
God to give a clear calling to those who are supposed to help.
God to raise up a core group.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
11/20/06 UPDATE
This week the update will be brief. Things are really busy around here.
A group of 13 people showed up from the Jonesboro, Arkansas area to prayerwalk. We were at the target area yesterday and will be going back out today. They are laying some very important groundwork which will be followed up by surveying and ministry teams in the spring and summer.
We put a bid on a house yesterday. It seems to fit all the criteria. Pray that things will work out if this is the one we are to purchase. Pray also that God will give us that neighborhood.
Also pray for valerie. She's J's trainer at the gym and they are having some good spiritual conversations.
Also pray that the remainder of the week with my family will be enjoyable. We've been having a great time so far, even though I have been busy. They'll be flying home on Friday.
Thanks for the prayers - they move heaven and earth.
This week the update will be brief. Things are really busy around here.
A group of 13 people showed up from the Jonesboro, Arkansas area to prayerwalk. We were at the target area yesterday and will be going back out today. They are laying some very important groundwork which will be followed up by surveying and ministry teams in the spring and summer.
We put a bid on a house yesterday. It seems to fit all the criteria. Pray that things will work out if this is the one we are to purchase. Pray also that God will give us that neighborhood.
Also pray for valerie. She's J's trainer at the gym and they are having some good spiritual conversations.
Also pray that the remainder of the week with my family will be enjoyable. We've been having a great time so far, even though I have been busy. They'll be flying home on Friday.
Thanks for the prayers - they move heaven and earth.
Monday, November 13, 2006
11/12/06 UPDATE
Whew! What a day! I guess I've been getting used to going to church with no responsibilities. I got up and went to Grace Fellowship Church yesterday about 8:30, preached at 9 and 11, went to lunch with the pastor, then went to look at houses. When we got back home (for the first time since I left at 8:30), i was sitting in the recliner while J got dinner ready and fell dead asleep. The boys are screaming and running through the house (literally) and i didn't even budge. I was only out for a few minutes, but when I got up they were all at the table eating supper. It was fairly amusing. I know it may not sound that exhausting to you, but there's something about preaching that just takes it out of you. I know it sounds really weird, but its true, so remember that and pray for your pastor. I know I often don't want to say anything about it because you feel silly telling people who do manual labor all week that you're bushed because of 30 minutes talking. It's more than talking though, it is engaging in a spiritual battle and I think almost every pastor feels that way. As another tidbit of insight, Monday are usually a "hangover" day, so it may not be the best time to drop a bomb on your pastor. Just a little free insight. Thank me later:) I don't know how the pastor of Grace Fellowship does it. He leads worship AND preaches for two services. yikes.
Most of my week was taken up by preparing to preach and preparing for the prayer walking team that will come up on Saturday through Wednesday. For those who aren't familiar, prayer walking is where groups of 2 or 3 people walk through a neighborhood and pray for the people who live there as they walk. They are praying for many of the same things that you are, persons of peace, people to be part of the church, God to open their eyes to their need for salvation/draw people to himself, etc. It is really a neat practice - as you walk, you see things that will spur a thought to pray about, for example, you see a park and are led to pray for all the children who will play there, their parents, etc. We'll give out guides that will include suggestions for prayer, Scriptures, etc. This week I'll be finishing up those brochures and maps of the area.
Yesterday, we looked at a house that is on the south of the "target area." It is on a hill and overlooks the area. It was amazing, because there was nothing visible but house after house. In the middle of it all is one white steeple. This steeple is found on a beautiful, new, red brick building that looks just like any church down south. The problem is, the sign out from says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To make it even more sad, their only competition in the area is maybe 7 churches, most of which are not evangelical and small. I don't want to paint the situation in Omaha as too bleak, because there is a significant Christian presence, but most of it is from megachurches or churches that aren't in this area. Where we are focusing is brand new development and there is little of anything besides houses - businesses, churches or anything.
Keep praying for us - there is a great work to be done and we aren't sufficient to get it done ourselves. It is God's work and you participate by lifting us up in prayer. Although there aren't a lot of "concrete" answers at the moment, God is working. I keep hearing of people who are interested in what's going on and deciding how (or if) to participate. For example, last week the secretary at the association asked if a man had called me. He had called the office to get my contact information and said he and his wife "weren't sure what they were going to do." Yesterday, we had a lady get our number because her daughter and her fiance were looking for a church to get involved in. Jeff and Kelly Cunningham (the young couple from the community group I led) drove up to hear me preach. There are many leads of a variety of levels of interest. Pray that God will draw together those he wants involved in this mission and let them know of that "calling." Also, pray that we will have wisdom in making decisions, pulling together the team, etc.
Thursday my parents, sister and neices arrive for a week. The boys are really excited to see them. The prayer team will be here the same time, so pray that I'll have the energy and time for both of them.
Whew! What a day! I guess I've been getting used to going to church with no responsibilities. I got up and went to Grace Fellowship Church yesterday about 8:30, preached at 9 and 11, went to lunch with the pastor, then went to look at houses. When we got back home (for the first time since I left at 8:30), i was sitting in the recliner while J got dinner ready and fell dead asleep. The boys are screaming and running through the house (literally) and i didn't even budge. I was only out for a few minutes, but when I got up they were all at the table eating supper. It was fairly amusing. I know it may not sound that exhausting to you, but there's something about preaching that just takes it out of you. I know it sounds really weird, but its true, so remember that and pray for your pastor. I know I often don't want to say anything about it because you feel silly telling people who do manual labor all week that you're bushed because of 30 minutes talking. It's more than talking though, it is engaging in a spiritual battle and I think almost every pastor feels that way. As another tidbit of insight, Monday are usually a "hangover" day, so it may not be the best time to drop a bomb on your pastor. Just a little free insight. Thank me later:) I don't know how the pastor of Grace Fellowship does it. He leads worship AND preaches for two services. yikes.
Most of my week was taken up by preparing to preach and preparing for the prayer walking team that will come up on Saturday through Wednesday. For those who aren't familiar, prayer walking is where groups of 2 or 3 people walk through a neighborhood and pray for the people who live there as they walk. They are praying for many of the same things that you are, persons of peace, people to be part of the church, God to open their eyes to their need for salvation/draw people to himself, etc. It is really a neat practice - as you walk, you see things that will spur a thought to pray about, for example, you see a park and are led to pray for all the children who will play there, their parents, etc. We'll give out guides that will include suggestions for prayer, Scriptures, etc. This week I'll be finishing up those brochures and maps of the area.
Yesterday, we looked at a house that is on the south of the "target area." It is on a hill and overlooks the area. It was amazing, because there was nothing visible but house after house. In the middle of it all is one white steeple. This steeple is found on a beautiful, new, red brick building that looks just like any church down south. The problem is, the sign out from says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To make it even more sad, their only competition in the area is maybe 7 churches, most of which are not evangelical and small. I don't want to paint the situation in Omaha as too bleak, because there is a significant Christian presence, but most of it is from megachurches or churches that aren't in this area. Where we are focusing is brand new development and there is little of anything besides houses - businesses, churches or anything.
Keep praying for us - there is a great work to be done and we aren't sufficient to get it done ourselves. It is God's work and you participate by lifting us up in prayer. Although there aren't a lot of "concrete" answers at the moment, God is working. I keep hearing of people who are interested in what's going on and deciding how (or if) to participate. For example, last week the secretary at the association asked if a man had called me. He had called the office to get my contact information and said he and his wife "weren't sure what they were going to do." Yesterday, we had a lady get our number because her daughter and her fiance were looking for a church to get involved in. Jeff and Kelly Cunningham (the young couple from the community group I led) drove up to hear me preach. There are many leads of a variety of levels of interest. Pray that God will draw together those he wants involved in this mission and let them know of that "calling." Also, pray that we will have wisdom in making decisions, pulling together the team, etc.
Thursday my parents, sister and neices arrive for a week. The boys are really excited to see them. The prayer team will be here the same time, so pray that I'll have the energy and time for both of them.
Monday, November 06, 2006
UPDATE 11/06/06
Remember the pretty tree from last week? Well, now its in about a dozen 30 gallon bags and 4 garbage cans. i can barely bend over with a sore back . . . oh yeah, and this morning? you can't even tell we raked. This is the third time we've raked this year. People up here maintain their yards the way most people maintain their living room floors. Funny how quickly your perspective changes!
Work-wise, I spent last week working on the proposal and preparing for the prayer-walking team that arrives on the 18th. I really want to have a specific idea of what is located in each neighborhood. The more specifics I can give the pray-ers the better they can pray. Since the area is growing so quickly, you can't find any updated maps, so I'm having to "fix" them. It's a lot of work, but I believe it will be well worth it. Time spent in prayer is far more effective than time spent doing anything else. It multiplies effort in other ways and at other times.
On Friday I took a diversion. Several pastors were going pheasant hunting. As a precaution, deacons weren't allowed :) I've never been before, so I borrowed a gun and went too. It was fun even though I didn't get anything. We saw some pretty country, had fun watching the dog work, had some great fellowship, and got a pretty good workout. It was easy to see that these pastors are good pastors because they haven't had the time to practice shooting!
Saturday I took the boys to church to work on pinewood derby race cars. They had a blast getting them ready. I kind of enjoyed it myself.
Sunday we went to Heartland and then the boys and J went home. L was sick. I went to Grace Fellowship - another church in town. I'll be preaching there on Sunday at 9 and 11 so please pray for me. It will be fun to be "back in the saddle" again.
Things are largely in an "incubation" stage here. We're continuing to pursue leads and wait for God to open doors. Pray especially for several contacts that we've made and are continuing to build relationships with. Pray especially for God to open a door for the gospel and that I will proclaim it boldly and clearly as I should. We are really looking for a chance to get to know our neighbors better. We've spent a lot of time hanging out at the fence and are trying to find some other things to do.
Also, pray for us as we look for a house. I don't think there are really any "deals" out there when buying a house or a car, so just pray that we'll make the right choice. The bigger issue for me is that we will find a productive location for the work of the gospel and establishing the church. All the "options" are side issues to me (but not so much for J!). Pray that we'll find the right spot (with options that make J happy and will be fruitful and productive for the work).
Thanks for praying! It moves heaven and earth!
Remember the pretty tree from last week? Well, now its in about a dozen 30 gallon bags and 4 garbage cans. i can barely bend over with a sore back . . . oh yeah, and this morning? you can't even tell we raked. This is the third time we've raked this year. People up here maintain their yards the way most people maintain their living room floors. Funny how quickly your perspective changes!
Work-wise, I spent last week working on the proposal and preparing for the prayer-walking team that arrives on the 18th. I really want to have a specific idea of what is located in each neighborhood. The more specifics I can give the pray-ers the better they can pray. Since the area is growing so quickly, you can't find any updated maps, so I'm having to "fix" them. It's a lot of work, but I believe it will be well worth it. Time spent in prayer is far more effective than time spent doing anything else. It multiplies effort in other ways and at other times.
On Friday I took a diversion. Several pastors were going pheasant hunting. As a precaution, deacons weren't allowed :) I've never been before, so I borrowed a gun and went too. It was fun even though I didn't get anything. We saw some pretty country, had fun watching the dog work, had some great fellowship, and got a pretty good workout. It was easy to see that these pastors are good pastors because they haven't had the time to practice shooting!
Saturday I took the boys to church to work on pinewood derby race cars. They had a blast getting them ready. I kind of enjoyed it myself.
Sunday we went to Heartland and then the boys and J went home. L was sick. I went to Grace Fellowship - another church in town. I'll be preaching there on Sunday at 9 and 11 so please pray for me. It will be fun to be "back in the saddle" again.
Things are largely in an "incubation" stage here. We're continuing to pursue leads and wait for God to open doors. Pray especially for several contacts that we've made and are continuing to build relationships with. Pray especially for God to open a door for the gospel and that I will proclaim it boldly and clearly as I should. We are really looking for a chance to get to know our neighbors better. We've spent a lot of time hanging out at the fence and are trying to find some other things to do.
Also, pray for us as we look for a house. I don't think there are really any "deals" out there when buying a house or a car, so just pray that we'll make the right choice. The bigger issue for me is that we will find a productive location for the work of the gospel and establishing the church. All the "options" are side issues to me (but not so much for J!). Pray that we'll find the right spot (with options that make J happy and will be fruitful and productive for the work).
Thanks for praying! It moves heaven and earth!
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