Our friend, Bob Roberts, got a cover story in Church Executive Magazine. Click on "Bob Roberts Jr. . ." to read.
Click Here to Read
Link to Church Executive Magazine
Our friend, Bob Roberts, got a cover story in Church Executive Magazine. Click on "Bob Roberts Jr. . ." to read.
Click Here to Read
Venture Vietnam
Kevin and the team left early this morning. They will be gone from April 9 -18. Below are a few videos to give you a little taste of where they will be. Please keep them in your prayers. It's going to be a really fun trip. I'll be going back this summer.Motorbike Traffic in Vietnam
Bac Ha Sunday Market
Bringing Tears to my Eyes
It all starts with a lump in your throat. You feel it coming. Your heart beats faster. You look around to see if anyone notices the awkwardness that is beginning to come over your face as your eyes begin to water. It's not a sad feeling. It's one of those feelings that comes out of nowhere. It's a mix of warm fuzzies, uncontrollable tears and peace. Have you ever felt that way?The last few days have brought quite a few of those moments. And I am blessed because of them.
Kevin went camping last weekend at the Great Sand Dunes (near Westcliffe). Just the mention of where he was going brought back so many memories of my summer in Westcliffe, CO, as a junior in college. I remember requesting Colorado as the state where I might be a summer missionary just because it sounded like a fun place to go. My summer was miserable. Yet 6 years later, that negative feeling about my summer had somehow changed in my heart to an unexplainable fondness for the state of Colorado. And in searching for a place to plant Cool River, God led me to convince Kevin to come and check it out. Today, as I think back with tears in my eyes, we have now been here for almost 5 years and there is absolutely no better fit for Kevin and I than this place. . .all those years ago. . .only God knew. . .
Easter at Cool River. . . Ben and Ashley, Chuck and Grace, all of those that God has brought our way in the journey.
Almost ten years ago Ashley was a sophomore in high school. I was a newlywed. She helped me to lead a middle school girls small group in Texas where she was in the youth group and Kevin was the youth pastor. Ben was a senior. All I knew about him was that he was a unique guy - different from so many. And he was a gymnast. That's all. . . Sunday Ben and Ashley stood on stage at Cool River as he sang on the worship team and Ashley led Cool River in worship like our church has never experienced before. Now Ben is the youth pastor. . . all those years ago. . .only God knew. . .
Next to Ben and Ashley were Grace and Chuck. Grace sang and Chuck played drums. About seven years ago Kevin and I sat in the same church in Texas and led a small group for young married couples. Grace and Chuck were one of our first couples. When we decided to move to Colorado we asked them to come with us. They said "no. . . " They have been with us at Cool River now for about 3 years. They have played a key role in making Cool River what it is today. . . all those years ago. . .only God knew. . .
Kevin walked out the door this morning at 4am. He is on his way to Vietnam once again. Nine years ago, as newlyweds, Kevin and I took about 40 kids to youth camp. The very next day we boarded an airplane with Northwood's first ever trip to Vietnam. We were only there for 3 days. Then we went on to Malaysia. Kevin and I were exhausted. We didn't even want to go. It was his job to be there. . .today we love Vietnam as if it were our second home. We have friends there. We visit every year. Cool River is now serving there alongside Northwood. In the future it only looks as if we will be there more and more. . .all those years ago. . .only God knew. . .
Tonight I sat in our basement watching Charlotte's Web with the girls. When Charlotte died, Claire wept. She uncontrollably wept. She felt the pain. She understood what was happening. I see in her a very special spirit that cares deeply and understands emotion beyond her five years. And her tears made mine flow as well. Tonight I wonder, what will I be writing some day about Claire? What is it that only God knows about her life? Will she be a great humanitarian? Will she care for those who are hurting? Will she stand up for the unjust? What path is God going to lead her down? And will I do the right things as a parent to teach her well about life and integrity and caring for each other?
Day after day after day often seems so monotonous. We get up and do life over and over again with often little thought as to how God is using our days to weave together a beautiful story. Has my life just happened by chance? No way. It has happened and is continuing to happen by design. . .the design of the greatest story creator of all time. And there are so many more pages to unfold and tears to shed. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)