Surprise, surprise! I'm writing another blog already! I know, you are shocked! But, I'm lying here waiting for my pain medicine to kick in and I thought, "why not".
It's not going to be a long writing...at least I don't think it's going to be. I just thought I would share I few prayer requests with you.
I have trouble asking for the 1st one, because I'm not good at sharing personal areas about myself, but here goes.
I now have my second kidney stone in one week. I was taken to the ER last Monday because I was in such severe pain. The CAT scan showed that I had a kidney stone and was given pain medicine and sent home. By Thursday I was feeling a little better and then Friday I was fine. Tuesday night Jake and I were at a evangelism conference when I suddenly was in so much pain we had to leave. I asked him to take me to the hospital (something I usually don't do, I'm usually the one saying "Just take me home and give me some pain meds, it will pass"). This pain was 2ce as bad as the pain last week. Labor didn't hold a candle to this pain! It turns out I had another kidney stone, 2ce as big as the 1st one. It is apparently "stuck"...and to top it off he said there is another one up in my kidney that could drop within the next week. YEA!
Anyway, please be praying for me. This has put me out of commission for most of the last week and a 1/2 now.
Now on to more important things:
Last Halloween our church had the opportunity to volunteer at the YMCA for their fall festival. We were hoping this would help give us an "in" and be able to use it to reach out to more people in the community. Since then, however, we haven't heard anything from them...until Tuesday night.
Pastor Mike received a call out of the blue from a different YMCA in town. They are having a family night this Friday night and are needing more help. They were calling around to other YMCA's asking for volunteers and the YMCA close to us gave them our name, saying we were really reliable and great help to them.
The coordinator said we have full access to the families and can pass out any information about the church we want! This couldn't come at a more perfect time. We are starting a new series this Sunday, "Fireproof"/"The Love Dare", based on the movie "Fireproof". We will also be holding a Sunday night couples Bible study. The couple that is leading the Bible study has been praying for 20 couples.
Jake is so excited about the opportunity we have Friday night. We see the hand of God moving, and it is just amazing! Not only will we be ministering to families this Friday, but they will be doing this once a month and asked if we would be interested in possibly making this a monthly event. This is just what we have been praying for! Jake has really been praying for ways we can reach out to the community, and God just threw this in our laps! Please be praying for the families that will be attending, that God will be working on their hearts, even as you read this, that they will be open to Him and that we will take every opportunity to share His love with them.
We are also looking around the area at store fronts to lease. Our rent was raised at the school, so we are looking to see if we can find something that we would have full-time access to, rather than just Sunday mornings that we have now. Please be praying that God would lead us to the place He has for us, if it is His will for us to move.
It would be so nice to have a space that is "ours", that we don't have to set up and tear down every Sunday and that we could use during the week without having to reserve it and pay extra for it.
The evangelism conference that I mentioned earlier was amazing. Jake attended it on Monday evening and came home so excited. He found out there was childcare, so I was able to go Tuesday evening. I was so upset that we had to leave when my pain got too bad. I will write more about the conference and the speakers at a later time.
This brings me to another prayer requests. As many of you know, Jake has been "attending" an on-line seminary, Rockbridge. He has had to take a couple of semesters off because of his work schedule and finances. The school became accredited, which is good, but it also meant their prices went up significantly. We are no longer able to afford them.
While we were at the conference Tueday night he was able to get information on a new program Golden Gate Seminary is offering. They have begun to offer classes every Tuesday/Thursday night at the Southern Baptist Convention offices here in Vegas. He will only be able to take one course a semester, so it will take a little while, but it will be much easier on us financially, and he will actually be able to go to a class instead of just being online. The information meeting is tonight, Thursday, at six. We are really praising God for this. It is still going to be a stretch for us, financially, but we know that He will provide.
One last thing before I crash into bed...(the computer screen is beginning to move around on me, lol) Please be in prayer for the women in our church. I started a new ministry with them a couple of weeks ago. It is a "book club" for lack of a better term. We have tried weekly Bible studies, but schedules haven't met up, it was hard for people to make a weekly commitment, so we stopped. We are, however, beginning to meet once a month for a Saturday brunch/fellowship. I came up with an idea that I would have a monthly study that the women could do at home. I set up an online group page where they can log on and leave comments/questions/thoughts about what we are reading. This way we can stay connected and learn from each other from the comfort of our own homes. Then, when we meet together monthly we can go into deeper discussion about it before we move onto our new study.
After much prayer, our 1st study was a challenge I made to the ladies. I asked them to read Proverbs 31 everyday for 30 days. I gave them each a journal where they could write down their thoughts and insights the Lord was giving them. In addition I challenged them with "The True Woman Manifesto" 30 day challenge. I would HIGHLY recommend every woman go to the website www.truewoman.com and read this manifesto. If you sign up, they will send you daily devotions and podcasts you can listen to. It is truly life-changing!
Our next book is going to be "Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie OMartian. We will begin this on Valentine's Day.
So, I think I'm going to end this now. I hope I have written this in coherent thoughts...haha...I'll probably come back to read this later only to find that it makes no since what-so-ever.
Thank you for your prayers, for you support for us. We pray for each of you, as well.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The past 3 months
Okay, I know, I know...it's been almost 3 months since my last post. Obviously, our house selling is old news now (though we are still very grateful that it did). I keep meaning to get on here and post, and I actually started to do so once, but...well...you know how it goes, one day turns into two and the next thing you know it's a new year!
Happy New Year, by the way! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that this new year brings you closer to Him!
Now, to catch you up on the last 3 months...
My mom and my youngest niece, Melanie, came out for the week of Thanksgiving. It had been 6 months since I had seen either of them, and we had a great week, full of showing off all there is to do in our "little town". We did everything from visiting all the normal touristy stuff, (this was taken at the Belagio)
to walking with wild mustangs up in the Spring Mountain Reserve, to going to Death Valley (Which is where the pictures below were taken. And believe me, it is well worth the trip if you ever get the chance to go. We will be going back again, as we didn't get to see nearly enough!)
Above at the lowest point in North America and below at Zabreski's Point
We even got to play in mountain-sized sand dunes and slide down giant marble "slides" in Marble canyon (below, Cora, Melanie and JD taking turns going down one area of the slides).
Thanksgiving rushed by and Christmas was here before I knew it! Jake's parents decided to fly out for the week and surprise the kids. JD and Cora were thrilled! (Jake and I were too, it was nice to have family here for our 1st Christmas away from Rogers) We had a busy week full of buying and wrapping presents, preparing for and having our Christmas Eve service at NorthStar, and playing in the snow up on Mount Charleston. (The days surrounding Christmas brought several feet of snow to the mountain, and even caused a white out and the mountain to be closed Christmas day and the day after.)
Our family on Christmas Eve after the service
And below, our trip up the mountain to play in the snow the day after Christmas, we couldn't make it to the top due to the white out.
Happy New Year, by the way! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that this new year brings you closer to Him!
Now, to catch you up on the last 3 months...
My mom and my youngest niece, Melanie, came out for the week of Thanksgiving. It had been 6 months since I had seen either of them, and we had a great week, full of showing off all there is to do in our "little town". We did everything from visiting all the normal touristy stuff, (this was taken at the Belagio)
to walking with wild mustangs up in the Spring Mountain Reserve, to going to Death Valley (Which is where the pictures below were taken. And believe me, it is well worth the trip if you ever get the chance to go. We will be going back again, as we didn't get to see nearly enough!)
Above at the lowest point in North America and below at Zabreski's Point
We even got to play in mountain-sized sand dunes and slide down giant marble "slides" in Marble canyon (below, Cora, Melanie and JD taking turns going down one area of the slides).
Thanksgiving rushed by and Christmas was here before I knew it! Jake's parents decided to fly out for the week and surprise the kids. JD and Cora were thrilled! (Jake and I were too, it was nice to have family here for our 1st Christmas away from Rogers) We had a busy week full of buying and wrapping presents, preparing for and having our Christmas Eve service at NorthStar, and playing in the snow up on Mount Charleston. (The days surrounding Christmas brought several feet of snow to the mountain, and even caused a white out and the mountain to be closed Christmas day and the day after.)
Our family on Christmas Eve after the serviceAnd below, our trip up the mountain to play in the snow the day after Christmas, we couldn't make it to the top due to the white out.
The kids got WAY to many gifts--you couldn't see the floor in our living room for all the wrapping paper and presents when they were through--and we were sad to see Nonni and Poppi leave.
New Year's Eve was quiet for our family. The four of us went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in one of the new hotels that opened in our corner of the valley and then we went home and watched a movie and played some games. We got back up a little before midnight and drove to an overlook of the city to watch the fireworks bring in the new year. I've heard it said that what you are doing when the clock strikes mid-night on new year's is a symbol of what the upcoming year will look like for you...Well, I was sitting on a quiet mountain side with my daughter cuddling in my lap, and my husband, my son and my dog by my side...If that's any clue to how this year will be, then I couldn't ask for anything more.
I'm excited to see what new adventures the Lord has in store for our family over the next year.
So, I think that pretty much catches you up on the Bridges.
NorthStar is doing well. Jake has morphed into the Children's Pastor and is loving it. He is currently looking through several options for new literature/programs for the kids on Sunday AM. He is also still leading a Bible Study out of our house on Wednesday nights. Tonight he will start NET training (similar to FAITH). I am heading up the women's ministry and will be introducing a new ministry to our ladies this Saturday at our monthly women's luncheon. Please be in prayer for all our our church's ministries and outreaches. Pray that we will have a renewed love for our community and a strong desire to see our neighbors, friends and coworkers come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We do have one more piece of news that we are SO excited about. FBC, Rogers, AR, our home church, has invited our family to be a part of their GIC (Global Impact Celebration) March 4-8. This is a time where they bring in missionaries from around the world and have a time of celebration of what God is accomplishing and a time of ministering to the missionaries. The 1st GIC six years ago is where Jake and I surrendered to full-time missions, so to be able to come back to this same event as missionaries means so much to us both. JD and Cora are more than ecstatic to be able to be in Rogers for a week (not just because they get to miss a week of school, either!). They are really looking forward to seeing their friends and family...Jake and I are as well.
I promise to be more diligent in updating this with current prayer requests and things that are going on with our family. (Thanks to Cindy Sigmon for getting me on the ball here!)
So, until next time, from Vegas---Elaine
New Year's Eve was quiet for our family. The four of us went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in one of the new hotels that opened in our corner of the valley and then we went home and watched a movie and played some games. We got back up a little before midnight and drove to an overlook of the city to watch the fireworks bring in the new year. I've heard it said that what you are doing when the clock strikes mid-night on new year's is a symbol of what the upcoming year will look like for you...Well, I was sitting on a quiet mountain side with my daughter cuddling in my lap, and my husband, my son and my dog by my side...If that's any clue to how this year will be, then I couldn't ask for anything more.
I'm excited to see what new adventures the Lord has in store for our family over the next year.
So, I think that pretty much catches you up on the Bridges.
NorthStar is doing well. Jake has morphed into the Children's Pastor and is loving it. He is currently looking through several options for new literature/programs for the kids on Sunday AM. He is also still leading a Bible Study out of our house on Wednesday nights. Tonight he will start NET training (similar to FAITH). I am heading up the women's ministry and will be introducing a new ministry to our ladies this Saturday at our monthly women's luncheon. Please be in prayer for all our our church's ministries and outreaches. Pray that we will have a renewed love for our community and a strong desire to see our neighbors, friends and coworkers come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We do have one more piece of news that we are SO excited about. FBC, Rogers, AR, our home church, has invited our family to be a part of their GIC (Global Impact Celebration) March 4-8. This is a time where they bring in missionaries from around the world and have a time of celebration of what God is accomplishing and a time of ministering to the missionaries. The 1st GIC six years ago is where Jake and I surrendered to full-time missions, so to be able to come back to this same event as missionaries means so much to us both. JD and Cora are more than ecstatic to be able to be in Rogers for a week (not just because they get to miss a week of school, either!). They are really looking forward to seeing their friends and family...Jake and I are as well.
I promise to be more diligent in updating this with current prayer requests and things that are going on with our family. (Thanks to Cindy Sigmon for getting me on the ball here!)
So, until next time, from Vegas---Elaine
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Praise! Our house is selling!
It has been so nice to actually have Jake at home, even briefly. For those of you who don't know, Jake was in Miami for 21 days on business. He leaves again this Friday for another 25 days. This past Saturday we spent the afternoon on Mount Charleston. I thought I would include just a taste of our afternoon there. I am also including an update and some prayer requests at the bottom. As soon as I get my pictures off my camera from Sunday I will post Cora's baptism.
Mount Charleston just before sunset
Where the earth meets the sky. This picture was taken as we were leaving Mount Charleston, overlooking the mountain range across the valley. It's hard to tell where the earth ends and the sky begins.
Well, the biggest update is this past Friday, Oct. 17, we signed a contract on our house. This is, quite obviously, a huge praise! This is something we have been praying through for well over a year now, and to see the end in sight is almost surreal. There have been many emotions flooding through us over these months, but God has been faithful and we have trusted Him, knowing His ultimate plan would be fulfilled for His glory.
The good news about this sell is that the people want it done quickly. It is moving along smoothly and if everything continues to do so we will close Oct. 30th. Not having a house payment looming over us for next month is such a tremendous wait lifted off our shoulders.
The more difficult side of the news is that we were only able to get enough to actually pay off our house, nothing more. In order to sell it we are having to take out a loan for just under $16,000 to pay for the closing costs and realtor fees.
Friday was quite an emotional day for me. Fortunately no one else was home as I had a breakdown and cried uncontrollably for a good 30 minutes. I called my mom and cried to her, spoke with my mother-in-law and Jake. I couldn't understand why.
Why was God allowing this to happen? We moved here because after much prayer we felt beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was where God was leading us. We stepped out on faith and trusted Him to take care of us. Why, after all this time, was our house selling and causing us to have to take out an additional loan just to sell it?
I cried out to God for a long while. Jake was about to get on a plane in Miami, heading home, as I pondered allowed these questions to him. His response, "All I can say is we are being tested on every side. I'm having to live in Miami, separated from you and the kids; our house is selling, but with this huge stipulation....." he trailed off. I hung up with him, walked into the other room, questions and angry accusations still pouring from my soul.
I stopped long enough to catch my breath and at that moment heard a voice as clearly as if someone had been standing next to me speaking aloud. It simply said, "Trust Me."
And that was that. I had a peace, once again. God was telling me to trust Him, and so I would.
I began thinking after that moment...How many times do we cry out to God for different things? How many times do we throw our anger at Him, our questions at Him, but never actually stop to listen for His reply? We wonder why He is not listening, not answering, but in reality, it is us who are not listening. We get so rapped up in our problems that we don't allow Him to answer.
The thing is, God is big enough to take all our questions, He is big enough to take our anger, our frustrations. He wants us to come to Him with these things, He is there waiting. But He is also waiting with an answer, if we would just stop and listen for His response.
I am so thankful He allowed this situation to be a tool in reminding me of this.
He loves you, He sees your pain, your frustrations, your questions; and He is there waiting for you to allow Him to help. Our God is a gentleman, He will not force Himself on you. He allows each of us to choose whether we come to Him or not, but He is there, arms open wide, waiting.
Mount Charleston just before sunset
Where the earth meets the sky. This picture was taken as we were leaving Mount Charleston, overlooking the mountain range across the valley. It's hard to tell where the earth ends and the sky begins.
Well, the biggest update is this past Friday, Oct. 17, we signed a contract on our house. This is, quite obviously, a huge praise! This is something we have been praying through for well over a year now, and to see the end in sight is almost surreal. There have been many emotions flooding through us over these months, but God has been faithful and we have trusted Him, knowing His ultimate plan would be fulfilled for His glory.
The good news about this sell is that the people want it done quickly. It is moving along smoothly and if everything continues to do so we will close Oct. 30th. Not having a house payment looming over us for next month is such a tremendous wait lifted off our shoulders.
The more difficult side of the news is that we were only able to get enough to actually pay off our house, nothing more. In order to sell it we are having to take out a loan for just under $16,000 to pay for the closing costs and realtor fees.
Friday was quite an emotional day for me. Fortunately no one else was home as I had a breakdown and cried uncontrollably for a good 30 minutes. I called my mom and cried to her, spoke with my mother-in-law and Jake. I couldn't understand why.
Why was God allowing this to happen? We moved here because after much prayer we felt beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was where God was leading us. We stepped out on faith and trusted Him to take care of us. Why, after all this time, was our house selling and causing us to have to take out an additional loan just to sell it?
I cried out to God for a long while. Jake was about to get on a plane in Miami, heading home, as I pondered allowed these questions to him. His response, "All I can say is we are being tested on every side. I'm having to live in Miami, separated from you and the kids; our house is selling, but with this huge stipulation....." he trailed off. I hung up with him, walked into the other room, questions and angry accusations still pouring from my soul.
I stopped long enough to catch my breath and at that moment heard a voice as clearly as if someone had been standing next to me speaking aloud. It simply said, "Trust Me."
And that was that. I had a peace, once again. God was telling me to trust Him, and so I would.
I began thinking after that moment...How many times do we cry out to God for different things? How many times do we throw our anger at Him, our questions at Him, but never actually stop to listen for His reply? We wonder why He is not listening, not answering, but in reality, it is us who are not listening. We get so rapped up in our problems that we don't allow Him to answer.
The thing is, God is big enough to take all our questions, He is big enough to take our anger, our frustrations. He wants us to come to Him with these things, He is there waiting. But He is also waiting with an answer, if we would just stop and listen for His response.
I am so thankful He allowed this situation to be a tool in reminding me of this.
He loves you, He sees your pain, your frustrations, your questions; and He is there waiting for you to allow Him to help. Our God is a gentleman, He will not force Himself on you. He allows each of us to choose whether we come to Him or not, but He is there, arms open wide, waiting.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Catching up on the last month
Well, it's been a few weeks since I've updated this thing.
I keep thinking something will happen that will be blog-worthy...something that will make this worth reading. So far that hasn't happened.
I decided I would write anyway. Let people know we're still alive and kick'n.
So, I thought I would put in a few pictures of things we've done since my last blog. We also have a few prayer requests that will be listed at the end.
Here we go. things we've done since our last blog:
The kids started back to school. Though JD was extremely excited about starting 2nd grade, he was not thrilled about me taking pictures to commemorate the occasion.
Cora, was very apprehensive about starting 1st grade, especially since they were starting at a new school. But she loves taking pictures.
They both had a great 1st day, and I am very impressed with their teachers. They are making friends and come home happy everyday and so far are still waking up each morning ready to go. This is such a blessing, since last semester was such an adjustment for them and neither really felt like they fit in.
We also have acquired a new pet. Her name is Claws (Cora named her). She is a praying mantis. This is a thing I never thought I would consider a pet...and yet, here she is, and she is so cute!
It may seem gross, or weird even, to have a praying mantis (who eats the heads off live crickets) for a pet, but it has been quite a learning experience for us all. We have done research on the living and eating habits of mantids, we've observed her "preying" on her food, we've watched as she shed her skin and emerged 2ce the size she was moments before. She has been an excellent science experiment. We even learned how to tell male from female, which is why I can confidently say "she". We also believe that Claws is pregnant, and have found that Mantis broods can be anywhere from 50-200, so if anyone would like a mantis baby, please, let us know!
For Labor Day we went "adventuring". This is what our family has come to call our outings that we try to take at least once or twice a month. We head out to explore the areas surrounding Vegas. For Labor Day we chose to go jeeping. We found a great trail that went up through the mountains and down the other side into Parump. We got out and did some exploring in the desert along the way.
At the top of the mountain, in between 2 high peeks, there is a place called Wheeler Pass. It is the area where you can cross through from one side of the mountain to the other.
We had a great day...though long...all-in-all we made a 130 mile circle back around to our house. I made sure to sunscreen the kids before and during the trip, since we had the top off the jeep. I didn't, however, sunscreen myself. I was glowing by the end of the day!
This past Friday night NorthStar put on a concert with a band called Altar'd. They are an up-and-coming group that I am sure will be making major waves in the Contemporary Christian Music World soon. We were able to go out with them (to IHOP) after the concert. They are the real thing. These guys are sold-out for Jesus. Currently they are headed back to Nashville to cut their second album. They are also looking for churches to host their fall concert series. I would highly recommend them.
From left to right: Kyle, guitarist; Matt, lead singer; Jon, bass player; Blake, drums
I have started playing keyboard in the praise and worship team. I am enjoying being able to serve in this area, as I have missed being involved in choir at FBC, Rogers. Sometimes they even give me a mic and let me sing :) We're hoping to eventually get a new keyboard for the church. Right now I use the worship leader's keyboard on Sunday mornings.
Jake's mom was able to come in for the weekend, on her way home from being in LA. It was great to see her, even if it was briefly. We went to the Springs Reserve, which is a botanical garden area, and to the Natural History Museum. Both were very interesting, but I haven't had the chance to get the pictures off my camera yet.
So, I think this pretty much catches you up on our family. There are probably one or two other things that have happened along the way, but apparently they are not important enough for me to remember right now, so they are more than likely not worth reading either.
Prayer Requests:
OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS GROWING!
I keep thinking something will happen that will be blog-worthy...something that will make this worth reading. So far that hasn't happened.
I decided I would write anyway. Let people know we're still alive and kick'n.
So, I thought I would put in a few pictures of things we've done since my last blog. We also have a few prayer requests that will be listed at the end.
Here we go. things we've done since our last blog:
The kids started back to school. Though JD was extremely excited about starting 2nd grade, he was not thrilled about me taking pictures to commemorate the occasion.
Cora, was very apprehensive about starting 1st grade, especially since they were starting at a new school. But she loves taking pictures.
They both had a great 1st day, and I am very impressed with their teachers. They are making friends and come home happy everyday and so far are still waking up each morning ready to go. This is such a blessing, since last semester was such an adjustment for them and neither really felt like they fit in.We also have acquired a new pet. Her name is Claws (Cora named her). She is a praying mantis. This is a thing I never thought I would consider a pet...and yet, here she is, and she is so cute!
This is Cora playing with Claws. The next picture would have shown me untangling her from Cora's hair. She jumped into it.
I love this picture. 
This is Claws eating a cricket
This is Claws eating a cricket
It may seem gross, or weird even, to have a praying mantis (who eats the heads off live crickets) for a pet, but it has been quite a learning experience for us all. We have done research on the living and eating habits of mantids, we've observed her "preying" on her food, we've watched as she shed her skin and emerged 2ce the size she was moments before. She has been an excellent science experiment. We even learned how to tell male from female, which is why I can confidently say "she". We also believe that Claws is pregnant, and have found that Mantis broods can be anywhere from 50-200, so if anyone would like a mantis baby, please, let us know!For Labor Day we went "adventuring". This is what our family has come to call our outings that we try to take at least once or twice a month. We head out to explore the areas surrounding Vegas. For Labor Day we chose to go jeeping. We found a great trail that went up through the mountains and down the other side into Parump. We got out and did some exploring in the desert along the way.
At the top of the mountain, in between 2 high peeks, there is a place called Wheeler Pass. It is the area where you can cross through from one side of the mountain to the other.
We had a great day...though long...all-in-all we made a 130 mile circle back around to our house. I made sure to sunscreen the kids before and during the trip, since we had the top off the jeep. I didn't, however, sunscreen myself. I was glowing by the end of the day!
This past Friday night NorthStar put on a concert with a band called Altar'd. They are an up-and-coming group that I am sure will be making major waves in the Contemporary Christian Music World soon. We were able to go out with them (to IHOP) after the concert. They are the real thing. These guys are sold-out for Jesus. Currently they are headed back to Nashville to cut their second album. They are also looking for churches to host their fall concert series. I would highly recommend them.
From left to right: Kyle, guitarist; Matt, lead singer; Jon, bass player; Blake, drumsI have started playing keyboard in the praise and worship team. I am enjoying being able to serve in this area, as I have missed being involved in choir at FBC, Rogers. Sometimes they even give me a mic and let me sing :) We're hoping to eventually get a new keyboard for the church. Right now I use the worship leader's keyboard on Sunday mornings.
Jake's mom was able to come in for the weekend, on her way home from being in LA. It was great to see her, even if it was briefly. We went to the Springs Reserve, which is a botanical garden area, and to the Natural History Museum. Both were very interesting, but I haven't had the chance to get the pictures off my camera yet.
So, I think this pretty much catches you up on our family. There are probably one or two other things that have happened along the way, but apparently they are not important enough for me to remember right now, so they are more than likely not worth reading either.
Prayer Requests:
- Our house selling (We lowered the price to $218,000 this week, this will pay off our mortgage, but we will have to take out a small loan to pay all the realtor fees and closing costs)
- Jake will be getting back into seminary starting in the October session. Please pray for his mental endurance. Last week he had a 28 hour work day, on top of his regular work schedule. Between having to work overtime on the job, preparing and leading Children's Church on Sundays and teaching Discipleship Bible Study on Wednesday nights he barely has time to breathe. He doesn't seem to have a problem with it, but the kids and I would like to see him more often
- I have applied with the Clark County School District as a substitute teacher. It is a long and complicated process. Please pray that if this is what God has in store for me that everything will go smoothly and that if I am accepted we will have the money for me to get my Nevada state teaching license to be able to begin.
- Pastor Mike and Jake are trying to plan a date and a way for Cora, and several others in the church, to be baptized
- Continue to pray that we actively look for oportunities to reach out to our community
- Pray for 2 girls in our youth, that they will begin to seek God and desire a relationship with Him
OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS GROWING!
- Mary and her two kids. They attended the concert Friday night and came to church on Sunday. Her daughter loved Children's Church and wouldn't let Jake go at the end. Mary was excited about church and wants to start attending.
- Wilson, Michelle and their son, Brice. They visited for the 1st time last Sunday. After only one visit they volunteered to help at the concert Friday and were back in service yesterday. They are wanting to get involved more readily
- Lee and Susan. They moved from Washington for Lee's job. They have been visiting the church for about a month now and are wanting to join. Lee attended Bible study this past Wed. night and is feeling led to start a marriage ministry.
- David and his wife. They have been attending 3-4 weeks now. He plays acoustic guitar and asked to get involved in the Praise and Worship ministry. This past Saturday night he joined us at rehearsal and played with us on Sunday morning
- There are one or two other families new to the church who are also wanting to get involved. (Please pray that God will show them how they are to serve)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Fantastic Four aka Mission Team from FBC, Rogers, AR
Well, after 2 delays, the team from First Baptist Church, Rogers arrived here around 7:00 PM last Wednesday night. Unfortunately, they were supposed to land at 4:00 PM, which is why I had arranged a dinner so that some families from NorthStar could get to know the group. I set reservations for 6:30, changed them to 7:00 when we discovered the plane was to land at 5:30 instead or 4:00 and then discovered, as I was leaving to go meet everyone at the restaurant, that the plane had been delayed further and wouldn't land until 6:59.
Some how I just didn't think that one minute would give them adequate time to get through McCarran International (one of the slowest airports to navigate), get their luggage, find the rental car desk, be shuttled to the rental car location and then travel 25 minutes north to our area of town.
Those of us waiting at the restaurant enjoyed our Bucca di Beppo, and Jake and the team arrived there as we were paying for our bills. At least they made it in time to go to the overlook of the city, where we had planned a brief prayer meeting. Each time I go there and look out over this city of 2 million it still amazes me. It seems so still and quiet from that elevation. All the twinkling lights, it looks as if you are looking down at the stars.
The team eventually got to eat dinner and got settled in at our house sometime after 10:00.
The goal of Thursday and Friday was to canvas area parks and shopping centers to get the word out about our Back to School Bash we were holding on Saturday. The temperatures were 108-109 both days, but they stuck it out. They were able to hand out close to 1,000 invitations to the party.
Thursday night we went downtown to the Rescue Mission, which is a homeless shelter. The shelter has free dinner every night of the week, open to anyone in need. Depending on the time of the month (earlier parts of the month don't have as many people because that's when wellfare checks are received) they serve anywhere from 150-400+ per night. The mission also has short-term housing--2 weeks, or long-term housing for those willing to enter their program.
The program consists of volunteering at the shelter, going to Bible studies, job training, etc. It really is a wonderful program that actually helps enable people, rather than just give them a free bed.
We served just under 200 people that night. I have never had the opportunity to go, because it is not safe for JD and Cora, but a friend offered to watch them for me. It really was an eye-opener. Especially when I saw a family come in with two small girls, about 4 and 5 years old, I would guess, a little boy who was barely a year old (and who only wore a saggy diaper) and a newborn baby, and by newborn I mean maybe a week or 2 old. I almost started crying. I wanted to take that newborn baby home with me.
How often do I complain because I have 2 house payments to pay and an electricity bill that shot out of the roof last month! Then I see that and it puts it all in perspective. I have 2 house payments because I have 2, yes 2 houses! God has blessed me with not one but 2 places I can live. I have an enormous electricity bill because God has blessed me with the ability to have air conditioning in a city whose temperatures sore well over 100 degrees during the summer months. I have a husband who has been blessed with amazing talents in the IT field, and therefore is able to work. Not only that, but for some reason God has chosen our family to serve Him as church planters in a city that many people have given up on. How humbling is that! Yes, our family struggles every month. I honestly don't know how I'm going to pay my 2 house payments coming up at the beginning of Sept., but He is faithful! He has blessed this family beyond words; well beyond what we deserve. And He has blessed you as well. We so often loose sight of this.
I would highly recommend finding your local shelter or food closet and volunteering there for a night. It really helps you find perspective. "Christ came not to be served, but to serve." We are called to do the same.
Saturday turned out to be a great success. The numbers weren't huge, by any means, but the contacts made were awesome. We were able to visit with and minister to several families. We had a water slide, a slip-n-slide, a giant bouncy castle, free food and snow cones. A good time was had by all.
Hot dogs, chips, popcorn, water and snow cones were available under the tents
In the end, everyone got in on the water play!
Sunday was the last day of our VBS, Cactus Canyon. To celebrate, our pastoral staff dressed as cowboys. Don't they look good?
From left to right, David Kanizar, Worship Leader,
Jake Bridges, Missions Pastor, Mike Ellis, Senior Pastor
The Fantastic Four with NSBC Staff and their families
To the left, the Ellis family: Thomas, Mike, Janelle, Alexa and Nathan
Back row: Darin Harryman, Jim Risenhoover, David Kanizar, Elaine Bridges, Chad Pratt, Cora Bridges and Lisa Kanizar. In front: Iris Epting, Jake and JD Bridges
The Fantastic Four with our family
From left to right: Iris Epting, Elaine Bridges, Darin Harryman,
Jim Risenhoover, Jake Bridges and Chad Pratt. In front: Cora and JD Bridges
Some how I just didn't think that one minute would give them adequate time to get through McCarran International (one of the slowest airports to navigate), get their luggage, find the rental car desk, be shuttled to the rental car location and then travel 25 minutes north to our area of town.
Those of us waiting at the restaurant enjoyed our Bucca di Beppo, and Jake and the team arrived there as we were paying for our bills. At least they made it in time to go to the overlook of the city, where we had planned a brief prayer meeting. Each time I go there and look out over this city of 2 million it still amazes me. It seems so still and quiet from that elevation. All the twinkling lights, it looks as if you are looking down at the stars.
The team eventually got to eat dinner and got settled in at our house sometime after 10:00.
The goal of Thursday and Friday was to canvas area parks and shopping centers to get the word out about our Back to School Bash we were holding on Saturday. The temperatures were 108-109 both days, but they stuck it out. They were able to hand out close to 1,000 invitations to the party.
Thursday night we went downtown to the Rescue Mission, which is a homeless shelter. The shelter has free dinner every night of the week, open to anyone in need. Depending on the time of the month (earlier parts of the month don't have as many people because that's when wellfare checks are received) they serve anywhere from 150-400+ per night. The mission also has short-term housing--2 weeks, or long-term housing for those willing to enter their program.
The program consists of volunteering at the shelter, going to Bible studies, job training, etc. It really is a wonderful program that actually helps enable people, rather than just give them a free bed.
We served just under 200 people that night. I have never had the opportunity to go, because it is not safe for JD and Cora, but a friend offered to watch them for me. It really was an eye-opener. Especially when I saw a family come in with two small girls, about 4 and 5 years old, I would guess, a little boy who was barely a year old (and who only wore a saggy diaper) and a newborn baby, and by newborn I mean maybe a week or 2 old. I almost started crying. I wanted to take that newborn baby home with me.
How often do I complain because I have 2 house payments to pay and an electricity bill that shot out of the roof last month! Then I see that and it puts it all in perspective. I have 2 house payments because I have 2, yes 2 houses! God has blessed me with not one but 2 places I can live. I have an enormous electricity bill because God has blessed me with the ability to have air conditioning in a city whose temperatures sore well over 100 degrees during the summer months. I have a husband who has been blessed with amazing talents in the IT field, and therefore is able to work. Not only that, but for some reason God has chosen our family to serve Him as church planters in a city that many people have given up on. How humbling is that! Yes, our family struggles every month. I honestly don't know how I'm going to pay my 2 house payments coming up at the beginning of Sept., but He is faithful! He has blessed this family beyond words; well beyond what we deserve. And He has blessed you as well. We so often loose sight of this.
I would highly recommend finding your local shelter or food closet and volunteering there for a night. It really helps you find perspective. "Christ came not to be served, but to serve." We are called to do the same.
Saturday turned out to be a great success. The numbers weren't huge, by any means, but the contacts made were awesome. We were able to visit with and minister to several families. We had a water slide, a slip-n-slide, a giant bouncy castle, free food and snow cones. A good time was had by all.
Jake and Janelle (Pastor's wife) manning the slide, as Cora takes yet another turn
Hot dogs, chips, popcorn, water and snow cones were available under the tents
Two of our teenagers, Jordan and Harley, enjoying the giant bouncy-dog
In the end, everyone got in on the water play!
Because of all the canvassing done by the team and the great effort put forth at the Bash on Saturday, we had 5 families visit our church on Sunday! The children's area, which usually has no more than 10 kids (and 5 of those are staff kids) had 21 kids!!!
Total we had 69 people in attendance. That is the highest attendance we have ever had on a "normal" Sunday (as in non-holiday). It was so awesome to immediately see the fruits of labor. Jake, Mike and David are working this week to make contact with every visitor. Please pray that good contacts are made and that we will use the opportunities given to us to minister to those we are contacting.
Total we had 69 people in attendance. That is the highest attendance we have ever had on a "normal" Sunday (as in non-holiday). It was so awesome to immediately see the fruits of labor. Jake, Mike and David are working this week to make contact with every visitor. Please pray that good contacts are made and that we will use the opportunities given to us to minister to those we are contacting.
Sunday was the last day of our VBS, Cactus Canyon. To celebrate, our pastoral staff dressed as cowboys. Don't they look good?
From left to right, David Kanizar, Worship Leader,Jake Bridges, Missions Pastor, Mike Ellis, Senior Pastor
The Fantastic Four with NSBC Staff and their families
To the left, the Ellis family: Thomas, Mike, Janelle, Alexa and NathanBack row: Darin Harryman, Jim Risenhoover, David Kanizar, Elaine Bridges, Chad Pratt, Cora Bridges and Lisa Kanizar. In front: Iris Epting, Jake and JD Bridges
The Fantastic Four with our family
From left to right: Iris Epting, Elaine Bridges, Darin Harryman,Jim Risenhoover, Jake Bridges and Chad Pratt. In front: Cora and JD Bridges
I want to just take this time to thank the team for coming out. I hope they realize what an awesome impact they had. Also, thank you First Baptist, Rogers, for allowing them to come and for your support through prayer during this past week (and always). We would not be here and could not do what we do without the support of FBC!
Wednesday night, when we went to the outlook to pray over the city and for the upcoming week, Jake shared a brief message with the group. His references were:
Luke 9:51-56 and Acts 8:4-17
Summing them up, in Luke Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem through Samaria, but the Samaritans refused them. James and John wanted to call down fire on the city. Jesus, however, did not allow this. Jesus knew the future, He knew that in time the area would come to believe in Him. In Acts 8, they did just that. Phillip was in the area and began to preach the gospel of Christ to them and they accepted it. Multitudes came to know the saving grace of the Lord.
Had James and John been allowed to destroy the city, hundreds of souls would have perished without ever getting that second chance.
In the same way, many people today have given up hope on Las Vegas (and New Orleans, and San Francisco, etc.). They believe that it is so full of evil that it should be destroyed. God, however, sees the big picture. Only He knows how many souls in this town need that second chance, need to hear about His love and grace. If we just give up on Las Vegas, how many thousands of souls will be lost that could one day be rejoicing with us in Heaven?
Don't give up on sharing the gospel of Christ. You never know what God has in store down the road!
Wednesday night, when we went to the outlook to pray over the city and for the upcoming week, Jake shared a brief message with the group. His references were:
Luke 9:51-56 and Acts 8:4-17
Summing them up, in Luke Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem through Samaria, but the Samaritans refused them. James and John wanted to call down fire on the city. Jesus, however, did not allow this. Jesus knew the future, He knew that in time the area would come to believe in Him. In Acts 8, they did just that. Phillip was in the area and began to preach the gospel of Christ to them and they accepted it. Multitudes came to know the saving grace of the Lord.
Had James and John been allowed to destroy the city, hundreds of souls would have perished without ever getting that second chance.
In the same way, many people today have given up hope on Las Vegas (and New Orleans, and San Francisco, etc.). They believe that it is so full of evil that it should be destroyed. God, however, sees the big picture. Only He knows how many souls in this town need that second chance, need to hear about His love and grace. If we just give up on Las Vegas, how many thousands of souls will be lost that could one day be rejoicing with us in Heaven?
Don't give up on sharing the gospel of Christ. You never know what God has in store down the road!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Birthdays and Such
While Jake's parents were here we took them up into Cold Creek to look for wild horses. We saw some just a little ways off the road, so we got out to get a closer look. There was a small ravine between us and the horses and I told the kids not to get any closer...Then suddenly...
A horse started walking right up to JD and Cora. I've never seen two kids stand so still in their lives! JD said, "Cora, don't move!"
She didn't move an inch!
This is actually how close she got. I didn't have to zoom at all for this one.
Our family with Jake's parents, Jimmy and Belynda, in the desert just outside of Cold Creek.
I never put pictures of me on here, so I thought I'd share one of
Jake and I up in Cold Creek, in the Spring Mnt. Reserve.
The kids got home on Cora's 6th birthday. We went to Cozymel's, a Mexican restaurant in town, to celebrate. Happy 6th Birthday, Princess!
For JD's birthday he wanted to go to Redrock and do some hiking.
Happy 7th Birthday, buddy!
Just as a last kick I thought I'd show you the price of gas in Las Vegas! I took this picture of the price the person just before us paid. Fortunately gas has been coming down the last week. We were just about having to take out small loans to fill our tanks!
I hope everyone if having a great week. Next week a small group from FBC, Rogers, is coming. I'm really looking forward to spending time with them. Look for pictures from their trip in about a week and 1/2.
Please be praying for the mission team as they prepare to come and for their trip, that many will be reached for the Lord. Pray for our church family, that they will be bold in their faith and in sharing with those around them.
Please also remember to continue to pray for our house in Rogers to sell.
A horse started walking right up to JD and Cora. I've never seen two kids stand so still in their lives! JD said, "Cora, don't move!"She didn't move an inch!
This is actually how close she got. I didn't have to zoom at all for this one.
Our family with Jake's parents, Jimmy and Belynda, in the desert just outside of Cold Creek.
I never put pictures of me on here, so I thought I'd share one of
Jake and I up in Cold Creek, in the Spring Mnt. Reserve.
The kids got home on Cora's 6th birthday. We went to Cozymel's, a Mexican restaurant in town, to celebrate. Happy 6th Birthday, Princess!
For JD's birthday he wanted to go to Redrock and do some hiking.
Happy 7th Birthday, buddy!
Just as a last kick I thought I'd show you the price of gas in Las Vegas! I took this picture of the price the person just before us paid. Fortunately gas has been coming down the last week. We were just about having to take out small loans to fill our tanks!
I hope everyone if having a great week. Next week a small group from FBC, Rogers, is coming. I'm really looking forward to spending time with them. Look for pictures from their trip in about a week and 1/2.
Please be praying for the mission team as they prepare to come and for their trip, that many will be reached for the Lord. Pray for our church family, that they will be bold in their faith and in sharing with those around them.
Please also remember to continue to pray for our house in Rogers to sell.
Friday, July 25, 2008
No more peace and quiet
So it's been a month since I returned from Arkansas (and updated this blog) and I have accomplished...nothing.
The kids got back on Wednesday night, which means my opportunity to complete the tasks I had set up for myself has passed. I am now, once again, in the world of "mommy". And since they haven't seen me in 4 weeks, they feel they have a lot (and I do mean a lot) of talk-time to make up.
But, it's good to have them home. Boy did they grow while they were gone, and Cora is so tan! She has this beautiful olive skin-tone that would make anyone (and by anyone, I mean me) jealous. She also lost her 1st tooth while she was gone. I hate that I missed that, but she mailed me the tooth, so it would be ready for the tooth fairy when she returned. (Both JD and Cora lost teeth while in AR., and decided that the tooth fairy may not know where to find them, so they chose to wait until they got home to put their teeth under their pillows...Speaking on behalf of a very money-conscious tooth fairy, I think the fairy could have found them in AR...our at least the fairy's mom could have, lol)
I did get our newsletter completed. If you did not receive a copy via email and would like one, or would prefer to have a hard copy mailed to you, please let us know.
I've started job-hunting. I hate this. I don't want to work. Really, I have zero-desire to have a job, and yet I find my self on monster, putting in search criteria. Yuck. I am praying fervently that our house in Rogers will sell with in the next 3-4 weeks. My once dream house has become a thorn in my side. I refer to it as "that stupid house" more and more often.
Cora turned 6 on Wednesday. It's hard to believe my baby is 6 years old! JD will turn 7 next Saturday. Where does the time go? Just yesterday when we were in the car Cora said, "Mommy, I want to be older; not too old, just about your age" (I really appreciated the "not too old comment", by the way). I responded, "Sweetie, you'll be there before you know it." (Let me just blink another couple of times.)
So now comes the tedious task of getting them back into some semblance of normalcy. No telling how long this will take. We've spent the last 2 days spending their birthday money they received from family and friends back in AR. This has not helped my case. But, at least I know I won't be bored between now and when school starts back up.
The kids got back on Wednesday night, which means my opportunity to complete the tasks I had set up for myself has passed. I am now, once again, in the world of "mommy". And since they haven't seen me in 4 weeks, they feel they have a lot (and I do mean a lot) of talk-time to make up.
But, it's good to have them home. Boy did they grow while they were gone, and Cora is so tan! She has this beautiful olive skin-tone that would make anyone (and by anyone, I mean me) jealous. She also lost her 1st tooth while she was gone. I hate that I missed that, but she mailed me the tooth, so it would be ready for the tooth fairy when she returned. (Both JD and Cora lost teeth while in AR., and decided that the tooth fairy may not know where to find them, so they chose to wait until they got home to put their teeth under their pillows...Speaking on behalf of a very money-conscious tooth fairy, I think the fairy could have found them in AR...our at least the fairy's mom could have, lol)
I did get our newsletter completed. If you did not receive a copy via email and would like one, or would prefer to have a hard copy mailed to you, please let us know.
I've started job-hunting. I hate this. I don't want to work. Really, I have zero-desire to have a job, and yet I find my self on monster, putting in search criteria. Yuck. I am praying fervently that our house in Rogers will sell with in the next 3-4 weeks. My once dream house has become a thorn in my side. I refer to it as "that stupid house" more and more often.
Cora turned 6 on Wednesday. It's hard to believe my baby is 6 years old! JD will turn 7 next Saturday. Where does the time go? Just yesterday when we were in the car Cora said, "Mommy, I want to be older; not too old, just about your age" (I really appreciated the "not too old comment", by the way). I responded, "Sweetie, you'll be there before you know it." (Let me just blink another couple of times.)
So now comes the tedious task of getting them back into some semblance of normalcy. No telling how long this will take. We've spent the last 2 days spending their birthday money they received from family and friends back in AR. This has not helped my case. But, at least I know I won't be bored between now and when school starts back up.
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