Faith, Hope & Love

Our Journey is, in a sense, just beginning. It's been a long journey here ... and we still have a ways to go. Journeying new territory is exciting and frightening, but knowing that God is journeying ahead of us is absolutely essential.

Journey Church is a new community of faith in Bend. Journey has a mission of transforming lives through faith, hope and love ... the only things that truly remain. And when we get to heaven, we no longer need faith or hope because we will be in the presence of the Almighty LOVE.

Journey Church officially "launches" February 21, 2009 @ Bend High School. It is, in and of itself, a journey of faith, hope and love.

Praying for mighty things to take place in Bend for the glorification of the only One who is worth living for.

The quote that I continually return to:

"Just one life, will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." - via John Piper

TOO LONG!!

It's been 6 months since I last posted here. Where has the time gone? We now have our baby girl - Eliana Grace, born April 19th, 2009. What a precious gift from God she is! She's a wonderful baby, perfectly suited for her name, which means - "God has answered", with Grace!!

Makenna is 4 1/2, and busy as ever! Colton turns 3 in August, I can't believe it!!! And Eliana just born, cute as a button. A complete family.

Snowy Days

We've had some good snow here the last few days, and the kids are thoroughly enjoying it!!

It's Been A While!

I can't believe how fast time has gone. My last post was in July, and it is now December! SO, after a short hiatus, I am returning to the blogging world.

We have baby number 3 on the way, due on April 16th. I am getting more and more anxious about this endeavor as the day gets closer! We have 2 very active and strong-minded children. I have prayed from the beginning that this baby will be sweet, mellow and easy-going. Now I know that God has a sense of humor, and He will probably bless me with a similar child to the ones we already have. But, I can hope and dream.

Not much else new around our home. Makenna will turn 4 on Dec. 21st. I can't believe it!! 4 years really has flown by. We will have our 5th anniversary on the 27th. Colton is a pistol, similar to his sister, but very tender-hearted. He talks about monsters regularly, and declared this morning that he had 2 in his jammies.

We are constantly in prayer for our family and our church as the Lord has big things in store for us and many others in the near future. With the Christmas season upon us, we attempt to balance the fun and traditions with celebrating what it's really about.

I've posted a few family pictures taken back in July by Steven LaValley (Studio Laval). They are already a touch outdated as I have a constantly growing belly now with a new addition on the way.

That's it for now. Off to dishes, laundry, and kids.

Trip to Portland

We just returned from a very successful trip/vacation/conference to Portland. The kids did great, with a few exceptions. We hit Chuck e Cheese, Washington Square, Ikea, Children's Museum, the Worthington's house, parks, the Evangelical Conference, Starbucks, Solid Rock Church, and Imago Dei. We had a blast, but are happy to be back in Bend :-).

Caught in the Act

So I need some advice. My wonderful, pesky children have indulged themselves in a controversial act. Some might laugh, others might cry. I'm not sure what to think so I need an outside opinion :-).

First Wednesday services at New Hope Church are our communion services. The pastor's kids (ie mine) have decided that the communion cups (grape juice) are just the right size for their little mouths. Between the two of them, they chugged around 30 cups on Wednesday night.

Do you think God is displeased? Or should we lighten up a bit and recognize that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these? :-)

Thank you Ronni Carrick for the wonderful picture!!

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

If you haven't read this book, it is a must read. The author is Jim Cymbala, the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle.

His church is a testimony to PRAYER. True, pure, crying-out-to-God sort of prayer. On your knees in humble submission to a Mighty God ... who is capable of doing far more than we could ever dream.

Our God instructs us to pray. He says we do not have because we do not ask (properly). Our God wants to take New Hope Church, Bend, Oregon, and beyond to another level with Him. It will begin with prayer.

Would you join me in prayer to a Heavenly Father who desires us to walk with Him daily? Would you be a prayer warrior for your family, friends, church, community, and beyond? I don't think that we can imagine what God might do if we devoted ourselves to prayer.