We were able to get away for a nice trip North to catch up with family and friends in Minnesota. We finally got to meet little Owen, and get these three boy cousins together for a meet and greet. I'm quite certain they're scheming even now as to how they will overthrow the rule of their two older girl cousins. If the Lord is gracious to give us many years, I am certain family get-togethers will be marked with much laughter and competition.
We got to Moose Lake in time to hear several very fresh stories of loss at the hands of the flooding that happened there. It was so good to see many of our friends and family! We thank God that he gives us his Spirit and unites us to a family that continues on even when we cease to hold a mailing address or position of employment there. We thank God for what he has done and is doing there in the people of Moose Lake Covenant.
I am taking the time to write this now because I just finished reading a heap of books for a Summer J-term class that starts in the morning entitled, Leadership and Family Ministry. The reading has been a helpful assignment causing me to revisit old thoughts and try on some new ones dealing with the important topic of the roles parents and churches play in discipling children and youth. Much of the reading put words, research, and biblical guidance to hunches and feelings I had lived with for quite a while when my life was youth ministry. There were several moments of deepened sorrow as my errors were multiplied and clarified, but also much clarity and rejoicing as I thought of a future church and future youth in a healthier ministry. Thanks be to God that our errors do not cripple his power, nor do they need to cripple us.
We had a family photo shoot yesterday, to capture this wonderful season of our lives. We had a great time with a gifted and gracious friend from church as we walked and played in the park. We're excited to see what the final project looks like. Here's a link to her "sneak peek".
Bekah and Weston are wearing grooves in the floors as Weston guides his momma around the house as his own personal set of training wheels. He's crawling and should soon be walking! We're hoping sooner rather than later; momma has other things she'd like to do all day!
PRAY FOR US:
*Pray that God would bless Danny and his business. Pray that I would improve as a painter and that the guys we work with would come to a saving relationship with Christ.
*Pray for me and my siblings as we seek to be faithful parents and spouses. Pray that the glory of God and obedience to his Word would be the main concern in our families.
*Pray that the Lord would bless me in this class and that I would grow as a student and man of God.
May the Lord bless you as you think about the great lengths he went to rescue you from the dominion of darkness, and as you are reminded by the existence of this blog that you are precious to us!
