My Life This Week

I realize that this is not going to be the most interesting blog post I've written. However, I am growing bored quickly and just thought it would be nice to let you know what I've been doing this week.

First of all, fall arrived in the Northwest this week! When we moved here last October, fall was in full swing and it was GORGEOUS! It's been really neat to watch summer turn to fall and I wish I could share all the beautiful sights with you. I know what you're thinking...just snap some pictures and share them. I wish it were that easy. You see, the arrival of fall also brought an unwelcome arrival into our home...a nasty cold virus! Since Sunday afternoon, I've been planted on this couch in my own little version of misery. Didn't make it to work Monday, tried to go Tuesday and was home by lunch, and didn't attempt today either. And since there isn't too much you can do from the couch, I thought why not blog about it?

I don't do sick very well...I think I get that from my Dad. When Mom gets sick, she's solid as a rock and you'd barely know anything was wrong with her. When Dad gets sick (not cancer sick, but common cold sick), you'd think it was the end of the world =) Funny how my Dad is handling his cancer far better than he handles the sniffles...thank goodness for that!! That's how it's always been in my house growing up and I suppose I'm a balance of my two fabulous, but opposite parents.

All that being said, I don't feel well, but I am so incredibly blessed that this little cold will eventually pass while I know that so many others are dealing with far worse...I've been praying alot for those people this week and I'm also incredibly blessed to have a husband who sees to it that I have everything I want/need and I don't lift a finger for any of it. Spoiled, I know. So here is what my week has looked like thus far...

Notice the card to the far left...my sweet husband
returned from an orange juice run with a feel better
soon surprise. I sure do love him!

Life Church Has Launched!

We had no idea what Sunday night at Life Church was going to look like. Sure, we made lots of plans and preparations for what we hoped it would look like, and we had vision for what it would look like, but the truth is, we had no idea...

As it was getting closer, Derek and I talked alot about the "what ifs" in trying to make sure we had everything in place. The one and only thing that we had confidence in was the fact that it absolutely did not matter what we planned for, God was in control of this BIG night and we were more than okay with that! And God delivered!! I just keep running Ephesians 3:20 in my mind over and over..

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Our first Life Church service was amazing! We had over 40 people that came, some people we knew, some who had received our post card mailing, and even some who didn't mean to be there at all and just wanted come coffee at Forza but stayed for Life Church anyway! The greatest thing of all is that every single one of these people got to hear about Jesus and that is why we are here!

So the setup of our first service went like this: A welcome and hello from Derek, a couple of songs from our amazingly talented friend Emilie, a message delivered by Kyle, another song, and a farewell from Derek. They all did such a great job!! It was a great coffee shop gathering and God was absolutely there! And while the adults were having church in the coffee shop, the kiddos were having "Gym Church" (as Kade so hilariously calls it) in the aerobics room at Anytime Fitness across the street.

God provided everything we needed and more to make this launch gathering of Life Church happen. He gave us a great burden for the people of DuPont, great ministry partners in Kyle and Terry, a great location for both the kids and the grown-ups, a great team of servants to help us make sure things were taken care of, great people to show up, and most of all a PERFECT Savior who is the reason why Life Church even exists in the first place. So I follow Ephesians 3:20 with Ephesians 3:21

" Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!"

Here are a few pictures from the night...


Derek


The People


Emilie



Little Deb playing with the sweet babies at "Gym Church"


The toddler section of "Gym Church"


The aerobics room transformation


And here is another one of the great highlights of Life Church...Mrs. Joanna came! We were so surprised when Terry asked Derek to help her get something out of the back of her vehicle and out popped Mrs. Joanna! This night was very special to her as well, and she made a surprise trip just to be here and show her support for us and for what God is doing at Life Church. Without the support and love of our families,it would be incredibly difficult to do ministry 3,000 miles away from them...we love all of you right back!!

It's Finally Happening!!!

This past Labor Day weekend marked the one year anniversary of the weekend that Derek and Kyle made the trip to Washington and felt God leading them to begin a new church in the city of DuPont. One month later, we were all packed up and were the newest residents of the state of Washington. It's amazing how time flies!! All that being said, one the biggest milestones for Life Church is happening this weekend!

This Sunday, September 13, at 6:00 p.m. (8:00 Central Time), Life Church is launching it's very first public worship gathering! God has been so amazing at bringing the pieces of this puzzle together and we can't wait to see what He's gonna do this Sunday night! Please lift up this very special night in your prayers and pray specifically for the people of DuPont and for the Spirit to move in their hearts!

http://www.lifechurchdupont.com/


This is Forza coffee house in DuPont...it's the location for our gathering this Sunday night. The owner has been so generous in opening up his business for us to use...at NO CHARGE!!

Washington Firsts...

We absolutely LOVE when our family comes to visit! As much as we LOVE going home, we have so many faces to see in our short time there, that we don't get to spend as much time with each one as we would like. However, when family comes to us, we get to give them our undivided attention, and we LOVE that! This time, MawMaw Gen and Aunt Tanya were the recipients of that attention =) This was their first trip to the great Northwest, and needless to say, I think they really enjoyed their stay.

Here's what you typically get from the Thomas Tour Guides on your first trip
1. The Space Needle
2. Red Robin on the Pier in Seattle (our favorite)
3. Pike Place Market
4. Snoqualmie Falls
5. The local tour of Steilacoom/DuPont

This is usually all we have time for, but this trip was quite the exception! We did all of that and so much more! We got to have a few first time experiences here in the Northwest last week and it was even more special because we got to share them with our family.

I think I'll let the pictures tell the story of the adventures we had...


MawMaw Gen & Aunt Tanya at Pike Place Market


Fish in Your Face



A delicious lunch at Red Robin in Seattle...just check out that tower of onion rings, and yes, it is called a tower!


Top of the Space Needle


Snoqualmie Falls...just as beautiful as ever


Enjoying the view from the observation deck


On Friday, we had a Washington first...first trip to the Pacific Ocean! It was starting to rain and the waves were just incredible but we did manage to walk out just far enough to stick our feet in the FREEZING water!


MawMaw Gen has always wanted to put her feet in the waters of the Pacific...we're so glad we were able to let her do just that =)


This is a very special picture...MawMaw Gen's brother, Emmett, was discharged from Fort Lewis many years ago.


Another first...MawMaw Gen treated us to a 2 hour cruise through Lake Union and Lake Washington in Seattle.


It was a beautiful day and so many boats were enjoying the water. You can also see a few of Seattle's floating homes, too. We even got to see the floating home used for filming Sleepless in Seattle!


It was a fabulous tour and we had a great time!

What a great trip this was! Thanks so much MawMaw Gen and Aunt Tanya for taking the time to come visit us in Washington. We had so much fun and can't wait to start planning for the next trip! We love you =)