Nov. 8 - Nov.30 Update

Hey friends and family,

Here's our update for what has been a busy November!  Instead of moving chronologically through the month, I thought it would be good to make categories.  : )

Continued Encouragement
God's grace truly is amazing.  One of the ways we have been blessed by it is in the people God has put around us to support and encourage us.  This month we have had conversations, dinners, coffee and the like with people who God has joyfully encouraged to support us financially in our efforts for His Kingdom in McKinney.  While we are still in need and asking God to provide, we are grateful for His blessing through friends and family and for how He is faithful to give us just what we need.

We have also been increasingly encouraged by the staff, leadership, and members of Christ Fellowship. Recently we had a meeting with their Network Team (leaders in charge of the church planting ministries) to share pragmatically our vision for reaching the city for Christ.  With their ongoing input and guidance, I can say they were extremely encouraging, and I look forward to see how the Spirit of God will move in us as we take some faithful (and sometimes a little scary!) steps forward.

Cool Opportunities
God has also continued to provide more ministry opportunities for us.  Erin and I were able to go and see our friends back at Woodcreek where I had the chance to teach the Young Adults Group.  It's always a blessing to get to talk about Jesus with friends.  I have also been asked to perform the wedding of one of my former Youth Group kids coming up in the beginning of January.  It's very encouraging to see her and her fiancee wanting to make Jesus the foundation of their marriage and lives together.  And it's also fun to get to speak the limited wisdom and experience of 1 1/2 years of marriage!  I am also getting a chance to preach again at Christ Fellowship on December 30th.  If you're around - come see me!  If you can't come - listen online at christfellowshiphome.com.

Fun Stuff

A few months ago Erin and I decided to pick a Baylor football game and grab some tickets and go with some friends on a one day road trip to Waco and back.  Who could have guessed that when we picked the Baylor/Kansas State game that not only would K-State be the #1 ranked team in the country at that game, but that Baylor would DESTROY them in one of the most exciting and electric sports environments I have ever witnessed.  It was so sweet to be there with Erin, to join her in her Baylor passion and to share that experience together.  Even though I am an Aggie, I must say 'Sic 'Em' at the beating the Bears gave to K-State.

We also got a chance to spend Thanksgiving (and the Sunday after) with my family celebrating the holiday as well as my (31) and my brother's (36) birthdays!  It was great to have my whole family together and to celebrate with them.  Also, my wife got me the best Birthday/early Christmas present ever - but I'll have to have you read about it on her blog.

Not so Fun Stuff
For a couple years now, Erin has been battling a stomach thing that comes and goes (and always comes back) that is really painful and hard to bear.  The doctor has now suggested we see a GI specialist on December 12th.  It usually is a few really intense days with a couple of weeks in between the hard-core pain.  Please pray for Erin, that the Lord would alleviate her pain and heal her body, that the doctors would identify exactly what's up and how to fix it, that I would be there for her how she needs, and that we both would hear the voice of God through suffering that we don't hear when things are easy.

Change of Seasons

I wish I was talking about the cold front that has come in, but as I write this on Nov. 30th it is 68 degrees outside. What I mean is a change of vocational seasons.  After much prayer and counsel we have decided that it is time to transition away from working at Starbucks and meet the increased requirements and demands of our residency program and church plant.  So after 1 1/2-ish years, I will no longer be receiving free or discounted lattes... : (  But the Lord has done a great work in the last year, and we trust that we have accomplished the mission he gave us to make relationships with people for the sake of seeing Christ live in them.

Prayers and Praises
- Please pray for Erin's health as well as the health of some parents/grandparents of our church family who are not doing well
- Please pray that the Lord would continue to move in the hearts of supporters to provide our financial needs
- Thank the Lord for the Christ-centered conversations and relationships that are budding in our church plant.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring dead hearts to life and continue to grow and mature those of us who know Jesus.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would draw more people to our group and that our efforts to reach out into our circles will show fruit of growth of our church
- Prayer of praise for all those who are giving to us, praying for us, joining us, and overall supporting our efforts here.  It means more than you know!