The last day

Today was our last day at Bethel. It was a rather emotional time, sad for what we will miss, yet eager for what God has planned. It was a good ending to our chapter. I was able to sing on the worship team one last time. I was able to read scripture during service one last time. I was able to sing in choir one last time. I was able to help out in Promise Land (our nursery area) one last time. I was able to pray at the long known alters one last time. It was a gift to do these things one last time. I am thankful that many of the faces will not be far away and that we can still be a part of each other's lives for years to come. I am thankful for the precious friendships that I have made at Bethel, but are not confined to those walls. These friendships go beyond Sundays and Wednesdays.
I look forward to what God is bringing. I admit, I am nervous about the many unknowns, but I know that God has us in the palm of His hand and is guiding us through this transition. I have already met many wonderful people at our new church and I do not think it will take long to call it home.
Thank you Bethel for a wonderful 11 years. Thank you Lakeview for accepting us with open arms. Thank you God for walking with us, and as we are leaving one home for another, it is comforting to know that you are right beside us.

Looking back to summer...

Summer seemed to go so fast, as it does every year. Looking back, I realized that I have not shared about some of our adventures.
In August, we took a trip up north to Coeur d'Alene to visit the grandparents. We first stayed a few days with my family. We then went with Josh's mom over to Montana to visit Josh's sister and family. When we returned to Cd'A Josh joined us for the remainder of our trip with his family. The kids had a wonderful time seeing all the family. My brain is a little foggy about the details of the trip, so I will just share some of our pictures.

















Unfortunately I do not have any pictures with my family. I guess all the "different" things we do out in the country/forest are all new for us city folk. Josh's parents live in a cabin in the woods and his sister lives out in the country in Montana. My family lives in the "city" like us. Sorry mom...we love to visit you, I just forget to get the camera out. :(

A New Chapter

Eleven years ago, Josh and I began attending Bethel Church of the Nazarene. There were not many young couples, but our pastor wanted to start a young married Sunday school class. There were only about 4 couples to start and we met in our pastor's office. We soon grew and had to move down the street to the Mckim Chiropractic office, since there were no other classrooms available. Over the years that class grew and changed in many ways, but the friendships made will last a lifetime. Soon after joining Bethel, we were also asked to be chaperones for a teen trip to Lagoon. That was only the beginning. Josh and I began helping with the teens on a regular basis which soon became a calling from God for Josh. Josh started taking classes through NNU to receive his ministerial license. For the past 6 years, Josh has pursued this calling by continuing his classes for his license as well as grow in his experience by being continually involved with our teen group.
Several weeks ago, God opened a new door for Josh. The pastor of Lakeview Church of the Nazarene called Josh and asked if he would come interview to become their youth pastor. Our family visited the church and we prayed. Josh went through the interview process and then we waited. When we thought that God was closing that door, the pastor called and offered Josh the job. He accepted. After all those years of being uncertain of where God was leading, we finally had an answer...our new chapter.
On November 7th, our family will leave our longtime home church and move over to Lakeview to join the pastoral staff. It is really a bittersweet thing. So much to miss at Bethel, yet excited for what God has in store for us at Lakeview. I was told that our family will increase the congregation by 10% and the children's department by almost 50%! Now we are growing God's Kingdom!

19 years

19 years ago I met Olivia. We became friends in 7th grade. We played volleyball together, sang in choir, ran track, and spent many weekends together all through Jr high and high school. After graduation I came down to Nampa for college and she went to Boston. We have remained in contact over the years. Our lives have been on such different paths. I have been to college, taught for 6 years in the school system, and had 4 (soon to be 5) children. She has been to school, more school, and yes, more school. This last year she graduated from medical school and a month later had her sweet little girl, Fiona. Yep, she is a doctor...and she works in the maternity ward of a hospital in Spokane. It amazes me that my dear friend is a doctor, but one that delivers babies at that! In August, we took a trip up north to visit all the grandparents. It was so great to get to see Olivia and meet her little girl. Even though we had remained in contact, I had not seen her since her wedding...Katelyn was 3 months old. It is wonderful when friendships can remain even with many miles and years separating them.