Last night our friends watched L so Chris and I could go out together and meet people. For those who have never church planted, basically when you first move to a new city, you try to meet as many people as you can. The technical term is called "gathering" or I guess in the corporate world it would be "networking". Chris and I are not really interested in gathering Christians going to another church.. we want to see people meet Jesus so we are hanging out at non-churchy places.
So...
Wed night is bike night in Madison. Not Schwin bikes, but Harley bikes. Chris and I have a motorcycle- not for status, but for a cheap and fun way to get around town. So, we thought we would go check out "bike night". It was actually cool in the fact that literally hundreds of motorcycles are parked all over this location and it draws quite the crowd. However, we are so not the biker types. Everyone was decked out in their leather clothes and boots, bandanas on their heads, showing off their latest Harley gear. Here we are in our jeans and tennis shoes and a Honda Shadow motorcycle that totally needs to be washed!
It ended up being good though.. we ran into one of the bakers at Chris' work and also our realtor, who we like a ton. It was great to see her and talk and we hope to hang out again.
Then we went to this local bar. Chris met a bartender there who is Greek, so I had to go meet her. I love her! We hit it off immediately and by the end of the night exchanged phone numbers so we could meet up to go get some Greek food.
However, the funny part is that I have zero tolerance for alcohol. I really like the taste of good beer, but if I drink an entire beer I get really sleepy. So I am sitting at this bar and I can feel myself getting drowsy after about half a glass. So I switched glasses with Chris and made him finish mine so I wouldn't fall asleep in the bar.
The things we do for Jesus! :-)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
"ouch"
Liliana learned the word ouch last week when she got a scratch on her foot. So she is keenly aware of any "ouches" in sight. After her ouch, were reading the Bible and when she saw the picture of the Good Samaritan she pointed to the wounded person saying, "Ouch".
So.... this morning I woke up with a big ol' pimple on my chin. When L saw it she just stared and immediately said "Ouch". All day long she kept coming back to me, pointing to my chin and saying "Ouch".
Yeah, I'm not so sure I like this new vocab word anymore....
So.... this morning I woke up with a big ol' pimple on my chin. When L saw it she just stared and immediately said "Ouch". All day long she kept coming back to me, pointing to my chin and saying "Ouch".
Yeah, I'm not so sure I like this new vocab word anymore....
Thursday, June 4, 2009
AIDS network
Today I went to an orientation meeting to begin volunteering with the AIDS network in Madison. I really hadn't given much thought to AIDS until last year when I went to Rwanda and met so many people that were HIV positive- many women and children. During the genocide, one of the ways they wanted to kill people was for soldiers who were HIV positive to rape women and thus spread their virus. What a cruel and awful tactic!
So, while we are still involved in work in Rwanda, I thought it would be good to get involved locally with AIDS patients.
The office is located on Willy St, which is where many homosexuals live and boasts of endless gay friendly shops- rainbows everywhere. There was a part of me that felt uncomfortable being there- not because I don't like gay people, but because I feel like gay people won't like me since I am a pastor by vocation. I guess "reverse discrimination". At the beginning of the orientation we had to tell why we were interested in volunteering. I explained my trip to Rwanda and the head guy was so impressed and wanted to hear more. So after it was over he asked me what organization I was with there and I said it was Vineyard, which is a church, there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. Oh well.
I think this is going to be a good, eye opening experience for me. I can't even begin to imagine the hurt and judgements that homosexuals have received from church people. You just feel the tension in the air when gay and Christian are used in the same sentence- on both ends. My desire is to be a learner- I believe the gay community has things to teach me and I want to learn. I want my love to grow and hopefully in turn offer love to those whom I will serve.
So, while we are still involved in work in Rwanda, I thought it would be good to get involved locally with AIDS patients.
The office is located on Willy St, which is where many homosexuals live and boasts of endless gay friendly shops- rainbows everywhere. There was a part of me that felt uncomfortable being there- not because I don't like gay people, but because I feel like gay people won't like me since I am a pastor by vocation. I guess "reverse discrimination". At the beginning of the orientation we had to tell why we were interested in volunteering. I explained my trip to Rwanda and the head guy was so impressed and wanted to hear more. So after it was over he asked me what organization I was with there and I said it was Vineyard, which is a church, there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. Oh well.
I think this is going to be a good, eye opening experience for me. I can't even begin to imagine the hurt and judgements that homosexuals have received from church people. You just feel the tension in the air when gay and Christian are used in the same sentence- on both ends. My desire is to be a learner- I believe the gay community has things to teach me and I want to learn. I want my love to grow and hopefully in turn offer love to those whom I will serve.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tidbits from my week
i just read jenny's blog about tidbits from her week and liked it so i am copying...
colored my hair and soooo happy i did. my sis used to be a beautician back in the day, so she bought me a year supply of good quality hair color as a gift. bring on the chemicals- i would much rather have chemical hair than gray hair. (other than that i am pretty green, but i just can't embrace gray hair until i'm at least 70)
i am turning into an active person and surprising myself. a few days ago L was running a fever, so we didn't take our normal daily walk b/c she slept more than usual. i was just itching to get out and exercise, so after she went to bed, chris stayed home so i could take a quick power walk around the neighborhood. it felt so good. am i getting addicted to physical activity? i don't mind at all if i am.
organic strawberries were on sale, so i am indulging myself in summer fruits. had some bing cherries tonight also. summertime fruit makes me happy.
went to capital brewery with steve and jenny. so fun sitting on the veranda on a perfect evening, eating snacks, listening to music and drinking some brews.
took L to state st for the first time to meet dale and jacq for ice cream. there were pictures of cows at the ice cream shop and she starting saying "Moo" when she saw it. she has been learning her animal sounds, so i thought it was so cute!
talked on the phone with this amazing vocational trainer/life coach from boston this week. he goes to a vineyard church there and is helping me develop some of our newcomer class materials on discovering how God made us. i was so inspired and encouraged talking to him and reading the material he mailed to me. people probably pay big bucks to meet with this guy and he has given me all his resources and time for free. so thankful.
talked on the phone to my 2 sisters and my 2 brothers. i also have 2 cousins that are like sisters to me.. one is in greece so i can't talk to her for a few weeks- bummer. i did get to e-mail my other cousin a few times this week so that was good. i love my family and am so glad we have good relationships with one another.
tried some new indian food this week- tasty stuff.
had people over to our apartment several times this week-love being a hostess!
got to read a ton.
took a nap yesterday.
good week.
colored my hair and soooo happy i did. my sis used to be a beautician back in the day, so she bought me a year supply of good quality hair color as a gift. bring on the chemicals- i would much rather have chemical hair than gray hair. (other than that i am pretty green, but i just can't embrace gray hair until i'm at least 70)
i am turning into an active person and surprising myself. a few days ago L was running a fever, so we didn't take our normal daily walk b/c she slept more than usual. i was just itching to get out and exercise, so after she went to bed, chris stayed home so i could take a quick power walk around the neighborhood. it felt so good. am i getting addicted to physical activity? i don't mind at all if i am.
organic strawberries were on sale, so i am indulging myself in summer fruits. had some bing cherries tonight also. summertime fruit makes me happy.
went to capital brewery with steve and jenny. so fun sitting on the veranda on a perfect evening, eating snacks, listening to music and drinking some brews.
took L to state st for the first time to meet dale and jacq for ice cream. there were pictures of cows at the ice cream shop and she starting saying "Moo" when she saw it. she has been learning her animal sounds, so i thought it was so cute!
talked on the phone with this amazing vocational trainer/life coach from boston this week. he goes to a vineyard church there and is helping me develop some of our newcomer class materials on discovering how God made us. i was so inspired and encouraged talking to him and reading the material he mailed to me. people probably pay big bucks to meet with this guy and he has given me all his resources and time for free. so thankful.
talked on the phone to my 2 sisters and my 2 brothers. i also have 2 cousins that are like sisters to me.. one is in greece so i can't talk to her for a few weeks- bummer. i did get to e-mail my other cousin a few times this week so that was good. i love my family and am so glad we have good relationships with one another.
tried some new indian food this week- tasty stuff.
had people over to our apartment several times this week-love being a hostess!
got to read a ton.
took a nap yesterday.
good week.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Rainy Day
Now that I am sitting down to write, I remember one more thing that happened our first week here...
Liliana and I went out for a stroller ride to explore the neighborhoods around us. There's some lovely homes and landscaping and we were having a peaceful walk. All of a sudden I felt a few rain drops and realized that I had kind of gotten turned around and didn't quite know how to get back home. I picked up the pace and the rain picked up as well. About 100 yards away I noticed someone getting out of their car heading towards a soccer park, so I ran to catch them and ask them where the heck I was. I'm standing out in the rain with L, soaking wet while this nice lady gives me directions and welcomes me to Madison.
We start heading home and soon I hear thunder. I quicken my pace. More thunder. I am freaking out because the streets are all lined with lovely trees- great for getting struck by lightning. At first L was into the adventure, but as the thunder got louder and we got wetter she started to cry. I am a horrible runner and gym was my worse class in school.. I am all of a sudden getting flash backs of running the mile in jr high and coming in close to last place. However, I had my baby girl and needed to get home. I ran so fast up the hill back home that my chest hurt and I could feel my lungs aching. I had to stop several times to catch my breath and try to encourage L that we were almost home. I can only imagine what people driving by in their cars thought.. Who is the crazy lady taking her toddler for a walk in a thunderstorm? I would have thought the same thing.
We rounded the corner home and came inside. We peeled off our wet clothes, got dressed and found the biggest blanket we could to snuggle under. L's fingers were freezing, so we snuggled under a blanket and read books til bed time. Needless to say, directions aren't my strong point. :-)
Liliana and I went out for a stroller ride to explore the neighborhoods around us. There's some lovely homes and landscaping and we were having a peaceful walk. All of a sudden I felt a few rain drops and realized that I had kind of gotten turned around and didn't quite know how to get back home. I picked up the pace and the rain picked up as well. About 100 yards away I noticed someone getting out of their car heading towards a soccer park, so I ran to catch them and ask them where the heck I was. I'm standing out in the rain with L, soaking wet while this nice lady gives me directions and welcomes me to Madison.
We start heading home and soon I hear thunder. I quicken my pace. More thunder. I am freaking out because the streets are all lined with lovely trees- great for getting struck by lightning. At first L was into the adventure, but as the thunder got louder and we got wetter she started to cry. I am a horrible runner and gym was my worse class in school.. I am all of a sudden getting flash backs of running the mile in jr high and coming in close to last place. However, I had my baby girl and needed to get home. I ran so fast up the hill back home that my chest hurt and I could feel my lungs aching. I had to stop several times to catch my breath and try to encourage L that we were almost home. I can only imagine what people driving by in their cars thought.. Who is the crazy lady taking her toddler for a walk in a thunderstorm? I would have thought the same thing.
We rounded the corner home and came inside. We peeled off our wet clothes, got dressed and found the biggest blanket we could to snuggle under. L's fingers were freezing, so we snuggled under a blanket and read books til bed time. Needless to say, directions aren't my strong point. :-)
A Little Note
Today I came home from meeting a new girl at an Indian Restaurant and there was a note attached to my door. I opened it up and it was a hand made thank you note from our upstairs neighbors. It made my day!
Our first week here Liliana had a hard time going to sleep in her new environment. My daughter has LOUD pipes, so she was wailing at the top of her lungs at some points and just couldn’t be calmed down. I have never lived in an apartment before, so I had no idea if our neighbors could hear and if they officially hated us for moving in. So, I decided to bake some chocolate chip cookies that Liliana and I could deliver to the neighbors as a way to meet them and apologize for them having to deal with her adjustment. Last week I met the girls upstairs- they are sisters and have a cat that Liliana loves. When I gave them the cookies at first, they seemed like they didn’t know how to take me and to be honest I kind of felt like June Cleaver minus the pearls. Anyway, they assured me that they couldn’t hear Liliana and welcomed me to Madison.
Then today was their sweet note thanking me for the delicious cookies. I like these girls already!
Our first week here Liliana had a hard time going to sleep in her new environment. My daughter has LOUD pipes, so she was wailing at the top of her lungs at some points and just couldn’t be calmed down. I have never lived in an apartment before, so I had no idea if our neighbors could hear and if they officially hated us for moving in. So, I decided to bake some chocolate chip cookies that Liliana and I could deliver to the neighbors as a way to meet them and apologize for them having to deal with her adjustment. Last week I met the girls upstairs- they are sisters and have a cat that Liliana loves. When I gave them the cookies at first, they seemed like they didn’t know how to take me and to be honest I kind of felt like June Cleaver minus the pearls. Anyway, they assured me that they couldn’t hear Liliana and welcomed me to Madison.
Then today was their sweet note thanking me for the delicious cookies. I like these girls already!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Madison or Bust
Tomorrow will mark 2 weeks of taking the biggest step of faith in my life. We packed up all of our belongings, filled a U-haul, trailer and back of a truck and moved to Madison, WI to start a new church. We still haven't sold our home back in the St Louis area, yet we both felt in the deepest place of our heart God nudging us that it was time to step out and that He would take care of us each step of the way.
So, here we are.
As we were driving up, we didn't even know if we were going to have a place to stay. We literally called an apartment manager at a gas station to see if they had received and approved our application. We got to Madison, looked at the apartment and then went and signed papers 15 minutes before the office closed.
It still feels a bit surreal that we are actually living here and I sometimes find myself feeling like I am just on a YWAM outreach. Yet as each day unfolds we continue to feel God is in this and our hearts are connecting more and more with our new community.
We actually love our apartment and our area of town. Chris walks to work, it is so close. Less than 2 miles is our favorite microbrewery. We walk to great parks and trails, the library... Madison is a super fun town and we really really like it here.
I can't wait to see how this next phase of our lives unfold!
So, here we are.
As we were driving up, we didn't even know if we were going to have a place to stay. We literally called an apartment manager at a gas station to see if they had received and approved our application. We got to Madison, looked at the apartment and then went and signed papers 15 minutes before the office closed.
It still feels a bit surreal that we are actually living here and I sometimes find myself feeling like I am just on a YWAM outreach. Yet as each day unfolds we continue to feel God is in this and our hearts are connecting more and more with our new community.
We actually love our apartment and our area of town. Chris walks to work, it is so close. Less than 2 miles is our favorite microbrewery. We walk to great parks and trails, the library... Madison is a super fun town and we really really like it here.
I can't wait to see how this next phase of our lives unfold!
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