Jaye and I have talked numerous times the past month or so about how we feel like we are right where God wants us when it comes to church. Originally we had a list of 4 churches to visit out here, but we started at one and haven't left as we LOVE it. I am not one that remembers what is preached about on a Sunday...but I can tell you each aspect/part of the tabernacle from the past 5 or 6 weeks as that is what we've been studying. There's something about the style of preaching/teaching that is sticking with me and it's so great! I love being able to put all the pieces together as I actually remember what has been said/taught!
Aside from the great teaching, this new place as been one that has come to be a weekly place of reuniting with family. Jaye grew up next door to his cousins growing up and they are his best friends. 3 weeks ago Jaye was texting with his cousin when church came up. She joined us at church that Sunday and God was definitely at work on her heart and she asked Jaye if he'd go forward with her the following week. Her 2nd Sunday there she chose to commit her life to Christ. She and Jaye walked hand-in-hand down the steps and to the front of the church where she talked with people and learned more about what it meant to become a Christian. Jaye couldn't have been prouder and happier and I am so grateful to have been witness to that moment for both of them!
After her 1st Sunday with us, she called her brother and his wife and invited them to join us at church too. That 2nd Sunday there were 5 of us all sitting in a row while the 2 munchkins were at their class. When Jaye's cousin and his wife picked up their daughter from her class she told them "I love my new school!" We all had lunch afterwards and ended up having everyone over for a marathon cousin day! We had many conversations about faith, the Bible, baptism, etc...conversations that had never been had before. When it was bedtime, I was reading books to Hope and her cousin and had told Hope "1 more book and then it's time to pray and go to sleep". Her cousin asked me, "What's pray?". I got to show her what "pray" was and she asked to try it too. What a precious moment with these sweet girls!
Last Sunday everyone came again, everyone with Bibles in tow and ready for another Sunday. There are still decisions to be made by some, but they are coming! I feel so priviledged to see the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of our family and this church. Each week people come to know the Savior and each week I get all emotional as I get to witness decisions being made. God is so good and I am so grateful that He brought us to that place.
Jaye and I have started attending a couples/marriage ministry on Weds. nights and we are excited to grow and learn together. Hope loves going to her class so it's almost like a little date-night/get-away for Jaye and I as we get to sit together and learn. We're also hoping to meet some other couples with kids as we are lacking in the friend department. On Monday I am going to be VERY brave and attend a Biblestudy for Moms. I don't know a single soul, but feel as though I should go...I am nervous and scared, but trust that if I take this step out that I will see what God has in store for me.
Needless to say, I so believe this church is exactly where God wants us. I am learning and growing, Jaye is being challenged, cousins are being saved, and God is at work in all of us. I am so grateful for this new place and love feeling as though I am exactly where HE wants me to be. Maybe this is the place God will use to reach my in-laws...I am committed to praying.
In the past 2 weeks Hope has become quite obsessed with Star Wars. Hope and Daddy have now watched Star Wars Episodes 4, 5, & 6....if you ask Hope, her favorite is "the one in the snow". Last Saturday when we went to Disneyland Jaye bought Hope a set of toddler Star Wars guys. She immediately pulled out the Storm Trooper, R2D2 and C3PO. Over the past week she has put the trooper back but has taken R2 and 3PO everywhere...hockey, Grandma's, the mall, bed, her house, etc. Jaye has a 2 foot-tall R2 that dances and interacts with you and Hope requests to "play R2 with Daddy" several times a day. Her Daddy couldn't be happier!
Today when we went to Disneyland we stumbled across an R2D2 Mickey hat...when I showed it to Hope she got super excited! When I asked her if she liked it she asked to wear it. We've been wanting to get her new ears for awhile, but couldn't figure out which ones to get....we found them today! Hope said she wanted her name on R2 in pink, so pink it was.
She proudly wore her R2 ears all day and looked mighty cute too!
This last picture is from earlier in the week, but it is so fitting for this post and these pictures. This was Hope at naptime on Friday...she asked for her guys and her blankie and snuggled right in and fell asleep. Too cute!
