After that week of painting, my life seemed to kind of go into overdrive. All three of the kids took turns getting sick. I am so thankful that it was just a mild fever and some quieter than usual kids and not any kind of flu. God is so gracious!
We're trying to decide what kind of vacation days to take before the year is up. Unline certain cell phone plans, James' vacation days don't "rollover". lol We haven't taken anything since June when we went to Florida and hadn't taken any in the year before that.
I'm hoping we'll get to spend a Sunday away to enjoy a service at the church we were on staff at last. We love going to Life Church and spending time with our family there. Hopefully it will be Christmasy service. Love those!
I noticed this year that God allowed us to savor the changing of the leaves. Last year, something happened and nothing really changed. They were there, and then they died and fell. Not much color. This year, it was a full couple of weeks of beauty. I love it! I'm looking forward to Thanksiving this year with my family. Both of my grandpas have had some health problems. It seems like in the blink of an eye they went from "getting older" to "old". I hate thinking about them not always being in my life.
We have had some great things happen in our youth group. Still, I'd like to see more growth in numbers. Spiritual growth and maturity IS growth though so I am very thankful for that. We had 11 baptisms at service on Wed. 4 of them were adults, 2 kids, and 5 youth.
Our home group went well last night. We seemed to click as a study group and a young man who has never prayed aloud in a group before did so the previous session and did again last night. He also asked James afterward, if we offer any classes for adults who are more like children spiritually. I'm just so excited to see things happening. We're looking at really strengthening how -we- do ministry. We want to make sure we're really discipling and not just leaving people at conversion to fend for themselves.
I think that's enough updates for one post. I'll try to be more regular. (for my 2-3 readers. lol)
Yes, please be more regular at posting! :-P
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this a lot. Your small group studies sound WONDERFUL! I'd love to be involved in something like that. I think discipleship is very very important, but often overlooked. How neat that you all are putting an emphasis on this!
Great update! :)
you had 11 baptisms and 5 were youth??? that's fantastic! We had girl get healed (like she came in on cruches and left without!) and then after that 5 kids got saved. :D
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate to have a great study group, and good for that young man who is growing in God.
Thanks, Susanne.
ReplyDeleteOur small groups are wonderful. I always enjoy that kind of interaction. It works well for an introvert like me. :D I too am excited about our push for being more effective at following the great commission's call for making disciples.
Joni, yes, 5 of them were youth. Of course, last night was really low for us. Satan likes to instantly discourage but we still had a phenomenal time of worship and I know God has great things in store!