You are to be Praised

One thing that I love about Christ is that He is so constant and faithful when everything/everyone in this world is constantly changing. He is a constant presence and source of strength. He has promised to be my guide and provide for all of my needs as He tells me to depend solely on Him. He is so trustworthy, so mighty & powerful, and so loving. I am thankful for an almighty Father.

I have been grateful for God's provision in our lives again lately:

This past semester has been a very busy and stretching one. I felt like my time was devoted to many things and I was stretched as I tried to listen daily to the Lord's voice, asking him to guide me on how to use my time. (many times I failed) Scott and I began praying this summer about me working part-time so I could devote more energy to the needs of our community in Wicker Park. We felt that the Lord was leading me to cut back on some of my hours which  left our budget extremely tight. (about a dollar off every month) Yet, we both felt that it needed to be done.

So today, I was called into my manager's office and told that I would be getting a raise. After doing the math, I figured out that I will be getting paid the exact same amount that I was while working full time. The Lord provided right down to the very last penny. He is so good and so personal. It is definitely not coincidence that it ended up being the very same amount and He wanted Scott and I to know that.

Another special blessing this week is that we have two new co-laborers for Mosaic Church. Aaron & Ashley Cauble have stepped out in faith moving from Texas to Chicago to follow Christ as He is moving in Wicker Park. Tonight, after our crazy youth/kids night, Scott and I were talking and I realized that they could not have come at more perfect timing. The Lord provided for our need of help engage the community, reminding me that He does not only provide financial but in ALL things. There is such a comfort and peace in following Christ, knowing that there will be difficult times but that He will never stray from us and holds us in the palm of His hand.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Mosaic Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TKj9u7yC-w

Here is a video of part of what Mosaic has been up to this summer! 

Mosaic Update

Here is an article that the local online newspaper wrote about Mosaic Church:

http://oururbantimes.com/business-news/youth-wicker-park-and-bucktown-assault-businesses-and-schools-offers-help

Our prayer is that through our the body of Christ, Wicker Park & Chicago will feel Christ's immense love, come to know the character of God, and see Christ in us. 

Children's Carnival

Today our church had the opportunity to volunteer at the Wicker Park Children's Carnival. Our church along with others and many organizations offered this event free of charge to the community! There were numerous games, face paintings, puppet shows, and other activities. We served popcorn & snocones as well as provided a bouncy house! It was a lot of fun- we enjoyed meeting new people in our neighborhood and having the opportunity to tell them about our Sunday gathering!

Sidewalk chalk advertisement! 

Autumn supervising the bounce house.

Amber was a snocone making machine!

Jason & Natalie making popcorn!

Ashley already working hard straight from the airport!

Scott helping serve popcorn.

Children's Carnival 2011

 

A People Called to Serve

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping one command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5: 13-14


When we moved here last September, one of the first things Scott did was meet with the principal at our neighborhood school. He asked what her vision and dreams were for the school and how a church could help her accomplish those goals. Since then we have been praying for the school (staff, teachers, students) and encouraging the teachers by sending notes and baked goods. Scott has also spent every afternoon on playground patrol- making sure that kids get home safely and that no unauthorized people come onto the campus. He also opens the "Paw Bucks" store a few days a week. (a positive reward system for the students) Needless to say, the principal, students & staff love him and are astounded of why he spends so much of his free time volunteering at the school.

He has had the opportunity to explain to them that he serves a loving God who calls us to serve others. He gets to give them a glimpse of the vision of our church to engage the community reconciling all things back to the Lord. We want to impact our community by serving them with the love of Christ.

Throughout Scott's time at the school, he has become friends with one of the coaches. He has supported the teams by driving kids to their games and cheering them on. He has even coached the soccer team when the coach couldn't make it. He has met and gained respect from many of the middle school boys & girls. And through serving, God opened an opportunity that we never envisioned or expected.

Last night we rented out the Wicker Park field house for a Friday night youth event. We were blessed to have seven youth students & five children come for pizza, wii games, and basketball. We are going to continue this every Friday night and pray that students will come and be changed by the life and words of Jesus. Please pray with us as we reach out to the kids in our neighborhood.

Last night Scott and I were talking about how we never imagined this opportunity coming our way. Yet, when we obey Christ and serve His people, I believe He will open doors and move in ways we never dreamed of. As believers, we are people that are called to serve & love others. When we do this in prayer  I believe God will move in our lives and others.

Lord, help us serve others wholeheartedly and with the power of your Spirit. Please use our lives to point to yours.

Scott at the Paw Bucks Store

Project 31: Day 22.

Day 22.  What are some needs that need to be met in your community?  Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." -Mother Teresa


Scott and I have been in a season of prayer and brainstorming directly related to this question. Last weekend we discussed our visions, ideas, and dreams we feel like the Lord has been laying on our hearts to carry out here in Wicker Park. It was such an exciting time as we shared and prayed over the long list of things we are asking direction on from Christ. 


Since moving here in September, I feel like the first part of our journey has been a great learning experience. We have learned what makes our community tick, met a lot of people, and seen lots of needs of the people. We have already been given many opportunities to get involved in Wicker Park by serving in the school, working/cleaning in the park, and simply loving on those around us. As of two weeks ago Scott has also become the Vice President of the Wicker Park Advisory Council which we  are excited to see the avenues this will open up for our church to serve here.

Although we have a list of 13 ideas we are praying through right now as we continue to listen to the Lord's voice, we have noticed two major needs in our community that we know Christ desires us to move to action. One being homelessness and the other being nursing home living.

We have many, many homeless people in Wicker Park which is common throughout the whole city of Chicago. Many of these people live in the park during the warmer seasons and we see them regularly. As Scott and I came together we both felt the Lord was speaking to us on this same issue. Earlier this week I had been reading James and this passage particularly tugged at my heart:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.                                                   James 2:14-17

Our desire as a church is to invest in the lives of the people in our neighborhood ministering to the whole person. We have a big vision to help them get on their feet and become productive members of society. This is something that is way over our heads at this point of our journey, but we are looking for ways to partner with existing organization already in our city. Many people need rehab, job training, education, etc. The needs of the homeless community are very diverse. They need more than just a hand out, they need life transformation. We also desire to build relationships with them and love them. We want them to know they are valuable and loved in God's sight and to be reconciled to Him. Right now we are praying through having a weekly gathering in the park this summer serving pancakes as we build relationships with them as well as discuss God's word. We can't wait to see what God has in store for His people.

We also have two assisted living/nursing homes in our neighborhood. Many times these can be very lonely places for people in their final stages of life. Scott is planning on meeting with the management of these two buildings to see possible ways we can love and serve them. We know that Christ has great plans for our community and we feel so blessed to be able to be a small part of that. Walking with the Lord is so, so good.

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."  -Mother Teresa

Snow Snow Snow Snotorious!

Scott and I experienced a blizzard our first winter in Chicago. I was completely pumped because I did not have to go to work or school today! Woohoo! We not only got to experience the blizzard, but also what a 40 degree apartment feels like. Around 8:00 last night, our transformer blew out causing us to have no electricity. So we piled on the layers and drank lots of tea. It actually ended up being a fun experience to remember.

Today consisted of playing in the snow, a little homework/reading, drinking tea, snuggling and watching TV shows, and making snow ice cream. It was an absolute blast, which brings me to this conclusion: The day after the blizzards is the best.

Selah, completely in her element.

Ashley's best caught jump of the day.

Scott's best caught jump of the day.

I love snow! 

Aftermath of the snow jump.

Snow days with this boy are the best.

Ingredients for snow ice cream. Yum.

Having class online on my couch! Look at Selah being a baller in the background.

Now I can only dream about one more snow day tomorrow...

Banana Pancakes

Scott and I stumbled across another Chicago treasure this weekend, The Bongo Room. I am a huge fan of breakfast food and took notice of the restaurant right down the street. Scott ordered a ham & cheese omelet and I had oreo banana pancakes. My husband was taken a little off guard as my excitement of this discovery turned into giggling and then small tears of happiness! Yes, after ordering I laughed until I cried . If you had seen the menu you may have been overwhelmed with joy also. I am hoping to become a regular at The Bongo Room!

After breakfast we visited our local library. I checked out "A Mercy" by Toni Morrison. It is the current read for the Chicago book club. The Chicago Public Library has a program called "One Book, One Chicago." Each month a book along with a reading guide is featured and provided at the local libraries. Throughout the month programs & events are offered that correlated with the reading selection. There will be a staged reading and genealogy workshops among many other activites. Towards the end of the month there will be a community book discussion at the library.

I also started my job this past week at Childtime Learning Center! I am in the Early Learners class with 16 precious, energetic 2-year-olds. And, I love it! Our center represents families from over 20 different countries. The Lord yet again has been so incredibly faithful and answered our prayers for a job as well as opened up a place to share His love. This past week I have been constantly reminded of Him in the beauty and innocence of the children.

Sunday in Chicago

Today I fell in love with Sundays in Wicker Park. During the summer/fall seasons a local farmer's market sets up in our neighborhood. Strolling through the park you will find fruit, flowers, yummy pastries, and of course lots of people and dogs.This morning Scott and I woke up, ate breakfast, and headed out to the market. We stopped to taste test different kinds of cheese, look at the beautiful flowers, and for Selah to meet some sweet babies and other dogs. She is a Wicker Park hit!

After much anticipation on Selah's end, we final arrived at the dog park where the slobber and tennis balls flowed like milk and honey. Selah loves chasing dogs while Scott and I enjoy getting to know their owners. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming here. Today we met Grizzly, Mr. Miyagi, and their owners. Our prayer is that we see them again in our community and build strong relationships with them. Scott and I have met many people in our community, but many we have not seen more than once. Will you please join us in prayer asking the Lord to place these people in our paths multiple times, even daily?

We are thankful to be here. We are still adjusting as it is much different than Texas and hard to be away from family and friends, yet the Lord is so incredible faithful. We are depending fully on Him to build His church as we seek his guidance, direction, and daily presence. Our greatest prayer need is for us to build deep relationships with people in our community and at my job. And as for next Sunday in Wicker Park, I will be bringing cash for some yummy crepes and fresh bread.