Reflecting on Chicago ~ Destination Church

With just a few days left in Chicago, I couldn't very well leave without reflecting on our church.

When you move to a big city and do not know ANYONE - finding a church home is at the top of the list!  Through God's grace and mercy, we found Destination Church the very first Sunday after we moved into our place.  It was a church start up that was meeting in a comedy club just down the street from us.

We immediately knew that it was exactly where we needed to be.  We jumped right in with both feet and felt at home right away.  It has been such an adventure to watch it grow and get to be a part of God's bigger plan here in the City.

Here we are, about 236 Sundays later.  Part of wrapping up our time in Chicago is saying goodbye to this church family.  Of course, we are really just saying, See you later, but the goodbyes must be said, anyway!

This church has been so many things for us.

These people are our friends, our Chicago family, 

our support and just plain fun.

They have loved us well.

They have allowed us to serve along side of them.

They have gathered at our house for meals, small groups and projects.

We have grown through hearing the Word and through studying the Bible together.

We have laughed (a lot), cried, grieved, rejoiced and been in awe.

This church has enriched our time here in ways that are just hard to describe.

Friends - we are made to be in community.

We need each other.

You don't have to go it alone.

God's family is big and there is a place for you wherever you live.

Thank you, Destination Church family, for making our time here in Chicago some of our best years.  You have allowed the Lord to use you in so many ways in our lives.  Words seems to fall so short of what I am trying to express.

May the Spirit allow His pleasure with your love and 

care for us to be felt in full today.

We love you!

 

Reflecting on Chicago ~ Hamilton Elementary

I have been writing this blog entry for a week and 

I just can't seem to get it right.

  

This particular part of my Chicago life is so dear to me 

that words seem to always fall short.

This time in my life has been life changing.  I'm leaving here a different 

person and my time volunteering at Hamilton is a huge part of that.

Of all the surprises that Chicago held for me, 

perhaps this was the best surprise of all.

 I've posted about Hamilton before, but here is the quick recap.  I was looking to volunteer at a school in my neighborhood and I stumbled across Hamilton in my search.  There was a wish list on their website and one of their wishes happened to be someone to paint at the school.  

It was a perfect marriage of their need and my ability.

A perfect marriage of my need and God's plan and purpose.

I began painting there in October of 2010 and I have been painting ever since!

 There is hardly a wall I haven't added a bit of color to 

and with each brush stroke,

 I was given a gift.

The gift of friendship.

The gift of joy.

The gift of serving.

The gift of encouraging.

The gift of laughter.

The gift of love.

The gift of family.

As is often the case in God's economy, the more I gave, the more I received.

As a bonus, our church was able to do about 10 service projects as well, benefiting every aspect of Hamilton.

It was Jesus with yard tools, hammers, paintbrushes, brooms, rags and goodies.

We also got to encourage the staff with gifts and encouraging words.

I just don't know when I have had a greater privilege.

To the Hamilton Staff, I would say that you have blessed me immeasurably.  

Your genuine love and care for students is amazing.

 To Hamilton parents, you have taught me so much about getting your hands

dirty and making things happen for your kids and the students to come.

To Tracy and Ally - thank you for the many shared hours of painting

collaboration in the library and even more for your friendship.

To Ellie - thank you for being my sister in the Lord and a constant

source of encouragement.

To Kerrie - thank you for sharing your time with me in the Science room.  

Thank you for letting me store all my paints and brushes in your space.

We had a lot of fun - didn't we!?!

To Yolanda - I have learned so much by watching you interact with the 

staff and students.  You truly lead by example.

To Mr. Gray, I would say that you have forever inspired me to serve others.  You have taught me so much about leadership, sacrifice and the power 

of believing that things can be better if we do the work.

You are my hero.

I thank the Lord, above all, for allowing me to cross paths with

these amazing people.

Hamilton, I will miss you.

Reflecting on Chicago ~ Neighbors

I thought it would be fun to wrap up my City Chat Chicago blog with my reflections on what the Lord has gifted me during my time here in Chicago.  Little did I know what He had in mind when I enthusiastically agreed to make the move from Texas to Illinois.

Boy - has it been full of surprises and treasures.

I have about 5 more weeks here.  Suddenly, that seems like a very short amount of time!  I have so much to be thankful for that I better get to writing!

Neighbors.

Oh, how I love my neighbors.

Alan and I always pray that the Lord will place us exactly where He wants us -- and then we keep our eyes wide open to see who He wants us to love on.

It was sure easy here in the big city.  We live in a 3 unit building, so those building mates were our first friends here.

Jamie and Kevin lived on the top floor and Matt lived on the 2nd floor.  We moved into the duplex down (floor one and the basement level!)  We loved these guys from the start. 

I would vote Kevin as one of the nicest guys on the planet.  He was always ready to help you with anything - always kind and friendly.  He was our "shoveling snow in the middle of the night" guy.  I love Jamie!  We had many great conversations and sweet times.  They moved out to the suburbs about 1 1 /2 years ago and we still miss them! 

Matt married Kristen about 1 1/2 years ago so we got a new building mate!  Great choice - Matt!  They are so dear to us.  They are family.  They are kindhearted and so genuine.  They have been amazing neighbors and friends.

Ken and Courtney moved in when Kevin and Jamie moved out.  We have loved having them in our building as well.  They are both kind and generous.  Quincy loves their dog, Sylar. 

All of us have shared many a meal, had lots of conversation, watched out for each other and helped each other out numerous times.  We feel so fortunate to have landed in the same building with these guys.

I had some neighbor parties and got to meet quite a few people on our street.  Many of them became sweet friends.  Some of them have already moved away.  There is such a transient nature to a big city.  People come and go -- so you better get to know them fast!  Big thanks and love to Ryan and Michelle (Hannah and Owen!), Chris and Flora (Zoe and Leo) and Ryan and Alison.  Our lives were all the richer for living near you!

Matt, Sharon, Nicholas, Jennifer, Wayne, Carlos, Rebecca and Dan have been steadfast and wonderful neighbors.  Rebecca and her then roommate, Jenni, took me to brunch my first Mother's Day away from my daughters.  I will never forget that!  Josh, Janet and Jackson just moved in next door at the end of the summer.  Although we have only had a short time with them, they have become very dear to us.  There are some others that we are at least acquainted with and we are grateful for each one.  The Lord placed us in the midst of some wonderful people.

It is hard to imagine what life would be like without these amazing people.  I am so very thankful for each one of them and for all that we have shared.

This was my first move to literally never feel loneliness.  The Lord provided us with friends so quickly that it was a smooth transition.  What a huge part these neighbors have played in our life.

They have made our time here in Chicago rich, indeed.

Thank you.

Thankful Thursday ~ Word

I sat down this morning as I thought about preparing for the day.  The photographer is coming today to take pictures of the house to put it on the market.  Our beloved Chicago home will be out there for all to see at the beginning of next week.  It is part of the process that I know so well.

I am very confidant in the Lord's plans for us.  I am excited to see what the next chapter holds as we journey to New York City.  I trust Him with every bit of my future.

That being said, my heart craves reassurance from Him that we are in this together.  It craves encouragement in the midst of the chaos.

This morning, I read Psalm 94 and this particular verse jumped out at me as a gift straight from the Lord.

But the Lord has been my stronghold and my God the Rock of my Refuge.

YAY!  What a great reminder of the foundation of my life and the goodness of the Lord.  His Word calms me and reminds me of the truths I already know and rely on.

Proverbs 3:5-6 goes through my mind continually right now.

Trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.

Philippians 4:4-7 is ever present.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near. 
Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So - even in the midst of a very busy season of life, the Lord is real.

He is present.

He is walking beside me.

He is continually reminding me of His great love for me.

He is going before me to prepare the way.

I am so thankful for a personal Savior who is aware of each detail of my days.  He is completely trustworthy as I lean into Him.

My heart is at rest.

Monday Musings ~ That's not fair!

How often do we hear ~ That's not fair!!!!

I remember saying it as a child and I occasionally say it as an adult!

I hear it from children all the time.

It is a common mantra.

There is something that rises up inside of us when we see something that is not fair and certainly when we experience it.

Enter Matthew 20:1-15.

^1-2 “God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.
^3-5 “Later, about nine o’clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.
^5-6 “He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o’clock. At five o’clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, ‘Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?’
⁷ “They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“He told them to go to work in his vineyard.
⁸ “When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’
^9-12 “Those hired at five o’clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, ‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.’
^13-15 “He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’

Does that story resonate with you?

Are you the all day laborer or the last minute laborer?

There is something in us that wants fairness and justice - but there is a deeper need for grace.  

Jesus knows that what we think we need and what we truly need are often not the same thing.

God's kingdom is like . . .

I picture the day laborer who had waited and waited all day to be hired.  His head is low as he pictures returning home one more day with nothing to show for it.  His shoulders sag as he thinks of disappointing his family yet again.  Oh, the JOY of being chosen at the last hour to work at the estate.  

Oh the JOY of being chosen.

He works for an hour and then lines up to be paid.  He isn't expecting much, after all, he only worked for an hour.  He steps up to receive his wages and he is paid for a whole day!  

WHAT!?!?

Even a small amount of money would have been a gift, but a whole day's wage was such a surprise.

Oh my -- so undeserved -- so generous --so unexpected.

I understand those that were upset, but I am bowled over by this man.

He is me - He is you.

Jesus isn't fair.  

He is gracious and graciousness is so much more than fair.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

Thank God that Jesus isn't fair.

A month of reflections on an ordinary life

Yes -- it has been a month or even a bit more since I sat down to write anything.  Of course, that month has included about 5,000 miles of driving, two plane flights, stays in 3 states and lots of fun.

Life is happening.

It is happening FAST.

It is reeling out of control at times . . .
        but there are also some sweet moments of solitude,
                                                                        relaxation and quiet.

We had a wonderful Christmas in snowy Colorado with our kids, grandkids and my parents.  It was a wonderful time. 

Every day baby time is my favorite.

I'm soaking up these days.

They are priceless.

Just in case you didn't see the news, we are moving to New York City in March. 

This is one of the views out of our apartment window.  The apartment is being redone and we will move into it mid March.

I'll be talking about those big changes and what wrapping up life in Chicago is like over these next couple of months.  There is a lot to say - to say the least!

For now - I'll say that God is faithful. 

He is faithful to lead.

He is faithful to guide our every step in decision making.

He is faithful to provide.

He is faithful to fill up our hearts and souls in ways we can not even begin to imagine.

So - here is to 2015.

It is going to be a grand adventure.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do now lean on your own understanding.  Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6