Losing Life

Friends

One of the scariest things about moving from Chicagoland to Kansas City to start Restore Community Church was leaving friends.  Especially my kids friends.  Were they going to make new friends??  I hoped so...and I certainly prayed for them.

So here is a little update on friends...check it out:

 

Don't be Jealous Part 3

Yep this is the Ferguson family on my front porch here in Kansas City. We had so much fun!

The Hamburgler and the Pumpkin

Once upon a time there was a hamburgler and a pumpkin.  Little did we know that they would be a sign that all is well in Kansas City.  When they trick or treated at our door, we knew we were home.  You know you are home when friends drive across town to make sure they get to trick or treat at your house.  Over the past few months they have wiggled their way into our hearts.  And I think they will be superstars at Restore Community Church.

My cool banner

Thanks Tommy. 

The Bowmans are finally here!

Yep, it's true.  Kansas City is now even cooler (if that is at all possible) because the Bowmans are officially KC residents.  Look out KC...you will never be the same again.

KC Women mobilize Christ Followers in India

Check out my friend Belinda and other Kansas City women challenging the women in India  and Sri Lanka to reach their villages for Christ.

Eventful Day

Yesterday...

• Mitchell had to get a cast on his arm.  The Dr. thinks that is best since he suspects injury to the growth plate.
• Both the boys registered for school and got their class schedule. 
• I had coffee with some neighbors while Judiann played with the neighborhood girls. (well I didn't drink coffee...you know I don't like it, but perhaps I will learn.)
• I painted Judiann's room pepto bismol pink...it's cool.
• I organized some move in help for Josh and Matt who arrive on MONDAY...yeah!

God Gave Me Chairs

In the month before our move to KC people started giving me chairs.  3 great chairs from Mike Emmert of Count the Cost ministries...they are wonderfully comfortable chairs and fit into my decor perfectly.  6 outdoor chairs from Brent Foulke of Stadia for my deck.  6 Dining room chairs from Lori and Jim Cooke for my new dining room.  These chairs were all gifts and they were all brand new.  I am thinking that God is expecting that I will be having lots of visitors.  And if the first 10 days in this house is indication of what the next few years will be like, God's provision of chairs is right on time...HE is SO FAITHFUL.

Here are our visitors over the last 10 days:

1. My parents...who helped us move here.
2. My sister Judy, and her husband Jeff and my niece Lindsey, who helped us paint.
3. Troy's Parents Val and Gene who stayed for 4 days and did lots and lots of work around the house.
4. A neighbor, Penny, who came over to bring a whole meal.  Lasagna, two salads and bread sticks.  Delicious.  AND she has a 5 year old daughter who Judiann has played with now...twice!
5. Troy's brother, Mark, wife Lisa and daughter Kaylee and boyfriend Zac...we ate the neighbors lasagna dinner on our patio.
6. Another neighbor, Jeff...who stopped by the garage to say hi and Troy said... "wait a minute, do I know you?"  The answer was yes, Jeff and Troy had just met several weeks ago when Troy and Dave consulted with his church Good Shepherd United Methodist Church about multi-site.  Then Jeff brought his wife by later with brownies.
7. Sharon Stockton of Northland Mission Church with cake and flowers welcoming us to the Northland.
8. The painter who came to give me an estimate who, as it turns out, is huge into church planting and was part of a church plant here in the Northland called North Heartland Community Church.
9. Kent and Cherilyn our new best friends in the Northland.  Kent has helped us over the months in so many many ways.  They own a coffee shop nearby called A Cup Above.  We are discussing ways to partner with the coffee shop which is really a ministry.... more to come on that. Very exciting stuff.
10. Gretchen and Cliff brought us the worlds best homemade cookies. We met them at NACC in July.  They brought over their two delightful kids...who immediately got into our hearts.  They live very close to us.

So come and see us, we definitely have enough chairs.

Bowmans in KC

We are so excited to welcome Tommy and Jessica Bowman to ReachoutKC.  God has answered many of our prayers with these two.

Tommy is a singing, guitar playing, music writing, worship leader.  He is one of those people who is naturally cool....that's like being cool without having to try.  And he likes sports, which is a huge plus according to Jake and Mitch.  Tommy will serve as our Worship and Arts director.

Jessica is currently (well for about 4 more days) a high school teacher and volleyball coach.  She asks lots of questions and when it comes right down to it, she says, "I just really want to be on this team!"  You gotta like someone who wants to play and is willing to risk everything in order to do it.

We admire this couple greatly as they are demonstrating remarkable faith.  Their passion for Jesus and people is apparent. I have no doubt that God is going to take their willingness and gifts and make a huge difference in the lives of people in Kansas City.

Read more about Tommy and Jessica's story at www.bowmansinkc.com. 

National New Church Conference

The National New Church Conference was great.  I am especially proud of my friends.  Todd Wilson who put this thing together, Dave, Jon, Eric B., Tom, Bill, Sherry, Pat, Eric M., all the CCCer's who made cool stuff happen at this event from boxing to bunnies dropping from the sky...it was fun, fun, fun in true CCC fasion.

Check out this video that includes a clip of me sharing our dream for ReachoutKC.  This was played as part of the conference.  I got lucky, I know the video guys.