A short post today just to say I did one…

because my blogging lately has been haphazard. I thought I’d at least attempt to post something today.  But with still being a little under the weather with a cold, my mind isn’t really working.  What to write?  I could blah blah blah about whatever comes to mind but really the only thing that comes to mind at all is our upcoming church-wide prayer time tonight.  

We are on the cusp of possibly moving from our current facility, a lovely church our congregation has outgrown, to wherever the Lord decides to place us.  There is one building we’re interested in (and seem to have incredible favor with the owners) but it’s a bit of a leap of faith for the church, especially in these current economic times.  But it’s all God’s economy really.  So we are praying for God to give us wisdom and clarity in what to do.  

What a beautiful picture, an entire church on its knees seeking the Lord.  It’s the way it should be but sadly, so often isn’t the case.  We’re very fortunate to be part of this faithful group of believers who trust in an active and sovereign God.  Our building fund offering will be taken this coming Sunday and I know it will help give us direction.  I’ve seen God do amazing things regarding giving (these are such holy moments). He is a faithful God! 

It’ll be exciting to see what the Lord does in the midst of us all to increase our faith.  Whether we ultimately end up in this building or not, we are seeing God work in all of our hearts.  He’s stretching our faith and envisioning us all for our future together. 

So I’ll be leaving shortly for church.  If you think about it, pray for us.  We want to do His will and not our own.

That’s all for today.  Short and sweet.  Maybe when my head clears, I’ll be more able to inspire or entertain you.  Or perhaps just prompt a little giggle.  Till then…

I’m a lousy blogger

For the few of you who are faithful to check my much neglected blog site with any degree of regularity, I apologize.  I need to place a higher priority on it.  It’s a great vehicle for sharing God’s faithfulness in our lives in a broad way.  But alas, I can get caught up with the details of life and days, weeks, even months can go by without the thought ever crossing my mind that I should log on to my own blog.  

I know it’s God’s design that I’m in a busy season of life.  It’s a good thing.  But I do feel, I think, an appropriate conviction that this is a worthwhile endeavor I could be investing more time into.  I’ll attempt to do better.  

There’s lots of news.  Our family is settling in nicely and awaiting the change in seasons from Summer to Fall.  Our maple trees have already begun to turn along with a few other spots of color.  Everything ought to be at peak color in a week or two.  I know it will be beautiful.  Randy’s Mom ought to be here just in time to enjoy it at it’s best.

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I love the crisp weather and the pumpkin festivals, the whole bit.  Actually, if truth be told, the reason I like Fall so much is because it gives me a perfect excuse to indulge in one of my favorite treats – carmel apples.  They are in plentiful supply this time of year.  And I’m a picky carmel apple eater.  I will not just imbibe any old carmel apple.  I’m a purist.  Don’t put any nuts or fancy drizzle or weird toppings on them, no matter how pretty you think that makes it.  For me, that takes away from  the perfect mix of sweet and tart that is the carmel apple.  It truly is a work of art.  One of God’s finest creations.  Okay, perhaps I’m going a bit far now, but seriously they are indeed one of His kindest gifts to us (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

But apart from enjoying (and having to maintain a degree of self-control over my craving for) carmel apples in plentiful supply, I just enjoy everything about the Fall: the crisp air, the crackling of the leaves, lighting your fireplace for the first time all year, hot chocolate and gingerbread…you get the picture.  The kids will no doubt enjoy our church’s Fall Festival in a couple of weeks.  More great memories to treasure.

It’ll be interesting to see how quickly things turn from Fall to Winter around here.  This is our first year to enjoy all the seasons in this area of the country.  I love the distinctness of each season.  I didn’t have that growing up in Houston (very green but not a lot of seasonal distinction and very humid in the summer) or when I lived in Arizona (two seasons: hot and hotter).  Since being more on the east coast the last 5 years, these changes of the seasons have been something I’ve truly enjoyed and our family has been blessed by as we have many memories we’ve made together.

I’ll let you know what I think once we’ve completed our “tour” of the seasons of the Akron/Cleveland area. Whatever it is, it’s ours for the foreseeable future.  This is where God has us and it is delightful!

Oh, I said there was news to report and then I went off on carmel apples and seasons.  Sorry.  The main news is that our church is praying through the potential of a building we feel the Lord may be giving us.  It’s a wonderful opportunity but in hard economic times, it would be a leap of faith.  We’ll see what God does in the hearts and minds of those we are now called to care for.  Apart from the building issue, we are enjoying watching our kids do well with their homeschool stuff, watching Hannah do well at her first job (at the stable), and the boys playing soccer on Saturdays.  

I guess there really isn’t all that much to report but it’s exciting times nonetheless in the Stewart house.  Never a dull moment.  If it’s not sleepovers for Bennett or the Reyes kids, then it’s catching our huge grass carp (we have a picture – if I can figure out how to import it, I’ll include it here).  We fish a lot in our pond.

Fun times.  Life is good and God is very, very kind.

Grateful I’m in Ohio

I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I couldn’t be happier at where God has brought us.  This place suits us well In this season of life, with our kids the ages they are, my parents in their retiring years, it just works.  The people are good and kind and easy to get to know.  They have accepted my family and opened their arms to us with a huge feeling of welcome.  It’s not that I don’t still get sad at having left people we love in New York…that thought is still present often.  But God has given so many evidences of His perfect plan in moving us here.  

 I enjoy the sheer beauty of the place and the availability of everything.  Life in a nutshell is easier here.  But at the same time, it’s not boring (I don’t want to get on my soapbox about what a great place this is but if you were to visit, I guarantee you would agree).  And it’s clear when you visit the church here for any length of time that God is doing something amazing.  It’s not only been a season of transition for our family (and that of the Senior Pastor’s) but for the whole church.  It’s good when God shakes things up!  We can get lazy and not want things to change.  I’m impressed at how well everyone in the church is doing with the many transitions that have taken place in such a short time.  They inspire me by their humility and trust in the Lord.  That’s not to say that there won’t be bumps in the road, but God is tangibly here and we feel His presence and goodness all around!

The short list of things I’m grateful for would include the obvious things: my kids have many friends their ages with a lot in common, my parents are experiencing the fellowship of the church community for the first time in 4 years and are overjoyed, we have biblical fellowship with the other couple on the pastoral team and God has knit our hearts together with amazing depth very quickly, God gave us a beautiful home to enjoy that lends itself to much hospitality (something we love), and though my husband is very busy with work, the pace allows him to live a healthier lifestyle and tend to his wife and family the way he desires and feels called to do.  I could go on and on but you get the drift.  I’m overwhelmed at God’s kindness to meet our needs in ways we couldn’t have anticipated.

So there’s more I could say on the subject, but I’ll end with the truth that “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”.  God has given me much reason to be content.  And I am.

While I was away…

…I didn’t do any posting.  For any of you who have been viewing my blog for the few months I’ve been doing it, I’m sorry for not getting to it recently.  Many excuses come to mind but the main issue was that I found myself latently overwhelmed with the details of relocating.  I got to that place (don’t know if you’ve ever been there) where I needed time to “plan to make a plan”.  There were numerous areas I felt hadn’t been tended to and it seemed insurmountable to get everything back under my control.  Little did I know that God’s intention was that I release control over to Him and start afresh.  Suffice it to say that by His grace, my husband’s faithful leadership, and well-timed childcare, I’ve been able to make sense of all the pieces of my life.  

It helped to go to the WorshipGod conference in Gaithersburg at the end of the month of July/beginning of the month of August.  While there, my husband and I snuck in a planning retreat so I could get some handles on my different areas of responsibility.  That was a good start.  And the most meaningful thing was how God met me at the conference.  His timing was perfect as always, gently reminding me of areas where I need to be faithful and diligent, and areas where I need to raise my hands and say “I need help”.  

Add to that some strategic planning my husband and parents helped me carve time out for so I could prepare for the upcoming homeschool year and a quick but refreshing getaway with the senior pastor’s wife, my friend Laurie.  Through those times I was able to get my arms around things adequately.  I’m also freshly aware of the need to express my desperation daily to the Lord so He can meet me and equip me.  God is so kind and merciful to show me my need through His word and the wise counsel of others who aren’t myopic where my life is concerned (I can tend to only see the trees and ignore that a whole forest is there – dealing only with the immediate).  I’m grateful for God using these things to give me perspective and show me the path I should take.

I’ll not do life perfectly, but I’ll do it much better with God’s help than trying to do it on my own.  Battling self-sufficiency stinks!

Birthdays are a great time to remember…

It seems like just yesterday I was having my first son but he is now 8 years old.  Boy how time flies!  It has been a treat to see him grow.  He’s such a little man.  What a joy to watch him as he grows in his understanding of who God is and why it’s important to know Him.  It was a labor of love planning and executing his birthday party, the first of my children’s parties in our new home.  With an Indiana Jones theme, I proceeded to spend most of Saturday afternoon making bullwhips and putting together party bags for the few guests I was limiting it to.  Then there was the poem and story I devised about a Native American (fictitious) who found a Bible and then found someone who could teach him the life-changing words it held.  The story ends with the Indian being martyred for his newfound faith and gave the kids a fun, gospel-filled lesson prior to their “treasure hunt”.  It was a great success and I felt God was pleased at how what measly creative gifting He’s given to me was able to be used for His glory.  I’m sure it will be another decade before I have the kind of creative flow that came with putting together this birthday party (of course I haven’t mentioned that my husband’s input allowed it to be more gospel-centered in theme – great job on his part!).  But it was fun to do and to have some new friends for the kids to share it with.

 

(this was written almost two months ago and I’m just getting around to post it – my bad.)

Little blessings…or are they big ones?

I can’t believe I get to live the life I do.  What a place of contentment I’ve come into.  It seems so idyllic so often these days.  Not that I don’t still have great opportunity to sin through bad attitudes when my “cup gets bumped”.  After all, we are still settling down and it’s a lot of work.  So there is ample opportunity for me to forget how good life is and just focus on myself.  But God in His infinite mercy always faithfully reveals these errors in my thinking and reminds me of all I have…all He’s given me…and helps me apply the gospel to my life in moments of weakness.

This past week I’ve been able to enjoy much fellowship with other believers in my home (something I thoroughly enjoy) as we celebrated the 4th of July with new friends.  It wasn’t quite the same as seeing the amazing fireworks we used to see in Brooklyn on the Promenade, but it was pretty cool.  Note to self – it isn’t wise to have my husband and my nephew go to the fireworks store together (a multitude of reasons for this).  I honestly think the kids thought it was the best fireworks show they’d ever seen, especially when the tubes tipped over and you didn’t know which way the fireballs were going to go.  I was ready with the fire extinguisher and was prepared to throw my body across the kids if necessary should something come toward them (it’s terribly arrogant of me to think that my reflexes are of a sort that could have prevented something tragic from occurring).  All in all though, it was a super time.  And I got to make a fruit pizza (Deb Bongi’s recipe) using mostly fruit from the store but also using some of the cherries and black raspberries we have on our property (of course I had to be a bit sappy and make it into the shape of a flag – it turned out really pretty).  Yum!  Since then I’ve made my first cherry pie (actually a cobbler).  Wow!  It was amazing…not because I rock in the kitchen, but because the cherries on our property are wonderful.

We also got to enjoy a gathering at one of our caregroup leader’s homes this week.  Their son is leaving for a trip to India and wanted to see some of the church kids before he left.  It was so sweet.  What a great guy.  Great food and fellowship followed by worship way into the night. 

Then there was the time with all the caregroup leaders the other night…a sweet time in the Lord caring for each other and looking toward what God has for this church in the future.  It’s an exciting time.

There are the times at my friend’s pool with her kids and mine.  Ah, the fun and abandon of youth!  And the great benefit to moms is the free time to have an adult conversation and go home with your kids so content at the fun they’ve just had yet so tired they fall asleep in their plates.  It’s a beautiful thing.  Everyone wins.

In the next week or so, my husband will again be fully engaged in ministry.  It’s been an interesting time of waiting and attempting to be as wise and fruitful as possible, trying to take advantage of this unique season of less responsibility so he could rest and get some details of life worked out and taken care of (mostly his father’s and brother’s estates).  But he’s itching to pitch in and help in his new role.  There’s much to do and he’s looking forward to lifting some of the burden from the Senior Pastor who is having to do it all right now (something Randy’s not unfamiliar with and can certainly sympathize with how all-encompassing and overwhelming it can feel).  So though it’s not possible to have life perfectly in order before he gets back in full swing, I think he’s done a great job of having restraint and keeping his eyes focused on his priorities in this season, being faithful to get as much done as possible to avoid future distractions.

This is the first time in probably 7 years that we’ve had everything we own in one place.  It’s been spread out all across the country.  And along with the remainder of our stuff, we’ve got my husband’s dad’s and brother’s things to integrate.  It’s all here now and I’m trying to figure out what to keep, what to garage sale, and what to bless others with.  How silly of me to complain about the amount of work all of it is – we have so much to be thankful for!

I could keep on rambling, going on and on about God’s kindness to me (I’m so insignificant yet He chooses to bless me so – it’s scandalous!).  There are other things to mention, like my daughter getting her first job at the stable where she does her equestrian training.  It’s $3/hour and she can’t believe she gets paid to clean up horse poop.  So many things to be thankful for – the heart is very full. 

Thanks for indulging me as I attempt to count my blessings.  They are many and difficult to number.  I’ve made a first pass at it.  I’m sure God will bring much more to mind today as I go about my business.

What a Ride!

As I write this, my husband is sleeping in Phoenix awaiting a 36 hour drive he begins tomorrow to bring home the remaining items that belonged to his father and brother (before they died last year).  I know it will be a hard trip for him both physically and emotionally…the end of an era for him.  He is now the only remaining member of his immediate family.  That’s heavy stuff.  I’m grateful I still have both of my parents living.  It was so hard seeing him go through the loss of his father then to have his brother pass so suddenly was beyond our ability to comprehend at the time.  But most of the grieving has already occurred.  I don’t doubt both of them will not be far from his thoughts on his trip home.  It’ll be nice having reminders of them daily in our home.  We think of them often.  They were loved.

So I’m missing my husband and I’m babbling a bit.  I just can’t believe how hard a job this is he’s doing right now.  And having to do it alone.  I wish I was with him to help.  The grueling work of driving 12-14 hours each day for 3 days straight…it’s hard to fathom.  We’ve done it a couple of times but it’s been together with the whole family (not necessarily recommended as a form of transportation unless it’s an absolute necessity).  But to have to do it alone – I’ll say it again: I wish I was with him to help.

So you’d have to know my husband and his determination to appreciate him getting this done.  We’ve only been here a month and a half, aren’t really settled yet, and to have to do this on a short timetable.  It takes a lot of strength.  He has it.  He’s always had it.  What a strong man I married!  He makes me look weak in comparison.  I guess I’m writing this to honor him.  There’s much to honor.  I don’t know anyone else like him…someone who has followed his God-ordained dreams and sacrificed all he has for the sake of the gospel.  But God has been so good to us.  Though we’ve left a place and a people we fell in love with (New York), He’s brought us to a wonderful place to call home.  We now love the people here in Ohio.

I think all that has happened is because God wants to honor his faithfulness in spite of the difficulties he endured.  And yet, my husband doesn’t see things this way at all.  Certainly he knows God is faithful and kind, but I honestly believe he would continue laying his life down in places of great difficulty except for me and the kids.  So you might think he’s settling down now, but I know my husband will continue laying it all down for the sake of the gospel.  It may look different now, a bit easier perhaps, but his heart still runs on the same gospel beat.  His ministry now will be in looking to prepare the next generation.  It’s a fun time pondering all God can and will do with the youth of this world.  Something big is about to happen.  It will be great to be a part of it, even if it’s in an obscure way.  God sees it all and I know He will bless the plow my husband is now putting his hand to.

Well, I’m babbling on and on in an effort to honor the man I love but I’m not ashamed.  He’s a man worth honoring and I’m just the person to do it.  I’ve seen him in the private moments laboring over his call and how he can give his all.  Just giving honor where honor is due.  I may be partial but I have eyes.  So I’ll stop for now but the honor continues in my heart.

Love you honey.  Drive safe and get home soon.

Youth Camp Rocks!

My daughter and I just returned from Youth Camp last night.  We had a great time!  Located about 3 or so hours from here in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, it was a beautiful setting.  I can’t say the sleeping arrangements were ideal (in the middle of a triple bunk, one tends to hit the forehead a lot and must have contortionist qualities to enter and exit gracefully – I do not have such qualities!)  We did have plenty of uninvited “guests” to share our cabins with in the form of moths and Daddy Longleg spiders.  Thankfully, my daughter and I are not squeamish about such things.  They just had a tendency to disturb our sleep which was already shortened by the full days packed with fun and fellowship.  I hope it doesn’t sound like complaining – far from it!  Just giving you a taste of the realities of camp life.

I gotta say though that where the sleeping accommodations may have been lacking slightly, the food selection and quality more than made up for it.  Kudos to the kitchen help! Michelle Harvey, you are a machine in the best sense of the word.  What a servant! 

There are so many people that played their roles with such excellence to make this camp the great success that it was.  And with the short term memory loss brought on by extreme fatigue, I can’t remember everyone’s names (I know Laurie – shocker!), so I’ll just have to trust that God will allow them to feel everyones’ gratitude for jobs well done.

The reason for this post is that I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to mention what I thought was a grand display of God’s faithfulness.  With almost every kid there having at least one parent in attendance, watching these kids respond to the gospel in their varying stages of maturity and openly sharing with their parents all God was doing in their hearts was an amazing spectacle.  I was overcome with the thought that I was witnessing the fruition of much prayer and travail on behalf of these kids.  What a sweet time in the Lord! 

I was personally stirred in my own passion as I observed the pure, fresh passion of these godly kids.  I’m grateful I was able to be a part of something I’m convinced is very big.  From my perspective in the cheap seats, I truly believe that there is something very purposeful going on with this upcoming generation.  There’s a strength and a boldness in the Lord that my generation has been too distracted to pursue.  How cool to be witnessing it firsthand.  I’m excited for my own children and wonder at how they will be participating in this broad call of God to live with complete abandon for Him. 

The other thing that struck me was the faithfulness of the parents involved.  It is so clear that these kids are well-watered gardens.  How many nights on knees were represented in that one room full of worshippers I’m sure it would be impossible to calculate.  But certainly the One to whom all glory was being given knows.  He’s kept perfect track of it all.

I’m personally grateful for the sweet time of fellowship my daughter and I had on the way there (in preparation), while enjoying ministry times together and seeing God’s spirit actively working in her heart, and on the way home (to steward what she had heard and desires to apply in her life).  It’s also great to know that for the forseeable future, these are my daughter’s peers.  What a great group of friends the Lord has provided!

So I’m tired but grateful I was there and was party to all that transpired at Youth Camp.  It was a great memory I will treasure as a parent and as a believer.

One business item to address: in my role as the Monster Volleyball Nazi – I give the Mountain Dew Award to…(drum roll): Justin Work and Brooke Tumino.  Both of them did a great job of exemplifying the trifecta of godly sportsmanship: 1) teamwork (reflecting selflessness & help toward those less skilled), 2) amazing athleticism (“leavin’ it all out on the field” – Brooke almost left hers all the way to the ER), and 3) of utmost  importance - displaying God’s glory on the sports field through their humility (it wasn’t about them – it was about the God who created them).  Well done both of you!  It was a pleasure to watch.  Thanks for sacrificing your bodies for the sake of the gospel.

A final thing – just an observation…I’m convinced that 43 year old women of my shape and fitness level have no business playing Belly Bumper Basket Ball (I made the mistake of frequently calling it “belly button basket ball” – a different game entirely I would think).  It should be an obvious statement and no other information should be necessary.  Glad I played though.  I’m not sure what I “left on the field” except for my dignity but I’m pretty sure I failed in displaying the humility and godliness in sports that I saw in these kids.  I want to be like them when I grow up.

A Chapter Ended and Another Begun

Well, we’re officially done in New York now.  Our final service was this past Sunday.  It was a sweet time of remembering the small beginnings and God’s faithfulness over the past 4 years and saying goodbye to it all.  We are very blessed to have been a part of the church’s beginning and will never forget those we served with.  So except for a Billy Joel concert we’ll be going to at Shea Stadium next month with some friends, we probably won’t be in New York again for some time.  I do hope Randy will get to preach there every now and then so we can keep tabs on everyone. 

With all our travel and still setting up house, I’ve been kind of out of touch lately so I haven’t been able to post much.  And I’ll be leaving tomorrow for Youth Camp with my daughter.  But after that, I’m hoping things settle into a little bit of a rhythm here at home.

It’s sad to end this chapter of our lives.  It means change for the church we’re leaving as well as the church we’ve come to.  But it’s good change and we are excited at the new beginning for both churches and for our family.   Though it is definitely hard to leave the people we love and have been doing life with, God has been very kind to make us feel at home very quickly here in Ohio. 

It seems each day we grow more and more in love with this state.  It’s really a wonderful place to live.  There are lots of things to do here.  Just this week, though we were unable to join in on the fun because we were traveling and then had houseguests, one of the country’s oldest and most elaborate city celebrations happened right here in Wadsworth.  The Blue Tip Match Festival is a 3 or 4 day event that has been going on for nearly 200 years.  Complete with marching bands and lots of patriotic fanfare, it is a great big slice of Americana.  We’ll look forward to being there next year.  It may not be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but we always chose to watch that on TV anyway.  This is something we can take the kids to and wave flags with the boys perched on our shoulders.  How cool is that?!

Another little bit of trivia for you, in case you didn’t know it: we live in what’s referred to as “The Sasquatch Triangle”.  Apparently there have been numerous sightings of this legendary creature in these parts, particularly at Salt Fork State Park (oddly enough this is where we have our boat stored).  So if you’re ever interested in going on a Big Foot hunt, this is the place you would want to focus your efforts.

And if that’s not enough, we are also home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Inventors’ Hall of Fame, the second largest roller coaster in the world (Cedar Point), and the largest indoor water park in America (Kalahari Resort).  These are just the tip of the iceburg.

We may have left much behind in New York City but the fun abounds here in Ohio as do the friendships.  And for the first time in 4 years, we’re experiencing customer service again (not a high priority in urban areas with high population density).  Wow, I feel like I’m doing some sort of promo for the state.  It’s cool though.  I’m not ashamed to admit I love it here. 

I guess I’m counting my blessings and they are abounding.  God is good and I don’t deserve all this rich stuff.  I’m humbled and amazed.

So I should end this post.  My cherry and mulberry trees are calling out for me to harvest them and make a pie for after dinner this evening.  God’s creation is a wonderful thing to behold.

Life is good.

Malls are great when it’s warm outside…

or when you’re waiting for a friend to return home.  We’re at the Apple store at a huge mall outside of Cleveland.  I think my husband is waiting to see if the new iPhones are out today.  He totally destroyed his the other day when he dropped it and is hoping to get the newer model to replace the old one.  I’m just passing time waiting.  My friend Laurie is coming home today.  She and her family have been gone for a month.  In the meantime, a lot has happend…we moved to Ohio, moved my parents to Ohio, and next week we have our final transition Sunday at the church we planted in New York.  

So up to now, it’s felt like things were incomplete.  But now that she’s returning, all will be well and right with the world.  Honestly, I’m glad she’s had this time with her family.  It’s so hard being away from those you love.  I hope we can serve as somewhat of a surrogate family for them over the summer and that it will make the separation a little less painful.  But selfishly, I’m thrilled she’ll be returning home.  What fun we will have learning about all there is to do in the Akron/Cleveland area.

(I wrote this before my friend returned home but forgot to post it…oops!)