And God Bless Us Every One! Reflections on 2008

Wow, okay I thought for sure that it hadn't been nearly 3 weeks since last I wrote.  I could blame it on moving and the holidays, but I honestly should have looked.  I know so many of you live and breathe for my blog update (wink).  Well, here you have it then.  

The past three weeks have been comfortable.  I moved into my new house and am enjoying having my own space and my two new housemates Fliss and Kate.  I'll be hitting up IKEA in a few weeks for a few accessories.  So far I've been able to figure out most English appliances.   Like for instance, the fan ovens over here should be set 20 degrees below the estimated cooking temperature and may cook sugar cookies in 4 minutes, not 8.  That is a good thing to know when baking Christmas biscuits for your life group.  Never fear, the smoke detectors in my house are fully functioning.  

I'm not sure the same can be said for the radiators in the church building that we rent for the weekly Sunday gathering.  But the carol service went extremely well anyway.  Sometimes I think the English are accustomed to being slightly chilled at all times.  But we had many visitors and during the children's story time, Weslie, wonderful jumble of two-year-old-girlishness that she is, danced around the front of the stage whilst listening to the book.  Isn't it a joy to see children bask in the joy of life.  Dostoyevsky says that the soul is healed by being with children.  I quite agree.  

 (Weslie)

I wasn't really worried about Christmas, and I don't know why.  As long as I had a place to belong, it made it easier to be away from my family.  God is my sustenance on most days, so I figured He would take care of it.  And He did.  Christmas Eve, I spent with the Fanchers, a couple on the church-plant team, and a varied group of internationals.  Ironically, we only had one Brit present.  We read the Christmas story with two Chinese girls who had never heard it, a Romanian girl, and a Nigerian who is a strong believer.  There's something different, holy, or 'other' about sharing the story with people who've not heard it before.

(Tolu and Nora)  

Christmas morning dawned and I even had a present to open:).  I spent the morning with the lovely McElroy family.  They even bought presents for me (and yes one can go through four boxes of Amazing Spiderman candy sticks in one sitting-they're small boxes).  Destiny, the youngest McElroy child, had asked me earlier in the week if I would come for Christmas.  I thought I might go to a Christmas morning service at the Anglican church by my house and she said, "Aw, we wanted you for our Christmas."  Who can argue with that?  That evening I dined on a very traditional meal - enchiladas and chicken soft tacos.  Apparently my sopapillas were a hit; they even made their way into the sermon on Sunday.  I may be making loads this coming year.  

Who can even believe that it will be 2009 in a mere few days?  Apparently I will be celebrating Scottish style.  Although, I'm not sure that I can stomach haggis.  I'll let you know:).  A new year and a new job in a new country.  We'll be having a staff retreat at the beginning of the year, so I've planned to talk with the rest of the team about vision for the children's ministry.  I even have my first volunteer!  And I got to dance in the back of the sanctuary with the children this last gathering of the year.  I know children's ministry is not all fun and games, but I am so 

blessed in the calling of the Lord.  Holding babies is in my job description (well it should be).  

(The Darbster)

Thanks for all who sent Christmas cards!  I love to hear updates from all of you.  Please let me know if there are ways I can be praying for you all.  You never know what God will do in a year...You never know what God will do...Thanks be to God for all that He has done and will do!

J-

The Hoity Toity Angel

It's been a pleasantly full, but not too crazy past two weeks in Sheffield.  I realized today that tomorrow marks my one monthiversary.  I've felt the time pass, but it's been a comfortable passing of time.  From putting up the Christmas decorations, to traveling to a concert with a carload of English people, and finally attending one of the children's Christmas plays, it's been quite a fortnight.  My time of stay with the team leaders will be drawing to a close within the week, and I will move into my new flat.  I'm excited to be thrown in the mix of life with two British girls and will certainly have more insight about cultural differences:).  We'll see what Christmas brings.

I LOVE Christmas!  It's a time when Christ is a little closer on our minds and hearts and people are more open to hear about the helpless babe that came to save the world. So putting up the tree was a real pleasure for me.  I even wrapped the banister myself!  

And, we put it all up before Thanksgiving, as they don't celebrate it here.  We've included some English in our celebration, and I think they quite like it:).  

One month, and I now "know" many people.  I say that, because I want to know these people more intimately, to walk and grow with them as we become more like Jesus.  That said, I hopped into a snug, five seater with four Brits to travel to Derby (no 'e' sound in there) to see Jason Upton in concert.  It was a sweet time with the Lord and with some new friends.  Jesus is moving in the United Kingdom!  I am so blessed to be a part of what He wants to do in this nation.  So, I keep hoping and believing for restoration in some of the uglier parts of culture, like televised assisted suicides and a thriving pornographic industry.  May the world of our children be different, better, because of our prayers and relationships!

(Luke, Phil, and Victor at Jason Upton concert)

The children are such a blessing!  I'm not fully in charge of them yet, but I got to go in as the surprise guest on Sunday.  It was a free-for-all question and answer session.  Of all the questions the kiddos asked, I think my favorite was, "Do you pick your nose?"  Children are awesome!  They are learning about Jesus coming to Earth.  Maddie, was even in a children's nativity called, "The Hoity, Toity Angel."  Although the play took place in a secular British school, it was all about Jesus.  Praise the Lord for His hand in the lives of our children!  

This upcoming Sunday is our carol service, and it is an outreach for the community.  Families that might not otherwise come to church, will often come for Carols and Christmas puddings.  The children will hear the "Tale of the Three Trees" and then learn about how God wants to use them, too.  Prayers are greatly appreciated.  May your holy-day season be full of the love of Jesus, who came to this world in innocence, so we can be restored to the Living God!  Happy Christmas!!

A Very Merry English Thanksgiving

It's a beautiful thing to see the creativity of a team when items that are typical in one country are unusual if not impossible to find.  This past week, I've been looking forward to the team Thanksgiving dinner even as I've been settling into the routine of Sheffield.  We celebrated Saturday night with turkey, homemade cornbread stuffing (no Stove Top here), mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade green bean casserole (no Durkee's French Fried Onions either), apple pie, pumpkin pie (cans brought from the States), homemade rolls, homemade chocolate rum brownies with buttons (Cadbury chocolate not found in America), and Schloer (a fizzy fruit juice drink that I wish we sold in the States).  There was a serious game of Boggle and much thanksgiving for the Lord in our lives :).

It was an amazing testament to the goodness and provision of God.  In a way it made me even more excited to enjoy the wedding feast of the Lamb when Jesus returns.  I think it fitting to thank the Lord for all of you who have set out on this journey with me.  THANK YOU!! And my heart is thankful for all that He has done even in the week that I've been here.

Re:fresh

ACC Sheffield hosted the fourth annual church retreat entitled Re:fresh.  We had a great time worshipping the Lord, fellowshipping over very English meals, playing interesting games, and loads of other things.  You should see the sheer flexibility of some of the members of our congregation!  I got to help out with the children on Saturday morning, and they are

 learning about being God's workmanship.  They even presented two dances to the congregation about being the hands and feet of Jesus!  

 

Saturday night the presence of the Lord fell!  We had people receive physical and emotional healing, freedom from depression and spiritual breakthrough, and we ministered from 7:30 til 11.  Yay Holy Spirit!  

My Week

I have been able this past week to set up a bank account, purchase a mobile phone, get a charger for my laptop that is UK friendly, and find a place to stay.  Hallelujah! I will be living with two British girls who are believers.  Praise the Lord!  Looks like I will be moving in by mid-December.  

Lifegroup for the Young Professionals is on Tuesday night, and it was a blessing to have a group of like-minded believers in my season of life!  Then on Wednesday, I was able to help finish painting the new church offices in preparation for the staff meeting on Thursday.  Friday looks to be my sabbath, and I made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  Interestingly enough, they don't really make a lot of cookies here.

The sum of my week recalls to mind I Chronicles 16:8-36, which begins, " Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done."  May you and yours me blessed with hearts full of thanksgiving this season!  

British Vocabulary lesson

Jug = Pitcher

Jumper = Sweater Jacket

Trainers = Tennis Shoes

Trousers = Pants

Toilet/Loo = Bathroom

Safe and Sound in Sheffield

It's been a whirlwind of activity from the time I flew into DFW from Denver, until just about now.  Maddie and Aiden McGinnis (children of the team leaders with whom I am currently staying) are off to bed, and the house is quiet.  It's still fairly surreal that I have arrived in the UK.  I'm not sure that it will really sink in until after a few weeks.  But I wanted to recount a little of the journey over here.

I arrived in Fort Worth on Saturday and immediately started organizing for packing, after grabbing a quick bite at Chipotle.  Had to get some last minute Mexican food!  Sunday dawned bright and Jamey preached a killer sermon on worship.  It was a great way to end my last Sunday for a while at Christ Fellowship!  I have been so blessed to be a part of CF for the past four years.  

After church we had a great time in the park celebrating four years and friendships.  There was tea, scones, and for my friend leaving for Hawaii, a good dose of pineapple and papaya.  I didn't get nearly enough time to chat with everyone, but that's the way it is.  Thanks to everyone who came and I missed you if you weren't able.

Monday was a whirlwind of activity from running errands all day to attempting to pack three suitcases full of my belongings into two to joining some friends for my last ice cream in the States.  Pumpkin with chocolate chips from Marble Slab.  Mmm!  The place was overrun by high school kids, but it was a good time.  And it rained in honor of Sheffield.  I then ran home and finished packing.

I found out the hard way that Tuesday was Veteran's Day when I tried to ship my box from the closed post office.  Check for holidays before leaving for overseas!  Then, upon arrival at the airport, I realized I didn't know from which terminal my flight left.  Check for gate information before leaving for overseas!  So, we drove around four terminals before my sister saved the day and told us the gate.  We were laughing after every turn.  It was a great way to leave the States.  

In the airport terminal, I got to chat with a gentleman who's daughter is a bilingual speech-language pathologist and has done mission work.  It was a great conversation.  Thank You Jesus for helping to pass the time.  The flight was also a lot shorter than I remembered, but I was able to sleep.  When I arrived at the airport, I couldn't locate my ride, but thankfully the gentleman sitting next to me let me borrow a mobile to phone the team.  My ride had been stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours!  But the sun was shining, and I didn't even need to use my jacket.  The drive through the Peaks over Snake Pass was beautiful - leaves turning and winding roads with green hillsides dotted with sheep and a thin river alongside.  God does good work!

I arrived in Sheffield in time for the team lunch to welcome me and then I took a short nap.  By the time I woke up, it was dark outside; the sun sets around 4:45.  It's still very surreal being here, but as I get to know the city more, I'm sure it will start to sink it that this is longer than a holiday.  And, I can't wait to hang out with the kiddos this weekend at Re:fresh, the annual church retreat.  Thanks for all your prayers, support, and encouragement.  My missionary magnets are in, and Vicki is helping to pass them out in Texas, my mom in Colorado.  Hopefully, you'll get yours soon!  Love hearing from you!  

Talk to you all soon,

J-

Preparing for Departure

My pulse increases a bit at the thought of Sheffield.  In fact, when I pressed the 'purchase' button for my airfare, I prayed beforehand and closed my eyes before clicking.  But, after praying, support raising, and preparing since March, I finally have a departure date.  November, 11, 2008.  I like the fact that it is 11/11.  

The past week has been a whirlwind of activity.  I reached 100% of my funding and immediately starting praying more fervently about a departure date.  Turns out that Antioch Community Church Sheffield's annual church retreat is November 14-16.  I'm looking forward to a time of getting to know the church members, worshipping with English nationals, and being a part of the vision-casting for the coming year.  2009 in Sheffield. 

In light of all of the preparation, departure still seems surreal.  Even as I put my thoughts down, I cannot believe that Friday I flew to Colorado to spend a week with my family, and Saturday I return to Fort Worth for a Bon Voyage party before my flight on Tuesday afternoon.  My time with my family has been blessed so far, thanks for all your prayers!  Oh, but it was so hard to say goodbye to my twin sister and niece.  Thank God for technology :).  

I know I am trusting in God to see me not only through this pre-departure time but post-departure as well.  Thank you to everyone who has made it possible through prayer, support, advice, hugs, encouragement, and MORE prayer.  I hope to send the next post from Sheffield on November the 12th.  Until then, I hope to see your beautiful faces at the Bon Voyage party, on Skype, or in my prayers.  

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Beginnings

My brother told me that I needed to join the 21st century for my trip to Sheffield, so here I am.  For those of you who just glance at the blog or who haven't heard, I will be leaving as soon as the visa is approved and all of my support is coming in, for the lovely city of Sheffield, England.  

Sheffield is about 3 hours north of London by car, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, and rife with Robin Hood legend and stainless steel.  Antioch Community Church in Waco sent a church plant to Sheffield in June of 2005, and I will be joining the plant as the children's minister.  The people of the city are hungry, whether they yet know it or not, to have Jesus come and transform their lives.  I am ready for the same to occur in my own life, for Jesus to continue the transformation through learning to trust in Him.  What an adventure to rely on Jesus and to trust in Him to walk this path with me!

This journey has only been made possible through the grace, prayers, and encouragement of many supporters.  You are all in my heart and prayers!  Thank you for taking this journey with me.  Truly, the children of Sheffield are being impacted through you.  May Jesus fill you more on this journey.

Tonight and tomorrow I will be at a 'Cell Explosion' weekend hosted by Joel Comisky.  When I started the process of preparing to get to Sheffield, I thought for sure I would be there before the conference.  As I sit here and put my thoughts on paper, I'm glad for the encouragement that I received tonight from Joel.  God's timing is so perfect.  I need to keep saying it and remember it, so I am encouraged.  My support raising has risen to 95% and my visa application is in process.  When both come in, I will have a better estimate for a departure date.  I appreciate your prayers for this. 

He who has begun a good work in us is faithful to complete it.  He equips those He calls.  And we are never alone.  May you remember the Father's love for you as you go about your week!  

Hugs and Prayers,

J-