Build it on Solid Stuff

I spend a lot of time watching kid shows. Too much time. Eden loves Veggie Tales, which is great because watching it with him gives me a lot of time to ponder stuff. Like how the heck do they lift stuff with invisible arms? Do they poop? And how disturbing it is that the vegetables sometimes eat sandwiches with other vegetables on them.

Eden and I were watching a Veggie Tales movie called, "The Little House That Stood." The show is a kid version of the parable that Jesus told about building a house on solid foundation versus sand. In the cartoon, the tomato was taking forever to build the foundation of his house and the others were wondering why he didn't just get on with construction. The others had houses that looked great and shot up quickly, but the tomato didn't have anything to show of his work.

It started me thinking about this season of reflection we've been in this summer. God has led us through a season where we haven't been super busy with ministry-related stuff. As a result, we've had more opportunity to discover new territory in our relationships with God. Our work has been very internal and private.

I started thinking about how maybe in this season, God has us shoring up our foundation in Him. It's not something that people will see, but the effects are priceless.

St. Mark's South

Over a year ago, a group from St. Mark's Church were sent to begin pioneering a church in South Dublin. They've grown together, connected with the local community of Ballybrack, and have prepare the way for a local church to be born.   

This past Sunday our St. Mark's Church family prayed for, commissioned, and released the St. Mark's South (SMS)  team. Beginning September 11th SMS will launch Sunday morning meetings as well as several other community oriented gatherings that will bless the Ballybrack area in the name of Jesus. I really should say "they" will be...I should say WE. 

Katy and I have felt God lead us to commit fully to SMS and help serve this team however we can. The church is local to our home, our boys will be better connected, and we feel it will be a key move in our life & ministry. Katy and the boys will be solely involved in SMS. I will continue to coordinate the worship team at St. Mark's in the city. I will attend in the city twice a month and SMS the other two Sunday's. 

We are so excited about what God will do through this community of faith in Ballybrack. We are also excited for this new page in this chapter of our life.  

Thanks for all your prayers and support. Together we move into this new season! 

Eden's First Day of School

Tomorrow begins a new chapter for our family. Eden will begin his first day of Montessori (play school). Just yesterday Eden was Eli's size being carried around in a car seat. 

It will be a big change for us, but we are so excited. Eden is full of life and energy. We can't wait to see him make new friends and learn from his wonderful teachers. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support. You've not only blessed the work here in Ireland, but you've blessed our family. We love and appreciate you all.