blessed

I just got to work and immediately was in tears...again.

Our family has had an emotional year for sure, like many of you have.

The separation from us that someone we dearly loved chose to make caught us totally off-guard.  I guess we had bought into 'having the perfect family' as my friends teased me often.

I've been very emotional this year.  Those I work with have shown patience and my family has all rallied together in Christ to move past it.  But it's very humbling how emotional I still am at the most unexpected things.  I like being in control of my emotions more than I can say.  More than is healthy I suppose.

I totally believe I'm watching God's will unfold in front of us and am very excited about the future!

But, this morning I felt God's presence totally and unexpectedly wash over me when I got to work.

I realized just how unbelievable God has been to me, allowing me to be surrounded by family and getting to see them all use their talents for the Lord!

My son pulled me into his office this morning to show me the Christmas promo he created to use for our Christmas services in a couple weeks, and I immediately began to tear-up.  As I heard the words on the video that my daughter wrote, I was completely overwhelmed with the sacrifice God made to send us His only son.

We're telling the Christmas story from the perspective of Mary this year.   It's made me consider again how God can use the most-unlikely, unexpected people and things to change our world.  In fact He chooses to.

If He used extraordinary people - none of us could relate to them!

As I watched Abi's image come across the screen when my son showed me the promo - it all came pouring back to me.  My family's opportunity to get to know Abi's family when they first arrived from Mexico.  It took my breath away as God revealed the 'good' He's allowed us to be part of.

I left my son's office too emotional to talk - I believe our Christmas services are one of the most important projects that our team creates and our team takes it very seriously.   Our jobs are to tell the story of Jesus.  To use our creativity and talents to make it applicable to people's lives.

So that's my request to each of you.

Please invite your friends to one of our 5 services this year!

Pray for unsaved friends and don't hesitate for one moment to invite even unlikely friends, if they hear His Word, and SEE the story, they just may gain a new understanding of their need for a savior!

This could be a new beginning for many, just as God is moving our family into a new beginning!!

Please plan your holiday around our services and bringing friends and family to Him!  Merry Christmas!

The Church - as supporter

Never in my life as a church attendee have I felt the kind of support I feel from Crossroads.

Recently God presented our daughter Jocelyn and her husband Aaron with the opportunity to go to Cambodia for a full year.

Immediately Crossroads' congregation began giving toward the $22,000 that was required.  And as usual when there's a need they met this need in a matter of weeks.  Also involved in the preparation was a need for musical instruments that would allow them to give the rescued children music lessons.There have been additional funds given toward that need as well.

Never have I ever been associated with a more generous church.

Our congregation is generous in other ways as well.

They forgive and they move forward.  They embrace new.

As we send our daughter and son-in-law out, Crossroads leaders decided to bring our son and daughter-in-law in.  He replaces a much loved young leader who is no longer at Crossroads.

I have heard many conversations regarding the release of this young man.  Some were spoken out of hurt at the loss of a friend.  I saw ugly words written to staff in charge and heard youth declare they would never follow anyone new.  This was hard.

And when the person coming into replace is your own son it is personal.

I realize it would not have mattered who the incoming person was - students experienced loss and that always hurts.

Finally, over the last week or two I have heard breakthrough conversations regarding forgiving and trusting leadership and being kind to those in charge.  This makes me hopeful.

Last night as the student ministry kicked off the new format for Wednesday nights, I had the privilege of sharing with the students 'why we have the rules we have' when you are up front serving.  I looked into their eyes as I spoke and almost became overwhelmed with passion to do everything within my power to contribute in some way to help move them quickly through any remaining sense of loss.

The support Crossroads has given to our family is something I can never express enough thanks for.  I love you all and count it the most high privilege to serve at Crossroads and do life in The Church!