A happy, rainy, dreary, sticky Halloween

If I could sum up Halloween in one word, I'd say - sticky. Or at least the post trick-or-treating part.

This year was our first trick-or-treating experience as a family and it almost didn't happen. The weather was rainy all day and plans were being changed continually. 

Due to lack of coffee supplies, I finally got us all out the door and into the van at 4pm. Destination, New Starbucks drive-thru. I suited the kids up in costume just in case we drove past an awesome house and I felt comfortable enough to run them up to the front door. 

Coffee mission complete and our fist candy of the night in hand from the barista, I took a right down Glenlake. I was hoping the Lickety Split custard shop might have an indoor party for rained out trick-or-treaters. Nope. Instead I saw a few bundles of parents with umbrellas shuffling their kids door to door. We parked and fell in step with two middle school girls, fearlessly ringing every door. Got LOTS of candy!

Even though it was dreary and damp, Glenlake was ready for their trick or treaters. Some sat on their front porches with buckets in hand and even one mom manned a tented station next to the sidewalk with her baby. I asked an older couple how many kids they normally get each year and they said '500'. I think they'll get 502 from now on because David and Judah will definitely be among the regulars.

We stopped by the Driscolls where David was ready to call it a night and play with all their Halloween decorations. Then headed home to have post trick-or-treating pizza with David's buddy Jana and family. They reported excellent trick-or-treat options on our street. 

Trick-or-treating turned out to be an activity that rain could not ruin. David went from timidly repeating the appropriate words after me to singing 'Thank You!' as he rushed on to the next house. I kind of wish there we're other times to mingle in this way with our neighbors. It was so fun.

November desktop from Ann Meer

It's just lovely. Visit Ann Meer's blog to view more of her work.

Tent Making: Month 1

Today marks the 1 Month milestone of the Interim Lead Pastor position for Tripp as a tent maker.

There are many examples of Tent Making in ministry and international outreach. Generally the equation includes commitment to ministry with little or no pay + working a job to provide support. Tent Making is not superior to full-time or part-time paid ministry, we're just encouraged to see it's not inferior (or impossible).

Paul modeled Tent Making in Acts 18:1-5 (ESV)

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wifePriscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

In theory, we value this model. Time will tell, whether or not this model is advisable to a young urban family. For now you may ask...

So, how's it going? 

After once month, Tripp and I both see God's leading in his life. Tripp enjoys teaching on Sunday mornings and so far congregants have shared that it's enjoyable to listen. From here, it's going to be a temptation to judge Tripp's call by the amount of filled chairs. Pray for us. Pray that God would give us more faith to trust Him.

Romans 12:3 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

How is your family doing? 

We're doing pretty well! Thankfully, God has been providing people to lead where we should not, and they are excelling beyond what we could have asked. Yesterday, we officially called a break for Tuesday Root Group. It's going to be up to me to redirect energy back into my family during the day. Training and discipline needs to happen for both the kids and myself and I'm seeing this as an opportunity to refocus. This is not my favorite parenting area.

A weekend of answered prayer

Prayer has not been a notable priority in Tripp & I's relationship from the start. When we were dating in college, we each favored very different worship and prayer styles. I remember struggling so badly with social anxiety that I would lay on the floor of my bedroom crying out to God for internal transformation. I know Tripp had a passionate prayer life but couldn't tell you when or where it happened. We did pray together for friend's to be healed, wisdom on future and over food. However, for us both having such a strong belief in the power of prayer - we were ripe for change and leading in this area.

I would say our first year of marriage set much change in motion, but not yet in a good way. Setting aside alone time to cry out to God seemed awkward and therefore I remember more time spend reading quietly. Again, we prayed for food, for people and healing.

In moving to Rogers Park, and landing in Rogers Park Community Church, we were both able to press a reset button on our relationship as one in Christ. We followed leadership, glory to God, who prayed a lot. Prayer was first in the hearts of our leaders and it became first for us. Finally.

This weekend, Tripp and I both anticipated a lot of challenges. In addition to two very poignant church meetings, Tripp was preaching on Ephesians 5:22-33, 'wives submit to your husbands...'. We prayed as worries presented themselves.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. -Psalm 69:13

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! -Psalm 143:1

By Sunday afternoon, Tripp and I were celebrating the faithfulness of our God. He listened to the cries of our hearts, though we were not prostrate on the floor, and honored the prayers of His new creations at Rogers Park Community Church. Kids Club, our children's ministry, will be lead well and the covenant partners will be taking it upon themselves to prepare budget details for 2014. Tripp was able to look back over the day and also give God glory for the most positive feed back he's received yet for a sermon. Glory to God for answering us in His righteousness.