Called away, called here

This week we said goodbye to dear friends, Zach and Katie Byington as they go forth as missionaries in Liberia. Tripp and I are crazy about these guys and their friendship refreshes us in the Lord. We met Zach and Katie just as our close friends, Mark & Katheryn McCreary, were moving on from Chicago to Iowa. Then soon after we would bid farewell to long-time college buds, Jon & Clair Lee, as they settled in TX near family. Essentially, we had a lot of goodbyes in our life at the time we first said hello to Zach and Katie. In truth, we had said goodbyes to so many people, even more than I've included here, who were like family and loved us as brothers and sisters in Christ. In that season, we informed Zach and Katie of these great losses and told them that they better be stayin'. Oh what different and better plans the Lord has for us all!

So, as God would have it, He's called another close set of friends on. This time, into the mission field. So how can we argue?! Truly, we can't. I am so, so sad to see my brother and sister go, especially to a place we can't drive to. But I am so encouraged at how God loved us through them. Zach and Katie had not been attending RPCC long before stepping up as small group hosts. Katie relieved so many of my anxieties during this past women's retreat and she inspires me to serve selflessly at RPCC. They'll be greatly missed, like our other dear friends who have been called on.

I was reminded that we, all believers no matter the city, have been called as well. What an important thought and reminder from God. Perhaps we should be thanking Him for making a way for us to live in this transient place. Acts 17:26 says that He has determined the boundaries of our dwelling places, or in some translations 'the places that we should live'. And in God's sovereignty, according to Isaiah 61:1, we are here to proclaim the freeing and healing news of Jesus. This is our mission, and He has called us to it here. Glory to God.

Visit their blog at: http://zandkbyington.wordpress.com/

There is a very sweet children's bible song that sums up precisely what I'm sayin':

There were twelve disciples Jesus called to help him:
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, his brother John,
Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus,
Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew.
He has called us, too. He has called us, too.
We are His disciples, I am one and you!
He has called us, too. He has called us, too.
We are His disciples, We His work must do!

This version with someone singing with his kids is adorable (except the photos). He's called us regardless of how we sound singing his praises:

Judah and His Lions

Judah was given one ADORABLE outfit with furry lions by his Grandpa G and Mimi when he was born. He fills it out and sat very nicely for a few photo shoots. David woke up from his nap right in time to join Judah for the last shoot. Unfortunately, David was a little teary so preferred to make a minor appearance and wanted to focus on being 'near' to his bro.

Welcome Home 2002 Periwinkle Toyota Sienna

I meant to post this two weeks ago, but here's our Periwinkle blessing from above! She's a 2002 Sienna with 51K miles and ready to road trip. Tennessee, Iowa, Wisconsin, maybe even Jersey and Texas (?!) here we come!

James 1:17(ESV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

A Beautiful Baby Bobbitt Shower

Saturday, September 22, we celebrated my sister Lindsay's little baby girl due to arrive mid-December! She's an adorable little pregnant lady and showered her guests with notes of love. Before gift time, Lindsay gave each woman in attendance a notecard with an encouraging word on how she's been touched by their lives. My sweet feisty little sister is now a thoughtful, intentionally loving mother.

Cherri, Lindsay's mother in law and one of my favorite women, hosted and decorated so beautifully! Note the lemons and limes in the vases as well as the buckets of cupcakes. The experience of celebrating this little girl together was nothing short of lovely.

Lucky for us all my Auntie Cheryle, who pours out love for her nieces, was also able to join the party from Arizona. She was Judah's snuggle buddy and teamed up with mom to give Lindsay her very favorite gift - the BOB jogger. Auntie Cheryle stayed 2 weeks so we got to spend lots of quality time together. Between chasing after David and feeding Judah that is.