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.

Pregnancy helpers

Yep, it wasn't easy.

At the end of Judah's pregnancy I recorded this list of actions and 'things' that helped with pregnancy
round #2. I'm seeing that I forgot to post it, but feel it's still good material and may be helpful to other mama's out there.

I'd like to thank all the friends who have lent their helping hands and pregnancy gear that helped me through the harder days of belly vs. toddler.

Helpful Friends...

Lent me their maternity pillow
Listened/Celebrated/Lamented/Texted/Chatted with me every at every stage
Arrived early to Root Group to help prep and lend their husband to play with David
Stayed late after Root Group to clean up
Babysat David so I could go get a pedicure 
Washed dishes
Carried and changed loads of laundry
Babysat David during worship practice so I could stay put
Threw me a "Last Hoo-rah! Diaper party for Judah"
Organized a meals for mom sign-up
Brought their toddler over to play with David while I got mom-chat-time
Dropped by lasagna leftovers
Played with David while I did laundry, sewed
Treated me like I was exhausted, even when I tried to pretend like I wasn't


Helpful Things...

1. Maternity Pillow
2. Celestial Seasonings Herbal Teas (specifically Lemon Zinger) as a decaf option
3. Sweet Petula Mediterranean Mint Butter Balm for belly
4. Craigslist boxes of plentiful maternity clothes, one stop shopping
5. Coconut water, or boxes of healthy drink options for on the go

I think there must have been more helpful things I found, but this is where the list ends. Maybe with round #3, it'll grow.

Another Weekend in the Smokies

Oh-Olivia! You're just gorgeous.

This past weekend, we revisited the Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee for Tripp's annual family reunion. Read about last year's for more detail about the stay experience. This year, it was all about the kids.

Leaving Chicago at 6:30pm at night, Tripp and I forged the 10 hour road trip in the dark. I was coming down with a pretty severe cold and the pain in my head kept me awake and alert for us to arrive by 5am EST. We immediately set up pack and plays in closet & bathroom and got to sleep from about 6am -9am EST. Tripp woke up with David and I slept in waiting on Judah. That sweetie pie (and Claritin) gave me rest till 10:30am EST. The rest of the day consisted of visiting with Aunt Bebe, Uncle Bill, Suzanne & the King family in our cabin, and also a walk up the steep hill to visit more of our Savell family.

David surprised us and revealed
excellent hidden cutting skills.

Thanks to my cold, I was allowed lots of naps and miraculously – Judah slept longer naps than he's ever done in his life. I felt that was God's grace tangibly extended to our family who was very much in need. Tripp worked out a business meeting in Knoxville for Monday, so we spent our last night at Uncle Bill's house. That meant a little more time together with the family and a stop at a very delicious buffet with southern home cookin'.

You'll see below some very precious shots of our kiddos spending time together. Last year, Tripp and I were in newborn Judah mode and this year, we felt much more at home in the reunion experience and enjoyed our family even more.

Aunt Cayte!

I think we'll have to continue to pose the kids
together on this swing. Such cute mugs.