Bill Hybels

This week I had a once in a lifetime opportunity with our South Bay Church staff to fly to Michigan and meet with Bill Hybels, the pastor of Willow Creek Church in Chicago. It was a great honor to meet with a guy who has served Christ for over 30 years and grown a church from 8 people to over 20k!! And here I was sitting across the table from him asking questions. He was kind enough to meet to with us while he was on his vacation. It was strange to meet someone in person whom you've only seen on tv or heard on a teaching CD. But there he was bare-footed in shorts and a polo shirt- a normal guy. He had a lot to share with us as we are starting this dream together. If I could give our time together a couple themes it would be: 1) That this whole thing is about relationships, 2) Family is hugely important, 3) and Stay fluid. I'd like to share just a bit of our meeting with you:
1) relationships- He just reminded us, as I think that we all in ministry need to be reminded every once in a while, that all of this (starting a church) is about bringing people to Christ (which goes without saying) but past that, as our minds are racing about the logistics of moving out there and finding a place to worship, and raising money to remember that loving on people is what matters and will ultimately grow our church- not strategy.
2) Family- As we were talking to Bill his wife, Lynne came in and talked to us a bit about family. And she summed it up best when she said that "We decided a long time ago that if had to choose to disappoint either our family or the church, then the church would lose every time. Because the bottom line is, if someone gets so mad at us that they leave the church, there's always another church they can go to; But our Kids? We're the only parents they have and when we get to heaven we're not going to be judged on if we made our church 'Happy' but how we raised our kids."
3) Stay Fluid- Lastly he just reminded us to let God do our planning. We have a plan and that is a good thing but he encouraged us not to look too far down the road but look at each step as it came and to enjoy each step. He said not to be in a hurry to have a huge church but enjoy the people God sends us and then grow with them.
It was a time I will never forget, and a time that I look back on and gain from his wisdom.
Archie

Full Circle

So, I was just cleaning out my computer a little and saw these pictures. Never mind the fact that Archie and I were both in our much skinnier days (we're still working on that :) ), I thought it was so ironic. Archie and I have once visited the San Francisco area. It was June 2004 - exactly four years ago. We actually won a trip through Archie's work and we were able to pick any spot in the continental U.S. Can you believe we picked San Francisco. We had a blast, flew through the city in only 48 hrs., and tried to see every tourist trap we could. Here we are four years later moving our family across country to the very place we chose to visit. Well, about 30 minutes away, but close enough! So, here are a few pics of that trip, and soon we'll have new ones making it full circle of the new call God has for us. Enjoy!


Touring Alcatraz
















Crazy silver man down by the pier















Near the amazing redwoods!

Opportunities

So I started my third and final 8 week clinical rotation this week. It's so weird starting a new setting, where I'm expected to know everything, yet nothing! :) In so many ways, I know that this is where God has called me in my life right now, but everyday I just keep wondering exactly where I'm supposed to be serving. This current rotation is in home health. I love it! It's definitely something I can see myself doing. It's so amazing to be doing something to help someone become just a little more independent. I mean we take so many things for granted such as going to the bathroom, or getting dressed without someone in the room doing it for us - having privacy! But this job helps them do those things again for themselves. It's great. For example, helping an older person come up with a way to become more independent just so he can go out to dinner, or practicing a way to get up off the floor in case he falls when no one else is there. It challenges your creativity, strength, everything. I love it. I'm nervous about finishing school, because then I have to decide exactly what area I want to work in (hospital, home health, schools, etc). It's such an opportunity to help my patients become independent, but it is also an amazing way to reach out to those in this new community for Christ. I'll have interactions with people that no one else will have. I can't wait to interact with them, meet new people, and share life in a whole new way. Who knows, maybe they'll come to church. So, if you think of it, you can pray for the right place for me to work! - Bekah

Here's to new beginings

So I've been thinking... when you move to a new area you have an opportunity to kinda "start over" on life a little bit. Everything's new ya know? Little things like having to find a new place to get your hair cut or even trying to find new places to eat. And of course, don't get me wrong, I am totally going to miss my great friends, family and church. But my sense of adventure is kicking in as I think about all the things I'd like to change about myself or habits... a new start on life. Not like I'm depressed about my life or anything but isn't it great when God hands you a chance to start over. For instance I've been thinking, I'd like to work out more and make more time for practicing my instruments and writing songs and spending more time with God. But then the thought hit me... If I'm not starting that stuff now, I'm probably not going do it out there; just because I'm in a new place doesn't mean that I change on the inside. BUT on the other hand- why wait to start out there? God tells us in scripture that his mercies are new EVERYDAY. So here's to a new begining on life... today. Archie

No Boundaries

This morning, I went for a run (last thing I wanted to do!). I usually listen to my ipod while I run to keep my mind off the huffing and puffing I have to do in order to finish, and listen to some kind of music that pumps me up. Today, I picked the new Hillsong United cd - I heart Revolution. It's a great compilation cd that is so inspiring, not great for running. I don't know what made me keep listening to it, but I just did. I got to a song, an old song, that moved me so much. The song was an accapella version of Nothing But the Blood. In the middle of the song the worship leader takes a break and stated something so amazing, "The Lord rewards those who earnestly and diligently seek Him". Not that I didn't know this already, but it was so amazing to me as I was running. I felt like I could keep running forever, the wind blowing in my face as I looked up in the sky and realized that we can use every moment to earnestly and diligently seek after Him. That every time I seek after Him, He chooses to reward me with His presence. That even as I was struggling to fill my lungs with air (ha) I desired to be closer to God. As we make this journey, I know that we can't do it on our own. There are so many unknowns, so many challenges, and things we need faith on, but it is incredible to know that the Lord will reward me for seeking after Him, relying on Him, and choosing to put our faith in Him. It also showed me that there are absolutely no rules to where we choose to seek Him. I was almost drawn to my knees with these realizations and this time of worship. He is such an amazing God!
Rebekah

Selling

Selling a house is kind of a personal thing. I've never had to do it before, but I can't say it's an experience I like. We bought a sign, put it in the yard for anyone who drives by to see a phone number and call at any hour they please. Often, they call and are in the driveway, wanting to bombard into the house to see it at that moment. We learned quickly, the house must be prepared at all times :). It's such an odd feeling when someone comes in your home, looks around in every nook and cranny - opens doors, in closets, up/down, all around - just to come out and say they didn't like it or it doesn't suit them. It makes you think; well, it was just fine for us - what's wrong with us?? Now, I know I shouldn't take it personal, but it's kind of hard not to. You just want to tell people that this is the home you have loved and made unique for you, this is the place we shared meals with friends, laughs over tables. We played games with family, opened gifts for each other and decorated our tree. We snuggled to watch movies on our couch, and read by the fire sipping hot chocolate on a cold Sunday afternoon. We listened to the rain on a summer afternoon pouring down the windows, and chased our dog around the yard. It holds so many memories and is very important to us! You just want to say please don't say it's not good enough, because it's been a haven for us!

Come Along

We are so excited about this new venture in life. We can't wait to share it with you. God has called us to assist in planting a church in the Silicon Valley in California, specifically Santa Clara. Of this, we are very excited, but can't say we aren't a little scared. But this is our chance to test our faith in ways we have not yet experienced. We'll try to update this regularly to share our story, things on our hearts, things you can pray for, and pictures of our adventure. But here's our start!! Our start to a brand new future.