I'm feeling really grateful this morning. I am in the middle of the toughest season of my life (to date) and I know that I would really be struggling if it were not for God's faithfulness and your prayers. Thank you. Here's what's on my mind and in my prayers this week:
- First day of school - Today is the first day of school for all 4 of my boys and for Sara. The boys all start new grades and new classes and Sara starts her new job. I'm praying that they all have great experiences today. They are all nervously excited.
- Crumbling foundation - If you are one of my friends who lives outside of Oklahoma, you'll think this is a joke. If you live in Oklahoma, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Since the drought we're in is so severe, the soil under our home has settled and our foundation has settled on one side. A huge crack runs through the floor and through the brick on the outside of the house. The interior walls are cracking and some doors are out of square and cannot be used either. We need to get it fixed. We had the assessment done and it's going to cost $4000 to get it raised up and stabilized. Normally, that would be no problem. We would just take it from our emergency fund, but we've been living partially off of our emergency fund for the last four months, so that's not happening. We know God is our source and we're asking you to pray with us that God provides that money somehow to get our home fixed. (This is not covered by home owners insurance)
- Focus on the right things - Great things are happening at our church right now! We have some potentially high-capacity leaders coming onto our team, our one year anniversary and building grand opening are less than a month away and God has provided some very generous outside financial support for our church as of late. Still, my mind seems to always default back to the same old metrics - church attendance and offerings. Both have been flat for the last few weeks. I know it's the end of summer and that is expected, but I'm still just feeling a little frustrated this morning. Just praying I can focus on the good stuff and stay positive.
- Back to ministry - For the first time since I began working at the Hospital, I am feeling like my limited time available for ministry is hurting our church. For a few months, it was a good thing because it forced my hand with delegation and trusting God to stretch my time and helped me grow like crazy. I'm not saying that I don't need to grow anymore. But, I'm so close to getting back to full-time ministry I can feel it. It's still a financial gap keeping me there, but it is much, much smaller than it was a few months ago. I'm praying boldly that I can give my notice at the hospital by September. Would you pray with me?
Thank again for all your prayers. I wold love to pray for you this week. Just let me know what's going on in your life.
2 comments:
FYI - I was just talking to Colin about OK vs PA, and mentioned your cracking foundations and the cost to get it fixed. He said to be very careful because it's usually a scam. Sometimes the lift works, sometimes it doesn't. But the way they word their guarantee is very careful so that they don't actually ever have to come back and fix it. He said to check Angie's List, the Better Business Bureau, etc. He worked for a landlord that dealt with these companies.
Thanks. We did a lot of homework. This company has pretty much been the standard for decades. Talked to a contractor friend, etc. But thanks :)
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