October 2011 Archives

The day you've anticipated in your dreams (or nightmares) has finally arrived. Perhaps today the company finally contacted you offering you the job... or maybe you just got word that your job no longer exists. It might be that you're graduating and still don't have a job or a clear plan for what's next in your life.  Or perhaps you're the one who just found out you're pregnant... or that you miscarried. It could be that you've just started or ended a relationship; maybe you're in the middle of changing churches, buying a house, or going back to school in order to make a major career change.

Back in the fall of 2010, Wendy and I were deep in the throes of making the gut-wrenching decision on whether to continue living in Spain or move back to the United States. At that point, we had been living for almost three years in Spain. While the transition into the Spanish culture was extremely difficult, especially early on, we had grown to love our Spanish and North African/Middle Eastern friends and had even adapted enough to the culture that we were also beginning to feel rather Spanish ourselves. And so when both Wendy and I began to sense God calling us to move back to the States, we had a hard time understanding why, especially in light of the fact that we had no jobs lined up, no five-year plan for the future, and no idea where or how we were to plug in once we returned--only that we were to come back to the States. It felt on many fronts like the return was as much of a step of faith for our family as it was to actually go to Spain several years before.

Do you want to inspire the youth from your church to reach for something more? City Challenge is a potentially life-changing opportunity for youth groups to learn to see with new eyes and to walk in the path that the Creator of the universe has set before them! Groups participate in ministry, service projects, and creative sessions. The theme for 2012 is EPIC.

Every few months we put together a list of births, weddings, and other interesting alumni happenings to keep you up to date on what is going on.