Downtown Fort Wayne

There will always be a piece of me deep down that wishes I had been born in the heyday of the downtown era...where families dressed up to go shopping in the department stores and a big night on the town involved the unusual and special event of dining in a restaurant and walking beneath the light of lampposts and store signs.  Today there are only brief mentions and glimpses back in time, as some of the decorations before Christmas alluded to...

Welcome to Pure Michigan

After my first foray into the "Great White North" this past weekend, I have decided that everything about Michigan is more intense....from the snowy roads and bitter cold, to the heavy and permeating presence of God met in worship and teaching. I headed up Friday night with the mid high students from St. Joe, just over 20 students loaded up into vans to brave the snow and cold.

Deep in my heart is a very vibrant love for middle schoolers. These students sought hard after God, and hearts were broken open and poured out.  One young man looked at me halfway through Saturday and said, "Are we going to have worship tonight? Cause it's my favorite." When I asked him what made worship his favorite, he replied, "Well, cause I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart last night." How amazing!!!!!

Our two nights of worship and teaching sandwiched a day of skiing and snowboarding. I camped out at some tables in the cafeteria, giving the students a place to come and rest in between the wipeouts...a couple didn't last past the morning's lesson. :o)

A late night drive got me back to the Fort in time to catch a couple of hours sleep before heading to church to lead Sunday morning....how good it is to join the body in worship.

While I am thankful for a safe adventure in the midst of winter....I think my next time into Michigan will wait for summer....

Happy Birthday Lucas!

My precious third nephew made his grand entrance this afternoon....Lucas Patrick Cox, born at 1:26 pm...9 lb 1 oz. Beautiful and endearing. From all I've heard Mommy and baby are doing well and Jacob is going to have quite an adjustment on his hands when the little one comes home.

So Lucas, now sharer of my birthday, a few words. You will always be the cuter one on January 31st, with better and more colorful party decorations, preferably with fun cartoon characters like cars or even the tried and true Elmo. But remember, January birthdays are no walk in the park. While January 31st is just far enough away from Christmas that no one tries to double gift you, the likelihood of snowed out birthdays is very high....I mean, you live in New Hampshire! But know that you are loved and cherished and welcomed into a family that will shower you with gifts and attention and love. But mostly gifts...apparently it's what grandparents do. Welcome. And Happy Birthday.

Long Overdue Update!

Hey all! I am on day 2, at home with the family; a brief time back in Virginia to pack up the last of my stuff and get Mitch ready for his first cross country trip. Dad, Mitch, and I are headed Thursday back to Fort Wayne, to fill up my newly acquired apartment with dishes, a few pieces of furniture, and the like.

I love coming home. The wordless greeting of my usual overly chatty three year old nephew who merely runs and leaps into my arms when he sees me.  The endless supply of coffee and nightly family dinners.

Saint Joseph is going really well.  I'm slowly getting acquainted with Fort Wayne, spending most of my time getting to know the numerous praise teams and members at the church.

God is incredibly good to us.  I am reminded of that truth everyday as things fall into place and I settle into this new place, new people, new season.

More updates and stories to come...:o)

A New Beginning!

Welcome to the new adventure! Today I arrive in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to see what the next chapter will bring.  The next few weeks should bring about a plethora of new ventures.... apartment shopping, friend making, life setting up type things.... still kind of trying to wrap my head around this whole concept of a full-time job.... getting to actually do what the past few years have led up to....crazy!

So the blog is barebones at this point...but no worries, I'm sure by January it will be decked out in awesomeness with pictures and oddities and new stories...stay tuned, things are going to be moving!