Back from Beth

It was such a blessing to be able to attend Beth Moore's Living Proof Live event in Billings this past weekend. Besides all the spiritual stuff I learned, I also learned that she always teaches new material for a new event - she doesn't have a "talk" that gets recycled at every Living Proof Live event. This weekend we got to hear Beth teach on a passage she has never taught on before - it was great. Isaiah 32:1-8 and she made us memorize verse 8: "A noble man makes noble plans and by noble deeds he stands." (and yes, I did actually memorize it and type it from memory) We had seven ladies from our church attend plus 3 others that we brought along with us. I'm praying for God to continue to apply His Word to our lives and to work miracles in us through it.

Michael gave a sort of "State of the Church" address on Sunday. He discounted it as a real sermon, but some people said it was the best one he's ever preached. He shared with the church the vision God has given him for our church - basically glorifying God through evangelism and discipleship. He even gave us some sanctified numbers to reach for. We're not trying to become a mega-church, but our growth does need to have some way to be evaluated. Ready for the numbers? His God-given goal for salvations is 12 in 2009 and 16 in 2010! He said if there were two camps, one of which said "How are we supposed to do that?" and the other of which said "That's all?", he would be in both camps :) He added that he loves kids and wants them to come to know the Lord, but he is burdened for the majority of these salvations to be of unchurched adults from our community! And he's already taken steps personally to adjust his schedule so that he has more time and opportunity to be evangelistic in his life. Intentionally hunting with unbelievers and playing soccer on Sunday nights with unbelievers are two of them.

We ask for your prayers that God would be glorified in our church and in the community. And also that we would be able to withstand Satan's attacks (he is always busy against those who are following the Lord.) Thanks for all your love and support. We love you.

Back in the swing of things

Well, the weather has turned to more cool days than warm ones faster than I thought it would, but I do love seeing snow on the mountains. Michael took Haddie out hunting the other day and is ready for water fowl and big game seasons to open.

Last Saturday we had a block party to kick off AWANA. It was cold and rainy, so attendance wasn't as great as we would have liked, but everyone who came had lots of fun. Our first night of AWANA was good, as well. I am working with Sparkies (K-2) this year with their new material and am excited to spend more time with the kids I had in my Vacation Bible School class.

Beth Moore is in Billings and I'm excited to be taking 8 other ladies from our church this weekend. We are also starting to plan a craft-workshop-outreach-thing to see if it will give us the opportunity to reach some women from Columbus for Christ. Michael is planning a "Bless the Hunt" event for the opening of big game season. He is teaching "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" as a men's leadership development Sunday School while my Ladies Sunday School is working it way through "A Woman After God's Own Heart."

I'm looking forward to all that God has in store for us this Fall and hope that you will pray with us as we seek His direction for our family and in our church. We love you.