Forgotten God

After reading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love, I was thrilled to read his new book Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. Just as his first book was, this book is challenging, honest, and truly convicting. I love how Chan bases all his arguments in Scripture and sometimes even tells the reader to put down his book and pick up God's. This book talks about how misunderstood overlooked the Holy Spirit is in the church today. Chan is honest in challenging us to really look at our own faith and he is not afraid to make us umcomfortable with this honesty!

He reminds us that the Holy Spirit lives in everyone who believes and talks a lot about what we should do about it, "The way of the Spirit is not a gentle downhill grade. Often, walking with the Spirit is an uphill trudge through all sorts of distractions and difficulties" (page 93).

If you want to be challenged in your faith and if you need a reminder that God is actually living in you through his Spirit, I encourage you to get a copy of this book!

One of the most powerful parts of the book that has stuck with me is this one: "To submit and give up everything truly is radical and terrifying. However, when I think deeply about it, walking in my own wisdom, contrary to the Spirit's leading, is even more frightful" (page 126).

Gloomy Day in Pittsburgh

Monday mornings are always rough. Rainy monday mornings even tougher. But rainy, cold, monday mornings after a weekend of Pitt losing and the Steelers losing....that's a bad day.

Youth House Renovations

Towards the end of the summer, we decided to make some changes in our youth house at church. We are so lucky to have our own space, but we wanted to make it a little more fun and youth friendly. Here are some pictures of the new renovations!

We painted the kitchen and made a coffee/tea spot

The middle school boys worked hard putting together Ikea furniture!

This chalkboard/magnetic wall is everyone's favorite change

We tore out the old carpet to find beautiful wood floors!

New couch covers, rug, lights, and accessories

Yeah...I'm a Regular

Getting married and moving to a new place has been an exciting adventure and a lot of changes. It has been an adjustment in some ways to make this new place our home, but today I felt a little more at home than usual. I walked into Starbucks to get my morning coffee and the girl behind the counter had already prepared exactly what I get! It feels good to be remembered...and to be a "regular".

Update on Life

Today could be a big day...Nolan interviewed a few weeks ago for a job at the University of Pittsburgh working in their leadership development office and will hopefully hear back today! This job really is a dream job in a way for him because he would be working a lot with Greek life on campus and a variety of other student groups, which is really where his passions lie! In the meantime, he applied for an after school teaching job at the Pittsburgh Project, and he got an official job offer in the mail yesterday! He would be teaching inner-city 1st and 2nd graders in the North Side of Pittsburgh...I know, so cute! He was really thrilled about the job, but unfortunately it's only 20 hours a week, so we are waiting on the Pitt job! Thanks so much to all of you who have spent hours praying for us and supporting us! The support from family, friends, and church members has been overwhelming during this time!! But keep praying!!

As for me, work has really been picking up as the fall is beginning. I miss my youth group kids though now that they are in school and busy with all sorts of activities. We had our kick-off to Teen Community Bible Study this past Tuesday and it went very well! We did a "carnival theme" with popcorn, sno-cones, cotton candy, hot dogs, and games. I am the teaching director for Teen CBS this year which means I will be teaching a lesson most weeks and also doing a lot of behind the scenes work and encouraging the small group leaders. I am very excited because we are studying the book of Genesis this year, so there shouldn't be a dull moment!

I am currently sitting at Brueggers eating an apple bagel and waiting for Nolan to get off work so we can go to the driving range. I love Fridays!

Angels of a Lower Flight by Susie Krabacher

I just finished reading this book written by a former "playmate" turned humanitarian. Susie describes her tragic childhood and her time in the world of Playboy as a model in the beginning chapters of the book and how these years led her to travel to Haiti. The suffering and dying children of Haiti became her passion and she committed her life to work there.

This is a story of overcoming extreme obstacles to help the children of Haiti, and it is an inspiring story. I love reading about what is going on in different parts of the world, and it is always a blessing to know that there are people out there loving "the least of these." Although it is not the focus of the book, Susie talks about her journey with God, and how she ends up relying on Him and His Word to serve the people of Haiti.

Susie's organization called Mercy and Sharing has a website: www.haitichildren.com

A calm Friday

So life has been crazy lately and I don't think there has been one day where something hasn't been going on. But today, is Friday and neither of us have to go to work. I slept in a little, made coffee and am now sitting outside on a lawn chair reading and enjoying my coffee and the lovely morning. Nolan is still sleeping and its just relaxing. I even talked to our new neighbor this morning, which I am really excited about. A group of young people just moved in next door yesterday as part of the Pittsburgh Fellows Program. It's a Christian program where they work 4 days a week and take seminary classes on Friday. I am very excited to have neighbors our age!

Happy Friday!

Our Apartment in Sewickley!

Bedroom:

Bathroom...yes it is as small as it looks

Kitchen/Dining:

My husband built the cabinet and shelves!!

VERY important part of our apartment!

Living Room:

TV/DVDs...Law and Order is on as usual!

Living Room to Kitchen: One of our favorite gifts:

Pottery Night

Last Wednesday Night, we had a Middle School Night at church. I took a group of girls to a local place where you can paint your own pottery and then we went out to ice cream. 8 girls came which was a really great turn out and it was a lot of fun! Nolan took 5 boys to a Pirates game and they had a great time as well! Unfortunately we only have one camera, so here are some shots of the girls:

Seniors 2009

In youth ministry, the end of the summer means saying goodbye to a class of students as they prepare for the next phase of their life. This year, our youth group had a very large group of graduating seniors that will be greatly missed. As a farewell to the seniors, I planned a night out in Pitttsburgh for them before they all head in various directions this fall. We went to Station Square and had dinner at Buca di Beppo, took the incline up Mt. Washington, and then had ice cream sundeas back at the church where we prayed them out and gave them a gift. This was a bitter sweet night because I have really had the opportunity to get to know some of these students over the past two years at Mt. Carmel. I am so excited for each of them and the things that they are headed off to this Fall! Here are some pictures from the night: