Live Like That

Winter in Montana is beautiful.  Each day here all you have to do is step outside to be reminded that we serve an AWESOME God!

Overlooking Bozeman from the "M" trail

A week ago, Kirkwood hosted Family Promise, a homeless ministry here in Bozeman that helps families come up with individualized plans to help them take the steps towards lasting independence.  We had a family staying at the church for the week and we were able to share evening meals with them, and some people served as overnight hosts as well.

This week we have a mission team here from Dalton, GA and Clarksville, TN helping with Marriage Emphasis Week. They have been a HUGE blessing and breath of fresh air as they have made meals for the conference each evening, worked with the children, and have also been helping with some painting around the church during the day. Pastor James and Misty have been doing the teaching out of the study "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and it has been a great week for the married couples to refocus and also for those of us who are single to gain much wisdom on what a biblical marriage should look like.  I also had the privilege this week of taking the team for a winter trip up Hyalite Canyon.  Absolutely incredible!  Check out the pictures...

We found the hats at Walmart and just couldn't resist

Hyalite Canyon

Hyalite Canyon

Grotto Falls trail

Igloo!

The team :)

Enjoying God's creation

On the way to Grotto Falls

Waterfall... uh in the summer :)

Icicles near Grotto Falls

Hyalite Canyon

The lake at Hyalite :)

Another praise is that our Sunday Evening Prayer Group has grown to the point that next Sunday (the 3rd) we will split into two groups.  It has been amazing to reflect and see the prayers God has answered through that time of meeting and praying together.

We have also been doing a great Bible Study on Proverbs. It tells us in His Word that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7)."  As I seek God's wisdom, it is humbling each day to realize I know less than I think I did. My prayer lately has been for the Lord to give me a humble, teachable and repentant spirit, because I have seen that the minute we become "wise" in our own eyes, we are finished.  I have also been reminded why it is so important to choose friends wisely and spend time with those who point me to Him, encourage genuinely, pray faithfully, who are willing to share what they have learned from their experiences, who mentor and instruct, who rebuke me in love, share His wisdom, seek His word, who hold me accountable and don't enable me, who are consistent, who forgive and who are on fire for Him.

Through those who God has so graciously put in my life, I have been reminded of late that we all have influence. How are we using the influence God has given each of us? We all have a platform and whether or not we feel the responsibility we have a direct impact for better or for worse on those He has placed around us. Only when we are seeking Him daily and relying on His power can we truly go forth in His name.  Pat Williams, senior vice president of the Orlando Magic wrote a book called The Difference You Make.  In it he poses this question: "If your life were a silent movie, if the only way people could learn about your character, your beliefs, and your values was through the actions of your everyday life, what would they learn? (p. 95)"  Very convicting.  Being aware of the influence we have on others is one of the first steps to making a difference.  In other words, you might be the only Bible some people read... What are they seeing?

It makes me think of some of the lyrics to the song "LIVE LIKE THAT" by Sidewalk Prophets

"Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that"

Please pray for:
- Leadership at Kirkwood (Pastor James, our youth pastor Andrew and myself) and unity among the body of Christ.  Praise for those I have the privilege of serving alongside.
- A worship leader for Kirkwood.
- Opportunities for discipleship.
- March 7-8th Pastor James, Andrew and their families along with myself will travel to Great Falls, MT for the M-Pact Ministry Conference.  Pray for a time of learning and also renewal.
- Personal: Another upcoming brief trip down to Utah to take care of more stuff at the place that was my dad's.  And upcoming mission trip to Honduras in April - that God would prepare the hearts of those the team will be ministering to and that the team will be diligent in preparation.

Life On The Road

Sixteen flights since the week of Thanksgiving that in addition to time in Bozeman included layovers in Salt Lake City, Detroit, Paris, Frankfurt, Atlanta and Minneapolis along with stops in San Diego (CA), Park City (UT), Slovenia, Italy, Orlando (FL) and Nashville (TN) ... so grateful for all I have been able to see and experience during that time but I am also thankful to now have a couple months at home before hitting the road again. 

Rec Lab 50

The most recent trip included attending the 50th anniversary of Rec Lab in Orlando and it is absolutely one of my favorite weeks of the year and always one of the most humbling. To sit with those who have been in ministry for so many years and to learn from their experiences is such a blessing. There is no way I could be doing what I am now apart from those who I have met there. The week served as a reminder that there are times we take life way too seriously and sometimes we as adults need to be reminded what it's like to play like kids, while also being reminded how even simple recreation games can be in used as a platform to share the Gospel. In addition to that, the most memorable moment of the week for me came in one of the recreation seminars when the leader said, “Learning always happens on the edge of uncomfortable.” He was referring to how many lessons we miss because of how quick we are to give up when things become hard and cause us to move beyond our comfort zone. I immediately thought of the spiritual implications of that statement. God wants to grow us through every circumstance and looking at my life, I know the times I have often learned the most have been through trials or circumstances far beyond my comfort zone that I chose to persevere in until God brought me through to the other side. In the Bible God tells us to “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work in you so that you may be mature and complete and not lacking anything (James 1:3-4).” May we resolve to always stick it out in uncomfortable circumstances and trying seasons until we learn the lesson God has for us, for there is blessings that come on the other side of every trial as we are made to be more like Him. 

Sweet mentors and friends God has put in my life.

Sweet mentors and friends God has put in my life.

Sweet mentors and friends God has put in my life.

After the conference in Orlando I was able to swing through Nashville for a few days, worship with the Judson church family for a Sunday and attend a couple missions meetings, stop in for a visit with all the kids at Foundations Christian Academy and throughout my time there see so many people the Lord has so graciously put in my life. 

Sweet time at the Poenitske's

The Allen kiddos

16th Birthday Celebration for Rachel

Nashville Snow Day!

 

Exciting things are happening back here in Bozeman as well – we are getting ready to split our Sunday evening prayer group at Kirkwood because it has grown to the point that is necessary, getting ready to host the Family Promise homeless ministry for a week at the church, preparing for summer mission teams and other events, seeing a couple people accept Christ and also step forth in obedience to be baptized as a public profession of their faith, and the opportunity to start discipling new believers while encouraging others along the way. I am constantly reminded that none of these things just happen overnight. It is so sweet when the Lord allows us to take a step back and gain perspective of all He is able to accomplish over time when we are obedient in the little things He asks us to do each day. As it has been said, "Do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, to the best of your ability...every time." 

Quality time with baby Levi!

One other bit of exciting news is the opportunity I will have to return to Honduras for the 4th year in a row in April to serve alongside Sam and Peggy Feazel of Ignite Missions. Over the past three years down there, I have seen villages transformed by the Gospel message, hundreds come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and churches planted. This year we will continue the work in two of the villages the 2012 team visited and the team will be doing women’s ministry and Vacation Bible School.

Please pray for:
-Pastor James and the Kirkwood church family. For God to guide him in leading and for everyone to be on board and fired up about what God is doing.
-Upcoming Family Promise week at Kirkwood.
-Ability to disciple new believers here in Bozeman and train them up in how to walk with the Lord consistently.
-Mission trip to Honduras in April - for God to provide the funds and everything else that is needed to go on the trip.
-Personal – for the time to rest and recharge and dive into His Word even deeper in the coming weeks.

Slovenia Mission Trip and Other Winter Happenings

"As you are going, make disciples of all nations..." - Matthew 28:19

Thank you to all of you who prayed for the mission team I traveled with to Slovenia!  The International Sports Federation was founded in 1993 and over the last 20 years has sent over 8,500 volunteers to more than 120 countries, while partnering with missionaries serving in those locations.  Sports is the platform used on the trips to build relationships and open doors to share the Gospel.  The team flew into Ljubljana (see map below) and traveled a couple hours to the northwest of Slovenia to Bovec where missionaries Joe and Kim Kelley reside.  In a country of about 2 million people, less than 1,500 have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Extreme sports are a big part of the culture there so that was the platform we used for the week. Our team's job was to be on the ski slopes each day and be intentional with those God put in our path.  We went to three different resorts - Kanin, which is on the border of Slovenia and Italy, allowing us to ski in two countries in one day, Kranjska Gora (in Slovenia) and Tarvisio (in Italy).  Through relationship building and materials we were able to hand out throughout the week we gave hundreds of people access to the Gospel.  At night, we delivered calendars to every home in Bovec in preparation for the new year that had Bible verses on them.

Through my time there, more than anything I was reminded that missions is a lifestyle not just a one or two week trip. It is a lifestyle with an intentional missional mindset of making disciples as we are going each day of our lives.  It made me question what I could do to be more intentional each day of my life back home.  Whatever our gifts are, we can use them for His glory as we surrender our entire lives to Him every day.

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died and was raised again... We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

-2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 20

Please continue to pray for Joe and Kim Kelley, the missionaries we served with in Slovenia and for the hearts of those there to be turned to Him!

The days leading up to heading overseas were crazy, but I had a night celebrating Christmas in Montana before heading to Utah.  

After getting everything taken care of in Montana, my good friend Crystal and her family, along with two other of their friends, road tripped from Bozeman down to Utah with me.  We had a blast skiing at Deer Valley and visiting the Olympic Park.  We got to catch part of an aerial ski competition up close which was incredible to see them flying higher than the building!  I also spent time with my uncle and my mom, her parents, as well as a brief time with some of my cousins.

Uncle and Gayla

After all the travels, especially the 26 hour/four flight finish from Slovenia back to Bozeman, I was so thankful to be back home!  I am so thankful for the Kirkwood church family here in Montana and definitely missed everyone while I was away.  Everything is going great here, as there have been many visitors over the past couple weeks.  This Sunday, the 13th, we are having Friend Day where everyone is inviting people to come worship with us.  We will be having a breakfast and then worship service.  We also have a couple people getting baptized that day which is exciting as well.  Pastor James and Misty are doing well and baby Levi hit the three month mark today!  I just started a Christian Missions Perspectives class at Montana Bible College this semester.  Next Friday I also have a sweet opportunity to speak in Chapel to the kindergarten through 6th graders at Heritage Christian School.

I am in town for a couple more weeks and then I am back on the road again - heading to Orlando, Florida for the 50th Rec Lab ministry conference.  It is the oldest and most attended sports ministry conference in the world.  It will be my fourth year going and it is always a great time of worship, seminars, and fellowship with so many who share a passion for using recreation as a way to reach people for Christ.  It is always a refreshing time and I always walk away with many ideas and even more on fire for the Lord.

Lastly, for those in Nashville - some of you already know, but I will be in town January 31 to February 5 so I can't wait to see so many of you!

Know that all of your love, prayers and support mean the world to me!  Wishing all of you a Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what this year holds!

Please pray for:

- Friend Day at Kirkwood this Sunday - that many would come and hearts would be turned to Him!

- Ability to catch up on everything after the crazy last few weeks.

- That God would continue to open doors here in Bozeman.

- I am speaking in Chapel at Heritage Christian School on the 18th to the K-6th graders - please pray for God to be glorified through that time!

December in Bozeman!

What a busy first half of the month…

Kirkwood hosted a Christmas concert December 6 put on by Amanda Lorentzen, an up and coming artist.  The following evening was the youth lock-in, which included food, games, movies and more fun all night long.  Bless those who stayed all night with our youth pastor.  I had to coach a basketball tournament the following day. 

One of my favorite parts of the last couple months was the opportunity I had to coach the Heritage Christian 5^th-8^th Grade Girls’ Basketball team.  They completed their season this past week.  The girls’ finished one of the season ending tournaments in 2^nd place, competing against all the other schools’ purely 7^th-8^th grade teams.  It was such a blessing coaching a group of girls who improved so much throughout the season and learned to play as a team.  Most importantly they honored Christ in how they competed, how they responded to adversity and in how they encouraged one another.  The other coach and I were so proud of how they played.  

TEAM VERSE: "Don't you realize that in a race
everyone runs but only one gets the prize? So run to
win! All athletes are disciplined in their training.
They do it for a prize  that will fade away,
but we do it for an eternal prize."
-1 Cor. 9:24-25

Heritage Christian Basketball
Gallatin Gateway Tournament
Runner-up Team

End of year team party.

During the season I had the chance to do weekly devotions with the girls.  The one that stood out the most to me was when we talked about the fact that athletes spend over 95 percent of their time training and less than five percent competing.  However, when we look at our spiritual life, we often spend very little of our time training.  We spend about 99 percent of our time living and less than one percent in intentional time with Him.  It really caused me to stop and evaluate if there are better ways that I can spend my time each week.  There are so many lessons from sports that can be applied to life and to our walk with the Lord.  And just as in sports where we are competing against an opponent, in life there is a spiritual battle that many of us do not take seriously enough, as evidenced by how little we work to grow daily in our relationship with Him.

The month has also been full of opportunities to substitute teach at Heritage Christian Academy.  I so enjoy spending time with the kids during Bible, math, science and other activities.  However, each time I substitute, it gives me a greater appreciation for full time teachers and also the sense of humor the Lord gives us.  Everything between having to fish the marker out of the fish tank (no pun intended) when a girl dropped it in during prayer requests and the egg that splattered on the floor during a science experiment was quite a good time!

The Kirkwood singles Christmas party was earlier this month, complete with a white elephant gift exchange quite unlike any other I had been a part of in the past, finger foods, games and a lot of laughter.  Kirkwood also hosted a Christmas event for kids of the community that included cupcake decorating, the Veggie Tales movie “It’s a Meaningful Life” and the candy cane story to share the Gospel.

Veggie Tales movie at Kirkwood Christmas Celebration

Cupcake decorating

Misty telling the Candy Cane story

Sunday night the 16^th we had the Kirkwood Christmas Celebration.  It was such a sweet time of fellowship with the body of Christ that attends KBC.  We had dinner, worship and took communion.  In preparation for the event people volunteered to decorate each of the dinner tables and come up with goodies, and I of course, got to do the kids table.  What a blast!  I am so grateful for my church family here in Montana and it has also been a time to reflect on how grateful I am for my church family in Nashville at Judson who God is using to allow me to be out here - sending my love to all of you!

Kids table for Christmas dinner

Lane girls :)

Wyatt kiddos! :)

Kids lighting advent candle

KBC Christmas worship time

I also got to enjoy a sweet time with Pastor James and Misty and the family celebrating Christmas before we all hit the road this coming week.  Baby Levi is getting bigger each day (and cuter if that's even possible) and the girls are so sweet.  We had a great time together eating at Outback, opening some presents and watching a movie!

Chillin' :)

Baby Levi!

PJ Christmas pic with the Wyatt girls

I have a few more days in Bozeman before heading to Utah and then to Slovenia.  I will finish up with a Christmas party for the kids who attend Wednesday nights at church and celebrating Christmas with my Montana sister Saralyn, her husband and kiddos who are such a big blessing in my life ... In the midst of everything going on, the greatest joy comes from being able to celebrate the birth of our Savior! May our eyes remain focused on Him through this season.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Prayer requests:

-Pastor James and Misty are traveling (by car) to Tennessee (and back) with the four kids including Baby Levi.  They leave the 18^th to head to TN so please pray for safe travels and their sanity to still be in check when they return, and of course that they will have a sweet time with family while they are there!
- TeamKid Christmas party at church December 19th.

-I am road tripping to Utah December 20^th with a good friend and her family who will be staying to ski for a few days and then I will be spending Christmas there with my uncle as well as my mom who is flying in town and her side of the family.  Please pray for safe travels and also for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with all I am with during that time.

-On December 27^th I leave straight from Utah to head to Slovenia (Europe) on a mission trip and will be there until returning to Bozeman January 6.  My teammates and I will have the chance to ski the alps and share the Gospel – what could be better?!  Please pray for the team I am traveling with and check out www.sportsmissions.com for other opportunities to serve with the International Sports Federation.