All In A Month

Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'" -Luke 4:8

It was a whirlwind month of July but very thankful to see God at work through that time ...

Summer Sports Camp and Block Party:

A team from Columbia, TN came into Bozeman to help with our summer sports camp at Kirkwood. From 9-12pm each day for a week the children rotated through soccer, flag football, silly sports and Bible Study.  We had over 40 campers registered for the week and it was a great opportunity to use sports as a platform to share the eternal hope we have in Christ.  The kids were taught what it means to know and love and serve Jesus and to be a light for Him in their surrounding community. The week ended with an awards celebration where each child got an individual award and we showed the camp video from the week, followed by a pizza party with the kids and their families!  It is always fun to see each of the children improving their sports skills throughout the week, but nothing compares to seeing them grow in their relationship with Christ!

That week we also hosted a Wednesday night Block Party where we had 1000 pairs of shoes to give away.  It was a great evening with many people passing through and an opportunity to share the love of Christ and meet needs in the surrounding community.  Even though it was a rainy evening, we were able to give away a couple hundred pairs of shoes and had the opportunity to pray with some of the people who came through and shared their stories with us.

Provo, Utah Mission Trip: The week before sports camp a team of five adults and four children from Kirkwood went down to assist First Baptist Provo for a week.  We painted the outside of their church, cleaned the inside, assisted with Backyard Bible Club in an apartment complex and spent time with Pastor Russ and his family who I have gotten to know well over the past year.  We were reminded how important fellowship and mutual encouragement is in building up the body of Christ.  In Hebrews 3:13 it says, "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."  Satan would love nothing more than to see God's faithful discouraged and off track, so having others around to continually point each other back to the Lord is so important.  Beyond that, my favorite part of the week was getting to play soccer and kickball with the children in the apartment complex.  Most of them were bilingual and it was fun speaking some Spanish with them.  I am constantly reminded what a platform sports brings to build relationships that open up the door to share the Gospel.  Each of the children who played kickball stayed to listen to a devotion afterwards and we also had the chance to feed everyone who was there. 

4th of July weekend: At the beginning of the month, I was able to head up to northern Montana over the 4th of July weekend.  This was a week I was reminded how gracious the Lord has been to put some really sweet people in my life since I arrived in Montana.  I had the opportunity to stay in Bigfork, Montana for a few days with a family I have gotten to know through the golf course in Bozeman.  After a few days in Bigfork and Whitefish, I was able to take a quick trip through Glacier National Parkon the way back down.  It is beautiful there!

At the very end of July I had a super sweet friend that I got to know from my college days at Vanderbilt come through town after she worked a week of camp in Washington.  I was able to take Emily to check out a couple of the waterfalls up Hyalite Canyon and we also spent a day in Yellowstone and the northern part of the Teton National Park...

The rest of July also consisted of our last block party of the summer at Kirkwood and beginning preparation for August events which include a back to school giveaway, a youth camping trip and welcoming the MSU students back to school.  I have also been working at the golf course on the side and getting ready to start the Athletic Director duties at Heritage Christian.  It has been amazing to see the doors God has opened in Bozeman since He brought me there in May 2012 and I can't wait to see what He does moving forward.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Please pray for:

- For God to continue to use Kirkwood and the other Bible believing churches in the area as a light for Him in a community that really needs Jesus and that we will be able to meet the needs of those He places in our path.  Also that Pastor James, Andrew and I would continue to follow His direction and never try to do anything in our own power.
- For God to provide all the children's workers necessary for Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.

- To be able to spend my time as the Lord would have me to as I juggle responsibilities at Kirkwood, the golf course and serving as the Athletic Director at Heritage Christian School.  That I would be intentional each day in using my gifts for His glory.

Kicking off the summer in Bozeman

Here are the lyrics to one of the songs we sang with the children during Vacation Bible School - may it be a desire in all of our hearts...

"I wanna live my life with courage,

I wanna live with confidence,

I wanna live with Your hope within me, 

And a joy that never ends.

No doubt, no fear.

No wondering if You are here.

Change my heart, oh God, open up my eyes. 

I wanna see Your glory shining like a light.

Change my heart, oh God, stir me up inside.

I wanna feel Your Spirit moving in my life.

I wanna life my life with passion, 

I wanna live out on the edge.

I wanna have the faith to trust You

With everything and nothing less..."

This past week we had a mission team from Judson Baptist, my home church in Nashville, out to help with Vacation Bible School at Kirkwood for the third year in a row.  It is always such a huge blessing and encouragement to have them in town!  We also had about 20 workers from Kirkwood serving this year which has been such an answered prayer to bring people in from here in Bozeman!

The week kicked off with a Block Party where we doubled our enrollment that evening for VBS. Throughout the week we had 68 children registered and our enrollment was pushing 100 when we included all the workers.  God was present throughout the week and working in the lives of many.  Through music, crafts, recreation, missions and Bible Study, the kids were taught to face their fears and trust God.  In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, "God did not give us a Spirit of fear, but one of power, love and sound judgment."  We had five children surrender their lives to Jesus Christ throughout the week and also had great conversations with many parents as they came to pick up their children each night.  We also had a Family Day after the week ended where many of the kids and their parents came to worship with us on Sunday as the children led the motions to the songs they had learned throughout the week.

Many of the children that came throughout the week come from very tough situations.  Some started coming at the beginning of the week because they knew they would be fed dinner, and that was the first time they had eaten a meal all day.  What started as meeting a physical need led to them seeing their spiritual need for a Savior.  A boy of another family who lives out of state and had an extremely tough year with his family situation came up to me the first day and instead of asking what rec games we were playing or what was on the menu for dinner, simply wanted to know where the pastor was who gave him a Bible last year.  God is working in the lives of these kids and we pray often for the chance to reach their parents as well.  We had the opportunity to take follow up visits to some of their homes to drop off goodie bags and God opened the door for conversations and continued relationships during that time as well.  He is faithful.

Gearing up for Block Party and VBS week!

Block Party

Block Party

VBS Dinner

VBS

VBS

VBS

Ready for Recreation at VBS

With the Judson team at Hyalite

Palisade Falls, Hyalite Canyon

With Misty, Muranda, Ethan, Cassie, Alex and Tyler at
Bridger Creek

In the two weeks leading up to VBS we had mission teams from Mt Rachel Baptist in Dalton, Georgia and a team from Stewart County, Tennessee come in to assist with Vacation Bible School preparation, Block Parties, getting the word out about upcoming events, intentional evangelism around town, surveys about how Kirkwood can better serve the surrounding community and prayer walking.  God used both teams as they served humbly and joyfully while they were here, as they were always willing to step in and help with many of the little tasks.

With the Mt Rachel Baptist (Dalton, GA) team

The upcoming weeks will be busy as well.  Myself, along with some other Kirkwood members are headed to Provo, Utah to assist First Baptist Provo with a Backyard Bible Club and some things around the church July 9-13 while our Youth Pastor, Andrew, is headed to Russia to share the love of Christ in an orphanage there for two weeks.  We have sports camp at Kirkwood July 15-19 and a couple upcoming Block Parties as well.  Please pray for God to be glorified and Christ to be revealed in unmistakable ways in the coming weeks.  Please also pray for me to be a light each day and to rely on His strength as I juggle responsibilities at Kirkwood, getting ready to take on the athletic director position at Heritage Christian School this fall and while I am also working at a local golf course.

Hope you all have a great 4th of July!  I am headed up to Whitefish, MT for a few days near Glacier National Park so hopefully some sweet pictures will be coming soon!  Love you all!

One Year Down...

A little over one year ago today I was pulling into Bozeman ... man, does time fly! I was excited for the adventure God was about to send me on, not sure what was in store but trusting in His provision one day at a time.  One of my favorite names of God in the Bible is Jehovah Jireh - the Lord who provides - because He has faithfully done so in my life over and over and His plans are always far greater than my own.  He has grown me and challenged me and humbled me to the dust as I have seen Him work in the lives of so many as well as in my own.  I praise Him daily for the love of those back in Nashville and so many other places around the world who have prayed for and supported me on this crazy journey - that is definitely one of the greatest reminders of His faithfulness in my life.

I am also reminded daily that religion is not what saves; Jesus does.  He pursued me, loved me and saved me by His amazing grace and that is where HOPE is found.  I think of the song "The Stand" with the lyrics, "I stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all.  I stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered.  All I am in Yours..."  When we are taken out of our "comfort zone" and what is familiar and surrender our lives to Him,  everything He does becomes magnified and we come to know Him in a more intimate way - that has definitely been the case for me over the past year.  Through the great times and the very challenging ones alike, He has the ability to humble and teach us and make us even more in awe of Him.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5

We are gearing up for a busy summer here in Montana.  At Kirkwood, we have four mission teams coming in to help with summer activities including Block Parties, Parent's Day Out, Vacation Bible School and Sports Camp.  Some members of our church are also heading to Utah for a week in July to help First Baptist Provo with a Backyard Bible Club.  We are excited to see what God has in store.

The second week of May we were blessed to have Mike James, Minister to Adults and Assimilation at Judson Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee (along with his wife, Kathy) come out and lead a training session at Kirkwood on his book, Velcro Church.  It is always sweet having a slice of home come to visit.  Both Kirkwood and myself could not be doing what we are without God's provision through having Judson Baptist as a partner church.

Dr. Mike James leading a training session

With Mike James and his wife, Kathy

Mike and Kathy with Pastor James and family

Mike and Kathy with the Lane family

On Friday to kick off Memorial Day weekend we had a Mexican Fiesta Game Night at Kirkwood as a time of fellowship.  With about 40 people there, we all ate way too much food, played games, laughed so hard it hurt and really enjoyed time together.

This summer I also have the privilege of working on the side at Bridger Creek Golf Course, which sits right at the base of the Bridger Mountains.  The people I work for are incredible and it has been a great way to get to know more people in the community.  It is the first time God has opened the door to step back into the golf arena since the fall of 2008. After years of trying to get my back healthy and finally having four nerve endings burnt off in the lower part of my back last year, I have been able to play a little bit again and I just give God the glory now allowing me to share the passion I have for the game, and for Him, with others.  I wouldn't trade the perspective I have now for anything and the chance to use this gift for His glory in whatever way He leads.  God's plans are so much greater than our own.

Also, after much prayer and seeking the Lord, I will also be remaining in Bozeman past this summer.  I have recently accepted a position to serve as the Athletic Director and Kindergarten and 7th/8th grade P.E. teacher at Heritage Christian School in Bozeman.  I am extremely humbled and very excited to have the opportunity to assist the school in being a light for Jesus outside the classroom using sports as a platform to share the Gospel with everyone around in a city where many do not know Him.  This will allow me to continue working at the church as well this fall ... God is truly Jehovah Jireh - the God who provides in ways far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.

Sending my love to everyone in Tennessee and elsewhere - your prayers and support mean so much and know I always love to hear from you and how I can be praying for you!

Please pray for:

- For the four mission teams that are coming to help us this summer at Kirkwood - that God would be glorified through all the activities and fellowship opportunities.

- That God would be at work now preparing the hearts of those here in Bozeman and that they will hear and respond to the Gospel.

- Pastor James and family while they are currently in Tennessee visiting family.

- For God to use me in the work at Kirkwood, the golf course and at Heritage Christian School, and that I would abide in Him and remain obedient one day at a time and be intentional each day representing Him.
- That I would be able to keep in touch with and continue to mutually encourage so many I care about that don't live nearby - so thankful that God's love bridges any distance and that He is faithful to provide for us when we walk with Him.