What to expect:
- Empowering the Unlikely - a story of how God used an unexpected person to do extraordinary things
- Fall Ministries
- School Update
- House Update - spoiler alert - WE FOUND ONE!
Until then...
Stay Cool!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Patience
If you typically receive a newsletter from us, I just want to thank you for your patience in this gap of time. Our newsletter is being finalized and sent to the printer this week. We will work hard to get it out in the mail as soon as possible.
What to expect:
Until then...
What to expect:
Until then...
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Fall
September and October have been beautiful and crazy months. Fall is a favorite season around here and we have loved every bright tree, hot mug of apple cider and pumpkin treat in sight.
Some updates of things going on:
- Dante and Bub got baptized several weeks ago!! There is video, but I won't be able to post it right now. Instead I will share these with you.
-My (Emily) Sunday School class has started a new study on the book of Romans! We added a few women to the class and it is exciting to start such a deep book.
-The Food Cupboard that Jonerik and I help organize at CCC is bursting at the seams! We love distributing the food from the local food bank and because of the rapidly growing numbers we have had to re-evaluate how to best serve our neighborhood. Some changes have been made to focus our audience and those receiving food. We are still distributing food every week (except the first Thurs.) to hungry families around us and cultivating relationship with those who come.
-The kids are receiving a steady diet of scripture and godly songs at school and we are all benefitting from that. Watching them remember a verse to apply to a routine situation is an amazing blessing because that is what the Word of God is for!!
Hurricane Update:
Sandy's path was headed straight for Philly but the effects of the hurricane impacted other areas stronger than us. We had heavy winds, rain and some thunder/lightning but our power is still on and we didn't have damage of any kind. We praise God for his protection and pray for others who are wading through difficult aftermath.
Our family having a fun day at a pumpkin patch!!
Some updates of things going on:
- Dante and Bub got baptized several weeks ago!! There is video, but I won't be able to post it right now. Instead I will share these with you.
-My (Emily) Sunday School class has started a new study on the book of Romans! We added a few women to the class and it is exciting to start such a deep book.
-The Food Cupboard that Jonerik and I help organize at CCC is bursting at the seams! We love distributing the food from the local food bank and because of the rapidly growing numbers we have had to re-evaluate how to best serve our neighborhood. Some changes have been made to focus our audience and those receiving food. We are still distributing food every week (except the first Thurs.) to hungry families around us and cultivating relationship with those who come.
-The kids are receiving a steady diet of scripture and godly songs at school and we are all benefitting from that. Watching them remember a verse to apply to a routine situation is an amazing blessing because that is what the Word of God is for!!
Hurricane Update:
Sandy's path was headed straight for Philly but the effects of the hurricane impacted other areas stronger than us. We had heavy winds, rain and some thunder/lightning but our power is still on and we didn't have damage of any kind. We praise God for his protection and pray for others who are wading through difficult aftermath.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Back to School
I can hardly believe I am about to write the following words. Never, let me repeat that, NEVER did I expect God to bless our family in such a huge way in such a short time. In our women's Bible study about a year ago we were doing a Beth Moore study and one of the themes was "Expect the Unexpected". So here it is...
Last year when we took on the bulk of the kid's educational needs as they were all living with us for the majority of the time, we were shuffling 4 different schools in our neighborhood. Different start/end times, different locations, different administrations, different uniforms. We found a rhythm and it worked, but we desired to simplify the process as soon as it would be possible.
In our involvement and close observation of the public schools around us over the past two years we discovered a lot of the heart breaking things you are probably hearing in the news off and on. A lack of funding for extra-curricular activities, teachers stretched to their limit, important staff being laid off (like the fantastic social worker that helped Dante last year). The teachers we interacted with were great, but we started to learn that the kids were not getting all the education we thought they were. Our fourth grader didn't know how to read or write in cursive, our oldest was not prepared enough to flourish in PA Cyber. We had enrolled the oldest in PA Cyber instead of sending her to the local public middle school again and she enjoyed it and passed, but it was not a good fit for her and we knew we couldn't do it again this year.
When we realized that 3 of our kids would be in public middle schools next year (yikes!) we started researching charter schools and filling out lots and lots of applications all with different deadlines and paperwork needed. We sat through the lotteries, feeling helpless and quite pitiful as our children we reduced to a random number spinning in a wheel at the front of the room...and the disappointment as we left with not even a chance.
One of our co-workers at Cornerstone suggested that we look at the Christian school that their kids go to and my first thought was, that sounds nice, but there is no way we can afford that. But after our other options thinned out, we started to research how much it would cost to send the older kids.
To make a much longer story, short, we figured out we could squeeze things enough to send 4 out of the 5 kids to Cedar Grove Christian Academy! After the financial aid lady rolled her eyes at me several times going through our information and calculating all the possible options, we were sold. The middle child had been accepted to a magnet middle school down the street from us and we thought we would try that for him because 5 would have stretched us too far.
[Let me just insert here - that after they were tested to get into Cedar Grove and we saw their education levels (the older 3) based on a national average, I was appalled at where our public schools left them. Further affirmation that they need more support than they were getting and that we can offer them at home.]
A few days before school started on Sept. 6th we were talking with some friends of ours about this whole process. They came back to us soon after and said, "We have prayed about it, and we really feel like the Lord wants us to pay for your 5th child to go to Cedar Grove as well." *tears* He wanted to go to Cedar Grove so badly and participate in all the sports and extra stuff going on and now he could! There was room in his class - he tested - and was accepted into the school hours before the first day would begin.
So to summarize - all 5 of our kids are going to Cedar Grove Christian Academy. The same place. The same times. The same administration. The same uniforms. Thank you Jesus! The kids are in grades: Kindergarten, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th.
There are still hurdles to jump over, sacrifices to be made, and huge adjustments for the kids academically as they begin the year but the excitement and joy of solid, Christian education outweighs the struggle for us all.
Last year when we took on the bulk of the kid's educational needs as they were all living with us for the majority of the time, we were shuffling 4 different schools in our neighborhood. Different start/end times, different locations, different administrations, different uniforms. We found a rhythm and it worked, but we desired to simplify the process as soon as it would be possible.
In our involvement and close observation of the public schools around us over the past two years we discovered a lot of the heart breaking things you are probably hearing in the news off and on. A lack of funding for extra-curricular activities, teachers stretched to their limit, important staff being laid off (like the fantastic social worker that helped Dante last year). The teachers we interacted with were great, but we started to learn that the kids were not getting all the education we thought they were. Our fourth grader didn't know how to read or write in cursive, our oldest was not prepared enough to flourish in PA Cyber. We had enrolled the oldest in PA Cyber instead of sending her to the local public middle school again and she enjoyed it and passed, but it was not a good fit for her and we knew we couldn't do it again this year.
When we realized that 3 of our kids would be in public middle schools next year (yikes!) we started researching charter schools and filling out lots and lots of applications all with different deadlines and paperwork needed. We sat through the lotteries, feeling helpless and quite pitiful as our children we reduced to a random number spinning in a wheel at the front of the room...and the disappointment as we left with not even a chance.
One of our co-workers at Cornerstone suggested that we look at the Christian school that their kids go to and my first thought was, that sounds nice, but there is no way we can afford that. But after our other options thinned out, we started to research how much it would cost to send the older kids.
To make a much longer story, short, we figured out we could squeeze things enough to send 4 out of the 5 kids to Cedar Grove Christian Academy! After the financial aid lady rolled her eyes at me several times going through our information and calculating all the possible options, we were sold. The middle child had been accepted to a magnet middle school down the street from us and we thought we would try that for him because 5 would have stretched us too far.
[Let me just insert here - that after they were tested to get into Cedar Grove and we saw their education levels (the older 3) based on a national average, I was appalled at where our public schools left them. Further affirmation that they need more support than they were getting and that we can offer them at home.]
A few days before school started on Sept. 6th we were talking with some friends of ours about this whole process. They came back to us soon after and said, "We have prayed about it, and we really feel like the Lord wants us to pay for your 5th child to go to Cedar Grove as well." *tears* He wanted to go to Cedar Grove so badly and participate in all the sports and extra stuff going on and now he could! There was room in his class - he tested - and was accepted into the school hours before the first day would begin.
So to summarize - all 5 of our kids are going to Cedar Grove Christian Academy. The same place. The same times. The same administration. The same uniforms. Thank you Jesus! The kids are in grades: Kindergarten, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th.
There are still hurdles to jump over, sacrifices to be made, and huge adjustments for the kids academically as they begin the year but the excitement and joy of solid, Christian education outweighs the struggle for us all.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Summer 2012
In my return to our blog and my assessment of past blogs I just discovered there were a few posts that started off great but landed in my "drafts" file and never got published, oh dear. Yes they covered a span of a few months. How do I write about everything that I've missed and all that is going on now?? To catch you up to speed on the basics of our summer:
Ministry-
- Cornerstone Block Party (see previous post)
- 3 VBS' were hosted through different groups
- Food Cupboard continued as usual
- We took 15 kids to camp at Victory Valley Camp - including 3 of our kids
- Jonerik preached two Sundays in July
- We met with some people to discuss the possibility of a neighborhood, faith based legal clinic in our neighborhood
- Church picnic
- Church swim party
- Cornerstone Staff Retreat - 3 days at Camp Men-O-Lan
Family -
- Family vacation for a week
- Swimming at various places
- Library trips
- Lots of picnics!
- Older kids went to camp for a week
- Jonerik and I got away for a couple of days for a VERY belated anniversary trip
I know I am missing some things, but you get the picture. We have been spinning through the summer balancing a fairly new family structure and a running ministry that is thriving and challenging at the same time. Joy and grief punctuate our routines as we are all learning to live a new way.
Sometimes I wonder what genre of TV our lives would be. Most days would probably be viewed as a crazy sitcom. I mean, really, its the perfect set up for humor - 5 goofy kids who love to mess around in a small space, in a crazy neighborhood. Other days - that would give the Hallmark Channel a run for their money - are filled with sentiment and reminders of the grief that we are all still wading through. Still others would fall under the Drama category as each week brings crazy ups and downs due to the fact that we are working with other family members to raise these children and our ministry includes interacting with complex lives.
Most things can't be shared on a public site but one thing can be known for sure - God has been faithful to our family this summer (and all along). How has He been faithful? Again I can't list every way we have seen His hand move, but we have seen Him provide work for Jonerik and Emily both (I work part-time from home for a great non-profit), we have been surprised by people offering ways to spend our summer days and we have been given some days of true refreshment.
Am I just saying that to sound more "Christiany"? Not in the least! Yes my husband is a "pastor" and we are "missionaries", but that doesn't mean we don't wonder what God is doing (or not doing) at times. We do not have what we need inside of us, that is proven again and again. We don't have the patience that is required, we certainly don't have the knowledge that we need on a regular basis, and we have no experience in shepherding children's hearts in such intense circumstances. We are brought to our knees and each day we depend on the Holy Spirit to walk through these things with us.
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; he will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Block Party!
Our church has an annual block party (which took place earlier this summer) that takes up a couple blocks on Frankford Ave. Traffic is re-routed, a stage (big truck bed) is brought in, inflatables are filled and food is made. This video is a little long, but it gives a great glimpse into the huge undertaking that this is and the great time we have with lots of friends, family and neighbors!!
Jonerik and I led worship with our brother Frankie on the drums. At three different points throughout the afternoon we got up and sang some songs, a few others that have started a Christian rap group sang, and then the gospel was presented by a couple of people. A while back, Jonerik had a dream that a man in our church named Mingo would get up and speak the gospel. He shared this with Mingo and we saw that the Spirit was working and moving in his heart to bring this to be. Mingo got up three times at the block party and shared about Jesus Christ in Spanish!
Each year there is a forecast for possible rain showers and thunderstorms. Each year we pray hard that the Lord would show us His favor. Last year the storms were scheduled to start at 6:00 PM and as that time approached the sun broke through the clouds instead of rain. This year the weather was hot, but it was beautiful and lots of people came out to join the party!
Lots of great things happening this summer!
Jonerik and I led worship with our brother Frankie on the drums. At three different points throughout the afternoon we got up and sang some songs, a few others that have started a Christian rap group sang, and then the gospel was presented by a couple of people. A while back, Jonerik had a dream that a man in our church named Mingo would get up and speak the gospel. He shared this with Mingo and we saw that the Spirit was working and moving in his heart to bring this to be. Mingo got up three times at the block party and shared about Jesus Christ in Spanish!
Each year there is a forecast for possible rain showers and thunderstorms. Each year we pray hard that the Lord would show us His favor. Last year the storms were scheduled to start at 6:00 PM and as that time approached the sun broke through the clouds instead of rain. This year the weather was hot, but it was beautiful and lots of people came out to join the party!
Lots of great things happening this summer!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Extreme Room Makeover!
This past week we changed our 2 bedroom apartment into a 3 bedroom apartment! Amazing!
Last weekend, the Jr. High youth group from Sunbury Bible Church came to our house and church to serve for part of the weekend. They were able to help us switch all the furniture from our bedroom to the back room and the from the kids bedroom to the front room!
Then on Thursday, our neighbor/"landlord"/friend started the renovations to split the big front bedroom. Jonerik, Frank, and two other guys from our church worked really hard all day and got the project completed by the end of the day (paint included!!). We let the kids pick out the paint colors for their accent walls and I occupied the kids while the men worked.
Before:
It's hard to describe how amazing this is. But it's a big step for our family and helping the kids feel like they have a place where they belong. A place of their own. Someone recently told me that it sounded like I was "nesting" in a sense. And I think that is true. It feels so good to help get them settled and find fun decorations that fit each of them.
It has been an incredibly busy week/weekend, but it is all worth it! To top off the weekend, Jonerik and I ran the Broad St. Run this morning!! We had a great time and the weather was perfect. When we saw the kids later in the day the first thing Damian said to me was... "Did you beat?" Haha! I don't think they understand how long 10 miles is and how big this race is, but it was too cute. It felt so good to accomplish something that big (again) and to do it with friends.
Last weekend, the Jr. High youth group from Sunbury Bible Church came to our house and church to serve for part of the weekend. They were able to help us switch all the furniture from our bedroom to the back room and the from the kids bedroom to the front room!
Then on Thursday, our neighbor/"landlord"/friend started the renovations to split the big front bedroom. Jonerik, Frank, and two other guys from our church worked really hard all day and got the project completed by the end of the day (paint included!!). We let the kids pick out the paint colors for their accent walls and I occupied the kids while the men worked.
Before:
The Finished Product!
Boys Room
Girl's Room
It's hard to describe how amazing this is. But it's a big step for our family and helping the kids feel like they have a place where they belong. A place of their own. Someone recently told me that it sounded like I was "nesting" in a sense. And I think that is true. It feels so good to help get them settled and find fun decorations that fit each of them.
It has been an incredibly busy week/weekend, but it is all worth it! To top off the weekend, Jonerik and I ran the Broad St. Run this morning!! We had a great time and the weather was perfect. When we saw the kids later in the day the first thing Damian said to me was... "Did you beat?" Haha! I don't think they understand how long 10 miles is and how big this race is, but it was too cute. It felt so good to accomplish something that big (again) and to do it with friends.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Beautiful Weather
Last year, our neighbors had a group of people help them lay some concrete in the back yard. We didn't get much of a chance to use it due to it going in at the end of the summer, but now that the weather is warming up the kids are loving it! After dinner is cleaned up the kids will go out and stay out till dark. Thank you daylight savings time! Yes we have lots of scrapes and some tears from time to time, but mostly it is all giggles, laughter, and squeals.
Another simple thing that has changed our routine and brightened our evenings has been....chores!!! I waited for a while before getting the kids used to doing "chores" because I didn't have a system in place and thought I would eventually get around to doing a cute chart or board. But that has proved to be low on the priority list.
And then one day I remembered the beautiful invention of sticky notes!!
Another simple thing that has changed our routine and brightened our evenings has been....chores!!! I waited for a while before getting the kids used to doing "chores" because I didn't have a system in place and thought I would eventually get around to doing a cute chart or board. But that has proved to be low on the priority list.
And then one day I remembered the beautiful invention of sticky notes!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
...and we're back!
During these past two months we have taken a "guilt-free" break from blogging. We stepped back and spent our time and energy on our family. Lots of prayer, paperwork, reading, crying, hugging, loving and laughing. Yesterday was the 2 month mark of Gugy's passing and it still seems so surreal. She was the kind of woman who always left a smile on your face and an imprint on your heart. She had a beautiful way of finding common ground with everyone and many people are missing her today.
Gugy loved her children with all that was in her (just under her love for Jesus) and I can't blame her one bit. These kids are so great to have around. We are honored and consider it such a precious gift that she asked us to care for them. We are all still adjusting to...well...not-adjusting like we had been doing for so long. God has led us and prepared us over time and as I sit here and think about last year at this time, I can honestly say that God has stretched and grown us in so many ways.
So, what have we been up to?
God has blessed us with some really fun opportunities recently. We bought a membership to the Adventure Aquarium for the family because of a great deal online. We also got a great deal through the same website to visit the Please Touch Museum for a day. We were given a zoo membership for Christmas but haven't gotten there yet. We have gone outside on beautiful days to walk across the Ben Franklin bridge, play capture the flag at the Art Museum steps and we were given some tickets to the circus to take Damian in celebration of his 7th birthday last week. (Wow...I am just now realizing how busy we really have been!)
We also realize that many precious memories we hang on to
are found in the small moments of ordinary days.
We still have a lot of work to do to get settled legally with some things and to get the kids all the help they need, but we have seen progress which helps us keep moving forward. Each new day brings new and different challenges and joys. We are so grateful for a supportive group of friends and family around us.
So - you have been reading our blog for some time as the progression of our journey as a couple. Now we invite you to jump on the "crazy train" and hold on tight as our adventures continue.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
We have hope.
The dust is settling.
The whirlwind of activity that the holidays brought, the loss of our sister carried in, and the very loved and welcomed visitors shared is now over.
School started again. Ministry is still on break in part, but we are back to work. Some things feel exactly like they did before Christmas. Other things feel so completely strange and different.
God continues to be sweet to us in the whole process.
We are starting to embrace our new roles sometimes gracefully and other times with more of an intentional effort.
I read this verse in our Bible study this week and it has stuck with me:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
-1 Thes. 4:13-14
So we grieve - in hope and expectation.
The whirlwind of activity that the holidays brought, the loss of our sister carried in, and the very loved and welcomed visitors shared is now over.
School started again. Ministry is still on break in part, but we are back to work. Some things feel exactly like they did before Christmas. Other things feel so completely strange and different.
God continues to be sweet to us in the whole process.
We are starting to embrace our new roles sometimes gracefully and other times with more of an intentional effort.
I read this verse in our Bible study this week and it has stuck with me:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
-1 Thes. 4:13-14
So we grieve - in hope and expectation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)