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Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors,
thank you so much for sticking with us through another eventful year. As we embark on a new year, we felt like it would be appropriate to pause and remember with thankful hearts all that the Lord has done for us this year.
In January 2012, we were struggling with some culture shock and adjusting to life in East Tennessee. We hadn't made many friends here yet, our financial support was a little unstable, and ministry started out differently than we'd expected. A year later, we've been blessed to have formed some wonderful new friendships with families at church, our financial support has stabilized, and even though ministry is still different than what we expected, it's a good different that the Lord has blessed tremendously in his own unique way.
In February, we started leading the first Financial Peace University class at First Baptist with 15 families. It was a good group of folks who allowed us to help them improve their financial literacy and start moving towards a debt-free lifestyle. This month we started praying seriously about buying or building a house, and I'm blessed to say I'm writing this blog from the living room of our new home.
In March, John and Ngoc Brown flew up from Texas for a visit this month and provided some sorely needed encouragement and counsel. We are so thankful that they took time out of their busy schedules to come share life with us. In many ways, their visit was something of a turning point for us that solidified our decision to stay here and put down roots.
In April, we started answering the most commonly asked questions about our ministry on the blog. In case you missed them, you can check those out here. Just click the April tab on the right side of the page to see those questions and their answers. We had super positive response from those posts, and it let us know someone out there actually reads these posts!
In May, Meredith and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. I surprised her with a two-night stay at a bed and breakfast in Roan Mountain without Lily, and we slept almost our whole stay! What does that says about us?
In June, we hosted a short-term mission team from Denton Bible Church, which totaled almost 30 people over 10 days. They did lots of projects, the most significant of which was a major overhaul of our Storehouse, including building an addition, relocating the air compressor, building an office/counseling space, and installing a drop ceiling throughout. The long term result of this trip is that our facility now enables us to have more conversations with our clients about their needs, both physical and spiritual.
In July, ministry through the Storehouse continued steadily, and my dad arrived and construction began in earnest on our new home.
In August, our precious Lily celebrated her second birthday. As every parent says, it's hard to believe how fast she's growing up! She's become a truly delightful little person who brings a smile to the face of everyone she meets. She talks a lot, and my mother says Lily uses longer sentences than some of her 8th grade english students. I wonder where she learned to talk so much?
In September, I started teaching my first class in Christian Growth and Discipleship at the Seminary Extension in Johnson City. It was a joy to teach, and I was truly blessed to get to know some incredible people. Meredith started homeschooling Lily and already has her memorizing Bible verses, learning the days of creation, as well as colors and numbers. They're fun to watch.
In October, we probably had the most "normal" month of the year. We celebrated Meredith's 29th birthday for the first time. I'll let you know if we celebrate it again next year. Daniel continued teaching in the Seminary Extension and ministering at the Storehouse, while Meredith ministered at church to 5th grade girls on Wednesday nights.
In November, one of the highlights of our year was moving into our new home. It's still not quite finished, but it's definitely home. November was also an exciting month in ministry, because getting to take Thanksgiving meals to families in need is a unique blessing to everyone involved.
In December, hosted a short-term mission team from Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, who came and serve with us for a long weekend. They helped out with our Christmas Store outreach, which blessed families in our community with toys for their children as well as food and household items. It also meant we hosted our first guests just 2 weeks after moving in! We're looking forward to hosting many more guests in our home in 2013!
On one hand, it feels like the year passed quickly. On the other, it feels like the Lord has brought us so far. In particular, a year ago we felt out of place and somewhat isolated in East Tennessee. Today, Greeneville feels like home, and the Lord has blessed us with community in through our local church. Thank you for all of your prayers and support, and for enabling us to minister here in East Tennessee.
Things you can be praying for over the next two weeks:
Next Tuesday, January 8th, Meredith and I will set out for Denton, Texas on our way to the DBC Missions Conference, Treasure in Earthen Vessels. We'll be gone for almost two weeks, so please pray for safe travels, and that the conference will be a blessing to all of those who are able to participate. I'll send you an update on what the Lord did as soon as we get back. Until then, be well!
Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors,
thank you so much for sticking with us through another eventful year. As we embark on a new year, we felt like it would be appropriate to pause and remember with thankful hearts all that the Lord has done for us this year.
In January 2012, we were struggling with some culture shock and adjusting to life in East Tennessee. We hadn't made many friends here yet, our financial support was a little unstable, and ministry started out differently than we'd expected. A year later, we've been blessed to have formed some wonderful new friendships with families at church, our financial support has stabilized, and even though ministry is still different than what we expected, it's a good different that the Lord has blessed tremendously in his own unique way.
In February, we started leading the first Financial Peace University class at First Baptist with 15 families. It was a good group of folks who allowed us to help them improve their financial literacy and start moving towards a debt-free lifestyle. This month we started praying seriously about buying or building a house, and I'm blessed to say I'm writing this blog from the living room of our new home.
In March, John and Ngoc Brown flew up from Texas for a visit this month and provided some sorely needed encouragement and counsel. We are so thankful that they took time out of their busy schedules to come share life with us. In many ways, their visit was something of a turning point for us that solidified our decision to stay here and put down roots.
In April, we started answering the most commonly asked questions about our ministry on the blog. In case you missed them, you can check those out here. Just click the April tab on the right side of the page to see those questions and their answers. We had super positive response from those posts, and it let us know someone out there actually reads these posts!
In May, Meredith and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. I surprised her with a two-night stay at a bed and breakfast in Roan Mountain without Lily, and we slept almost our whole stay! What does that says about us?
In June, we hosted a short-term mission team from Denton Bible Church, which totaled almost 30 people over 10 days. They did lots of projects, the most significant of which was a major overhaul of our Storehouse, including building an addition, relocating the air compressor, building an office/counseling space, and installing a drop ceiling throughout. The long term result of this trip is that our facility now enables us to have more conversations with our clients about their needs, both physical and spiritual.
In July, ministry through the Storehouse continued steadily, and my dad arrived and construction began in earnest on our new home.
In August, our precious Lily celebrated her second birthday. As every parent says, it's hard to believe how fast she's growing up! She's become a truly delightful little person who brings a smile to the face of everyone she meets. She talks a lot, and my mother says Lily uses longer sentences than some of her 8th grade english students. I wonder where she learned to talk so much?
In September, I started teaching my first class in Christian Growth and Discipleship at the Seminary Extension in Johnson City. It was a joy to teach, and I was truly blessed to get to know some incredible people. Meredith started homeschooling Lily and already has her memorizing Bible verses, learning the days of creation, as well as colors and numbers. They're fun to watch.
In October, we probably had the most "normal" month of the year. We celebrated Meredith's 29th birthday for the first time. I'll let you know if we celebrate it again next year. Daniel continued teaching in the Seminary Extension and ministering at the Storehouse, while Meredith ministered at church to 5th grade girls on Wednesday nights.
In November, one of the highlights of our year was moving into our new home. It's still not quite finished, but it's definitely home. November was also an exciting month in ministry, because getting to take Thanksgiving meals to families in need is a unique blessing to everyone involved.
In December, hosted a short-term mission team from Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, who came and serve with us for a long weekend. They helped out with our Christmas Store outreach, which blessed families in our community with toys for their children as well as food and household items. It also meant we hosted our first guests just 2 weeks after moving in! We're looking forward to hosting many more guests in our home in 2013!
On one hand, it feels like the year passed quickly. On the other, it feels like the Lord has brought us so far. In particular, a year ago we felt out of place and somewhat isolated in East Tennessee. Today, Greeneville feels like home, and the Lord has blessed us with community in through our local church. Thank you for all of your prayers and support, and for enabling us to minister here in East Tennessee.
Things you can be praying for over the next two weeks:
Next Tuesday, January 8th, Meredith and I will set out for Denton, Texas on our way to the DBC Missions Conference, Treasure in Earthen Vessels. We'll be gone for almost two weeks, so please pray for safe travels, and that the conference will be a blessing to all of those who are able to participate. I'll send you an update on what the Lord did as soon as we get back. Until then, be well!
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