Happy Fourth of July

I awoke this fine July 4th morning

bright and early to pack lunches for 

Warren and Mikey.

They are off to ride dirt bike with 

two friends of Mikey's.

 

I saw them off just after 6:00am

and settled down to download photos

from the week.

So many!

One of these days I'll show you 

a few photos of Chelsea and Grandma 

Ruth at a local park.  

We had gone out thrifting and decided to 

take a detour to this park to play with the

camera.  It was fun!

But for today I will show you some of our

church family at a picnic yesterday.

May I just say, one more time, 

how much I love our church?

It is becoming more precious to me as

it grows and I get to reap the blessings of 

years of endless hours of hosting and cooking

and all that goes into the ministry of a very small church.

Not that I minded it ...at all.

Nor, am I washed up and done....

it just doesn't all fall on a few of us because there are more 

than a few of us now.

Others have gifts and talents in these areas and

are delighted to share them.

Our family is one of the "oldest families" in the church

and as such I have seen a lot of personalities

in our little group.

We have never been in a better place.

Yesterday I sat and listened to conversations that were 

uplifting, entertaining and edifying.
My heart was sooooo blessed!!

I heard an older woman praise a younger

for her hostessing skills.

I heard mothers sharing experiences from 

their week.

There were comparisons of our chicken

flocks and protecting them from the 

foxes and owls and other predators.
(No not everyone has chickens...
but you might be surprised at how common this is becoming.)

I watched children of all ages playing together

and teenagers sit with children on their laps.

I really wanted to call this post "Picnic with Sonja"...because she was my shadow as I took photos of the day.  I loved it.  What a perfect little helper to show you the fun we had on this day!

I saw Dads totally involved with their children.

I saw several people holding our host family's pet duck....

 

but that really doesn't have anything to do with 

church....not exactly.

I saw the rockets come out to be launched and 

observed the silly excited grins on certain faces.

I was reminded that these things don't always 

go as planned.

When one experiments, one must be

prepared for the unexpected.

By the time we got in the car
to return home my eyes were 

so heavy they would barely stay open.

However, it was worth every
second of
exhaustion!

With memories to treasure.

Friendships deepened.

And more to look forward to.

The Lord is good.

Happy Fourth of July.

Chelsea, Jonathan and I are planning 

a quiet day....

what about you?

Update - Family Integrated Church

In June 2008 I wrote THIS POST

about what our Family Integrated 

Church looked like.

Yesterday I went back and read that post

again.  It fascinated me to read it knowing 

that when I wrote it

we were just learning about and beginning to 

experience this intentional style of worship.

Now, as I write, so much has changed.

For one thing I am no longer defensive

of our choices.

I am humbly grateful for what God has done. 

I would erase every bit of defensiveness from 

that post were I to write it again.

At that point we were a congregation of about

twenty-five people with a few young children,

Several teens and no babies.

We are now seeing an attendance of 50 to 

60 nearly every week.  We have many children

and young people.  

It has been a nice paced growth allowing

us to get to know each family as they 

have joined us.

What has not changed is anything of what I wrote

about how we worship.

We still do all of our Sunday School and Worship

together as families.  It is not uncommon to hear a 

little voice pipe up in answer to a question from 

Pastor Mike.  Children also occasionally

pray out loud during our corporate prayer time.

I actually got in trouble with one little boy

for praying for "his" prayer request.

He wanted to pray for it himself!

So cute!

And I thought I was doing a good thing....lol.

When volunteers are asked for to read during the 

Sunday School time it is often a young person

who raises their hand....their input is welcome too.

Anthony(15) gave a report not too long ago that related

to our topic at that time.  He put a lot of time and study

into this.  Currently, Pastor Mike is seeking

volunteers to make videos of the stories of 

Paul's Missionary Journey.  

These will then be shown as we get to those

points in his journey.  

Interaction and involvement of those

of all ages. 

This is the goal.  

This is our reality.

A recent development has all of us excited.

The men had just started meeting after our 

Fellowship Meals to share and pray together.

As heads of households they have concerns and 

burdens that only they can relate to.

They understand each other and are lifting each 

other up in encouragement, advice and prayer.

Some of the women felt that this might be a great

thing to do as well.  So...we had our first meeting

two weeks ago.  It was so wonderful.  

Sharing from

the heart about our joys and concerns.  

Then a wonderful time of prayer. 

I just know that this

will bring us closer together 

and help us to understand

where each of us is coming from.  

We have a better

idea of how to pray for those we worship with.

I am looking forward to our next time together

on Sunday afternoon.

As you know Missions 

are very important to us

 as a church.

We continue to prayerfully support those

from the congregation who have 

opportunities to go to the mission field

as well as involve the children in projects

relating to our Compassion Child from Indonesia.

Recently they colored pictures to send to 

young Herman.

Families take turns

writing and sending photos

to him.

We continue to work together

to teach music to interested

young ones.  

Piano lessons, Voice lessons

and working together with instruments.

Most of this 

happens during the afternoon 

after Fellowship Meals.

I am excited about the opportunities for 

Dads with talents in various areas to 

share during this time with the boys and teen guys.

Maybe some time to learn the basics of 

automotive maintenance or other such 

practical things.

 Moms have talents

to share, as well.

Sewing?  Knitting?

Canning?

Sharing skills with each other.

A very good thing.

I often observe Kelly and Lindsay

sharing with each other as it relates 

to photography.

I think they are so good for each other!

Conversations on gardening are common.

One family set another up with 

chickens this past Fall to see

if they enjoyed it.

They did.

More chickens are coming 

to Creekside Cottage in the Spring.

Many of our families drive more than a 

half an hour to get to church so we make

the most of the times we are together.

Sundays tend to be that time...

all day.

I could go on and on about all that 

God is doing in our tiny fellowship.

Suffice it to say that

we are not disappointed with the

path we chose.

God has blessed us greatly

with a closeness of fellowship

that we desired.

Pastor Mike is preaching from 

2 Corinthians.

His sermon on Sunday dealt with

being "Bound Together"

in the good and the bad of life.

Paul set the example 

in his love and care for 

those he ministered to.

Praise be to the 

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of compassion 

and the God of all comfort,  

who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those 

in any trouble with the comfort 

we ourselves receive from God.  

For just as we share abundantly 

in the sufferings of Christ, 

so also our comfort abounds through Christ.  

If we are distressed, 

it is for your comfort and salvation;

if we are comforted,

it is for your comfort, 

which produces in you 

patient endurance of the 

same sufferings we suffer. 

And our hope for you is firm, 

because we know that just as 

you share in our sufferings, 

so also you share in our comfort.

Praying that we can follow Paul's

example and really 

live this out.

It is not always easy.

People are not perfect.

I am definitely not perfect!

But, with God,

it is definitely possible!

Family Integrated Church...A long post.

I just felt like giving an update

of what is happening at our church.

The Lord has been blessing us so much.

We have new families coming,

people are coming to know the Lord,

and ministry is happening.

Let me give some background

for those who are newer here.

It was about three years ago that

the Lord started moving our church

in an interesting direction.

Warren and I, as parents, were having

issues with the whole youth group concept.

I am not categorically opposed to youth

groups but do think that it is a very

tricky path. In our case there was a

lot of emphasis on outreach to troubled

teens and our personal experience was that

this did not have a positive impact on,

I'll just say it, our boys.

Some of these troubled kids were girls

who immediately grabbed onto our boys

and troubles began. 

Attitudes, phone calls, etc.

For others in the church, such as our

Pastor, books were being read. One that

impacted him greatly was The Last Christian
Generation by Josh McDowell.

Others in the church were struggling

with issues with grown children who lived 

out the scenario discussed in this book.

Young adults who had been raised in the church

but had walked away as soon as the opportunity

arose.  They had no commitment to the church.

It was their parent's church.

So one by one the Lord moved on our hearts that 

there might be a better way for our congregation.

Now understand that our congregation size was 

just about twenty people.  Not exactly an influential

church in the community.  But, you know, God was 

with us.....even then.

I began to speak with my friend, Mrs. Rabe, 

of Creekside Cottage... just friend to friend.

As far as I knew they were happily attending 

and serving in another church. 

Little did I know that the Lord was preparing 

them for a change at the same time.

As I told her that we were moving toward

a worship style that included the children from 

start to finish and the elimination of a "youth group"

she informed me that this type of church had a name.

I was shocked.

You would have thought that we would have known

that this was a movement, but frankly the changes

that were happening within our hearts were so consuming

that we were very tuned in to that and weren't really 

looking around at that time.

So, armed with this new information we explored the 

support that was out there for those who were thinking

so strangely as we were.

This led us to Vision Forum(networking)

and Voddie Baucham(teaching),

Both have proven to be encouraging and

uplifting resources for our itty bitty congregation.

It has not been an easy road.

Some left us.

Remember there were only twenty or so

to begin with.  I believe that when we 

changed our name and moved into our new

building there were about fifteen regulars.

But soon the Lord sent those that were hungry

for this style of worship.

What is our style of worship?

Well, we have a family Sunday School which

Pastor Mike teaches.  It can be a series on 

Apologetics, Creation Science, How Jesus Viewed

the World, or what we are studying now, The Missionary

Journeys of Paul.  The children are with us and it is amazing

how they listen.  We know this because of questions they 

ask either then or later. 

There is then about a fifteen minute break and we begin

our Worship Service.  This runs about an hour and a half. 

The children are with us for this as well.

Singing, scripture, prayer and preaching.

Every other week we enjoy a Fellowship Meal together

after the service.  This is so very important to our congregation.

Not just because we like to eat....lol...

but because it allows us to really share and get to 

know each other.  There is little opportunity 

in a church such as ours to just come and go

without establishing genuine relationships.

There are a few who choose to stay on the 

fringes but in general we are a very close

group.  We are aware of the joys and struggles 

within our congregation.

This allows us to be in prayer, make a phone call,

send a card or even make a meal or visit someone

who might need that extra care.

So many times in churches we have attended in 

the past it was easy to show up, worship and leave.

Never really knowing anyone with whom we worshiped.

That may have been our fault.

I am willing to carry that....

but I don't think it is unusual.  

Our Friday evenings are usually reserved for church

events.  Sometimes it is a Bible Study in a home, 

other times it is a activity for the whole family

and once per month is music night.

We are working with our young people to 

involve them in music.

Those who love music or play instruments

have been very receptive to getting involved.

You see, this is not just their parents church.

This is their church.

It is their responsibility and honor to participate...

in cleaning, music, taking the offering and more.

They serve along side the adults in many aspects

of the daily life of the church.

Our young people are hospitable.

They are quick to welcome new young 

people who visit.

It is never long before all of them,

and some of the Dads are out in the 

yard playing ultimate frisbee.

So, what is exciting me lately?

A woman who has come to the Lord.

Counseling and Ministry to her marriage.

Seeing she and her husband come in

early each week with huge smiles

and enthusiasm.

Blossoming friendships for her 

within the congregation.

An unmarried young couple with a new baby

who are attending together

and whom I can't help but believe 

will come to seek HIM together.

It brings tears to my eyes to see them walk

in with the baby carrier.

It is just a preview of the joy and healing

that is to come in their lives.

A grandmother who started by bringing her

own grandchildren and ended up bringing

a neighbor boy as well.

This led to prayers of salvation by the children and the 

addition of the neighbor boy's Mom and 

siblings.  She is a very young widow

and we delight in her dedication to do

what is right for her children.

We are praying for her salvation.

A new family who drive for more than an hour

who report that their children begin asking on 

Monday if it is time to go to church yet???!!

They love it!

Ministry to a woman who was in an abusive

home situation...not always easy but God 

placed her in our lives for a reason.

Bible study with women who are in a 

halfway house

after being recently released from prison.

An upcoming series on the role of the 

father within the home.

What does the Bible say about this?

An upcoming Ladies Tea.

Always a fun and time of ministry

during the Christmas season.

A reminder to keep Christ at the center of 

our holiday traditions and activities.

Praying and supporting missions at home and abroad.

There is just so much

to Praise the Lord for.

Not everyone would thrive in this 

style of worship.

But, for those the Lord has called to it

the benefits are huge.

The past couple of weeks our attendance has

been around sixty.

Not a huge church.

Some would say that we are too small to 

make a difference. 

I could not disagree more.

Every child, parent and marriage

that is touched is important.

If God knows when a sparrow

falls...........

We have seen the difference 

in our own children.

The young children of the congregation 

will never know anything

different...this is THEIR church!

They love it!!!

I chronicle this as much for my

own benefit and encouragement as 

to share with you.

But, I do hope that you'll be encouraged

to see God at work 

and give HIM all of the glory!

He is good....

all the time!

I love Our Church!

Yesterday was just so fun!

We had such great discussion in
the Sunday School. There was
input from young people and
the eldest member alike.

Love that!

The service was good but I was
distracted and wasn't my best at
the piano. So, I am beating myself
up a bit for that....but it has to
happen sometimes, right?

There was an excellent offertory by
siblings, one on the piano, the other
with her violin. They totally blew
us away with their talent and the
beauty of the song.

After church a bunch of us headed to
a local pizza shop for lunch. We
nearly filled the place.
It was fun.

Then it was time for the rocket launch.
So many people came out. Usually it is
the die-hard rocket people, but this time
there were many children and young people,
ladies and men. Maybe it is because it wasn't
90 degrees and humid. Standing out in an
open field on a hot day isn't my idea of a
great time, either. But, it was so very
beautiful yesterday and we enjoyed watching
kites being flown and the rockets launching.


Jonathan had a great day.
He ran, wrestled, and went to
The Rabes' home for more fellowship.
He is blessed with great friendships
both in the church and outside of it.
Isn't that every parent's hope,
that their child would choose friends
wisely? Thank You, Jesus!






Courtney loves Rachel and didn't want
to leave her side. Aren't they cute?



THE rocket of the day.
Pastor Mike mounted a figurine in the
cockpit of this rocket.
The figurine came down with it's own
parachute while the rocket had one too.
A very fun surprise.




I never cease to be amazed at the joy with which our
young people interact with all of
the adults, with each other and
with visitors who come to the church.

God is blessing us!
I am Grateful.

Just so you know...Saturday evening I was
overwhelmed, feeling tired and thought that
if we didn't have so many responsibilities I
could have just stayed home. I am so very
happy that we are involved to the level that
made that not an option. I would have missed
out, BIG TIME, on a huge blessing.

Family Game Night

We had a family game night with
those from our church who aren't
currently sick.
So many are.
This upper respiratory thing is
taking us down...temporarily.

Our boys are among the sick.
So, they were at home.
However, those that were there
had a wonderful time.

I learned how to play
Mexican Train Dominos.
However, I would rather see
Italy so I renamed it. lol

Mom beat us at a game of Scrabble.
By a lot!
I accused her of practicing at home!
Actually, she is a very, very good
Scrabble player.
She makes me proud!
As if I had anything to do with that!
Hmmph.

The little ones played a game that
involved a "big mouth" and little
pieces that had to fly into the
mouth at just the right moment.
I can only think Hungry, Hungry Hippo...
but that is not it.
Just similar.
Then they played hide and go seek
with a little help from Pastor Mike
in knowing where they could hide.

That was better than him finding a surprise
behind the pulpit on Sunday morning.
They hunted and hunted for each other until
it was just funny.

There was a group of teens very intently
working to be at the top of their world in
a Settlement game.

This is one of the many things I love about
our Family Integrated Church...all generations
together in fellowship. We had a three year old
on up to the Grandmothers...four of them last night.

What a blessing to see them interacting
and sharing with the children and teens.
It is so natural and beautiful in a setting
like this.

It was fun!!!!!

Ahem...the camera was in my coat
pocket the entire evening.
We just got very engrossed in our
games and I did not get it out.

Miss Emily Rabe is really getting
into music and photography this year.
She showed us photos she has taken.
Awe....some!

Nigel and Pastor Mike are helping her
to learn more about her guitar and
chords. She is growing by leaps and bounds.
Very fun to watch.

I am so proud of our young people.
They are involved, energetic, loving,
respectful and just nice folks!

So..I look forward to our next opportunity
to break out the games. Although our next
fellowship night sounds fun too.
The guys will be building rockets and the
women will work on handwork or scrapbooks.

You know that will be a fun night of chatting
and laughter! Almost reminds me of a quilting
party. We might have to do one of those sometime.
Another local church does that for missions and they
have a wonderful time in fellowship as they
tie off quilt after quilt.

Now, if we could just interest someone in our
congregation in piecing us a quilt top.
I'll bet it could happen!

To those of you read this and were one
of the sick ones...you know who you are...
you were missed.

Many blessings on your Saturday.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

The Church that Plays Together....

Bet you can't figure out what in the world this is about....


This is a rocket that Mike built.

The first and the second photos came together under the artistic hand of my friend, B. to become this....



Just another zany photo for the church website. I will very shortly be compiling a section on this website that is all about our Pastor's love of rocketry. He and the guys absolutely love to build and launch rockets. It is a bonding thing, I guess.

I just think it is hysterical to see what Mike and B. have come up with.

The night we were at the church taking photos against the green screen poor Mom nearly hurt herself laughing at us.

It did look totally ridiculous...but isn't this fun?

It has no Spiritual value that I can think of...but it is fun and reflects that we are a church that plays together. These pictures were from a rocket launch a week ago Sunday.





I did not go to this rocket launch because I stayed at the house to direct people to the launch site if they showed up at our place. However, I have seen enough of these to know how much fun was had by all involved. The only negative thing I heard was that it was getting cold. That happens this time of the year...and it makes for perfectly blue skies that make the rockets look great!

At least that is what I have heard...many times!

We have found it so important for there to be activities that capture the attention of multiple age brackets. This is one that is loved by young and old. It is a great activity to bring the family together and is also an outreach to the community. It allows someone to come and get to know us without being threatened by their first exposure being inside the church building. I imagine that must be threatening for some...being raised in the church it is hard for me to relate to that.

Anyway...the guys do this mostly because they love it. They have no other motives. I try to justify it and make it have value because I just don't build and launch rockets for fun...not my thing...and that is O.K.

Blessings on your day!

Becky K.

A Sleepy Weekend

I could not get awake this weekend.

Sleepy
I am not sure what is going on,
but every opportunity was spent
sleeping. Hopefully, I will get
some answers from the bloodwork
on Friday. I spent two hours
in the Doctor's office.
Hopefully they came up with some
reason for it.

This will never do...
I have to teach the kids.

I could tell they were conflicted
in whether they hoped I was better
or not...to start school today.

Ha!

We have a Mom's Meeting tonight for the
co-op. I want and need to be there.
I've got to stay awake!

On another note, A young man
named Evan, has commented on my
post about the Family Integrated church.
I met Evan not long ago and I am very
pleased that he is asking questions
and seeking to know why we say things
the way we do. He wonders if we think
of ourselves as an exclusive club.

Heavens no!

I hope that if you were thinking along
the same lines as Evan regarding my post
or the web site that you will read my response
to him.

Thanks again, Evan.

Your feedback is valuable.
We certainly do not want to come across
as exclusive.

Becky K.

See You Later...

This is my last post before surgery tomorrow.
I don't know how long I'll be gone.
If they can use the Laparoscopy I'll be home
tomorrow. Probably not doing the steps down
to the computer yet, though.
If he has to open me up it may be a week or more
before I post again. I will try to get you updates
through Mrs. Rabe, at Creekside Cottage ,
if that is the case.

While this is happening, we are getting closer to
renting the building of our dreams for church.

I went yesterday and picked up paint chips and
carpet samples to put together some suggestions.
I am blessed to be considered
our resident decorator.
LOVE IT!

This is my biggest motivation to get back on my feet
quickly! I know, it should be my family...but I kind
of like the pampering that I know Chelsea and Warren,
along with the Moms, will do while
I recuperate.

The church reorganization has been so hard
over the past two years and now there is light at the end of the
tunnel so I am excited to dig in and see change!

It is totally amazing to me to see God's hand in
the intentional formation of the Family Integrated Church.
We had not even heard this term until Mrs. Rabe introduced
us to the clips of Vodie Baucham on her blog.

It is who we are, though.

God has been preparing us for this terminology.
We have been led to this conclusion over the past couple
of years after seeing the problems with youth groups and
the general dividing up of the families as they came to worship.

We are convinced that families worship better, when they are
together and the authority of the father is not removed for the
period of time that the family is at church. It is unintentional,
I know, however, it happens! We were at a point where our youth
group leaders were telling the youth that, "what happened in Youth
Group stayed in Youth Group". There was a huge us/them mentality
established. We begged and pleaded with them to
encourage the youth group to come to all church events and be
together with the whole families. They were convinced the kids
wouldn't want that.
Therefore, the kids didn't want that.

That administration has moved on.
Those who were eager to take
their place were asked to wait... and watch.
We intentionally began
to plan weekly events that involved the whole family.
One week is our small group Bible Study.
The next, an activity of some sort.
We were told there is no way the
youth will come and enjoy that.
Well, last small group we had nine
young people and eight adults.
The kids all participated, asked
questions, read the Word aloud and
had a great time playing afterward.
Our last Friday night was spent playing
games and enjoying pizza
together. Again, full house.
Lots of young people. I am so
thankful that the Lord has led us in this
direction and that He
has blessed us by working in
the hearts of the Young People to
have a desire to be here.

We just love them so much!
I love the perspectives they share.
I love the enthusiasm they show.
They also choose great music! lol

O.k. I guess I got on a soapbox there for a minute. I apologize.
It is just so very exciting to see God at work, where
because of all of the resistance, it seemed impossible.

I know that society says we need to be broken up into
groups with similar age and interests, but
I think we can glean so much from seeing the different places we
are all at. It also is so encouraging for the fathers to be "put back"
into a role of authority in a very real way.
Not everyone experiences this,
but we felt a bit helpless in wanting to be
supportive of those who were sacrificing so
much to run the Youth Group and feeling that
they were counteracting our authority.
Not fun.
It was a devastating feeling.

You may recall that this was also during the
period of time that we had to break off a
relationship for our Mikey. This started at
a Christian Camp and then blossomed at Youth Group,
encouraged by the leadership because it got this girl
to come. Never mind the devastation that Mikey endured
in this harmful relationship.
See, it has been a long
hard road and I am not writing this lightly.
I know there is some chance of offense being taken here.

I do not wish for that to be the case.
It is just so obvious to us, after the experiences we
have had and the prodding of the Lord in
our hearts that this is what He has for us, at this stage
of our lives.

Thanks for "listening".

You mean so much to me. I love getting your feedback
and encouraging comments. I love being able to put
words to "screen". Writing has always been one of my
loves. Thank You for being there as I learn the ropes.

I hope that you enjoy a great rest of the week.

I'll be back as soon as possible.

Blessings!

Believing For a Miracle

The church saga continues.

We have been praying specifically for a
building which is situated in a very nice
location and which we know has been sitting
empty for the past two years.

I had contacted who I thought was the owner
only to be told he had been leasing the
building for the past ten years.

He strongly suggested I talk to the owner of
the building, which I did.

At that point this man had things stored in this
space and was not interested in renting it out.

Months passed. Many months.

Over those months,
we have been through so much as a church.

We have left the denomination
the church had been founded under.
We have a new name.
New bylaws have been written.
The incorporation papers are on their way
to the necessary agencies.
We have a vision of where we believe the
Lord is taking us. To fill the need for
an Family Integrated Church in the Mid to Southern
Lancaster County Area.
Our web site is coming along.
Those who could not make this leap with us
have moved on.

It has been hard.
Very hard.

We wanted to give up many times.

But now, there is a renewed hope.

I knew that it should not be me to
go back to request to see the building
again. Sometimes you just "know" these things.
I asked that one of the men be
responsible to make that contact.

Our Pastor took on the challenge.

God's timing was apparent.

The owner of the building had just cleared
everything out of the space and was preparing
it for rent...He and our Pastor went together
last week. Mike came back so excited.

We discussed the retail value of the space.
I figured easily this man could ask $2,000 to $2,500
and be well within reason. It is a very large space!

Those who were available went last evening to look.

We met the owner. A very nice gentleman.

After much discussion about what we would do
with each of the many areas in the building,
Mike brought up the subject of money.
We were told that the former tenants had paid
$2,500 month. Just what I thought.
We have 30 people on a good Sunday and none
of us are wealthy. With a full time Pastor this
is just more than we can afford on our own!

Pastor Mike, Warren and the owner of the building all
disappeared into a quiet section of the building.
The rest of us prayed.

This man's offer to us...$1,000 per month and he
will help get the building "church ready".

Is God good, or what?!??

I don't know if this is going to be the solution.
I certainly have not seen anything nearly as suitable
or possible...in the year or more that we have been looking.

Please pray with us.

We truly want to be a church with a purpose.
Reaching out and growing in this community.

I hope you see God at work in your life.
It is a beautiful thing.