Greg and I became official members at First Baptist Church of Elk Grove, which may not seem like a large milestone to many but to me, it is huge. With my dad being a phenomenal pastor (I may be biased), it proved to be a tough task to find a church that could fill the empty shoes when he moved away. I wondered, at times, if I would ever call another church "home".
It did not take long until FBC came highly recommended to me by my boss. He raved about the Senior Pastor and his family. So Greg and I tried the church, enjoyed it and attended sporatically during engagement. When we got married and settled into quaint Elk Grove we became regular attendees.
I proudly admit that this church has been an enourmous blessing in my life, and in our life. They have solid, humble leadership, stellar teaching, outstanding worship, and my favorite part: community! I always dreamt of having great Christian friends to live life with, especially when married. And I can humbly say that is exaclty what we have. Greg and I are surrounded by deep, funny, thoughtful, Godly men and women. We have friends we get to sit with in church, friends to have over and play games late into the night, friends to have lunch dates, and friends to simply share life with! And yes, I find this WAY exciting.
Another new highlight in our lives is our young marrieds' small group on Tuesday night. We have roughly ten couples that attend, most of which have been married less than a year. We are currently studying different married couples in the Old Testament, and it has led to many great converesations! I look forward every Tuesday to go and hear what other couples have to share.
As these friendships continue to blossom my prayer is that we can become closer in the Lord. To feel like a family and a support system for each other as we figure out together what it means to be Godly husbands and wives, and what it means to have a Godly marriage.
I thank the Lord He led Greg and I to FBC. And He didn't stop there, He has blessed us with some awesome new friends :-)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Unplanned Milestones
Happy New Year! After being "encouraged" (mabye even scolded) by a friend of mine, I am entering another blog. I suppose I took a blogging-break over the holidays ... Greg and I had an incredible Christmas on the chilly east coast, complete with snowflakes falling as we excitedly opened presents. The trip back east was all too quickly followed up with a long, long drive down to sunny San Diego. Campus Crusade holds their yearly Winter Conference there from the 27th-1st and 18 of our students joined us! It was a full four days of sound teaching, stellar worship, crazy community, and the chance to be up on stage for a magic show act with Greg! (Which was awesome by the way). All in all, Christmas break has been much needed and thoroughly enjoyed.
On new years eve when the clock struck midnight, I recieved a new years kiss from my HUSBAND, and as 2010 ended I was overwhelmed with memories from the previous twelve months. I remembered new years eve 2009 when it turned midnight, and I jumped with excitement because it was finally 2010! I remember hugging Greg and saying, "We get MARRIED this year!". I remember the two wonderful bridal showers I was blessed to have. The generous gifts, good food, advice from older-wiser wives, and the chance to wear new sundresses :-). Or the time when my mom flew in simply because I was lonely and needed my mom to be with me. (She is, afterall, the best shopping partner and wedding planner assistant.) I have already blogged about other very special memories, and I could write for days of many more.
As I look into 2011 it is the first time in a while that I dont have any "planned milestones". No graduations, no wedding to plan, no moving to a new town. For a brief moment I was a bit saddened by this reality, but then the voice of God reminded me sometimes suprises are even better than anything planned. That He has milstones in store that I can not see on my horizon. Prayerfully they will all be enjoyable ones, yet I have confidence He would get me through the tough ones as well. So here is to a new year. A new start. A chance for God to lead me on a journey, even if I haven't been the one to plan it.
(And just so I dont get bombarded with messages.. no Greg and I are not pregnant. The title "unplanned milestones" has no hidden meanings. Someday, I will VERY excitedly announce a new addition, just not anytime soon.)
On new years eve when the clock struck midnight, I recieved a new years kiss from my HUSBAND, and as 2010 ended I was overwhelmed with memories from the previous twelve months. I remembered new years eve 2009 when it turned midnight, and I jumped with excitement because it was finally 2010! I remember hugging Greg and saying, "We get MARRIED this year!". I remember the two wonderful bridal showers I was blessed to have. The generous gifts, good food, advice from older-wiser wives, and the chance to wear new sundresses :-). Or the time when my mom flew in simply because I was lonely and needed my mom to be with me. (She is, afterall, the best shopping partner and wedding planner assistant.) I have already blogged about other very special memories, and I could write for days of many more.
As I look into 2011 it is the first time in a while that I dont have any "planned milestones". No graduations, no wedding to plan, no moving to a new town. For a brief moment I was a bit saddened by this reality, but then the voice of God reminded me sometimes suprises are even better than anything planned. That He has milstones in store that I can not see on my horizon. Prayerfully they will all be enjoyable ones, yet I have confidence He would get me through the tough ones as well. So here is to a new year. A new start. A chance for God to lead me on a journey, even if I haven't been the one to plan it.
(And just so I dont get bombarded with messages.. no Greg and I are not pregnant. The title "unplanned milestones" has no hidden meanings. Someday, I will VERY excitedly announce a new addition, just not anytime soon.)
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