a story already written

          Tomorrow is a new beginning, at least for us. When God invited us into a life in Denver, serving latino college students in the city, it was no news to Him. He has written for this place, these students, our lives...a story long before we were even thought of. This is all beyond my understanding, of course, but I must believe that He has seen it long worth pursuing to redeem a people He calls his own, and to do so in this season of time and in this city.
          We have been studying the Pentateuch, the first five books of the bible written by Moses, at church. I have been struck by the language God uses when describing his affection & raw pursuit of His people. It was His plan, His story, all along to dwell with the people He created and loved. Of course, we wanted to be God & know the way to do life like He did, so we chose to turn from him and do our own thing. He even gave us ways to live that would be the best for us. We wouldn't have to loathe working, we wouldn't have to fear pain in relationships. Yet, we walked away, or rather gave told God His directions weren't good enough for us. Yikes. How many times have I heard that come from within me?
          The books that follow Genesis 1-3, that described above, unfold a redemptive story of God then doing the work to bring back His people. He called them His own, even yet when they abandoned Him. And he wrote a beautiful, unmistakably 'higher than our ways' plot for them to be released into freedom. THEN he gave them the law- a way to abide in Him and to live in the new found freedom. It's so amazing. I always got it backwards. The Israelites were not to keep the law to earn God's favor and thus stick around. No, God was already dwelling among them. He decided long before that this was His people- and He wanted them to live in freedom. And so, he gave them a way to live in that freedom. Thus, the law. God's story. All of life is God's story. He is reality. What a creative, great, sovereign, just, and kind God we know. And it's by His grace we know Him at all. Because He wrote the story, and God does what He wants.

Back to tomorrow. We begin on campus, along with the other 2 staff members that have joined us in trusting God for Destino here in the city. We jump headfirst into the story already written. I pray we have eyes to see God's story unfold.

I will leave us with this. John 21:25.

  'Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.'

I hope for this in the years to come, as Latino students (and thus, the city of denver) experience and extend the gospel of Christ.


K

A new look.

We decided to change our blog. Again. Life is always changing for us, so why not our blog? We are more than happy with this one, though, so hopefully it will stick (for those who need consistency...we'll stay with this one...although the likelihood of someone actually following this & needing consistency is nil.)

We are back from the dominican republic. we loved it, and love Jesus more because of it.

We have begun to meet with our destino team in the city, and are VERY excited to connect students with a beautiful Jesus this semester. We also have very high hopes to connect more with Him.

We love the Vitamin String Quartet.

Kayla loves getting things in the mail, and her newfound desire to read books.

Austin is wearing a tank-top. And is being reintroduced to the God who deemed Him worth rescuing. (God Himself is the one who is worth it.)

We look forward to writing soon more of all that the Dominican Republic summer project surfaced & accomplished. And some things about our personal lives as well. Stay tuned.

A & K

Here is a picture of a dog, her name is Layla. She is crazy.

Shattered.

I expected exhaustion. The train of our lives has yet to stop over the last year, only adding boxcars at each station...approaching slowly enough to see the stop, and then chugs again in perpetual motion.

I was pretty much over it by the time mid-summer hit. I expected to head into our summer project to the Dominican Republic with anticipating tiredness, both clueless and friendless. Our life has been adventurous & joyful. I have never entertained the thought of hopelessness; never crossed my mind. Yet, I have been tired. The weeks before we left, I was getting sick almost every day. (No, we are not pregnant) The emotional build-up of the past, rarely stopping to be vulnerable or needy, was the catalyst for sickness. Again, I was over it. Knowing the weight of the patterns I was gathering in not allowing others in or the time to rest, I was afraid to move onto another boxcar of movement. Another thing to add to the list of things I "needed to process," and another group of people I would have to leave.

BUT GOD had a very different plan. I wish I could share all of it, but there will be a time. God has provided the space to be vulnerable. Have you ever seen TLC's "10 years younger"? Subjects on the show are put in a glass box, placed in the middle of a popular public place, and commented on without their knowledge of what is being said. They are completely on display, but not effected. I often described my life in this way. Able to let anyone see what is going on in my life, often very transparent. Yet I lacked vulnerability. What a difference. I would not allow anyone to penetrate the glass.

I know God has broken the glass. This trip to the DR has given me wings, and yet grounded me in a sort of way that only Jesus can do. With every step, I have less control, able to be more vulnerable, and feel loved deeper by the Lord. I have Jesus to thank for that. For the space to be here. For breaking the glass. For giving me opportunities to say yes to vulnerability. For a husband who is patient, kind, faithful, and pursues me. For friends here who get me. Maybe even a kindred spirit. Thanks Jesus, for shattering my reality. I am terrified, but you never pass me by.