Prayer and Praise

Our newest prayer update letter is now available! Just click the images above to view! Overall, it's been a good fall quarter that was filled with lots of traveling and getting to see some great evangelistic things take place. Thank you for all your prayers!

Thanksgiving

Yesterday we ventured down to our parking garage only to find that our lovely jeep (and several other cars) had been broken into. Damage was one broken window, a stolen car stereo and about $2.10 in change. While it did definitely change some of our plans for the day, it did make me thankful for several things:
1) that I have a husband who loves God more than anything...so that when his beloved Jeep was damaged, he choose to laugh instead of cry or get really mad.
2) that we even have a car to begin with and that it still does work.
3) that I have never been in a situation where I have been desperate enough to steal to survive.
4) that while things like cars and possessions are nice, I don't have to let them define who I am.
5) that we are so close to the mechanic and work...so that when fun things like this happen, we can always walk!

Heaven on Earth

Next week I get to lead a training session on how to share the gospel in three minutes. It's been a while since I've thought through what it means to share the gospel so it's been good to rethink what it is I really believe. It's also interesting to see all the different ways people have chosen to share the gospel.

The biggest thing I've been stuck by is how more people are beginning to share not only about God's plan to redeem us as individual humans but about God's plan to redeem the earth/world. As I think about the ways I have shared the gospel in the past, I've definitely focused on God and the individual. I don't think that is necessarily wrong, but I'm realizing that by only focusing on that, I'm leaving out a big part of God's plan and the role God asks us to take as a Christian.

Here's a few examples of how others (in the InterVarsity world) are sharing the gospel. You can even watch a video of them stating their gospel version. They don't capture everything...but they are a slightly different take and have been good for me to think through and incorporate into how I share the good news.

From servingbread.net: The adapted Bridge Diagram

From www.jameschoung.net: The Big Story

Cali trip

Our trip to California last month was a much needed break. Here's a few favorite moments/favorite pictures from the trip.

Getting to see how much Christopher is like his Mom and getting to catch up with Meridith was a big highlight.

Getting to stop for a day in Santa Barbara and see some of our favorite spots was good for the soul.

The most random thing was running into Ruth Loomer at the Dallas airport. We both left from the same gate! Only 30 minutes apart and she was off to SB and we to Madison. I've always wanted to run into someone randomly at the airport like that. Check that off the list.

Overall we got to spend some quality time with old friends (such as the lovely ladies above). It was great to catch up with everyone and hear everyone's crazy stories from this past year. We saw so many people!!! It made me realize how much I miss everyone out there!

But most of all, it was a sure highlight spending time with family and being back on the beach.

last few days

-Sarah managed to eat an entire meal with chopsticks
-Matt returned from his trip safely
-Matt returned from his trip with a swollen ankle :(
-Sarah watched an 8 year old for 5 hours and spent that time water coloring, making cookies and learning all about Fetch.

Wisconsinite

It's official folks, Sarah is now officially a Wisconsinite. She surrendered her CA drivers license after of year of convieniently avoiding the DMV.

Firery Preacher

So I stopped at Barnes and Noble today and while I was looking at 2008 calenders, someone walked in and began shouting "Citizens of Wisconsin, repent and believe in Christ. Your days are numbered....." I've seen this a lot on college campuses but never in an actual store.

I immediately felt embarrassed to be associated with the same religion as this man. I know that in the grand scheme of the universe, tactics like these can bring people to faith, but it always seems like they are more divisive than anything.

However I did wonder if the Jews had a similar response to Isaiah, John the Baptist, Amos or any of the other prophets. Embarrassed at their message and convinced that God would never reach his people through methods like that. It made me wonder if these types of prophets are more for the sake of those of us who claim to follow him, than for those who don't.

Pray for Matt

Matt left yesterday to spend a week at the Michigan State University to help document a week long evangelism event. It's a pretty cool event where the InterVarsity chapter there is partnering with York Moore and IJM to raise awareness about injustices around the world and God's views those injustices.

"Tuesday through Thursday, November 6-8. Hundreds of student volunteers will depict some of the degrading conditions experienced by those who are caught up in modern slavery. Each evening related programs will be held at several locations on campus, culminating in a presentation entitled The Price of Life, on Thursday evening, at the Kellogg Center’s Big Ten Room." (intervarsity.org) One of the cooler ideas is that there will be beds set up around campus with student volunteers "chained" to them as a representation of sex slavery. Pretty in your face.

Pray for Matt as he is there that he might not only be able to capture on film and video what is happening, but that he can have conversations with students that lead to Christ.

moments

It snowed for the first time this season today. It wasn't much...nor did it last long, but it was a good reminder to stop and enjoy the moment, the changing of the season, the newness. I know I'll be tired of snow in a few months...but I'm grateful that there is something captivating about the initial snow fall.

Sarah's favorite pic of the week

And yes, those apples are really that different in size :). We went apple picking for the first time a few weeks ago with some kids from work. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be and I've never seen apples that big! Just in case anyone is wondering...the big apple is a Cortland apple. I've never heard of that type before...but it has one of the best flavors I've ever tried. I have no idea what the small one is.