A moment to breath

Easter evening has found us quietly at home with 'nothing' to do. Ahhhhh!! The 'nothing' in reality consists of looking at the upcoming week at constructing the gianormous to-do list.

With one week to go, the most common question is: "So...are you packed yet?" or "How's packing coming along?"

How it's coming is pretty well.  We were approved for our rental place in Corvallis on Tuesday which was a big sigh of relief, but generated a few more to-do items as a result. I soon mailed off a document for schools, made some phone calls, did the USPS change of address, etc, etc. Most of our belongings are still in storage, so the last few weeks have been spent duct-taping them back into shape as many of them have collapsed over the course of the year. Hee, hee! Around the house, stuff gradually disappears into a box only to have someone 'need' it a week later. I think I need stronger tape so I can't keep ripping it off - ya, it's the tape's fault!

The packing plan this week is to have the kids probably do all their packing for the week of travel and just have them live out of suitcases even this week. End of the week will be packing up Noah's drum set, breaking down the bunk beds, and pack, pack, pack. My goal is that no one will have to put anything into a box on moving day - that they only have to grab a box and make it fit into the van. Yippee! I'll let you know how it goes. Hmm.

The most common comment is "I can't believe it's gone so fast!"
The last month and a half has gone amazingly fast! As the weeks go by, Josh and I are more and more impressed by just how much we'll be leaving here in Rockford. We have been so blessed and supported by so many amazing people. I don't know if there's good way to not only thank each of you, but also to put into words just how lovely a community we are a part of.  It's scary to leave this support system and travel to another region. Will we find equally wonderful people, will we feel the love? Of course the answer is "of course we'll find all that." We remind ourselves that while we leave wonderful people, we have no idea of the wonder God will show us in Corvallis.

Real Life: The Power of Prayer

In his well-known book The Cost of Discipleship Bonhoeffer makes the observation 

Life is an illusion until Jesus reigns in our life.  That is why praying for others that are not connected to Jesus as Lord is the most powerful thing you can do. (paraphrase)

Our desire is to start a movement of disciples making disciples and churches planting churches in Oregon and beyond.  We hope to begin this movement by planting a church that has the aforementioned desire at the very core of everything that it does.  That being said, our best plans and strategies rely completely on the activity of God who makes all things grow.  We need the power of God to cut through the illusion of life and bring people into a new reality, the reality of peace, healing, wholeness, love, security, and joy that flows from a relationship with Jesus Christ the King.

With that in mind we are asking you to consider committing to pray one day a week for the next three years for project Renew Corvallis.  Let us know which day you are committing to by 'commenting' at the end of this post or sending an email to renewcorvallis@gmail.com

-Josh


PS Images of Corvallis and the region are now posted on the "Pages" link in the right margin -->

The Project - Renew: Corvallis

Not a lofty name at all, huh? But...that's the plan, renew the church in Corvallis. Kinda

Check out the stuff you may have already seen.
And if you're in the area, don't forget to come to the presentation on April 17 at River Rock (6060 Belding) at 6 pm.  What you don't know is there'll be desserts, and if you need childcare, there'll be a bit of that also. If possible, please let us know if you plan to attend.


Letter


Financial Campaign

It's not pretty as I'm an 'embedding documents in a blog' rookie. And have little time for a learning curve at the moment. Perhaps an improved version will show up later. 

Family update: The plan is to have a rental contract in line by the beginning of next week...or so. We've got a wonderful friend, Leanne, who's our 'woman on the street' checking out some options for us. I've learned that enrollment is up at OSU and therefore the 3-4 bdrm homes are getting snapped up by students already. (And here I'd expect they'd be moving OUT! I must be getting older.) Please continue praying for a home that suits our family and our ministry.