When we sensed God calling us in a new direction in 2018, we left Bridgeway in October of 2018 and have been on the most exciting and scary journey of our entire lives. We have trusted God with so much, sometimes with many tears and hesitation. Yet over and over and over and over again God kept showing up in miraculous ways. It's like He intimately cares about us down to the smallest detail (hint: He does). Even when we struggled with doubt, He was faithful to show up again. I don’t have the space to write about all those miracles and God moments here, but if you want to know more about them feel free to contact us and we can set up a phone call, Facetime, or Zoom meeting.
So, what have we been up to? 2021 started with us buying my
parents’ house, freaking out about how are we going to make monthly payments,
getting COVID and quarantining for 2 weeks, freaking out more because now we
aren’t working, and then watching God show up in miraculous ways once again!
The Crowder song Good God Almighty was one that God used to help get my
attention again, it says “I get amnesia, I forget that You keep coming
around,. Yeah, ain't no way You'll ever let me down.” And so we continue to grow in
our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He is steadfast in His faithfulness.
We are continuing in our ministry partnership
with South Milford Church of Christ (SMCC). We are blessed to be a part
of this church family and we serve there by co-leading the Sr. High youth
group. Jeff preaches an average of once every other month. We continue in the
process of starting a discipleship movement and discipling a group focusing on
making disciples who make disciples. It has been exciting to see God move in
the hearts of people as they grow in their faith and reach people where they
live, work, and play for Jesus Christ.
One really exciting thing that has developed
late Summer and Fall is plans to start a coffee shop as a space to bless and
serve our community. Our dream is for this to be a natural place for spiritual
conversations to happen (see blog post on Coffee & Cream). It seems that
new developments occur almost weekly, and we are excited for what God has in store.
Besides ministering with SMCC, Jeff is driving
bus at Prairie Heights and is the JV boys’ basketball coach, giving him a
chance to get more involved in the community and build relationships with those
we live around. Jeff worked part-time on the maintenance team at Oak Farm
Montessori School (OFMS) for the past three years but left that role after
picking up a full-time bus route this school year and coaching JV basketball
because he just didn’t have the time he needed for ministry and
family.
Andrea keeps the house and family in order, or
at least does her best with a family of 6. She loves her job at Campbell &
Fetter Bank where she works in the proofing department three days a week. She
keeps busy shuttling the kids (when Wesley can’t), attending their sporting
events, co-leading the youth at SMCC, taking a coffee shop start up class and
dreaming of days when she can stay home for 24 hours (it happens occasionally,
and she enjoys being able to catch up on house stuff).
Wesley is 17 (where did time go?) and continues
to thrive as a Junior at OFMS. He is starting to think about college and will
do some college visits this year. He is looking at studying particle physicals
(what is that?) and continues to love to learn and read a lot. Wesley is working
two jobs, at a local dairy farm and at a local carry-out fish shack. He enjoys
both of those jobs and was able to buy his first vehicle with the money he
made.
Ethan is 15, has his drivers permit, and likes
to drive when can. He is in his sophomore year at Prairie Heights. He started
on varsity soccer this year and was named the Most Improved Player after the
season and even had one goal while playing mostly defense. Ethan is now onto
basketball and started the first four games on the JV team. Ethan is very
involved with FFA and had a great time attending FFA National Convention at the
end of October with 60,000 other students from around the country. He is
thriving in his academics at school.
Elizabeth is 14 and an 8th grader at OFMS. She is a
great student, and her teachers love her leadership at school. She played
soccer this Fall and is playing on the co-ed basketball team. She loves working
on the school farm and tries to get farm pullout whenever she can. She was excited
to get her braces off this year after having them for over 3 years.
Isobel is 11 and in the fifth grade. She is
still very tall for her age, a head taller than many of her classmates. She
played soccer and is in her first year playing basketball at OFMS. She has also
played some on a travel team with a group of Prairie Heights girls. She still
loves doing crafts and playing with her dolls and having fun.
All four kids were active in 4-H this year
including showing pigs and garden tractor driving in which Wesley and Elizabeth
were alternates to the state contest in their respective divisions. They all
are involved in church youth groups and love their time with their friends and
Bible study. In the summer they do much of the yard and garden work and do a
great job. All the kids love going to the lake whenever they can to swim, tube,
and ski. Having their cousins from Bolivia here part of the summer was a
special treat for them as well.
Speaking of Bolivian cousins, James and Jenny’s
oldest, Coy, got married on November 5 to Joy Holman in Celebration, FL. Our
family spent a week down there and had a wonderful time enjoying the warmth and
celebrating their marriage.
The other big news is that my mom and dad built
a new house on the farm and will be moving in this December. Although my mom
has enjoyed living the last two years at the lake cottage that has been in her
family since 1948, they are excited to get settled into their new house.
We thank each one of you for your love and prayers, they are felt daily.
If you would like to send an end of the year contribution to help support our ministry you can give directly to us or for a tax-deductible gift, write it to ECC. Checks can be mailed to-
6075 East 600 SouthWolcottville, IN 46795
