Happy Halloween!

On Saturday we took Davis trick or treating with some family in Georgia.

Our Batman!

"Trick or Treat!"

My two hearts!!!

 On Halloween we went to a fall festival at our families church and Davis had a blast!

Woody in the house!

Davis loves playing on moon bounces!

Game time!

Davis playing with his cousin Daniel Davis!

Perfect ending to a wonderful night....Hayride!

The Swinging Monkey!!!

This week Davis hit a milestone.... playing on the monkey bars all by himself.  We were so proud of him and I was so glad I was able to catch it on video.  Here is my strong boy!

Be a light this Sunday!!!!!

On one of my walks this week I noticed that many of the doors in the neighborhood had this on it.  I was wondering what it was all about and then I came to a house with a gift basket at their door with the same paper- "We've been boo'ed."  I then remembered that my sister in-law's neighborhood does this too and it got my mind spinning.

We, as Christians, talk about wanting to reach our community for Christ and I quickly thought that this idea would be such a cool way to reach out to our neighbors.   We could use a so called "Devil's" holiday for something good by "booing" our neighbors with a lovely basket and showing them that someone thought of them and cares about them.  You do not know what your neighbors are going through.  This could even be a start of some God honoring relationships; loving holistically!

As I was thinking about what a good idea it would be to boo you neighbor, I got an even greater idea.  Why don't we use Halloween as a God honoring night?  Too many Christians turn their back on this holiday because they will not be a part of a pagan day. We Christians need to stop tripping and turn on our lights and pass out candy to the children that come to the door.  We are missing an AWESOME opportunity to spread the gospel.  How many times a year are you given the opportunity to have tons of people coming to your door to receive what you have for them?  Give them what they want...some candy...and while you are at it, a tract, an invitation to your church or some other creative tool to spread Jesus.  You never know what it could do!

It says in the Bible to, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel."  God didn't say to go into some of the world or only the world we are comfortable with, but to go into ALL.  Our culture celebrates Halloween and this coming Sunday we have a job to do.  Go out and transform a world for Jesus. 

Countdown to Cape Town (Finance Edition)

The countdown to Cape Town is on. We are only about 75 days away from departing. But, before we can go anywhere, we have a budget to finish raising.

I plan to share an update on this blog every 1-2 weeks so you knowwhere we are in our fundraising process.

There is a lot that I could share with you about what we have done so far and what our strategies are for the future, but I will spare you all the details and make this quick and to the point.

As of tonight, we are at 30% of the pledges and commitments that we need to depart in January.

This is good news and challenging news.

The good news is...

• We are only about 2 months into the fundraising process! And this 30% was reached with a rather small list of donors (so far)!
• More good news is that I was a Pastor until 4 days ago and am only NOW free to begin traveling around, meeting with folks, speaking at churches, etc. So, in many ways it is amazing that we are at 30% having done so little of that up to this point.
• It is also good news that this 30% includes only ONE church/organizational commitment. This is all individuals who have made one time gifts or monthly pledges. That is good news because as we hear back from churches (we are in strategic conversation with about 15 churches) and travel around sharing, we hope to see churches commit and this number really jump.

The challenging news is more obvious...

• We have a long way to go!!
• And we do not have a lot of time left!!

_________________

Can YOU help us? Can you partner with us in any of the 3 ways below?

1. We need prayer! Will you pray for us?
2. We are looking for financial supporters! Can you support us with a monthly pledge (or a one time gift)? Monthly pledges that spread over two years really help the percentage increase rapidly. (A $500 one time gift may seem huge, and it is! But a $50 a month commitment over two years is $1,200 toward our budget!)
3. Do you know people, churches or organizations that we might be able to connect with as supporters?

If you are willing to do any of the three things above, would you please email me atnoah.ccf@gmail.com as soon as possible (or message me on FB, leave a comment, text me, call me, whatever)? We would really be encouraged to hear from YOU in the next few days.

I assure you that the Lord is in this calling and that you will truly enjoy watching your investment pay off in the next few years!

Thank you for helping us follow God!

Noah, Tricia and Davis

Chevy's for Mission--This Sunday

We greatly hope that some of you can make it to Chevy's in Greenbelt this Sunday! Again, THIS SUNDAY from 12pm-3pm, Chevy's Tex Mex Restaurant will donate 25% of your check to our mission! Please come join us for lunch. Not only will it be great to raise funds, it will be even better to see you! Thank you for your support!

Note: all you will need to do is hand your server this little slip that we will provide you.

Are we lukewarm?

I am reading this book right now and if you have even a small desire to grow closer to God, you MUST read it.  It is impacting me every time I pick it up. I only have a few chapters left  but I wanted to share one chapter I read that really got me thinking.  The title is called "Profile of the Lukewarm."


Francis Chan offered descriptions of what a "lukewarm" person would look like and then would back it up with scripture.  You may not like what he has to say, but really search you heart for why.  I had to and I can honestly say I have at times been a "lukewarm" Christian.

• Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly because it is "just what we do." (Isa. 29:13)
• Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. (1 Chron. 21:24)
• Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. (Luke 6:26)
• Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. (John 10:10)
• Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for christ, yet they do not act.  That is for the "extreme" christians not average ones. (James 1:22)
• Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends for fear of rejection. (Matt. 10:32-33)
• Lukewarm people say they love Jesus and that He is, indeed, a part of their lives but only a part.  God is only given a section of their time, money, and thought, but He isn't allowed to control their lives. (Luke 9:57-62)
• Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.  That sort of devotion isn't for the average person; it's only for pastors, missionaries and radicals. (Matt. 22:37-38)
• Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. (Matt. 5: 43-47)
• Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. (Matt. 25:34,40)
• Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty.  They want to do the bare minimum to be "good enough" without it requiring too much of them. (1 Chron. 29:14)
• Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe, they are slaves to the god of control. (1 Tim. 6:17-18)
• Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structures so they never have to. (Luke 12:16-21)
• Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren't very different from your typical unbeliever. (Matt. 23:25-28)

Are you a "Lukewarm Christian? Have there been times when you fit the mold of one of the above descriptions? We are all "messed up" at times but our main goal as Christians should be to love God and love People.

At the beginning of the next chapter Francis Chan mentions "lukewarm christians' in this way: "As I see it, a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there's no such things. To put it plainly, churchgoers who are "lukewarm" are not Christians.  We will not see them in heaven. In Revelation 3:15 -16 Jesus says,"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth."


Is it really worth beginning a 'lukewarm Christian or should we risk it all for HIM?"

Happy Fall!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons! I love the cool weather and the beautiful foilage.  Along with the beautiful of this season, I love all the fun Fall activities.  Here are some of the Fall fun we are shared already this month.

Our visit to Green Meadow Petting Farm:

Davis milking a cow

Davis and Joshua found the "runaway" scarecrow!

Davis loved this calf

Us on the hay ride

Pumpkin Patch

Carving Pumpkins:

Davis and his ninja!

Steph and her pumpkin!

Davis took this picture.  Cut my finger carving this thing!

The master pieces!!

Patuxent Nursery Fall Festival:

What a beautiful family I am surrounded by!

He loves getting his face painted!

Davis had fun with his cousins!

Best part of the morning!

Highlight of Cape Town: Davis' School

The first thing we did when we got to Cape Town, South Africa was visit schools for Davis.  In one day we saw 5 schools and we fell in love with the last school, Greenacres Pre-Primary School.  I was excited to visit this school for several months and when we got on the campus I knew right away this was the place for Davis.  It was even more confirmed when I meet the lady (Marcy) who runs the school office.  When she turned the corner I thought I was looking straight at my mother.  She had the same hair color and length.  Same height and body structure and she had the best smile ( I loved my mom's smile). It took everything in me not to cry!

Here are pictures of our visit to Greenacres School

Davis' school building

Don't you love the view?

He played right away with the other kids!

Having fun in the tree the kids are allowed to climb.

Davis' teacher this coming year, Miss Jill

Davis starts his new school January 17 and he can't wait to go!

Who are you really?

Who are we really?  I ponder on this question at times. When I look in the mirror who and what do I see?

• Do I see "me" through the eyes of others? 
• Do I see "me" through the eyes of the Most High?

Shouldn't we see ourselves through His eyes? Isn't that truly who we are?  When I start questioning myself about who I am or seeing myself through the eyes of others, I need to look back at His word to remind me of the truth.

Hope these verses bless you like they bless me:

• "For you created me inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13 - 14
• "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance to do." Ephesians 2:10
• "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good...." Genesis 1:31
• "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever please him." Psalm 115:3

Which eye do you want to look through?

This Sunday!

Click here to read all about this Sunday.

Noah and I would LOVE to see you at either 10:30am or 5:00pm, or both!

I am tired of cutting Davis' hair short so I have decided to grow it out.  Even though I am growing it out, he still needs a hair cut from time to time.  Who wants to pay $15 or $20 for a little trim?  It's snip...snip...done.  That said we changed barbers and the best part is that she is free.

 

Davis' first haircut from Aunt "Harmony's Barber Shop."  I am sorry to say that only family gets this awesome discount!

What a cutie! Thanks Aunt Harm!

My Hero!!

Today wasn't an easy day for Noah and I (more Noah then me).  Lots of things in this transition hasn't been easy but it's what must be done during this time.  Today Noah preached his last sermon to the CCF body. Saying goodbye to our church family hasn't been easy and on Oct 24th (our last Sunday) will not be my favorite day.  I would like to skip that day but it would only hurt more  I don't want to say goodbye.  I wish CCF could come with us to Cape Town or Cape Town come to us.  Impossible I know but a girl can dream!

These last 7 years I have watched my husband lead a church the best he knew how.  Not many 24 year old are giving a lead pastor position and would most likely run from it but Noah didn't.  Was he perfect? NO. Did he make mistakes? GOSH YES! Was he the best one for the job? Who knows, but CCF believed in him.  For that I am so thankful! Thank you CCF for trusting my husband to lead this amazing church. Noah isn't the same person he was 7 years ago and I am more proud of him then the first day he started at CCF.  Noah was stretched, broken, healed, challenged, questioned, at times disliked, and most of all loved.  In all of the ups and down he has grown stronger, wiser, and more willing to go after God then ever before.

I could have stayed at CCF for the rest of my life and be very happy but the last year and a half I watched my husband struggle with God about his future.  He wants nothing more then to be like Jesus and serve people like Jesus did.  How can I stand in the way of that? God is calling Noah/us out to something different. Something far more then us and we are willing to learn.  I can go anywhere with my hero, the love of my life, the father of my son, and my best friend.  We taught Davis that home is where mommy and daddy are, but for me home is where Noah and Davis are.  I can live in a card board box (please God don't) and I will be just fine with my two hearts!

Noah Kaye I am so proud of you! I am more in love with you on THIS day then the day we said "I DO." Thank you for trying so hard to be like Jesus and willing to let it all go.  You finished well and God will continue to carry you through whatever journey he has for us.

Gone too Long!!!

It has been a long time since I have written a blog without stealing from my hubby.  Life has been one big ride lately and I haven't had the strength to share my thought or feelings.

Can you believe that in three months we are moving to Cape Town, South Africa!!! Don't worry I can't believe it either.

I have gotten a lot of:

• I can't believe you are going to South Africa!
• How are you dealing?
• I could never do what you all are doing.
• Are you sure this is the right thing to do?
• You are not really moving. God is sending you a ram soon.
• It is weird what you all are going to be doing.
• You must really love you husband to follow him like this.
• The questions just go on.....

What I have to say to these questions are:

• BELIEVE it we are moving to South Africa! :)
• I am doing great.  For once in my life I am in total peace. Thank you Jesus!!!!
• Yes you can do what we are doing if God calls you to go and you listen.  He equips His people.
• I am as sure as I will ever be and if we are wrong then the doors will not open and that will be ok. It is never wrong to go where you think God is leading you too.
• Come on Ram!!! I will take it and love to stay but only if it is God's will.
• It may be weird what we may be doing to you, but not to God.  If you read the Bible you will see lots of weird things and beside people thought Jesus was weird, so I take this statement as a huge compliment!
• I really do love my husband with my whole heart and soul, but I'm not following him but following HIM.  He has called all of us (Noah, Tricia, and Davis).

I am so excited for this next journey that God is taking us on and I am ready to lead out of my comfort zone.  I am ready to be stretched and molded like Him! 

Has this transition be easy? Heavens NO! We moved out of our house, sold over half of our earthly possessions, said goodbye to my dogs (I still cry for them), and we are now living in our 4th home and who knows how many more beds we will sleep in before our plane takes off. I HATE change.  Let me say it again, I HATE change, but by the grace of God I am dealing and dealing well.  Today as we moved to our 4th home (after getting home from a conference at 3:30am), we were filled with peace and joy with the fact that we have a place to lay our heads every night.  Davis had a huge smile on his face when we walk into Miss (Ruth) Roofie's house because he couldn't believe how big her house was and that they had three stairs (he means three floors).  Even Davis is ok with this transitions and I am so thankful to Jesus for caring for my family, and for that I am so ready to follow Him where ever He leads us.