Community Life

Back in the late '70's, when Al was going to KU and I was working on campus, we were a part of a small group led by Bob and Nancy Williams. Although not on staff with the Navigators, they used much of that material. They taught us so much about living a Christian life. We memorized Scripture; we learned how to read and study the Bible. Learned to love Christ more! We made great friends! This is a picture of us on a canoe trip at the end of the year. We were with this group for around 4 years. Thank you Bob and Nancy for the years you invested in us!Around 7 years ago, Allen and I decided to start a young marrieds' small group at our church. Joel and Kendall were in that original group and stayed with us for the long haul. What a joy and blessing to us to become friends with the various couples we have had over the years!! Now these couples are no longer "young married" but are "young family". They have branched off and begun their own community life groups.

This year we started over with another "batch" of young marrieds. We have 6 couples. There were enough couples at church that there is another "older" or "mature" couple with another group of young marrieds as well.

As in other years, we have a study night, game night, study night and then one week off. We are beginning with a study series by Ray VanderLam and later on will go through the book "Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti". Al will also teach other lessons.

Last night we took a trip to the corn maze in Buhler.

We first went through the maze all together and cheated quite often, looking at the map. When we completed the maze, we had a race to see who could finish first and no looking at the map allowed. Al and I finished dead last. Got so lost!

We finished our evening at Lincoln Perk. Aah! Late night latte's and good conversation! We are looking forward to a wonderful year, growing closer in our relationship to Christ and eachother.

Fall?

I

We are NOT ready for winter yet! Brrrrrr!

Isaiah

...He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion -
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of His splendor.
Isaiah 61: 1-3

In preparation for this year's presentation of Judgement House at church, our church leaders challenged us to spend time this week in prayer and fasting. I have chosen to fast over the lunch hour and spend that time in prayer. Today I decided to go through Isaiah and pray over all the verses I had underlined. It was amazing to me how applicable those verses were to pray for our church and for those who will be coming through Judgement House! For those of you from our church I would encourage you to do this!

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. 61:10