We're Moving to Colorado

At the beginning of our senior year of college people always asked us what we were going to do after graduation. Truth be told, we had no clue. We had some faint ideas, thoughts, and wishes, but nothing was set in stone.

That has now changed.

In October, we were approached by Mark and Lauren Shepherd and Nate and Julie Lamb with the opportunity to join them in planting a church in Denver, Colorado. It was a lot to think about at a busy time in our lives. We committed to praying about it and tried to put it on the back burner of our minds.

...that didn’t happen

It was at the forefront of our conversations as a couple. We loved the idea of moving somewhere for something more than a job. Moving to Denver means moving somewhere with purpose, with a mission.

After 4 months of prayer, conversation, thought, and more prayer, we know that God has confirmed our desires and directed our steps to Denver. We will be joining the launch team of Front Range Church in August of this year.

Please visit Front Range Church’s website to learn more about our mission and vision for what God is and is going to do in Denver.

Now, when people ask us what our plans are after graduation, the answer is simple…

We’re planting a church in Denver, Colorado.

Mission: To be a "Rooted and Reaching" movement of local churches in Denver and the Front Range through which our communities are reached, disciples become deeply rooted, and culture is redeemed through the truth and power of the Gospel." 

http://www.frontrangechurch.com/ 

{year review}

2011 was a big year for us. It was a year of growing up and exploring the world. Here are a few things we loved about it:

 living in Ireland: learning the culture, making new friends, going to cool pubs, seeing beautiful views

 welcoming our first nephew into the world. 

exploring and soaking up Paris for a week

planning our wedding

turning 21

getting married! woo! 

honeymooning in Mexico 

interning over the summer: Exact Target for Jordan, The Boys and Girls Club for Alli

celebrating the final semester of undergrad for Jordan

falling in love with Friday Night Lights and The Hunger Games

living in a home of our own - not a dorm!

 I think 2011 may have been our favorite year yet. But as much as we loved last year, we believe it will only get better. We are excited and ready to make new memories and form our own traditions in 2012. Right now we are in a season of obedience, listening, and waiting. We are eager to see what God has planned and where he is going to call us next, and we are thankful for the lessons we will learn in the process of finding out. Now begins this new year of transition, challenges, and new beginnings. 

goodbye 2011, thank you for all that you have given us, we are truly grateful.
hello 2012, we are ready for you. 

{Cory and Marie}

Our friends Marie and Cory are engaged! They are two of the most beautiful, creative, and godly people I know. Marie has been my friend since High School, and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. Marie is one of those truly unforgettable people. She challenges, inspires, and loves people in ways no one else does. Marie and Cory together are a couple seeking the Lord above all else. I cherish them, I look up to them, and I am so excited for what they will do together through their marriage. 

If you want to see what I'm talking about, just watch this video. It's probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. If you want to support them or learn more about their story or hear more of their music, go HERE.  If you want to see more of cory's awesome videography, you can watch our wedding videos, or visit his website. 

{Happy Thanksgiving}

Today I look to this verse:

 "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."1 Thessalonians 5:18 

It am thanking the Lord for guiding my steps. He has brought me to this place where I can easily see Him working and moving, showing me how to love and give freely everyday. I have an amazing husband, loyal and supportive friends, the best family in the world, and a warm home. It's my last year of undergrad and there is a whole new adventure awaiting me. God is good.  

I am thankful to be where I am right now, sharing a meal with my family and taking time to rest and reflect on life's blessings. It is a perfect day to celebrate with turkey, green bean casserole, and apple pie. 

  

What are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving day? 

{The Beatitudes}

Last night, after Jordan and I had climbed into The Cloud, we took a few moments to read The Beatitudes in The Message Bible. I had never read this version of Matthew 5 before. It sounded like a whole new chapter to me. The Message does that sometimes. I asked Jordan to repeat the verses so I could let it sink in again and again. What simple and beautiful truths to remember. 


"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

 You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

 You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

 You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

 You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

 You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

 You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

 You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

 You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

 Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

(From The Message, Matthew 5:3-10)

wow, it's been too long since I blogged.

Life has been crazy lately, but the transition phase from Ireland to the States is basically over now. It's back to real life: an internship at the Boys and Girls Club of Grant County, and preparing for our wedding. Only 43 days until the big day.

But this weekend we are celebrating the marriage of our friends Emilie and Logan. I know it's going to be so special :)


I am excited for this summer and everything that is to come. I always have to remind myself that the time I have in the waiting is just as sweet. This week there have been days where I want to fast forward my life, but then I think about the many hours I have spent with my family and friends recently, and I would never want to replace that. I cherish it. I have been waiting for this reunion all semester in Ireland, and now I have it.

Thank you God for the present.

reflection.

I leave Ireland in 4 days. It still hasn't hit me yet.

In order to process and fully transition from Ireland to America, this week is dedicated to our last assignment - the integrative 10 pager about our experiences here, and also packing all that we have learned about Ireland into this one assignment (which is a lot!). Along with the paper, we are taking some time to reflect on this semester as a group. We had our first debriefing session today, which included sharing our favorite stories and memories, and then time on our own doing a journaling exercise. By the end, we each had narrowed down our top 3 events/themes/things learned while being here.

My Top 3:

1. Finding solitude and rest, allowing myself to be quiet and alone: I have found my introverted side. I have recognized that being with people constantly is not healthy. I have learned to love my time in stillness with God.

2. Growing through conversations and intimate one-on-one time with specific people here: Jordan, Emily McCardle (Squirrel), Kyle and Kelsey, Laura, and Jen Lewis. These people have taught me so much.

3. Truly appreciating home. Being here has given me a whole new perspective on the U.S. I hope that I will never again take for granted the blessings I have. I am so so excited to be back in my familiar place with the people that I love and have missed everyday of this semester.


I have felt the ache of being away from the people I am closest to, especially the ones I am used to seeing all the time. Now I realize just how important they are to me. I have become so emotional and sentimental lately, because I can see that my life would not be the same without them.

My parents have raised me, loved me, supported me, and poured into my life in every way. My sister is my other half - she understands me best. My soon to be in-laws have welcomed me into their home and have treated me like their own daughter for the past two years. My friends at IWU (Hannah, Tim, Beth, Kate) are the people that keep me sane, grounded, and joyful, each one bringing their own unique and beautiful impact into my life.


Nothing can replace these people.