HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We're heading home to PA to the Grubb farm for Thanksgiving. Even though my brother raises chickens, we're not having chicken, nor are we having turkey for Thanksgiving. Dennis will be stirring up a taco dinner in the kitchen this year. Looking forward to being with family. All our kids except Mike and Joni (we will miss them :( will be making their way to PA. We CAN'T WAIT to see Evee!!

Thankful for the joy and love we receive from so many of you.

Thankful for family and friends.

Thankful for Jesus, my Savior who lives and loves and will always be!

May the Lord make our love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you.
1 Thess. 3:12

Full week...

I don't know how often people check out my blog, but I feel the weight of not having something new posted, especially when it's been well over a week. This has been a full week for Dennis and I, which is a good thing, but no time to post.

So, I'll give you a recap on the week and post about my time with Dr. Wesley Duewel in a few days.

Dennis had a quick trip to Houghton, NY to connect with Christian Ministry students and religion department faculty at Houghton College. Chad McCullum (one of our church planting pastors) went with him. Known for his stand-up comedy (he really does this downtown GR), Chad brought a lot of laughter to their trip. Dennis felt they made some significant connections in hopes to bring some students to West MI for summer internships next year.

We left for Gull Lake on Wednesday (Dennis' BD :) to meet up with some of the pastors and wives from our district. It was a time to just hang out, replenish and connect. Dinner that night at the Blackhawk Bar & Grill with five other couples reminded us again what great couples we have serving in this district. They have great vision for what God has called them to do and the perseverance to see it to fruition, not to mention their passion for Christ. They are all down-to-earth, real, lots of fun, and we love being a part of their lives.

Thursday several of us drove to Granger, IN to attend a Catalyst One Day Conference. Lots of practical stuff for ministry from Andy Stanley (North Point) and Craig Groeschel (LifeChurch.tv.).

Friday we spent the day in some fun, interactive training to develop skills in assessing couples with an interest in church planting. I found the material helpful not only for interviewing, but also for working with people in general. That evening we enjoyed sitting, talking and laughing with two couples who came out for a overnight get-away - long-time friends Jon and Erica Allen and new friends, Chad (mentioned above) and his wife, Julie.

Home today and a special evening out for dinner with great friends John and Jill.

So, it's been a full week, but a good week.

As we head into the week of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for friends, for life that has purpose, and God's sustaining grace.

November 22 trivia

Many may not know this, though some may, but I discovered while reading and researching C.S. Lewis that on this day,

November 22, 1963

C. S. Lewis passed away,

the same day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated.




I don't believe I even knew who Lewis was when I was in 4th grade, but I distinctly remember the day when my fellow classmates and I heard the sad news that President Kennedy was shot. Now years later, it is C.S. Lewis whose writings have influenced my faith perspective in a fresh way.

Me and My Writing...

Dennis and I spent part of last week in Indianapolis. He had a Global Partners retreat and I attended a writer's conference put on by Wesleyan Publishing House. Four years ago I found this conference very practical and resourceful. This time I went because I needed a shot in the arm. I needed some inspiration, motivation, and a confidence boost. I enjoy writing, but I let myself get in the way. My perfectionism definitely creates writer's block and stifles my creativity. My incessant need to edit while writing a first draft is nothing but a detriment. It's very frustrating. Basically, I need to get over myself.

Anne Lamont, author of one of my favorite books on writing, Bird by Bird, says that "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first drafts" and that "Big sloppy imperfect messes have value."

Keith Drury, IWU professor and author, shared that he will write 10 - 15 drafts before completion. In fact, in his newest book, CommonGround, (a worthwhile read on the apostle's creed) he turned in 19 drafts.

As any writer knows, it's easy to be sensitive about one's writing. Putting words out there for all the world to read is a very vulnerable thing to do. Prior to the conference one of the faculty members asked for volunteers to turn in a two-page prose for his workshop, "Thick-Skinned Critiques." I decided to take the plunge. If I want to get over myself, I figured, I need to take critique and edits graciously rather than defensively. My paper ended up on the overhead with all kinds of squiggly lines for all the workshop attendees to see. I amazed myself - no turning red, no hot-flashes, and no defensive spirit. I actually sat there acting very cool as if it wasn't my paper, although I did claim it at the end and said thanks for the critique. My skin must be getting tougher, thank goodness.

So, I'm going to set myself outside and get on with writing sloppy imperfect messes. I don't want to tell you how many times I've stopped just in this brief post to edit. Yikes...this is a problem.

I've got more to tell you about our trip to Indy - time with Julie and an appointment with a great man of faith. That's for another day.

Sundays...

Yesterday was no different than most Sundays for us. Every Sunday Dennis and I visit a different church (mostly church plants) in the West Michigan District and every Sunday we are encouraged and amazed at the good work being done in the communities in which these churches serve.

Seventeen church plants exist in our district and we are grateful for the young couples (many with young families) who serve so diligently and faithfully to bring the Good News of Jesus to their communities, not only on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week in very practical and tangible ways.

To name a few... Overflow church meets at the Cinema Carousel theater bringing hope and bridging the gap between racial divides in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area. Epic church packs out an old American Legion in the small community of Portland. We were able to witness two baptisms at Epic yesterday. Amazing stories of life change. City Life crosses ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries to reach out to those in downtown Grand Rapids. (See the link list at the right of churches we have visited.) Each one has stories of people who have found new life in Jesus.

"... the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

We are always encouraged and uplifted to be a part of the church across the district and proud of the young couples who sacrificially serve in love.

For all you voters and Starbucks lovers...

Hopefully you don't need any incentives, but here's a nice reward for your vote.