It seems as if God's got his finger poised and ready to turn a page in the life of the Schultz'. One of our favorite people told us that this time in our lives would be just like that - like the turning of a page. Things would happen very quickly and all of a sudden there it would be, a done deal. We have found that word to be so true. Every part of this church planting adventure has happened just as if God turned the next page and made it be so.
It feels like we're there again. But we don't operate on feelings any more - at least not like we used to. It's a little more mature now - for lack of a better way to describe it. But the amazing thing is that God made us emotional beings and I think he enjoys feeling things with us and we with him.
We had two Thanksgivings this year. One with my family who celebrated early before my aunt and uncle went off to Bangkok, their next missionary assignment. The second with Jeremy's family and my parents. Talk about spoiled children - both sets of grandparents under one roof! How blessed we are.
Now Christmas is in the air. The girls see pictures of Christmas or see Santa or a manger and say, "Christmas!" They still have no idea what's coming, but we're going to have fun! We watched Caillou - that bald, whiney kid that makes me want to... Anyway, bald kid was experiencing all the stuff of Christmas and he went to sit on Santa's lap. I asked Soph if she would sit on Santa's lap. She watched the show very seriously and said NO at first. Then she said she would. Then she suggested Zoe do it. Those two are so funny! I love twins.
We had our first service to share about the church plant and to fund raise for Apostrophe. It was beyond words. To be talking to strangers who are praying during the service (perhaps for it to end soon... no telling lol ) and shedding tears (Jeremy was preaching so...). But they bought into the vision, the calling, this thing that is OUR lives. They gave their money. The entire church got out of their seats and stood around us to pray. They linked together with us to fight against the powers and principalities of darkness to take those students for Jesus. Dramatic retelling? I can spin a word, but that doesn't make the reality of this any different. We're in a battle and God tells us that it's not against democrats or people with "lifestyles" or recycled paper users. Those logistics are just distractions. Behind the opinions and choices are people who need my Jesus.
We shared that with this incredible little church who are called to adopt and foster kids with special needs and to run a school for them. They have teachers who volunteer! (And all the teachers gasp - I did.) They are doing what God asked them to do. We're doing what God asked us to do. We helped each other financially as we could. But we agreed to stand together and pray for what the other is fighting for in the name of Jesus.
We are seeing the power of Jesus like never before - simply the power of belonging to him and knowing what his name can do, the power of praying together, believing together, listening in his name, loving on his behalf. Life is getting simpler. I appreciate my husband more than I can express even to him. I see my daughters growing and we enjoy them so much! I'm able to let people be people and let God be God - that frees up an unreal amount of brain and emotional space. We're each on our own part of our journey with God - whether we acknowledge we are or not. I can't speak to or heal or fix anyone, but I can pray for, love and listen to ANYONE.
So here we are. Waiting to see what's on the next page. Will it be a new chapter or part of this same one? A new front door is an illustration we'll be seeing soon as our house here in St. Albans is ready to go to the next pastors coming to Church of the Rock. That's exciting for us and them! Praise God with us for our home in Burlington. All our birthdays are here - the girls are 2 years old January 21! Can you believe it, friends! God is gracious and good!
Stay tuned for the next page of bedtime stories from Vermont! : )
