Can I tell you how awesome God is...
Our house sold on the first day, to the first and only person who looked at it and they offered us the FULL PRICE!
I am still in a state of shock. Just this morning I was praying about how I was worried about the roof and about all the details and timing of buying a house/selling, etc. (I'm going to Vegas on Tuesday by myself to buy a house...please pray for me!). 1 hour later we had a contract! Unbelievable!
If I could do cartwheels without throwing up I would...
If I could do a flip I would...
If I could take out a radio ad to tell the world how amazing God is I would...
If I could stand on my roof without peeing my pants and tell my neighbors how awesome God is I would...
If I could jump in my pool and do the biggest cannonball for God I would...but I'd probably get some kind of skin disease from lack of chemicals.
You get the point...God RULES!
Featured on newchurches.com
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
House For Sale!
Life has gone from crazy to insane in just a few days. We met with a realtor and decided to put our house on the market. The market is so slow here and comparable houses have been sitting in our neighborhood for months. We thought it would be better to sell now and have to deal with finding a place to rent rather than moving and having to pay two house payments.
Our house is in good condition, but there is still so much to do. I keep hurting myself. I tore up my ankle on a picture frame, I keep running into things. The worst was last night when I tripped in the garage while holding about 25 pounds of stuff in my arms. I literally landed on my face. Thankfully some bags of clothes were nearby so I laid there for a while and laughed and cried. I am so sore today; I feel like I was in a car accident!
Vince performed a wedding this weekend and referenced Matthew 7 about the wise and foolish builders. Is your house built on sand or rock? It got me thinking about moving and all the stuff I have to do. I began to feel overwhelmed, but then realized that the important part is remembering that my "house" is built on rock. No matter what happens between now and then I can rest in knowing that my foundation is God. Everything we do is built on His solid foundation. So whether my house sells in one day or 100 days I'm OK because my foundation is solid. The winds and rain can come, but I won't be knocked down.
Unless of course I trip again...then I will certainly get knocked down.
Featured on newchurches.com
Thursday, September 18, 2008
No Other Gods
I just finished reading No Other Gods, by Kelly Minter. I am beaming with enthusiasm for this book. You have to read it. It totally kicked my butt in ways that will change me forever (for the better, I might add). It's funny and moving; a quick-read that you have to pick up. Dealing with our idols is serious business. Kelly handles it in such a powerful way that will leave you wanting to be free from anything that's keeping you from God.
I love when God has you read something at just the perfect time. I was praying about our move to Vegas and how hard it's going to be to leave this "baby" church we started when I read this, "When responding to God's direction, the bitterness of a heartbreaking good-bye can't be compared to the sweetness of a divine hello. It is worth whatever you're still clinging to." (page 188).
God has called us to leave Virginia Beach. But He's going with us and will welcome us to Las Vegas with open arms and a sweet "hello!"
Featured on newchurches.com
Caffeine Free Diet Coke
Before I move onto the "You're raising your kids in Las Vegas?" posts I wanted to share a story with you about our Vegas trip in August.
First, you need to know that I love caffeine free diet coke. I used to drink regular diet coke and then decided to drop all caffeine from my diet (what was I thinking?). At the time of this trip on a normal day I would drink about 4 cans a day (you'll be happy to know that I have cut myself down to 2 a day). Here's the problem....I couldn't find caffeine free diet coke ANYWHERE in Las Vegas. I searched every restaurant, gas station and convenience store for my cherished beverage and came up empty every time. I was upset and quite disgusted. I was really cranky about it and kind of felt like a druggie looking for her next score.
We drove up to a gas station and Vince went in to get some Slurpee's (it's so unbelievably hot in Vegas...we literally were getting dehydrated on an hourly basis). He left me and the kids in the car with the air conditioning on. After he left I thought, I know they won't, but I should go in and see if they have some caffeine free diet coke! I was out of my mind (again...think crack addict) and decided to run in the store while leaving my children in the running car.
I was seriously in there for less than 30 seconds (and no, of course they didn't have any!). Upon arriving back to the car I was greeted by a not so friendly police officer. He went on to say that I was crazy for leaving my kids in the running car (I know) and that they could have been driven away by a crack head (I know) and that they could have died from the heat (I know...except the air conditioning was on!).
I felt horrible, apologized profusely and agreed on every count. Once he stopped telling me off I said, "So, do you like living in Las Vegas?" His response surprised me, "**** no! This place is a dump. It's filled with drug addicts and thieves; it's the armpit of the world!" My first thought was, Then why do you live here? Instead I said, "So what neighborhoods do you recommend we look for a house in?" He went on and on about how every neighborhood is horrible, how the schools are horrible, and how much he hates it. He only told me one neighborhood that's "safe" and it's too far away from where we want to live.
As we drove away I kept thinking about our conversation. This guy really hates Las Vegas. What if I really hate Las Vegas? What if we get here and I am miserable? And then I thought, If Jesus came back to earth to live right now, where would he live? I think one of the places he'd pick would be Las Vegas. He'd go to the place that was horrible, where the most "sinners" lived. He'd go to the messed up neighborhoods and schools. He'd visit the "thugs" and druggies, the gamblers and prostitutes, and even the angry cops. For some reason, this made me feel better. Knowing that I was moving to a place where I believe Jesus would go was surprisingly inspiring.
And all the sudden it didn't really matter that they didn't have any caffeine free diet coke. What mattered was bringing hope to a "dump" like Vegas.
Featured on newchurches.com
First, you need to know that I love caffeine free diet coke. I used to drink regular diet coke and then decided to drop all caffeine from my diet (what was I thinking?). At the time of this trip on a normal day I would drink about 4 cans a day (you'll be happy to know that I have cut myself down to 2 a day). Here's the problem....I couldn't find caffeine free diet coke ANYWHERE in Las Vegas. I searched every restaurant, gas station and convenience store for my cherished beverage and came up empty every time. I was upset and quite disgusted. I was really cranky about it and kind of felt like a druggie looking for her next score.
We drove up to a gas station and Vince went in to get some Slurpee's (it's so unbelievably hot in Vegas...we literally were getting dehydrated on an hourly basis). He left me and the kids in the car with the air conditioning on. After he left I thought, I know they won't, but I should go in and see if they have some caffeine free diet coke! I was out of my mind (again...think crack addict) and decided to run in the store while leaving my children in the running car.
I was seriously in there for less than 30 seconds (and no, of course they didn't have any!). Upon arriving back to the car I was greeted by a not so friendly police officer. He went on to say that I was crazy for leaving my kids in the running car (I know) and that they could have been driven away by a crack head (I know) and that they could have died from the heat (I know...except the air conditioning was on!).
I felt horrible, apologized profusely and agreed on every count. Once he stopped telling me off I said, "So, do you like living in Las Vegas?" His response surprised me, "**** no! This place is a dump. It's filled with drug addicts and thieves; it's the armpit of the world!" My first thought was, Then why do you live here? Instead I said, "So what neighborhoods do you recommend we look for a house in?" He went on and on about how every neighborhood is horrible, how the schools are horrible, and how much he hates it. He only told me one neighborhood that's "safe" and it's too far away from where we want to live.
As we drove away I kept thinking about our conversation. This guy really hates Las Vegas. What if I really hate Las Vegas? What if we get here and I am miserable? And then I thought, If Jesus came back to earth to live right now, where would he live? I think one of the places he'd pick would be Las Vegas. He'd go to the place that was horrible, where the most "sinners" lived. He'd go to the messed up neighborhoods and schools. He'd visit the "thugs" and druggies, the gamblers and prostitutes, and even the angry cops. For some reason, this made me feel better. Knowing that I was moving to a place where I believe Jesus would go was surprisingly inspiring.
And all the sudden it didn't really matter that they didn't have any caffeine free diet coke. What mattered was bringing hope to a "dump" like Vegas.
Featured on newchurches.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Dissuaded?
After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' " When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." (Acts 21:10-14)Someone in Vegas recently referenced these verses. Unfortunately he said, "If I could tie up my hands and feet and plead with you not to come here I would!" Now there's some encouragement. The guy meant well; he wants us to be aware of where we are moving and some of the difficulties and struggles that lie ahead. Out of kindness he said this, maybe hoping to dissuade us from the seemingly impossible task ahead. He lives there; he knows what it's really like to live in Vegas. I believe he warned us out of love. He knows the challenge we're up against.
I love these verses in Acts. I think Paul is so cool. I think if I met him I might be a little scared of him, though. He's pretty hard core. Imagine all these people pleading with Paul and begging him not to go to Jerusalem. Tears were shed, emotions were felt, they were doing everything they could to get Paul not to go. And none of it worked.
If it were me, the whole tying-of-the-hands-and-feet-drama would have been enough to persuade me. But not Paul. He had a mission and stuck to it, no matter what. His focus was on God and he would do anything for Him; even if it meant death.
How about you? If God told you to do something would you do it? If God challenged you in a way that was completely out of your comfort zone would you do it? Would you lose focus? Have you lost focus?
The warning we got in Vegas shook me up a little bit, but not terribly (maybe if he actually tied up his hands and feet I would feel differently). I know that God has called us to move there. I know that it will be difficult. I am aware that we look like a bunch of idiots. But like Paul, we will not be dissuaded.
How often are you talked out of what you feel like God wants you to do? How often do people persuade you to do differently? How often do you talk yourself out of obedience?
I think the key is staying close to God. The closer you are to God the better you know Him. The better you know Him the more you trust Him. And the more you trust Him the less you will be dissuaded.
Featured on newchurches.com
Saturday, September 13, 2008
She Is The Reason I'm Going
"Make A Way"
She was only 17
Wild at heart and following her dreams
Believing she was pretty
Got a ticket to the city
Where she'd find her place on the cover of a magazine
It was only a chat room, but it would lead the way
To the door of a man where she'd throw it all away
He said they'd take it slow
But little did she know
She'd be all used up by the end of the day
But she was strong
And she would survive
Ambition would be her drive
And she said...
I'll make a way
I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan and though I may not understand
Someday, I'll make a way
Where did she go wrong, how did she get here?
Livin' hard and looking older than her years
Miss Little Big Town
Trying to hold a job down
Doing what she could to choke her fears
But she was strong
And she would survive
A spark of hope had kept her dream alive
And she cried...
I'll make a way
I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan and though I may not understand
Someday, I'll make a way
Someday, I'll make a way
Walking down the road
In the city where she'd come with so much hope
Her vision had long died
Along with all her pride
And she found herself at the end of her rope
But she heard angels through the door
Of a church she'd passed a million times before
There was a song of heaven ringing
And soon she found herself believing
That out there maybe there was something more
So she bowed her head to pray
And said, Jesus, please make a way
And she heard Him say...
I'll make a way
I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan and though you may not understand
Today, I'll make a way
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah
Today He'll make a way
This is a song by Natalie Grant. I first heard it when we were at the "decision" time of our commitment. Would we go? Would we make this huge sacrifice?
Once I heard this song I was sold. Yes, I would go. She is the reason I'm going. If I can help one girl in this situation, it's worth it.
Whenever I wonder if we've made the wrong decision, I think about this song and it inspires me. There are so many women like her in Las Vegas. God is making a "way" for them....and we are the ones He is using.
Featured on newchurches.com
Wild at heart and following her dreams
Believing she was pretty
Got a ticket to the city
Where she'd find her place on the cover of a magazine
It was only a chat room, but it would lead the way
To the door of a man where she'd throw it all away
He said they'd take it slow
But little did she know
She'd be all used up by the end of the day
But she was strong
And she would survive
Ambition would be her drive
And she said...
I'll make a way
I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan and though I may not understand
Someday, I'll make a way
Where did she go wrong, how did she get here?
Livin' hard and looking older than her years
Miss Little Big Town
Trying to hold a job down
Doing what she could to choke her fears
But she was strong
And she would survive
A spark of hope had kept her dream alive
And she cried...
I'll make a way
I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan and though I may not understand
Someday, I'll make a way
Someday, I'll make a way
Walking down the road
In the city where she'd come with so much hope
Her vision had long died
Along with all her pride
And she found herself at the end of her rope
But she heard angels through the door
Of a church she'd passed a million times before
There was a song of heaven ringing
And soon she found herself believing
That out there maybe there was something more
So she bowed her head to pray
And said, Jesus, please make a way
And she heard Him say...
I'll make a way
I'll do whatever it takes
Even though it won't be easy
I have a plan and though you may not understand
Today, I'll make a way
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah
Today He'll make a way
This is a song by Natalie Grant. I first heard it when we were at the "decision" time of our commitment. Would we go? Would we make this huge sacrifice?
Once I heard this song I was sold. Yes, I would go. She is the reason I'm going. If I can help one girl in this situation, it's worth it.
Whenever I wonder if we've made the wrong decision, I think about this song and it inspires me. There are so many women like her in Las Vegas. God is making a "way" for them....and we are the ones He is using.
Featured on newchurches.com
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Assessment Update
Thanks for praying for us. Assessment was awesome! Because I signed a confidentiality agreement I can't give you much details. I thought it was going to be awful and it wasn't at all. I would highly recommend the process to any couple diving into church planting.
Featured on newchurches.com
Featured on newchurches.com
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
No One Will Love It Like You Do
I've asked some church planting wives to share about their experiences (if you'd like to share please email me at j_antonucci@hotmail.com). Meet Nikki Brungard, a church planting wife from Common Ground in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Before we planted Common Ground I interviewed some church planting sages (namely Vince and Jen Antonucci from Forefront, and Brett and Laura Andrews from New Life in northern Virginia) about anything I could think of. I wanted to glean as much wisdom from them and their experiences as I could.
So many things stick out from those interviews, but one thing that Brett said has really come back to me time and again. He said, "No one will love the church like you do." As he went on and expounded on what he meant, he explained that sometimes we're going to sit back and wonder why people act a certain way or why our heart are tendered in a certain way. The reason, he said, is because nobody is going to love this little baby church like you do.
I have found that to be so true! There have been times when Kevin and I are so excited about something awesome that God is up to and we wonder why others aren't seeing the vast amount of beauty in it. Those words come ringing back, "No one will love the church like you do."
Or there have been times that our hearts have been grieved as we've seen Satan wreaking havoc on the body and we wonder why no one is righteously indignant. Because no one will love the church like you do. Or we see amazing opportunities to serve and advance God's Kingdom and wonder why everyone doesn't want to hop on board. It's because no one will love the church like you do.
We pray, we cry, we shout for joy, we share with others, we work endlessly, we hope, we long, we rejoice, we live and breathe it. We love this church like no one else. This one little sentence has given me encouragement when I've been down, it's given me hope for the future, it's given me an explanation for why I feel so deeply about this group of people and their impact on the world. No one loves them like I do.
How about you? Do you love your church like no one else? When there are victories to be celebrated are you jumping up and down like no one else? When there is pain to be shared are you feeling it like no one else? When there are mountains to climb, when there are encouraging words to be said, when it seems too hard to go on, do you persevere? Of course you do.
Because no one loves this church like you do.
Featured on newchurches.com
Before we planted Common Ground I interviewed some church planting sages (namely Vince and Jen Antonucci from Forefront, and Brett and Laura Andrews from New Life in northern Virginia) about anything I could think of. I wanted to glean as much wisdom from them and their experiences as I could.
So many things stick out from those interviews, but one thing that Brett said has really come back to me time and again. He said, "No one will love the church like you do." As he went on and expounded on what he meant, he explained that sometimes we're going to sit back and wonder why people act a certain way or why our heart are tendered in a certain way. The reason, he said, is because nobody is going to love this little baby church like you do.
I have found that to be so true! There have been times when Kevin and I are so excited about something awesome that God is up to and we wonder why others aren't seeing the vast amount of beauty in it. Those words come ringing back, "No one will love the church like you do."
Or there have been times that our hearts have been grieved as we've seen Satan wreaking havoc on the body and we wonder why no one is righteously indignant. Because no one will love the church like you do. Or we see amazing opportunities to serve and advance God's Kingdom and wonder why everyone doesn't want to hop on board. It's because no one will love the church like you do.
We pray, we cry, we shout for joy, we share with others, we work endlessly, we hope, we long, we rejoice, we live and breathe it. We love this church like no one else. This one little sentence has given me encouragement when I've been down, it's given me hope for the future, it's given me an explanation for why I feel so deeply about this group of people and their impact on the world. No one loves them like I do.
How about you? Do you love your church like no one else? When there are victories to be celebrated are you jumping up and down like no one else? When there is pain to be shared are you feeling it like no one else? When there are mountains to climb, when there are encouraging words to be said, when it seems too hard to go on, do you persevere? Of course you do.
Because no one loves this church like you do.
Featured on newchurches.com
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Assessment
I wear it as a badge of honor that I have never been through the assessment process. When we started Forefront they weren't as big of a deal as they are now. Maybe they didn't even exist back then; who knows?
Unfortunately, I have to take off my badge and throw it in the garbage because we're leaving tomorrow morning for Baltimore for church planting assessment. I wonder if we'll pass. I mean it's questionable whether we can start a church or not (just a little sarcasm for your Saturday morning)!
If you've never been through assessment it's basically a 3-day evaluation of church planters and their wives to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed before they plant a church. Most church planting organizations require assessment and lots of people won't give you money unless you've been through it. I honestly think it's a great tool, especially for people who have never started a church before. Issues that you didn't even know you had can come up, red flags can come up, etc. It can potentially save you a lot of future heartache.
We're going with our Vegas Team, which includes Kevin and Nikki Brungard from Fredericksburg, VA. They started a church called Common Ground. Robb and Shaula Overholt (I think I have botched the spelling on this one) are also coming. He planted Epic City Church in Virginia Beach. We only had enough money to hire one of them so Robb is raising his own support; how cool is that?
Please pray for us and for me specifically. My biggest concern is lack of sleep. I am one of those people who need 9 hours of sleep a night. I don't think I will even get 5, so this could be interesting! I gave up coffee and caffeine last year. I make exceptions on occasion, like the time Vince was preaching at a church in NY and I fell asleep during the first service. I was sitting in the front row. I've also been known to fall asleep while driving, at stoplights, on the toilet, etc. I think this may be one of those times I will make an exception to the no caffeine rule. I would hate to be told that we couldn't start a church because I kept falling asleep during sessions. How embarrassing...Vince would totally kick my butt!
If you've already been through the assessment process I''ll now be part of your club. For those of you haven't gone through this, put on your badge of honor and wear it proudly. At least until it's your turn to throw it in the garbage.
Featured on newchurches.com
Unfortunately, I have to take off my badge and throw it in the garbage because we're leaving tomorrow morning for Baltimore for church planting assessment. I wonder if we'll pass. I mean it's questionable whether we can start a church or not (just a little sarcasm for your Saturday morning)!
If you've never been through assessment it's basically a 3-day evaluation of church planters and their wives to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed before they plant a church. Most church planting organizations require assessment and lots of people won't give you money unless you've been through it. I honestly think it's a great tool, especially for people who have never started a church before. Issues that you didn't even know you had can come up, red flags can come up, etc. It can potentially save you a lot of future heartache.
We're going with our Vegas Team, which includes Kevin and Nikki Brungard from Fredericksburg, VA. They started a church called Common Ground. Robb and Shaula Overholt (I think I have botched the spelling on this one) are also coming. He planted Epic City Church in Virginia Beach. We only had enough money to hire one of them so Robb is raising his own support; how cool is that?
Please pray for us and for me specifically. My biggest concern is lack of sleep. I am one of those people who need 9 hours of sleep a night. I don't think I will even get 5, so this could be interesting! I gave up coffee and caffeine last year. I make exceptions on occasion, like the time Vince was preaching at a church in NY and I fell asleep during the first service. I was sitting in the front row. I've also been known to fall asleep while driving, at stoplights, on the toilet, etc. I think this may be one of those times I will make an exception to the no caffeine rule. I would hate to be told that we couldn't start a church because I kept falling asleep during sessions. How embarrassing...Vince would totally kick my butt!
If you've already been through the assessment process I''ll now be part of your club. For those of you haven't gone through this, put on your badge of honor and wear it proudly. At least until it's your turn to throw it in the garbage.
Featured on newchurches.com
Friday, September 5, 2008
A classic Antonucci story!
I'm a huge fan of rental car insurance, especially if your current car insurance company is "watching you" because of prior "incidents" (thanks, Vince). It was a tense moment at the rental car counter when asked if we would like to purchase insurance for $53 a day (the car only cost about $12 a day...ridiculous). Vince is against it and I am for it, especially given the stalking eyes of our car insurance company. We compromised and got the lesser of the two options; less money, less coverage.
They gave us a brand new car. It had approximately 380 miles on it. Are they nuts? Don't they know my husband? Haven't they read his book?
I'm driving with the kids while Vince is meeting a pastor at Starbucks. I knew we were low on gas, but I figured I had enough to pick him up. I mean all cars come with a low-gas light, don't they? So, we're on a 6-lane highway when, without warning or a light, my car dies. Luckily I am in a left turn lane. I calmly tell the kids to get out of the car and wait on the median, while inwardly praying for a miracle from God and protection from the thousands of cars going 45 mph. I call Vince, who laughs and tells me he's on his way. He and his pastor friend were an answer to my prayer as they promptly arrived to rescue us. By now my kids were freaked out, especially my daughter who is prone to drama. We got into the car and drove to a gas station.
Once we got the gas and calmed down the two guys drove back to the car to fill it up. They didn't come back for a while, but I just figured Vince was having trouble turning left because traffic was so heavy. About 5 minutes later his pastor friend drives up and says, "Your car was involved in an accident. Vince needs to stay with the car. Do you want to come to my house and wait for him?" I was like, "What? How? No, I can't come to your house! I can't spring this on your wife at dinnertime." I politely declined and decided to hang out and wait for Vince. Two HOURS later he came to pick us up (keep in mind the soaring temperatures of lovely Las Vegas).
It turns out that two cars on the other side of the road hit each other and a third car swerved to miss them, but hit my car, which was cleverly parked on the highway. The cops came, insurance cards were exchanged, etc. Everyone was safe but annoyed, especially Vince who lost about 5 pounds from sweating. Thankfully we had purchased the rental car insurance and were completely covered.
Here's the incredible part. The accident happened minutes after I ran out of gas. Minutes after me and my children were standing on the median. Minutes after he drove over the median exactly where we were standing.
Sometimes when I think about moving to Las Vegas I feel sick. I feel alone. But it's times like these that I'm reminded that I'm not alone. God is totally with me. God is protecting me. God is watching over my children. And best of all, our names are engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16).
Featured on newchurches.com
They gave us a brand new car. It had approximately 380 miles on it. Are they nuts? Don't they know my husband? Haven't they read his book?
I'm driving with the kids while Vince is meeting a pastor at Starbucks. I knew we were low on gas, but I figured I had enough to pick him up. I mean all cars come with a low-gas light, don't they? So, we're on a 6-lane highway when, without warning or a light, my car dies. Luckily I am in a left turn lane. I calmly tell the kids to get out of the car and wait on the median, while inwardly praying for a miracle from God and protection from the thousands of cars going 45 mph. I call Vince, who laughs and tells me he's on his way. He and his pastor friend were an answer to my prayer as they promptly arrived to rescue us. By now my kids were freaked out, especially my daughter who is prone to drama. We got into the car and drove to a gas station.
Once we got the gas and calmed down the two guys drove back to the car to fill it up. They didn't come back for a while, but I just figured Vince was having trouble turning left because traffic was so heavy. About 5 minutes later his pastor friend drives up and says, "Your car was involved in an accident. Vince needs to stay with the car. Do you want to come to my house and wait for him?" I was like, "What? How? No, I can't come to your house! I can't spring this on your wife at dinnertime." I politely declined and decided to hang out and wait for Vince. Two HOURS later he came to pick us up (keep in mind the soaring temperatures of lovely Las Vegas).
It turns out that two cars on the other side of the road hit each other and a third car swerved to miss them, but hit my car, which was cleverly parked on the highway. The cops came, insurance cards were exchanged, etc. Everyone was safe but annoyed, especially Vince who lost about 5 pounds from sweating. Thankfully we had purchased the rental car insurance and were completely covered.
Here's the incredible part. The accident happened minutes after I ran out of gas. Minutes after me and my children were standing on the median. Minutes after he drove over the median exactly where we were standing.
Sometimes when I think about moving to Las Vegas I feel sick. I feel alone. But it's times like these that I'm reminded that I'm not alone. God is totally with me. God is protecting me. God is watching over my children. And best of all, our names are engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16).
Featured on newchurches.com
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Las Vegas, Day Two
I woke up feeling better and more optimistic! We met with a real estate agent who drove us around the city and showed us several foreclosed houses. Some of them were nice, others were frightening. In one home there were holes kicked in most of the walls and someone had used a stairway railing as a spear; it was sticking out of the wall near the ceiling...yikes.
When you drive around Las Vegas it seems pretty much like any other city, with just a lot more brown. When you arrive at the Strip everything changes. It's like Time Square on crack. People are everywhere, there are millions of interesting things to look at, and there are lots of opportunity for sin. Trucks drive by that say, "Girls to your room in 20 minutes!" Men are passing out strip club advertisements on the streets. At one point I saw a man carrying a billboard on his back. I naively said, "Look kids, isn't that cool? He's got a billboard on his back." At which point Vince said, "Kids, don't look!!!" It turns out it was a billboard advertising the 20 minute room service I just mentioned. Apparently I need to get a little more street smart!
When you're on the Strip there is no way to avoid the skin, the sex and the sin. I'll be sharing more about how we handled this with our kids in future posts. It's kind of sad when you look at it objectively. These people are wandering around, hoping to either get rich or get lucky. They have no other purpose for being there (except maybe the few who are there for some good shopping and shows).
This is why we're moving there. This is what made us feel like we made the right decision. We want to bring purpose to people's lives and giving them hope...sounds like a plan!
Featured on newchurches.com
When you drive around Las Vegas it seems pretty much like any other city, with just a lot more brown. When you arrive at the Strip everything changes. It's like Time Square on crack. People are everywhere, there are millions of interesting things to look at, and there are lots of opportunity for sin. Trucks drive by that say, "Girls to your room in 20 minutes!" Men are passing out strip club advertisements on the streets. At one point I saw a man carrying a billboard on his back. I naively said, "Look kids, isn't that cool? He's got a billboard on his back." At which point Vince said, "Kids, don't look!!!" It turns out it was a billboard advertising the 20 minute room service I just mentioned. Apparently I need to get a little more street smart!
When you're on the Strip there is no way to avoid the skin, the sex and the sin. I'll be sharing more about how we handled this with our kids in future posts. It's kind of sad when you look at it objectively. These people are wandering around, hoping to either get rich or get lucky. They have no other purpose for being there (except maybe the few who are there for some good shopping and shows).
This is why we're moving there. This is what made us feel like we made the right decision. We want to bring purpose to people's lives and giving them hope...sounds like a plan!
Featured on newchurches.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I'm back..and better than ever!
Let me just say that there is nothing like taking a sabbatical from ministry and life in general. I highly recommend it! We had an amazing time. It was filled with perfection and all four of us are better for it. I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world...or at least Las Vegas.
Speaking of Las Vegas, right before we left on sabbatical we visited Sin City. It was a great trip and further confirmed our decision to move there. It's definitely not the east coast that I'm used to, but hopefully it will grow on me (Vince's friend told him that it takes about 9 months to feel like Las Vegas is "home").
I've never seen so much brown in my life. Everything is the color brown, including EVERY house. There are different shades of brown, but everything is brown nonetheless. How about a blue or yellow house? Maybe a nice shade of green? It's a crazy thought I know!
When we entered the airport I was amazed at how busy it was. People were everywhere, slot machines were ringing, large TV's were loudly displaying all the options for shows on the strip. There were signs for Bette Midler, Cirque de Solei, Elton John, and even the Chippendales (yes, the male stripper Chippendales). I didn't even know they were real (every year when I was in high school my Grandma gave me a birthday card with Chippendales dancers on the front. How embarrassing...and disturbing)!
My first thought after leaving the airport was, "I thought they said it's a dry heat!" I felt like I was in an oven. It was seriously horrible. 110 degrees is 110 degrees, no matter how much or little humidity is in the air. I need to loose massive amounts of weight before we move there. I need as little of me to sweat as possible.
Speaking of sweating we got into our hotel room (which shall remain nameless) and the air conditioning was broken in our room. And when we went down to the pool it was closing in 5 minutes, at 7pm. I thought this was the city that never closes or sleeps or something like that? I guess they wanted everyone out of the pool and into the casinos!
Thus ended my first day in Las Vegas. I went to sleep wondering why God called us here and how in the world we're going to actually make a difference here. As I dozed off I thought, "Am I seriously moving here?"
Featured on newchurches.com
Speaking of Las Vegas, right before we left on sabbatical we visited Sin City. It was a great trip and further confirmed our decision to move there. It's definitely not the east coast that I'm used to, but hopefully it will grow on me (Vince's friend told him that it takes about 9 months to feel like Las Vegas is "home").
I've never seen so much brown in my life. Everything is the color brown, including EVERY house. There are different shades of brown, but everything is brown nonetheless. How about a blue or yellow house? Maybe a nice shade of green? It's a crazy thought I know!
When we entered the airport I was amazed at how busy it was. People were everywhere, slot machines were ringing, large TV's were loudly displaying all the options for shows on the strip. There were signs for Bette Midler, Cirque de Solei, Elton John, and even the Chippendales (yes, the male stripper Chippendales). I didn't even know they were real (every year when I was in high school my Grandma gave me a birthday card with Chippendales dancers on the front. How embarrassing...and disturbing)!
My first thought after leaving the airport was, "I thought they said it's a dry heat!" I felt like I was in an oven. It was seriously horrible. 110 degrees is 110 degrees, no matter how much or little humidity is in the air. I need to loose massive amounts of weight before we move there. I need as little of me to sweat as possible.
Speaking of sweating we got into our hotel room (which shall remain nameless) and the air conditioning was broken in our room. And when we went down to the pool it was closing in 5 minutes, at 7pm. I thought this was the city that never closes or sleeps or something like that? I guess they wanted everyone out of the pool and into the casinos!
Thus ended my first day in Las Vegas. I went to sleep wondering why God called us here and how in the world we're going to actually make a difference here. As I dozed off I thought, "Am I seriously moving here?"
Featured on newchurches.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)