I can't believe that summer is just about over. The kids go back to school on Monday. My baby boy starts Middle School...sniffle, sniffle! Marissa got re-zoned to a brand new public elementary school where she has to wear a uniform. She's not happy about losing her freedom of fashion!
After much prayer I've decided to stop talking so much and actually do something about my desire to stop human trafficking. On Sept. 20th I have my first Master's level counseling class. I'm going to Liberty University Online. I decided that it's finally time to start taking steps toward my ultimate goal of becoming a licensed counselor in an aftercare facility for rescued girls. My dream is to work for an organization that rescues girls from the sex trade industry. I want to be part of the healing and restoration process in their lives. It's going to take a while, but you've got to start somewhere, right?
Verve is going really well. We're advertising like crazy this Fall; please pray. I often feel like I live on a mission field (like in a foreign country). People are so skeptical and so uncommitted to attending church on a regular basis. It's amazing how many people come to Verve and love it but don't have any intention of attending regularly. I talked to one guy who said, "I love Verve. I'm not really a go-to-church-kind-of-guy, but if I did go I'd go to Verve." It kind of reminds me of the Christmas/Easter Catholics I grew up with.
A hard-core atheist named Warren told us that he came to our first service with every intention of destroying it. His plan was to create a scene during the service. He said that he wanted to stop us from starting a new church and that he hated us. After the service he realized that he forgot to create a scene because he was so entertained. He got baptized last week. It was one of the coolest baptisms I've ever witnessed! We've baptized 23 people since we started 23 weeks ago (has it really been that long?)! The life change that is taking place is such a good reminder of why we're here. It makes all the sacrifice, depression and sorrow of moving to Las Vegas worth it!
I still have no update on my health. All the tests have come back normal. I have a few more doctors to see before they release me. Unless they can find something, they are diagnosing me with panic attacks. This doesn't make me happy! The good news is that I haven't fainted since Father's Day weekend! Thanks for praying for me.
Vince is hosting a church planting event in October called Vault. Click here for more information. We'd love to have you and your husband hang out with us in Vegas!
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