28269

What is 28269? The zip code of Hope's new location....Mallard Creek Elementary School! Moves have many adjectives used to describe them: exciting, exhausting, packing, loading, dings & scratches, decisions, joy and a lot of pizza! All of theses can be used to describe this move as well. I look forward to making this move with my Hope Church Family. It is certainly a part of a bigger plan that God has for us. How fun it is going to be to look back six months from now, as we settle into our new community, and see that plan continue to unfold before us. I don't think we can even begin to understand the plans God has for 28269! Matthew 5:14-16

My Village

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Hillary Clinton once said it takes a village. There is a lot of truth to that statement. We met two close families for lunch after church. All the kids (now adults) actually came home, except my son. It was so great seeing everyone, but it quickly became apparent that lunch was not going to be long enough for our daughters and plans were made to meet back later in the evening for pizza and games. Peer pressure was administered and those planning to leave for their various apartments across the state were convinced to stay until Monday. When we met back, the setting was ideal, as we sat on a beautiful porch, three moms and 5 daughters, the weather outside was perfect. The girls were laughing as they reminisced about the past and told of future plans. They were all completely comfortable with one another, I recognized the rarity of the moment. I caught my friend with a tear slipping from her eye, she looked at me and said "Isn't this wonderful?" and it was. All these young women, no conflict, easy, fun. (It wasn't always like that when they were all running around and in elementary school!) The noise level was still considerable, but totally enjoyable. I am so glad that we are part of this village. Colossians 2:2

5K- It was hard!

Last Friday I ran my first 5K, it was hard! My only goal was to not walk at all, I made my goal, but as I stated earlier " It was hard!" Even though I had been preparing, working out 5 miles most every day this past month, it was actually harder than I anticipated. Isn't that just like life? We can prepare for many races: parenthood, retirement, marriage, ministry, careers but they are often harder than we anticipated. The scripture has allot to say about perseverance, hanging-in-there, finishing the race.... I know when I rounded the corner and saw the finish line my stride had a new energy, friends were cheering me on. We also have a God who is cheering us on, giving us cool cups of water, and rejoicing with us. While life can be harder than we anticipated, even when we prepare, remember we have a God who strengthens us for all our races, we are not alone. Hebrews 12:1-2...Let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith...