Redeemer Launch Day!

Saturday was our public launch for Redeemer Church. We have been working hard preparing for this day, and we are so thankful for how the Lord orchestrated the day. It's crazy to think that we are a real live church now :) I mean, we have been a real church for awhile, but something about launching actual services, open to the community, just makes it seem more concrete.

Mike and I got to the church early to spend time in prayer over the day. We have spent a lot of time reflecting over all that the Lord has done in the past couple of years, and we are so humbled for how He has chosen to use/grow/equip us in the process. Our core team showed up soon after, and everyone was in full set-up mode; we are so proud of how hard everyone has worked, and more importantly how they have sought to glorify Jesus as they serve.

Setting up chairs

Everyone helps...even the kiddos! :)

Setting up pipe and drape, the stage, and media equipment

Teamwork

Our awesome tech guy :)

Gathering to pray as a team before the service

Since we are "all hands on deck," we all get a chance to rotate through the kids ministry. It's also a great opportunity for some of our teens to help serve. We are so blessed with great classrooms, and we are thankful for the time and energy that goes into loving our little ones. Right now, we have an elementary school class and a pre-k/toddler class. As we grow, we have the opportunity to move into additional classrooms. We are still working through the curriculum, but we are excited about how the Lord is beginning to shape this ministry to our little ones, even now.

Coloring before the pre-k class starts

Trying to figure out the pack 'n play :)

Ready to learn about Jesus in the elementary class

We are so thankful for the friends and family that came to support us on this exciting day. Jesus was honored, the gospel was proclaimed, and our little church family could not be more ready to engage the rest of the city with the good news of Jesus.

Worship through music

Mike is doing a series called "We are the Church." You can listen to his messages here.

Look at my cute preacher hubby :) I am SO proud of him!

There are many praises from this weekend. Jesus was incredibly gracious to us, and we are so thankful for such a smooth launch. Please be in prayer with us as we are off and running!

And if you're in the McKinney area on a Saturday evening, come worship with us :)

29

I was able to celebrate my birthday with lots of friends and family this weekend. On Thursday, my sweet co-workers took me to lunch, which was a fun opportunity to get out of the office and enjoy time away from work with them.

 

My sweet husband took me to the Cheesecake Factory for cheesecake and coffee. It had been a long day at work, so it was nice to relax and enjoy some yummy dessert with my love!

Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake...one of my faves!

The pretty necklaces {and cute bags!} my husband got me :)

 

I had taken Friday off in anticipation of the church launch this weekend, so it was nice not to have to go to work on my birthday :) I was able to get some cleaning and laundry done before heading to lunch with Laura. We grabbed some Chipotle, and it was fun getting to see her. She bought me the new book by Melanie Shankle, and I am super excited to read it! And it was fun to get some cute pink earrings too!

 

 

My parents came into town for the launch, so it was fun to get to have them here for my birthday. We went to dinner on Friday night with them, my brother, and the Chengs. We then headed back to the house to enjoy the yummy chocolate cake that my sister-in-law Lindsay had made for me. {Lots of chocolate for my birthday...definitely no complaints here!}

Cakes from Lindsay are ALWAYS awesome and yummy!

 

It was a great 29th birthday, and I am thankful for all of the sweet texts, messages, and cards from friends and family. Looking forward to my last year in my twenties! :)

{30 Before 30}

So I have officially entered the last year of my twenties. Or, as my husband likes to remind me, my 30th year :)

While I am a little sad to see my 20s go, I am actually looking forward to my 30s; I'm excited about what the next decade holds. While my 20s offered me more freedom and spontaneity {as much as yours truly can be spontaneous!}, I feel more grounded as a person heading into my 30s. I certainly don't have things figured out, but the Lord has allowed His grace to fill my life in a way that makes me more confident in who I am in Him. I am excited to see what He has to teach me in this next phase of life. I can't wait to see how He grows our little family. And I look forward to continuing to serve alongside Mike in the church. I definitely think the best is yet to come!

I thought it might be fun to create a "30 Before 30" list, a bucket list of sorts. It would be awesome if I could complete everything on my list in the next year, but it won't be the end of the world if I don't {Look at me; already giving myself grace to not complete a list!} Who knows what the Lord has for me. But why not try to check a few things off my "always-wanted-to-do" list {and a few random "why nots?"}, as well as have a little bit of fun in my last year as a 20-something? :)

So here goes nothing...

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16

17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27 // 28 // 29 // 30

I even already have one done! {I had #26 on the list when I first decided to do a 30 Before 30, but my sweet husband and family helped us get there faster than I thought! I decided to go ahead and keep it on the list...why not?}

Lookout 30, here I come! :)

The Lord is Building His Church

We are T-minus 6 days until the public launch of Redeemer Church. It seems surreal that we are actually launching real-life church services this weekend. We have been gearing up for this day for 2 years, and it's hard to believe that it's finally happening. The Lord has done incredible things since we had our first Bible study meeting in our living room! There has been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears along the way; but there has also been a lot of growth, blessings, and joys...and it has only just begun :)

 

Our group has been working hard to get things ready for this weekend; we have been gathering resources to make the space at the church our own, and we have spent time on training for kid's ministry, missional community groups, and service teams. We have had 2 pre-launch services {like practice runs or dress rehearsals, if you will}, and we go public on Saturday at 5pm in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church in McKinney. You should join us :)

 

In the midst of the craziness, I had to stop and reflect over how the Lord has chosen to build His church...

 

It started with a call on Mike's life to be a lead church planter, followed by a call on my life to be his help-mate and a church planter's wife. The Lord led us to McKinney, where we built relationships and opened our home to a Bible study composed of a hodge podge of strangers.

 

We made it through the "get-to-know-yous," a time change, a format change, a church planting residency, and {by God's grace} only a handful of departures. We saw people meet Jesus for the first time, built deep friendships, served together, and found our identity as Redeemer Church.

 

We applied for our 501(c)3, connected with Acts 29, and launched our website. We held our first Easter service, had our first Baptism service, hosted our first women's retreat, and started our Faith & Culture series. 

 

The Lord has provided for us every step of the way. We have had faithful and generous supporters, who have walked with us from the beginning, and who have committed to continue walking with us as we start this new chapter in the life of our church. We are so thankful to all of our supporters and partners in the gospel!

 

While we have a number of people faithfully praying and giving of their financial resources, we also have a number of people giving of their physical resources:

• 50 brand new folding chairs, donated by the Parks Church
• A projector, screen, and a handmade stage, donated by Dennis Wilson
• Sound equipment and expertise, donated by Art Miller
• Pipe and drape, donated by Sam Atkinson's previous employer
• Kid's curriculum, donated by Woodcreek Church
• Kids' check-in kiosk and computers, donated by Mercy Church

And of course, we cannot forget the generosity and welcoming arms of the First Presbyterian Church of McKinney. We are incredibly thankful to everyone that has blessed us with the pieces we have needed to launch services for Redeemer Church. But we give ultimate praise to Jesus for how He has graciously provided for us. He has known all along what we would need, and He has been faithful to provide it.

 

We are so excited for what He has planned for this local body, this small family that has grown into a church. We continue to covet your prayers in the weeks and months ahead, as we seek to build community and reach McKinney with the gospel.

 

Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

 

 

1000 Gifts #826-918

826. The beginning of a new year.

827. The comforting hug of a loved one.

828. Knowing that He comforts the brokenhearted.

829. The cold winter air outside.

830. The cozy warmth inside.

831. Taco salad for dinner.

832. Strength through a crazy week at work.

833. Friendships at work.

834. An impromptu dessert date with my love.

835. The old First Presbyterian building.

836. The new {to us} First Presbyterian building for our services.

837. The blue pipe and drape for our worship services.

838. {Finally} reading 1000 Gifts!

839. Making dinner for my love.

840. Seeing Mike preach at Mercy Church.

841. God's abundant provision for my medicine {again}.

842. Fresh groceries in our fridge.

843. A new prayer in my heart.

844. A good report from the doctor.

845. The difference of a year.

846. A best friend who lives close.

847. The setting sun at dusk...the close of a good day.

848. My reflection in the mirror...finally back at a healthy weight.

849. The light that chases the shadows away.

850. My adorable niece held.

851. The rainbows after the rain.

852. Lunch with my sister- and mother-in-law.

853. Lemon water.

854. Sweet tea.

855. Grilled fish tacos...cooked just right.

856. Starting a new Bible study.

857. A morning to get things checked off my to-do list.

858. Children's ministry training for our launch day.

859. Sundays to sleep in and truly rest.

860. The warmer weather, a chance to give the puppy a bath.

861. A celebratory dinner out with my love.

862. Gift of health.

863. Gift of organization.

864. Gift of ability to work hard.

865. Rest for a weary heart.

866. Being woken up early by the Lord to spend time with Him.

867. A night at Starbucks with the ladies of Redeemer.

868. Wearing the necklace Mike gave me for Christmas.

869. The sunshine...a promise of Spring to come.

870. Dinner and a night of missional community planning.

871. Sharing our coffee bar with friends.

872. Talking marriage with Sami and Adrian.

873. The excitement and anticipation of a wedding.

874. A husband who makes me laugh.

875. A husband who leads us in prayer.

876. New recipe success.

877. Encouragement from God's Word.

878. Conviction from God's Word.

879. A challenge from God's Word.

880. A day of running errands with my love.

881. The ability to give away clothes out of excess.

882. Organization.

883. Bank holidays.

884. Catching up on chores.

885. Coffee and conversation with Laura.

886. Birds in the sky.

887. Warmth in the water.

888. Making memories.

889. Grace for a new day.

890. Food shared.

891. Dinner and conversation with neighbors.

892. A surprise gift waiting for me at home.

893. The community of believers.

894. Sharing Jesus with college students.

895. A breakfast date with my love.

896. Hot {decaf} coffee on a cold day.

897. The quiet of bosses away to catch up on work.

898. Sleeping in.

899. Grace and comfort for my heart.

900. Pre-launch service #1 for Redeemer Church.

901. A day off to rest and feel better.

902. A warm and comfortable home.

903. Finally feeling better.

904. A pantry and fridge full of food.

905. A double oven!

906. My KitchenAid mixer.

907. Encouragement from friends.

908. Community with friends.

909. The blessing of having friends.

910. The song on the radio that leads me to worship.

911. Webinars to help me find answers.

912. Provision for medicine.

913. A good night's sleep after a terrible one.

914. Date night with my love.

915. Free birthday meals!

916. Pay day.

917. Relief from the cold temperatures.

918. Preparing to teach in our kids ministry.