October Prayer Letter

Laying the Foundation
Seven weeks. One hundred and fifteen campuses visited.

After getting our apartments set up and finding a French tutor, we have spent the last seven weeks plotting all the universities of Abidjan on a map and then visiting them. A list we found online says there are 175 universities in the country. We have found that many JUST IN ABIDJAN so far. Obviously, we have a grand task before us in seeking to launch spiritual movements on each of the campuses in the country.

Cru has a goal of being on half of the colleges in the world by the year 2020. We are currently on four campuses out of the 175+ here. There are nine of us currently working full-time at campus ministry, so we hope to launch 27 movements this year.

Please take a moment to stop and pray as the goal in front of us is a lofty one.

Although the task is difficult, there is no question that God is going before us. On our first day of “decoding,” we asked a man on the street if he knew where a certain campus was. He did and got in his car to show us the way. Found out, he was Muslim. Upon arriving, we came across a janitor who happened to also be Muslim and was more than willing to answer all of our questions about the campus. He told us of another university nearby and volunteered to take us there. While en route, he saw a young man and introduced us. He was the leader of the Christian group at the school!  He then took us to the administration, who proceeded to tell us we were more than welcome to set foot on any of their 14 campuses in Abidjan to share the Gospel and coach students!

God is moving to start a spiritual renewal in this country friends. We have the privilege of laying a foundation for future teams to come in and harvest the fruit. Will you please take another moment and pray for those future laborers to be raised up?

A young man from Davy’s old Bible Study at MO State has already filled out his application to come serve with us next year. God is good. We are thankful for your love and support in this endeavor!

The National Staff hosted a training for all the current student leaders on how to do movement launching ministry.  In the background is the building they are currently building to host mission trip teams.

Students give a presentation during the movement launching training 

Stephen and Angelo in front of one of the schools we decoded last month.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for discernment as we decide which campuses to start working on based on the information from the “decoding” process. 

• Pray that we come into contact quickly with “Good Soil” students that God has already been preparing to take responsibility to lead spiritually on their campus. 

• One of our teams’ apartments was broken into. Laptop, iPad, and wallet were stolen. Pray for the team as they deal with the insecurity that accompanies this and the financial burden as well. 

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? FILL OUT THE FORM TO THE RIGHT AND LET US KNOW!

Aiden is on the move! He is walking everywhere and likes to waves hello to everyone we pass on the street. We love his friendliness!

One Saturday we took some Cru students to an orphanage and put on a program for the kids. Angelo (center) and Allui (right) are pictured above showing off their best dance moves with the kids.

September Prayer Letter

Bonjour from Côte d'Ivoire!

We arrived safely in Côte d’Ivoire last month and have loved life here so far. Despite getting the flu the morning we left the States, the travel was very smooth. Aiden even slept well on the airplane. The whole experience went about as well as it could have. Thank you so much for your prayers for us! 

The first few days in country we settled into our apartment and then we were off to a city up north for a week long conference. It was a wonderful time to connect with our team (pictured above) as well as Ivorian students and Cru staff. 

Since being back in Abidjan we have continued to make our apartment feel like home and have jumped into ministry. The next few months we will focus on language learning and investigating unreached universities in the city.

Semailles 3

“Semailles!!! …. A faire de vie!!” Hearing 83 Ivorian college students shout that phrase multiple times a day is motivating. It means- ‘Sowing (the gospel)… a way of life.’ Semailles is an annual conference held in Cote d’Ivoire to train and equip students to sow the gospel on their campuses. Students come from all over the country to be taught and be encouraged by stories of peers launching movements in new places. The way they joyfully and intensely worship in music and prayer and their commitment to seeing the good news of Jesus reach their country as they fast together is invigorating to our faith. God is moving in this place. We are privileged to step into the harvest from the labor of others and sow seeds for future teams! Here is a picture of one session during the conference:

Prayer Requests

• Praise God with us! Our transition here has not been free of difficulty, but the Lord has blessed us tremendously. Praise him for his protection and provision for us. 
• Pray for our team to learn French so we can better communicate with students and in the city. 
• We are in the process of exploring the 135+ universities of this city. Pray we get good information and know how to prioritize launching movements on these campuses. Pray we find people of peace as we go. 

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? FILL OUT THE FORM TO THE RIGHT AND LET US KNOW!

We officialy have a walker! Little man has loved his new form of transportation and spends his days wandering all around our apartment. He has transitioned extremely well here. Thank you so much for your prayers for our family!

Davy, our team members, Ivorian staff, and students showing the Jesus Film in a Northern village.

The view from our apartment window.

August Prayer Letter

FULLY FUNDED

We are thrilled to report that God provided all the necessary funds for our team to get to Cote d’Ivoire. We are so humbled by your generosity. On behalf of our whole team, thank you to all who prayed and gave to make this a reality.  

We spent last week with our team in Chicago being briefed on the specifics of our ministry assignment. It was a fantastic week of bonding with our team as well as prepping for the cultural changes we will experience. 

We depart Wednesday, August 24th and will land in Cote d’Ivoire the evening of the 25th. Please pray that we have safe travels and are able to adjust to the climate, culture, and language quickly. 

Thank you for your partnership in bringing the Gospel to the nations!

Our team at a Cub's game. Craig and Bryn (pictured, front center) the American staff that permanently live in Cote d'Ivoire were home for a few weeks and were able to join us in Chicago.

MEET THE TEAM

In our final meet the team segment we want to introduce you to the gentleman coming with us. Meet Stephen (pictured below, left) and Angelo (below, center). Angelo, a New Mexico native, is returning for his second year in Cote d’Ivoire. We are so blessed to have a team member who is already familiar with the culture, language, and ministry. Stephen is a recent graduate of Kansas State University. He went on summer mission to Cote d’Ivoire in 2015 and was described by the staff as an “Ivorian magnet.” Students loved being around Stephen and learning from him. Both gentlemen are exuberant, fun-loving, and Godly. We can’t wait to experience life and ministry in a new place with these two. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

                

• Pray for our flight on August 24th. Please pray Aiden sleeps and travels well and that we arrive safely. 
• Pray for our transition into a new culture. Pray we pick up language quickly. Pray that Aiden adjusts well to the heat and all the other new things he will experience. 
• Pray for those we are leaving. This is hard for us, but possibly even harder for our families. Pray that they experience peace that can only come from God.

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? FILL OUT THE

 FORM TO THE RIGHT AND LET US KNOW.

We celebrated Aiden’s birthday this month! It’s hard to believe we already hit the one year milestone. Where did time go? So thankful for our little treasure! 

Laborers for the harvest:-There are 418 people headed to 59 cities around the world with Cru this year. It was so inspiring to be in Chicago with so many passionate people who are bringing Christ to the nations.

An Open Letter to My Son

This is a letter to my son. Why would I share something so personal (especially when you read on and see the ugliness of my heart)? I’ll get to that.

This year was really hard for me and I don’t know why. Maybe I wasn’t prepared. Maybe it was all the transitions crammed into one year of marriage (wedding, moving, traveling, living out of suitcases, baby). Or maybe I’m just more sinful than the rest. Whatever the reason I refuse to be ashamed of the struggle. Interwoven in all the mess and sin, God’s grace sustained and redeemed. God’s grace made the ugly, beautiful.

Yesterday we celebrated Aiden’s first birthday and I couldn’t help but celebrate all the change that has taken place in my heart too. I once idolized motherhood. I thought I would love every second of every day. That hasn’t been the case. Aiden arrived and motherhood knocked me on my butt. I saw sin that I never dreamed could be in my heart. All the while God was molding and chiseling me to look more like his son. In each moment, his grace was sufficient for me.

I share the struggle for those new moms to know you’re not alone. Anything you’re feeling (joy, anger, sadness, exhaustion, anxiety) is probably totally normal. You. Are. Not. Alone. This is hard and that’s ok. It gets better and God’s grace is sufficient.

I share the struggle for all the single or childless married ladies to know that God is for you. If you do desire children and the answer has thus far been, “no” I empathize with you. I’ve always struggled to know that God is giving me his best. So many times this year in the midst of the hardest days I scoffed that this could be God’s best for me. Each day he gently reminded me that it was indeed, his best. Hindsight always helps, and I am so grateful for all the really hard days. He really does love me so. This year was his best for me, even when it didn’t feel like it.  God IS for you.

I share the struggle for all those seasoned mommas who walk the daily grind. As I wrote this I realized that all the tears, sleepless nights, extra pounds, and heartache were more than worth it. That is easy to forget, but what a gift it is to steward these little souls. 

I share the struggle because as good as motherhood is, it is not meant to be idolized. I don’t want the picture perfect vision I had of motherhood. I want the messy, grace-filled reality of motherhood. In that version I get more of Jesus and gosh darn it, isn’t that the real treasure?

_______________________________________________________

To the boy who made me a momma,

Yesterday you turned one year old. Unfathomable. They all told me it would go fast. They all told me not to blink. And last week I sat in the living room putting your newborn clothes into totes and I kept thinking that it’s impossible that you ever used to be that small.

But you were. I can’t believe all that has changed in twelve months. I know I’ll be saying the same thing next year when you turn two. And they next year and the next. But let’s not think about that. I can’t bear to think about you growing bigger. Right now I just want to sit here and reminisce on this wild ride that was our first year together.

This year was humbling. This year was hard. This year changed me in ways I didn’t know were possible. This year was defining.

I remember the first time I held you. You were so much smaller than I expected. You wouldn’t stop crying. You spent most of the first two hours of your life wailing. But I can’t blame you. What an abrupt entrance into the world!

I remember thinking I should feel… more. Everyone told me it was love at first sight, but I didn’t feel that way. That made me feel guilty, until I realized that everyone’s story is different.

I remember I loved your chubby cheeks and how much hair you had. You even had my white patch! I loved the way you smelled. That sweet newborn smell is magic.

I (barely) remember your first visitors. Everybody thought you were just perfect. I nodded off through the “ooh’s” and “aah’s” because I was so exhausted.

I remember that first night in the hospital. You let out the longest fart I have ever heard from any person ever and your daddy and I laughed and laughed and laughed.

I remember staying up until 3 AM because you wouldn’t fall asleep in your basinet and I couldn’t sleep with you wiggling. Your daddy woke up to me sobbing because I was so tired.

I remember that breastfeeding was SO hard. We both had no clue what we were doing and I was so worried about your weight.

I remember when my OB told me we could go home early, but I said no because I was so scared and I didn’t feel ready to be on our own. 

I remember the day we brought you home. I thought I would be so happy, but the truth is I spent the rest of the day in bed crying. I couldn’t even bring myself to get up and say goodbye to the friends and family that came to visit us.

I remember that night when a mom friend came over. Even though she had twin baby girls at home she came over and sat with me while I cried and talked about how crazy I felt. She made me feel so normal and brought me a basket full of goodies. She was the hands of Christ to me that day.

I remember those first few nights at home, how you wouldn’t sleep. You still had your days and nights mixed up. I remember begging God to make you sleep. I didn’t know I could be so tired.

I remember feeling like we brought a stranger home. I didn’t love you right away, but I didn’t know you yet. Oh, how that changed!

I remember those first few weeks crying more than I ever have in my life. I didn’t recognize myself. I remember wondering if I would ever feel like myself again. It’s been a year and I still don’t feel like the me before I became a mom, but I wouldn’t change that.

I remember when your daddy went back to work. I was jealous. I missed my job and I wasn’t sure about this “mom thing” quite yet.

I remember how your Grammy and Grandpaw selflessly served you, me, and daddy. I wouldn’t have survived without them down the street. I loved watching them dote on you.

I remember making it through that first month and realizing that I was obsessed with you. I don’t even know when it happened, but I fell head over heels for you.

I remember that things got easier. I stopped crying all the time. We figured out how to breastfeed. You gained weight. We finally got into a little bit of a rhythm. And I realized that I loved being your momma, that it was the best job in the world.

I remember that even though it got easier, it was still really hard.  I remember thinking some days, “I’m not cut out for this.” God helped me see through those lies, but I’m pretty sinful and that makes being a momma hard.

I remember that you were so patient with me. In my anger and selfishness you still needed me. More amazingly, you still wanted me. 

I remember traveling all over with you: in airplanes, in the car. You were the best traveler.

I remember how stingy you were with your laughs. Only daddy’s beard on your tummy could crack you. I loved your squeals and your cackles.

I remember that sometimes in the middle of  the night I would watch you sleep in my arms after I nursed you. For someone who loves sleep as much as me that is a big deal. I used to have to pry myself out of the rocking chair because I loved your peaceful sleepy face.

I remember being so frustrated with myself for my sin. I wanted to be selfless and love you like Jesus does. I failed so often and I hated that.

I remember in the beginning that you were so sensitive. Loud noises used to make you cry. You didn’t like it when the twins would yell.

I remember the first time you tried pureed food. You made the funniest faces and most of it ended up on your bib. You LOVED sweet potatoes. You used to grunt and whine when the bowl was empty.

I remember that year two of marriage was a lot harder than year one. Some days I missed when it was just daddy and me. We wouldn’t change a thing, but life just gets more complicated with a baby.

I remember the night we let you cry it out. I was a wreck. I hated listening to you cry. I remember the next morning walking into your room, you smiled at me and I thought, “Thank goodness! He doesn’t hate us!”

I remember the way you crawled in the beginning. I don’t even know how to describe it, but you were so determined and I loved that.

I remember comparing myself to other new moms. They seemed so much more put together than me. They weren’t having such a hard time. Why was I struggling so much? You were such a delight and really so easy. I remember feeling ashamed that I wasn’t more put together.

I remember when you stopped being quiet and shy. One day your personality just exploded. You were loud and held your own with the twins. I loved watching your sass and spirit blossom.

I remember missing you after being at the grocery store for an hour. I remember that I would look at your pictures when I wasn’t with you.

I remember those terrifying moments when I thought you had stopped breathing. I remember sneaking in your room at night to check on you, just to make sure you were ok.

I remember that when you fell or bonked your head your face would scrunch up and it would take you a second to start crying. I remember that you always reached for me to comfort you. I always hated when you got hurt, but I loved being the one to hold you and kiss your salty, wet cheeks.

I remember at times my love for you made my chest hurt. After daddy and I got married I thought my capacity to love was maxed out. I was so wrong. God blessed me with more love to give and you absolutely stole my heart.

Aiden James, this year was hard, but that had nothing to do with you. This was hard because of my sinful heart. I wish I was the perfect mother, but I’m not. Praise be to God for his abundant grace. In my failings, he is enough. I am grateful for the things he has taught me this year through you. I am absolutely humbled that he chose me to be your momma. You are a delight I have cherished this year with you and will cherish every year I get.

Love,

Momma

June/July Prayer Letter

Special Request

We are so grateful that God provided all of our one-time needs for our travel and moving expenses. As our departure date approaches we get more and more excited. However, as team leaders we also feel the weight of our team’s financial goals. Currently two of our team members have yet to raise all of their one-time support. If they don’t reach their goals they will not be able to spend the year with us. 

We would like to ask you help get all the members of our team over to Cote d’Ivoire. They have $15,000 to raise in the next week. Would you please consider giving a one-time gift of $500, $300, $100, or some other amount? To give visit give.cru.org/0621320 or make a check payable to “Cru” and mail it to us in the provided envelope. We will make sure the funds get to our team. Thank you!

Meet the Team - Volume 2 

We love watching God take disappointing circumstances and turning it into something amazing. Meet Makda, a first generation American. Makda interned with Cru in Ohio last year and had her heart set on spending this year in Ethiopia, her parent’s home country. Unfortunately not enough people signed up to be a part of the team and she was unable to go. After much prayer Makda decided she would still spend the year in Africa, and decided that Cote d’Ivoire was where God wanted her. We are thrilled to have Makda join us. Her cultural background will be a unique and appreciated addition to our team as well as her experience speaking French. Praise God with us for Makda! 

Prayer Requests

• Praise the Lord for his provision! He has brought in all of our one-time support for our travel and moving expenses.
• Pray for us as we pack our house and pack our bags for Africa. We have a lot to do and it can be overwhelming at times. Pray for us as we make these transitions and say our goodbyes. 
• We are headed to Chicago, on August 12-19 for training with our team. Pray for us to bond and get prepared for the move.

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? FILL OUT THE FORM TO THE RIGHT AND LET US KNOW!

WHAT'S NEXT?

We head to Chicago on August 12 for briefing. We will be with our team getting trained on doing ministry in another culture. We fly to Cote d'Ivoire on August 24!

OREGON VISIT

We were privileged to be commissioned by the church I grew up in. We also had Aiden dedicated which was very special as I was dedicated there as a child. 

AIDEN JAMES 

Our little wild man is 11 months old. We got a little taste of what flying to Africa will be like when we traveled from Missouri to Oregon. Aiden only stopped moving when he was sleeping, but was a very happy traveler even with flight delays.

May Prayer Letter

102 Leaders!

Before school ended we put out an application for leadership for next school year. We asked students to consider leading small groups all over campus: in the resident halls, greek houses, on athletic teams, with international students, and off campus. We asked them to lead in evangelism, discipleship, in connecting students to the local church, in praying for the nations, and serving the local community.

Unsure of how many students would fill out the online application because in previous years our staff team individually asked them into leadership, we were pleased to see that 102 STUDENTS filled out the application expressing interest in leading with Cru! In the midst of school assignments, work schedules, social events, and other life responsibilities, we have to take time to celebrate the fact that 102 students are excited to set aside 8-10 hours of their schedule each week to lead their peers spiritually!

Meet the Team - Volume 1

Each month until we leave for Cote d’Ivoire we want to introduce you to members of the team we will be leading next year. 

Deciding what to do beyond college is never easy and the Lord sometimes calls men and women to be used for His glory outside of what they anticipated. Kristen (pictured right) aspires to become a pediatrician and was on track to start medical school right out of college, but as she puts it, “God had a different, better plan.” She is obediently listening to the call on her heart to spend next year with us in Cote d’Ivoire. This has meant deferring medical school, but Kristen is so excited to reach Ivorians with the Gospel, equip them up in their faith, and send them to the many unreached countries further north currently living in darkness. We are excited to work with her! Please pray for Kristen as she raises support and prepares to take this step of faith. 

Prayer Requests   

• Pray for our students and staff as they travel to various places, either on summer mission or home for the summer. Pray that wherever they are the people around them are impacted with the Gospel. 
• Pray for us as we prepare to move to Cote d’Ivoire. Our summer will be filled with packing up our house, raising funds,  attending a leader’s training, and saying goodbyes.

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? FILL OUT THE FORM TO THE RIGHT AND LET US KNOW!

23 students and staff headed landed in Cote d’Ivoire at the end of May for the summer mission. Already they have shared the gospel 280 times! Pray for a fruitful harvest that our team can follow up with when we arrive in the Fall.

\We celebrated two years of marriage last month by going to Branson, MO. These past two years have held a lot of changes, but we are so thankful to navigate all of them together.

Aiden is 10 months old. He is getting more active every day, LOVES to eat, try new foods, and is getting very, very talkative.

When "Thank You" Isn't Enough

This past month has held a lot of “lasts.” Last athlete’s Bible study. Last Cru meeting. Last staff gathering. As we wrap up here and start looking to the future I’ve been faced with the incredible journey I’ve been on in Springfield.  I went out to my favorite place in the world, sat in a hammock, and reflected on all the people God put in my life during my 8 years here. The words, “thank you” seem too weak to express the gratitude in my heart. This is my attempt to say to you what you have meant in my life.

To Armand: last month I got to stand in front of the MSU athletes and tell them how that whole thing got started. I walked into a room with 5 people sitting in a circle, having no idea how much my life would change in that room. Now when I look at that group, sometimes of 70+ people, I smile thinking about what started so small. I was at a point in my life where I was so lost. You helped me understand the Gospel for the very first time and for that I am (literally) eternally grateful. I don’t think you even realize at times what an impact you made in my life. You were just doing your job and it may not have seemed like much at the time, but there were athletes putting their faith in Christ this year because you were faithful all those years ago. Thank you for bringing me out of darkness and into light.

To that 1^st FCA group (Sarah, Ramie, Kelsey, Devin, Jay, Jody, Wes, Steph, and Jenna): I loved our community. I loved studying the word with you, playing Nertz with you, and sharing meals with you. Thank you for your friendship and showing me that it was possible to keep my faith in college.

To Maddi: my first discipler… before I even knew what that was. You loved me like Christ loves. I was messy, but you showed me grace. Thank you for helping me understand that I could never earn God’s favor.  You were always so real with me and I think that gave me the freedom to be real too. You took the Gospel from the abstract and made me see what it actually looked like in real life. Thank you for laying a foundation of Gospel truth in my life.

 To Jacqueline: my fellow Oregonian, you stepped in when Maddi left and I knew right away that if Armand picked you as a wife you were something special. I was so right. You poured into me during a time that I got to take so many steps of faith. You taught me how to share my faith, how to disciple, how to live life on mission not just for my college years, but for the rest of my life. Thank you for walking with me through a really hard senior year. You were a comfort to me and helped me have an eternal perspective.

To Randy and Mo: one Saturday a friend asked me to come out to “Hidden Bluff” and stucco an African village. I left that day sunburned with cut up hands having NO clue just how influential you two would be in my life. Your house and that grassy field are a place of refuge for me, a place I feel safe, and is probably my favorite place in the world. House church in your basement changed me in more ways I can count. Thank you for giving me a passion to see lost people around the world reached with the Gospel. I was the girl that prayed as child that God wouldn’t make me be a missionary overseas. If I’m moving to Africa it’s because God used you two to give me a heart for the nations. Thank you for introducing me to place that holds pieces of my heart. I will never forget our trip to Mali. You have been there in my college years, transitioning into full-time ministry, pre-marital counseling, our wedding in that grassy field, and everything in between. I love you both so very much.

To Finch and Kelli: I remember we were supposed to meet up to talk about my future plans and it snowed buckets. Springfield was shut down, but you braved the snow to pick me and Lizzy up in your truck. You took us to Panera and we sat and talked about interning, something I NEVER thought I would do. Thank you for seeing whatever you saw in me. If you hadn’t asked, I never would have interned or joined staff. Which means I probably wouldn’t have met Davy or any of the other wonderful people I now call friends. Interning and being on staff with Cru at MSU have been the best years of my life so far. Thank you for challenging me to take that step of faith. Kelli, to you especially, thank you for opening your home to me. Your house is also a place of refuge and safety for me. I wouldn’t have wanted my bridal and baby showers at any other place. It was perfect that they were there because I treasure every moment I’ve gotten to spend there with you.

To Cami: When I entered your classroom on the first day of student teaching I wasn’t too sure about the whole teaching thing. Maybe it was the education classes I was taking or senoritis, but I was so unsure how that semester would go. That semester with you in your classroom was my favorite semester in college by far. Thank you for restoring my love of teaching, showing me how to be a great teacher, modeling what being a Christian in a secular environment looks like, being an advocate for me in the district, inviting me to Christ Community with your family, and supporting me in my work with Cru. You made the decision whether to teach or intern so difficult because every day in your class was a joy. I don’t know if I’ll work for Cru forever, but if I don’t I know that I am well prepared to be a teacher and that is because of you. You have been so much more than just my cooperating teacher. Thank you for always being so supportive of me, in whatever I have chosen to do. Also, we dressed up as grapes and that was amazing... even though we couldn't sit down. 

To the Manor Ladies Round One (Chrissy, Kelsey, Lizzy, Carrie, and Tina): BEST. YEAR. EVER. The mandle, the clern, all the pranking, family time, making our epic Halloween costumes, and watching Top Gear and cartoon X-Men. That year with you all will go down in history as one of my favorite years of life. I learned what Christian community is supposed to look like. Thank you for encouraging me, pointing out sin to me, loving me, and laughing with me. I have loved every second of our Manor shenanigans. You are all so dear to me and I love that whenever we see each other, even though so much has changed, we pick up right where we left off. Sometimes I wish I could rewind and live that year all over again. 

To Lizzy: I still laugh about how completely different we are. We may be total opposites, but I couldn’t have asked for a better best friend. Thank you for being the perfect balance of grace and truth, challenging me in my faith, and encouraging me to pray. I think back often to sharing a room with you… how we could never go to bed early because we’d stay up late talking, our no talking before 10 AM rule, juggling practice, and our daily journal questions. Davy had a lot to live up to when we got married because you were the BEST roommate and friend. Your friendship has formed so much of who I am and I hope someday, somehow we live in the same city again… heck, I’d even take the same state at this point. J

To the Manor Ladies Round Two (Christa, Lizzy again, Tracy, Laura, Jessica, and Sarah): I loved this year in the Manor too. It was such a joy to celebrate with you as I walked through life transitions. Thank you for being so excited for me and for supporting me as Davy and I went from dating to engaged to married. I love that the Manor shenanigans lived on with ya’ll. Also, Halloween for the WIN. Seriously, we rocked that. Life was so rich and so fun with you as my roomies.

To Nicole and Danny: I cried when you guys moved out of your old house. Granted I was pregnant and hormonal, but still…. I have so many fond memories in that house. You two are some of the most hospitable people I have ever met. Thank you for welcoming me into your home, but more importantly your lives. I have learned so much about marriage, ministry, and parenting by watching you. Thank you for not sugar coating life, but being real and open. I see the Gospel lived out in your life and value your advice more than you know. When I think about leaving Springfield, I DREAD saying goodbye to you guys because I have treasured our friendship. I love you guys and your sweet little family.

To Kate and Justin: I remember hearing that Finch and Kelli were transitioning to other roles in Cru and that we were getting new directors, the Stringers. I’ll admit I was bummed, but I had no clue just how influential you two would be in my life. Looking back now I have to laugh, because I can’t imagine my life without you two in it. Justin, thank you for empowering me to be my best self. You not only encourage my gifts in ministry but help me prioritize my relationship with the Lord. You probably have ruined every other boss for me because I can’t imagine anyone topping you. Although, technically you’re still our boss as we go to Cote d’Ivoire… so that’s kind of awesome. Kate, where do I even begin? You have been the voice of grace in my life. Thank you for teaching me to have grace for myself in ministry, marriage, and motherhood. Your friendship has brought so much joy to my life. Thank you for being real and honest with me. You are a safe place and have allowed me to live in the light. And I have to thank you both for bringing Davy into my life. I know he wouldn’t be the man he is today if not for you two and I am SO SO SO thankful. You two called us getting together before I even did and I’m grateful for the role you’ve played in our relationship. Kate, I'm also still blown away by your pie eating abilities. 

To Mom and Dad: There are not words to express my gratitude for all that you have done this year. I don’t know why this transition was so hard for me. Maybe I wasn’t prepared. Maybe it was all the transitions crammed into 2 years of marriage. Or maybe I’m just more sinful than the rest. Whatever it is I couldn’t have survived this year without you. Thank you for selflessly giving of yourselves every single day. I am going to miss you both more than I can express. They say the best parents make the best grandparents and that is so true. Aiden is so blessed. And so am I.

As I get ready to leave this place I thank God for each you. What a beautiful story God has written for me. I am so grateful you have been a part of it.