Up and Running in September

Plenty of things are happening in our lives. Thanks for tuning in. In mid-July we moved to our new home at 429 Melrose Ave. SF. 94127. In early August we went to rural Ohio to rendevous with Marcia's family. This picture was taken at the "Bridge of Dreams" with cousin Olivia. The bridge appeared misnamed with piles of seasoned horse manure spread over the pathway. Upon our return it was time for school to begin. David started middle school and he's doing well. There is definitely a spirit of independence that he is enjoying. Jillian is in Kindergarten. She's adjusting to the long and full days. When she woke up the other day she said to Marcia, "Mom, I'm tired of school." Sorry Jill, you've got a lot more school ahead. :-) Conor is also going to his "school", a tiny tots group at Sunny Side Playground. It's an active group with plenty of creative little ones. Marcia has done it again with our household. In record time we were unpacked from the move and hosting friends within two weeks of moving in. Our house looks great. And the space seems more appropriately sized for our family. We also feel more freedom to host friends and family who pass through our town. I've been working with my friend and ministry partner, Ken McCord, in a wood renewal business here in the city. Check out some floors we recently did (www.woodrenewal.blogspot.com). This is fun work. It's great to see the customers light up over the transformations. We hope for this company to be an instrument of mission and inclusion in our city and beyond. Last Friday we began meeting with new faith community in the McCords' home. It was a festive enviroment with 13 children and 11 adults. The house was full and I think God was glorified through the focus, conversations, play, and sharing life. We've been worshiping with Golden Gate Community on Sundays. The church has been in the city for over twenty years and is a promising expression of a community seeking to live and love like Jesus. I first heard of the community before moving to San Francisco, when I read the book "City Streets, City People" by Michael Christensen. I was drawn to the commitment to pursuing Jesus from a full spiritual cup in the city and reaching out to the most vulnerable of urban dwellers. It was intriguing to connect with a community I'd read about years earlier and see what it had become. Our family invested much of the summer shedding baggage we sensed God leading us to leave behind. We sold our home, cleared our debt, moved to a rental home, and released our missionary support. It's feels like we took some huge steps out of our comfort zones. But, I also think each was only a small step toward what will occur in the days to come. Each step was a move of obedience and surrender to God. Each step was taken with an eye toward a life we envision where we belong to our Creator and His people; we care for Creation; we love those around us; and we proclaim the nearness of the God's Kingdom. Thanks for staying connected. Blessings in your pursuits.