Ok. So, Nicky asked about the story in which we became the local pastors at Gateway Church Black Forest. I didn't create an outline before I started typing so, hopefully, this will all make sense and be in the right order.

When we first got married in 1994, Vance was the Associate and Youth Pastor at Elim Chapel in Ocean Beach, CA. Circumstances led us from there after two years to here in Colorado Springs where Vance became the Assoc/Youth Pastor at another church plant 30 minutes south of the Springs called Restoration Church. Neither of these ventures ended well - sad to say.

After a few months sabbatical we ended up at Mountain Springs Church; another young church plant and we got involved on the worship team. This was in 1999. We did lots of ministry: worship, youth, young adults, men and women's ministries. Our hope was that one day we would be invited on staff. We went from 2 children to 7 children at this church not including our loss of little Michal Noel, which the people of MSC were amazing in the support for us.

Through all of this, Vance's desire to be back in full-time ministry increased. Once, while Vance was painting the home of his daughter, Nicky Cruz spoke strongly to Vance about getting back into the ministry. About 5 years ago, we visited this little church at the end of our road. It wasn't for us, but we were still drawn to it. About two years ago people started speaking into Vance's life again about getting back into the ministry. He started a men's group on Thursday mornings that has been meeting at a coffee shop ever since.

Last summer we called the Rocky Mountain District Council for the Assemblies of God and started inquiring about open churches. There wasn't much selection, but there was a sudden need in Woodland Park, a little town about 45 minutes up the mountain. Vance and I ministered there for 5 weeks. The district decided to close the doors of that church. At this point we were still officially at Mountain Springs, but we had visited other churches so we were still praying about searching for more churches through A/G, pursuing MSC a little stronger since they were getting ready to plant 5 churches in the next five years...Oh, I forgot to mention that this little church at the end of our road had closed and we even went up there to look in the windows and daydreamed if it were even possible to buy it ourselves. At the same time our next door neighbors were thinking the same thing.

So, here were all these options. Then, I had a phone call from a friend. We're not real close, but we've known each other for a long time and she and her husband were just called into a ministry at a family camp. She said that while they were going through their decision making process, God lead her to the part in the Bible where Jesus is healing the blind man and at first he sees just shadows and then Jesus touches him again and everything is clear. We felt there there were many roads to take (a fuzzy picture), but there was only one that God had in mind (seeing clearly). As I was talking to here a little more and telling her about all these options, she said she got a chill when I mentioned the church at the end of our road. Both of us believed that was the Holy Spirit.

That little church reopened at Easter of 2010 and we visited just before we went up to Woodland Park. We liked it. There weren't any fireworks, but it was a far cry from what it had been before. After our time in Woodland Park our next door neighbors started talking to us about really giving this little church a chance. They felt this is where they needed to be and they so wanted us to be a part as well. This gave me such a good feeling - to be wanted :).

So, we started going and the first Sunday back, Vance was very bold with the pastor and told him what we wanted. We wanted to be back in full-time ministry and we felt like this was the time. We weren't sure how he was going to take that. The following week we invited the pastor and his wife over for dinner (the week before our next door neighbors, the Garcias, had had them over).

This was a great dinner. Our testimony had so much in common with theirs. It wasn't coincidence. It was a kindred spirit. At this dinner, Pastor Derek was bold as well and said that out of all the people that wanted the position of senior pastor at this church, he was most interested in Vance. This was about three months ago - I know, right?

I started leading worship every week the first week of November. Vance started speaking that month as well and the first week of January we were installed as the senior pastors. This past weekend was the first time I have ever spoken in front of a congregation. I enjoyed it. I spoke on God exalting worship. I never would have had an opportunity like that at Mountain Springs - even after 12 years of being a member. I am so thankful to God for His direction. I'm thankful for the 12 years of being developed and trained and for all the experiences that have led us to where we are now. Right where HE wants us.

Is that cool or what?

Well, since I have four followers (lol) I thought I'd better stay true to this thing. I wanted to post on Sunday. What a beautiful day for church and family. Vance and I get to church before everyone else does so we can turn on the lights and the heat and fireplace - turn on the sound system, start the coffee - all that good stuff. This last Sunday morning at 7am we walked up to the church steps in the cold and fog. Vance looked over at me and said, "Doesn't this feel good to be the first ones here at our own church? This is our church." It does feel good to have our own work; that God has chosen us for this location and for this time.

We've been absolutely taken by this little church for so long. The location is beautiful and at night when the lights are on, the place just glows like a little cottage in a Thomas Kinkade painting. It truly is a light on a hill.

The rest of this week (and it's only Tuesday) has been a little frustrating. It's been hard to stay on task and get anything done. However, I am overwhelmed at how God has been answering all the prayers that have gone out for Vance's business and we can actually start paying off a few bills.

There is so much to be thankful for. Everyone is healthy (accept for a little issue I've been having with staying regular, but that TMI isn't it?) :) - Thank you, God for even the littlest things YOU pay attention to. He surprises me every day.

Ok, so here's how my day went yesterday. Woke up at 7:30 and got Will and Rachie ready for school. For Rachie that meant a bath - goodness that girl can stink. Then, braiding her hair. I got both of them breakfast, dressed, lunches made and backpacks ready. Then I put Tristan in the bath just to use the water and he wanted to play.

We arrived at the bus stop just in time. Then it was off to church by 8:30 for prayer - Wow! God is really working!!! Left just in time to pick up Glen from school 10 minutes late. Drove him back home to change into Zumba attire as quickly as possible and out the door to the gym to teach a 10:45am class. I posted this on FB and had three people show up because of my post. There were about 30 in the class. I got to talk to a lot of people after the class, including David Peace a terrific sound guy and friend who is going to help me tweak the sound at our little forest church.

I left the gym just in time to pick up Rachie from school (10 minutes late). Came home and made lunch for everyone. Mac n' Cheese with oranges and blueberries. My good friend DeDe made me dinner to prepare for our prayer meeting which was at 6:30pm then we had a couple of people from the meeting come by after for dessert. Jeanne showed me how to can my homemade salsa. We did two cans. I'm so excited about this new skill.

It was a full day, but good. The only thing was Ryan didn't get any school work done and today he's working with Vance, something he really enjoys doing, but he will be missing out on school again.

Today I have to go to Sam's for milk and stuff. God is really answering our prayers in regard to finances. It's very cool to be a part of so many people's prayers and see God get the glory. It's not terribly fun going month to month, but it's still cool to see God be so faithful even in the most minute things.

Today, Vance woke up at 5:30 am to start his new men's prayer group at Gateway. Glen woke up at 6:45 am for his first day back at school. It makes me so proud to see him set his alarm, wake up, get his own breakfast and get out the door to catch a ride with the Garcia's.

So, with all that going on I got out of bed, got everyone else cereal (Cocoa Puffs - so nutritious) then got them all dressed and out the door by nine to get to Morgan's first eye doctor appointment since she got her glasses. I was really concerned that the glasses were too think. I tried them on and couldn't see a thing. I just couldn't believe that she would need such a strong prescription. Her eye exam went great and they are definitely the glasses for her.

Off to all the other errands - bank (where Ryan turned quarters for bills and everyone got a sucker), post office (where I forgot the most important things to mail at home - doh!), church (where I met with the piano tuner), late to pick up Glen from school on the other side of town, McDs for lunch (again, nutritious), Sam's to return a $100 aerobed without the box or the receipt - amazingly they exchanged it. The great thing about Sam's is that because it's a membership thing they keep all your records on your card. So cool!

Now, we're home and the Littles are down for a nap. I'm about to take one. I still need to get to the post office (again) to get these MK items out, do payroll, prepare for Zumba tonight and fix a nutritious dinner (ha!).

A New Year

The last post on this blog was almost 8 months ago. It actually feels longer. And as no one is going to be reading this I'm going to go ahead and promise myself to keep track of 2011 (at least once per week. We'll see.

Morgan's second month wearing glasses.