It’s been a while since I last gave an update. Come to think of it, it was last year that I updated everyone. Well a lot has happened since then. One of the biggest updates you have already noticed. We created this website. We felt it was important to have all our information in one place. For the foreseeable future this will be the best place to check for information on what God is doing for us and through us here in Chicago.
Part of the reason for the lack of update has been adjustment to life here in Chicago. For me that has been adjusting to the schedule of my new job. For Bethany that has been adjustment to the Midwest winter. Even with all the adjustments, we have begun to fit into the community. Just down the street from us is a popular bunch spot. It’s so popular that there is often a line of people waiting to get in. When we eat there we make an effort to pray for our servers. Even with how busy it is on a Sunday morning, they make the time to stop and pray with us.
We continue to build relationships with our downstairs neighbor and her children. Bethany’s love of baking has meant that we have plenty of opportunities to build a relationship by sharing the baked goods. We were excited when they brought us home made ornaments for Christmas. Please continue to pray that God grows this relationship and opens ways for us to engage with our other neighbors.
We have begun meeting monthly with Brian and Kristi Payne. They have lived in Chicagoland for decades. We are encouraged by the opportunity to worship with other sabbath keepers close to home. We also make a trip up to Wisconsin once a month to worship with the SDBs in Milton. This has provided us with a few opportunities to meet with some Judson alumni who still live in the area. We are blessed to be able to see God working in so many places.
What is closest to our hearts is the work that God has for us here in Rogers Park – right where God planted us. Chicago is large city and that means that every neighborhood has its own feel and culture. We love the neighborhood that we are living in, but we are struggling to discern what it is that God has for us here. Every time we go for a walk, Bethany prays that God would show us how we can be a blessing to this community. We ask that you would join us in that prayer. We know God is already doing wonderful things here. We are eager to see how God will use us to build His kingdom here.
