August Update
First, I want to say sorry all of you at Holy Grounds because I sent this out a couple of weeks ago and didn’t post it. I will try to be more faithful at posting my update on the website for those of you who don’t get my email update. I also wanted to say particularly to you, my sending church, that I thank God for each and every one of you. Sometimes I think about you all and my heart really longs to be there with you and partake of life with you. I’ve had a taste of what I consider “church done well.” Then everything else kind of tastes like bran muffins. Not terrible but not amazing either. I’ve been very encouraged by you and want you to know that I miss you deeply but also know that God has blessed me with you so that I could do what I do here and that it would be harder with out you all behind me supporting me. You have enabled me past what you probably know.
The following is what I sent out in August:
Greetings!
I apologize for not having sent out an update sooner. When you start getting into the routine of things it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have nothing to share. I have in recent months wondered what I could write as an update. I usually look for the heartwarming stories that everyone loves. Those stories are what you cling to when life is less heartwarming and more struggle. Unfortunately, the last four months have been less heartwarming and more of a dichotomy of events. It has been dramatic shifts of opposing stances. There have been shifts of happiness and times when the weight of ministry hangs heavily. There have been times of health and prolonged times of sickness. There have been times of extreme loneliness and times of community. This up and down has become somewhat of a routine here for these past four months since I’ve last written.
So, since May, what has happened? After the kids went back to school things seemed to go back to normal. Things got hard and good in turn. Mid-June I developed a full body rash that I struggled with intensely for about a month. I spent a lot of time with doctors and hospital to find out nothing conclusive about what caused the rash. I didn’t sleep a whole lot that month which caused me to, essentially, lose the plot entirely. After about a month, I was able to get my sleep back although even to this day I still have itching episodes that are vaguely reminiscent of the rash. However, the ability to sleep again makes life a lot easier. My Thai lessons continue to go well. I really am enjoying the language and finding little victories in Thai. Every now and again, when I am able to have a conversation with a shop keeper or tell a story in Thai, I am so encouraged.
I believe I’ve always being an idealist. I look at the world as how I hope it would be rather then what it currently is. However, my idealist glasses don’t start and stop at how the world is, I look at myself and missions through these glasses as well. I think ideally, missions would be hard at times but incredibly fulfilling. I always thought that I’d always have passion and that fulfillment to carry me through the rough patches. The fact of the matter is that being in missions isn’t always a passionate experience. Being in missions is a different kind of hard that I haven’t experienced and things get dry and baron here too. Living in a different context isn’t always as exciting as you would hope. Those you minister aren’t always excited about you being here. God has had to teach me how to let him carry me through and not depend on community, passion or emotions to carry me through.
When things get hard it is difficult to know what to say. I think a year ago when I was preparing to take this trip, I had all these expectations. When things get hard it’s easy to lose passion and perspective. When you’ve been gone from home it’s natural to feel disconnected and after feeling disconnected, it’s normal to feel lonely. The key thing is it’s all by design. I really feel like God has been stripping me down layer by layer. In doing so, there have been many low valleys and desert places. I’ve had to take my expectations to him and lay them down. I’ve had to mourn and even face the times when tears wouldn’t come. Through it all though, God has always provided the manna I’ve needed. He’s given me strength and grace to persevere. It hasn’t been easy but God is molding me and that is exciting! He has taught me so many amazing things that although things have been dry He’s never left me thirsty.
These months have been difficult, but, God has given me such a great friends and family to support me. I just really want to say thank you so much for all of the encouragement that you all have provided in the past months. Thank you for all of the finances you continue to send. Thank you for your prayers and how you have really gotten behind and championed me through. I am constantly blown away by all your support.
I pray you are all blessed!
Joanna
HG Tonight
Hi all – We’ve had a bit of a change in plans and I will be leading tonight on the topic of our blessings. See you then!
Steph
TONIGHT: Change in Location
Team,
Sarah and John Dale’s house generously offered their house to cook out, so we will be changing our location start burgers at 7pm. Come hungry!
Emily
Directions? 512.853.0053
Arrrr! It’s me matey’s birthday!
Greetings fellow buccaneers!
Captn Wismer survived another pillaging year without walking the plank, and to celebrate, we are going to have a “serious game night,” as requested by the captn himself. Bring your favorite board games and show up at Stephanie’s ship at 8pm SATURDAY, or you’ll be food for the fishies.
Grub will be provided. RSVP at emmianne86ATgmail.com. If you get lost of have questions drop me a line at 512.853.0053.
SAILS AHOY!
HG this Sunday – Beth leading discussion on anxiety
This week, Beth Taylor will be leading a discussion on anxiety, stress and how people find peace when they feel this way. Come and join us Sunday night at 6:30pm to listen and share your thoughts and experiences as well.
Hope to see you there!
Sunday Night HG
I’m leading the content Sunday and hope you’ll be thinking about beautiful things.
Ecclesiates 3:11 – God has made everything beautiful for its time.
What is beautiful to you? And what beautiful things have you witnessed happening as part of the church?
Game Night Tonight!
Hi friends! For those of you not in Pittsburgh this weekend, I’m hosting game night tonight at my place. Feel free to come over anytime after 6 pm. I’m planning to order pizza for dinner, so let me know if you want in on that. Call if you need directions – 612.708.0793.
Steph
Scott & Sasha Send-Off
Hey guys!!!
So… Scott and Sasha will be back in town this weekend, and we’d like to give them an official send-off!
Here’s the plan… we’ll all meet at FPC (3846 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302-1993) in the parking lot at 6:30, and then we’ll all carpool over to Guapo’s in Shirlington. If you want to come, but think you’re going to be a little late or can’t meet at the church, leave a comment here, and we’ll know to add you to the tally at the restaurant.
Hope to see you there 
We’ll all miss Scott and Sasha, but we sure are glad that we got to know them while they were here!
‘Visiting Matt in Pittsburgh’
To all,
I don’t know who’s planning on going, but as of right know I am. My plans are to leave early in the day on Friday; to beat out potential traffic and be able to enjoy the trip. If there is anyone who would like to car pool with me or have me haul something for you please let me know; I can take up to 4 passengers and cargo.
Jon
Visiting Matt in Pittsburgh
I’m trying to get a headcount for the HG road trip to Pittsburgh: August 13-15. Would you send me an e-mail and let me know if you’re planning to come (and still planning to come if you’ve already let me know)? Can’t wait!
Big Tent Christianity
This looks like an amazing conference: http://www.bigtentchristianity.com/
Converge Mid-Atlantic Community Gathering
This gathering brings together people from communities all over the Mid-Atlantic region to teach, conspire, and dream for God’s beautiful kingdom on Earth. A combination of seminars, practical skill shares, concerts, and plenary sessions will make this a great time together.
Join us at Eden Valley Center (edenvalleycenter.org), a beautiful 100 acre farmland just 45 minutes north of D.C. We’ll be camping out, so bring tents, stoves, rain gear…more info to come on what to bring.
We hope to draw co-conspirators from around the region to share in this wonderful event. We’ll gather at 7 pm on Friday, look for more details about arrival, set up, and departure.
We will have to close the registration at 100, so register today! Last day to register is July 23!
Who’s Coming to VBS Cookout??
Holy Grounders: Let me know if you’re planning to come to Vacation Bible School (in lieu of HG) this coming Sunday night, July 18, 6:00 to 7:30. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
Actually, know you are invited all 4 nights. The schedule is below:
Sunday, July 18 (6pm – 7:30 pm) – Love the Lord your God with all your heart
Chip Cagle from Capital Hospice “How to love people whose hearts are broken”.
Monday, July 19 (6pm – 7:30 pm) Love the Lord your God with all your soul
Intergenerational Program: Feeding our soul with music! Kerri Shelfo on bass, Susan Winckler on handbells, and others! Come play and dance!
Tuesday, July 20 (6pm – 7:30 pm) Love the Lord your God with all your mind
Jan Edmiston “Where did we get the Bible?”
Wednesday, July 21 (6pm – 7:30 pm) – Love the Lord your God with all your strength
Cindi Rauert strengthening our bodies w/ exercise and guided meditation.
Have a good week – Jan
Pirate Cruise Anyone?
Hi All!!! Ok, so… this past weekend, I took my family on a “Pirate Cruise” tour of the Potomac (more info @ http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/pirate-cruise.php). While I definitely enjoyed myself, we didn’t get the full effect because their regular pirate didn’t show, so one of the crew members had to step in. Long story short, I now have 8 vouchers to take the tour again for free. SO… if anyone wants one (0r more), or if anyone knows someone who might want one, PLEASE let me know. It’s definitely geared towards kids, but it’s entertaining none-the-less.
The end
Game night at Beth Taylor’s this Fri night
Hey guys,
Beth is having some trouble jiggering the web site and asked me to remind you that she’s hosting game night at her place at Foxchase in Alexandria this Friday night, starting at 7pm. Drinks and light snacks will be served. Parking is on the street. Bring a game if you like.
Call 757-652-6656 when you arrive. You can also ask me for more specific directions if you’re not familiar with Foxchase.
-Hari
Good Day All and Happy 4th of july
So have a little story to tell you. Early last week Jan and Hari ask if I could help set up or close up after the 4th of July Sunday service and I agreed to close things up after the service. Then this morning just after 9am, while I was getting ready for church, I got a call from Katherine Stikkers asking for help. She was to be reading scripture during the service and staying after to pray with anyone who needs it. Well as fate would have it; little Ryan has strep throat and now she can’t make it. Chris Hatfield had already agreed to read scripture, so she was calling to ask if I could stay after the service and pray with anyone who needed it. Of course I agreed and told her I’d be praying Ryan got better and she didn’t get sick.
I arrived for the morning service just before 10 and wondered around talking with a few folks; then as the service started I quietly found a seat in the last pew; to hear the stand in pasture given a great sermon. As the service finished and folks made their way out, I made my way to the front of the sanctuary to see if anyone would come up for prayer. Just getting up from the front pew was Nancy; for reasons at the time she didn’t understand her granddaughter (Elaina) had lead her to the front of the church on this morning; so I stopped and asker how things were going. Not wanting to go into great detail here I can just tell you it was a tearful conversation for her; Nancy is a proud women. She is still trying to save her house and has a lawyer trying to help; which sounds promising. The problem is, she is about $600 short in being able to pay the lawyer to file paperwork in court this coming Thursday. It turns out she had the money but lost it to a family member she thought she could trust.
I don’t tell this story to ask for money; that I guaranteed her she would have by Wednesday night. I tell this story as a witness to how God works in our lives. When Jan first emailed and asked for help I wasn’t inclined to help, and then Hari called and left me a message; I knew it was something I should do. The phone call from Katherine to ask if I would stand in for her at the last minute; which was a no brainer too say yes to; and to be honest I knew the likely hood of anyone coming up front was very slim. (Very selfish thinking on my part I know.) Nancy and Elaina usually sit somewhere in the middle of the sanctuary, but today Elaina lead Nancy to the very front. So as it turns out I was the one to come forward; to be humbled by the plight of Nancy and her strength to keep moving forward. To be reminded of all the gifts God has given me and that they are not mine to keep, but to be shared with those in need.
I pray we all recognize the gifts the Lord has given us and are hearts are open to all.
Jon
HIGH NOON
OK 1/2 price burger fans; Monday is another holiday and with all Monday holidays 1/2 price burgers is at High Noon.
New Date for Visit to Pittsburgh Aug 13-15
Ok, after talking to many of you, I’ve changed the Pittsburgh trip date to August 13-15. Can’t wait to have a bunch of you here. We’ll hang out. I’ll introduce you to the many great people I work with here. We’ll have a party and it would be a complete blast. Let me know if the dates work for you guys and if you’re planning to come so I can arrange sufficient accommodations.
World Cup Viewing Party at Steph’s
Hey all -
Sarah instigated the idea of watching the World Cup at my place tomorrow and I thought it was a fabulous idea. Feel free to come over anytime after 2 pm (game starts at 2:30 pm). Feel free to bring snacks and drinks if you want. See you then!!!
Steph
