As we begin to wrap this year up I can’t help but reflect on the past year. In the beginning of January 2019 I asked you guys to participate in “Christmas all year” aka Giving all year. Here are the results, we paid over $1,400 towards a family’s utility bills, raised over $2,300 for Wings of Hope, donated over 700 food items to Manna Ministries, made a difference in all of our teachers classrooms through our school supply drive, and gave over 30 toys to Giving Hope where parents were able to shop for their children at no cost and hear the gospel. I am beyond amazed at you guys and all you did this year for others outside our community. Getting outside our four walls and meeting the needs of others truly brings joy to my Spirit. Thank you!
The end of January 2019 God did something wonderful…He made us a bigger family! It is no surprise to me that God did this during our 7th year, seven means “complete”. This year has been incredible. Both gyms were very open minded during the process of merging our two groups. Some were patient as we tore down and rebuilt and others were patient as we tore down and moved to rebuild. Everyone was welcoming and while there were initial concerns/questions, everyone realized that God was doing something new and everyone wanted it to be great. As a result it’s exceeded expectations for me, I hope it has for each of you! From the bottom of my heart I thank you!
Well here we are at the end of December 2019 and I am ending it the same way I ended 2018, in prayer. As I sat and reflected with God, I thanked him for the immeasurably more He gave us. We have experienced lots of highs and some lows. We have grown as a family and truly are ONE! We have gained new family members. We’ve suffered losses. People experienced great physical and spiritual growth. We had a couple members fight cancer and kick its butt! We have had hard personal experiences and suffered significantly as a result…but through it all we have been a family, and we have made a difference in the lives of our CFAmily! Which leads me to the word God spoke to me for 2019, COMMUNITY!
There are several definitions for community, but what seems to fit the most with the idea this brings to my mind is “Fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.” As we enter 2020 I plan to invest time in strengthening and developing our community. The picture for how all of this plays out isn’t quite perfected for me yet, but I trust that the Lord will guide me through it every step of the way. What I am asking of you guys is to go all in, invest in your community. When we put events/activities together, come, participate, bring your family, lead, volunteer, get involved! Encourage one another a little more than you did last year. And if you see someone is missing from class, reach out and tell them you miss them! I love you guys and cannot wait to see what all 2020 has in store for us!
