Contrary to what my title may lead you to believe, this is not meant to be a self-promoting post!!  It was right around this time a year ago that Steve, the kids, and my very pregnant self moved from the Pastor’s College back into our home in Willow Street and Steve began his work at the church.  It is hard to believe that a year has passed already.

If you know any of the story of how we came to Crossway, it is clear to us both that God certainly had His hand on bringing us here.  We were fresh out of YWAM searching for many things, but mostly we knew that we wanted to be in a good church.  We really had no idea of what that was to look like, but we thought it just had to exist somewhere.  We literally stumbled into the doors of LCC (at the time) clueless to anything of Sovereign Grace.  Our first Sunday here, Ray Randolph was preaching and Steve and I were both very impacted by things that he shared.  We were provoked and curious and continued to come back.  One thing that stood out to us at the time was the eagerness with which people pursued us.  We liked, but were also a little mystified by, how seriously everyone took this church thing.  We loved the worship; the songs were different and Christ-centered.  For the first time we saw the sovereignty of God being taught in a way that seemed so practical, helpful, and appealing.  And here we are, 6 plus years later still loving these things and more about our church.

I have especially loved getting to know and benefit from all my friendships made over these past few years.  I love that church is not like high school.  In high school you hang with people who are exactly like you (ok, at least in my high school we did).  You’re a jock, a nerd, a musician, an “alternative” or a rebel.  I love that in church my relationships have spanned generations and been with many different types of people.  Abby Odell and her extraordinary hospitality; Joanne Bitterman and her niceness about EVERYTHING; Dale and Carol Landis: servants to the nth degree; Kendra Herr, the homemaking queen; Linda Dreidger and her sincere love for God’s people; Deborah Wilhelm, committed and faithful mother; Buddy Baker, the way he’s reached out to our kids; Pamela Bueche, Cori Bitterman, Shannon, EA and Margaret Odell for all the hours spent with our kids loving them and having fun with them; Grace, Cynthia, Barbara, and Brenda for all of your wisdom and friendship; Lois Sensenig and her laugh; Becky Howell and her ability to make me laugh.  I could go on and on but you get the picture.  Our church is filled with amazingly talented, fun, helpful and godly people.  I am so thankful to be here and even more thankful that my husband’s job is to care for you all.  So here’s to one year and hopefully many, many more!!