God is awesome!

It never ceases to amaze me that God can use me even when I am feeling completely inadequate! I spent yesterday and today at Allison Park Church for the Breakthrough weekend. I was a prayer partner. People were dealing with some heavy stuff and I was basically terrified. I did not know what to say and felt like I should not be there. Rich encouraged me, I was frantically texting Lorie, and praying. I wanted to run! Instead, I just stepped out and let God use me. God used my inadequacy to make me solely depend on Him! It was awesome!

Surrender again!

I find myself in a place I have been in too many times. For years now I have struggled to control my tongue. I have been told to read James 5 a few times, lol. There was a time that I would just say things without thinking. In high school I was incredibly blunt. As a pastor's wife or even a Christian that is not usually a good thing. A friend of mine, used to threaten to carry duct tape so if I started to say something I shouldn't she could put it over my mouth. Thankfully she never did. I am positive she should have, however. Honestly, I struggle to control it. That is the problem, however... God needs to be in control. I do a lousy job, believe me. I have to surrender every day. I, seriously can't do this on my own. This week, I lost it on a coworker. She laughed; she thought I was kidding:) It was a funny story, except I found myself slipping over and over again this week. It is way to familiar of a place for me! I get so tired of being in this place... again! We sang a song at church today, that really spoke to me. It was: "The More I Seek You." The words are "The more we seek Him, the more we'll find Him. The more we find Him, the more we love Him. Come, let us sit at His feet, drink from the cup in His hands, lay back against Him and breathe, feel His heart beat. This love is so deep. It is more than I can stand. Let us melt in His peace that's overwhelming." I am overwhelmed alot but not with Him or His peace. Maybe that is because I am sooo busy doing things that I do not make time for Him. I really worship and I feel His presence on Sunday mornings, but what about the rest of the week? Am I too busy? Could I cut something out? What do I cut out? What do add? Should I not be admitting any of this, as a pastor's wife? I don't know but somehting has to change! All in all I surrender... AGAIN!

Well, 2009 is over. It has been an incredible year! In October 2008, we took a leap of faith and began our journey to what is now Element Church. We get to work with a great group of people every week in Millvale, PA. We would like to thank all of you, who have supported us in this endeavor.

JoLyn is 14 and in the 9th grade at Shaler Area High School. She was and is involved in the musicals at both the middle school and now the high school. She continues to be involved in Fine Arts and loves every minute of it. She is also a member of the Sensations Twirling Team. JoLyn is involved in Apc youth group 220 and loves every minute of it. She is our social butterfly who lovers her family and her friends.

Jackilyn is 8, she will turn 9 this month. She is in the 3rd grade. She continues to get straight A's and is freakishly smart:) She is playing basketball for the second year and her daddy is once again her coach. She is also a girl scout and hopes to follow in her sister's footsteps with extraordinary cookie sales. She also had a solo in this years Element Church Christmas program. Her compassion and joy is contagious to all those she is around!

Jodi is still working at USX Federal Credit Union downtown in the USX tower. It is the tallest building in Pittsburgh and she works .... in the basement, lol. Although, she is not fond of morning, she does love the hustle and bustle of downtown. Her heart, however is to spend more time with her family and helping to build Element Church!

Rich is very busy preparing each week for the Element Church Service. He is grateful to work with such a great team, in a great town, with a great bunch of people. Although, living in Steeler and Penguin Country, he is still loyal to Philadelphia teams. He has enjoyed speaking at many of the churches in the Penn Del District as well.

This next year holds many exciting things. Look out for what God is going to Do!