Saturday, June 14, 2008

Shaking it up in Shaker Village

So, I know that everyone has been dying to know what we’ve been doing for the past few months! Yeah right! It does seem weird writing down what’s going on. I don’t really think anyone reads this anyway. But for our 5 family members who might-here it goes.

Well April was super duper fun because we had 3 visitors in one week!Bennett Holloway came to visit-Monday-Thursday. We ate, went to a movie, watched American Idol, hung out, prayed, played some bumper pool etc. It was great to have him visit and now he’s interning this summer in TX. Thanks Benito for spending time and money to see us. We appreciate it and are blessed to call you friend and brother.

Then Dennis & Marcia came in on Thursday and stayed until Sunday! What a week. We ate some more great food, went to see Narnia, ate some more food, got pedicures and manicures, went to church, played some bumper pool, shopped, and played some mad spades. It was great to have them and we are so thankful that they could come visit.


Our anniversary was June 11th. 4 years! Crazy. Chris surprised me with a weekend getaway to Shaker village. (shakervillageky.org) We left on Friday, it’s only an hour away from Louisville and came back Sunday. It’s this quaint little village, that just so happens to be Ashley Judd’s favorite place to go in KY, and it is a step back in the future-around the late 1800’s early 1900’s. In a nut shell, Shaker Village was a community of people who had a lot of really wacky beliefs. They were basically a cult. We heard some crazy stories about what they believed, but they sure had a great village. It was beautiful and historic. Our room was cold-great in 90 weather and cozy. The view and houses were beautiful. We went on a few tours and heard about their beliefs, worship, living arrangements, work ethic, etc. Very interesting. We also went to see a play at the village that was a representation of what life was like for the women there. We stayed in the Inn and ate some awesome food. They gave you a ton and it was really yummy. To top it off, Chris surprised me by buying this pitcher for me and giving it to me on our actual anniversary. There are some pics below. I had mentioned that I really liked this pitcher that was in our room and we looked everywhere in the village so we could buy one, but found nothing-i'm picky and only wanted certain colors etc. So, he was Mr. Sneaky and bought it from
 the management, after much begging, and surprised me with it. It now holds a new flower, our love fern per se, and we’re hoping to keep it alive a couple of months, thus breaking our current plant holding record.
Chris finished is his semester with a bang! I’m not sure what that means but it sounds fun doesn’t it? He worked hard, studied a million hours, and his grades were great-all while being a great husband and spending time with me. So that’s a bang to me-a truly successful semester. He completed New Testament II., Old Testament I, Hermeneutics, and scripture and revelation. He also just finished a j-term class, Old Testament II and is taking another one in July-Biblical counseling.
Lastly, Chris was asked by our pastor and church if he would be interested in interning at the church for the next year. They are starting an internship for men who they have identified who might be interested in church planting-our pastor is part of the Acts 29 network. After much prayer, we decided that this would be a great opportunity for Chris. There are 5 guys who will meet twice a week-early in the morning-hello 6am! They study scripture, read some strategic books, lead a community group, and learn from the leaders at church and much more. They will go and visit different churches during the year and observe church plants and glean from others who have lots of experience in church plants. We put up some money for it and the church matches it. We are really excited and feel like this will be a great opportunity for us to explore this avenue. Who knows!

Anyway, things are going well. I’m still enjoying my job and we’re making friends. We would love for you to pray for us if you think about it. There will be a lot of decisions to make in the coming year and so much to learn. We want to be totally open to whatever God has for us. We want to have our “Yes card” on the table at all times, no matter what he asks us to do. True life, a fulfilling, God glorifying life, TRUE LIFE, a Satisfying and joy filled life, really is taking up your cross and following Him. Mark 8:34 “Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. If anyone wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try and keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.” God keeps pounding this in my heart and mind. Maybe He’s trying to get me to grasp something.
Anyway, we love you. We’re coming home in a couple of weeks for the event of the summer, the Wilson/Tate wedding!

See you soon!


Chris and Andrea




2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, you do have friends who like to keep up with what you guys are doing. I enjoy hearing about your latest adventures, so keep blogging.
-Sharon Coon

Mama Jessica said...

I like reading your blog too!