A Crazy October

This has been a bit of an interesting month, and in some ways this picture describes it fairly well (a crazy ride, but doing it as a family and having fun).  At the beginning of the month we walked away from the house we had a contract on due to major issues.  It took a while to "die" to the idea of being in that house because it seemed like great provision.  Since then, we have looked at houses, explored building, and even looked into renting (albeit not very seriously).  I have been praying that Erin and I would come to clarity and agreement (and I know many of you have been praying for this too) and we would still be able to get into a house before the end of the year.  Well, this morning we put in an offer on a house.  We're hopeful, but we know there is still a good bit left in the process.

Yet still, throughout this month we have been enjoying each other and the beautiful Fall weather.  Our kids haven't ever seen color like this in the leaves.  They have had fun raking and jumping into the piles.  We've gone hiking to Caesar's Creek State Park (the picture above) and we've had quite a few "trick-or-treating" experiences and today if finally Halloween (and we're still going tonight - to the neighborhood with the house we put an offer on).  We've utilized our passes to King's Island and the kids are enjoying the rides more and more.  Meredith would ride anything if she were tall enough.  One of our favorite rides is the Zephyr - a big swing that all but Anna can ride.  Unfortunately no one wants to ride the Windseeker with me but Meredith, and she's not big enough.  It's basically the Zephyr, but 200 feet up.  The kids have been to an apple orchard (and they brought me home some apple donuts - YUMMY!).  It's been fun.

Not the Zephyr - but the Girls on the Spider

Our LIFE Group (small group Bible Study) in Fairfield Township has been great.  I have so enjoyed getting to know folks and spending time in God's Word together.  We have a great group and potential for more.  Keep praying for that group that we continue to grow together and grow in our vision for a new church in the area.  I've also had the opportunity to preach twice: once on Rahab (at North Cincy) and then on John 15:1-17 (at New City - about a two year old church plant more in the city).  

It's been a fun month with a lot of developments...we'll see what the Lord has in store for November!

The saga continues

For those of you who read this who are not on our mailing list we have some disappointing news.  We had to walk away from the house.  The problems that the inspector found were of such a significant nature that it became clear that it would not be good for our family without major work and much expense.  Last night we went back out looking at houses again, and I must say it wasn't all that encouraging.  We didn't seem to see much that would meet our needs of family & ministry.  We love to host and we surely will be doing a lot of that in the future with the church plant.  In our small group now there are 17 adults and at least 12 children that we need to be able to have room to accommodate.  We appreciate your prayers as we continue this search and to add to it our landlord has the house we are renting on the market now.  We want her to sell it for her own good, but we're not sure where that will leave us come the end of the year if we can't find something that is going to work for us.  Thanks.