October 2020

Written by Celia Jimenez November 01, 2020 Post Comment

We've had some beautiful nights which make for PERFECT bonfire weather!

And of course, yummy s'mores.

These two keep us laughing and entertained with their crazy antics and stories!

Perfect weather also calls for a day at Freedom Park...which is not ever complete without some tasty Duck Donuts.

Lexi and Hailey were watching some flamingo dancers practicing across the lake.

While this one practiced her landscape artistry!

A few months back, Jason was asked by one of our former youth group students if he would be willing to do their pre-marital counseling and then eventually perform their wedding.

This also happened to be the daughter of one of his good friends...so he of course said yes!

It was a BEAUTIFUL, stunning wedding and was the very first Covid wedding we attended.

Monogrammed masks were given as party favors!

Congratulations to Joe + Hannah!!

(The weather was HORRIBLE that night...we had to walk in the rain to the reception and ended up being a bit soggy when we arrived.)

We have spent so much time together lately...because of COVID.

When we would have been rushing to sports practice - Wednesday night church - Bible study - hangouts, etc...we've instead been home together.

And for this season of being with these four I am forever grateful.

These four humble me.

Love me.

Teach me.

Forgive me.

Challenge me.

Laugh at me.

Keep me on my knees.

And always remind me that parenting is a conduit of God's abundant grace and sanctification process!

Long hours of study and research...

and writing and interviewing...

and editing and praying...

and finally - Jason's newest book has arrived!!

Challenging Conversations - A Practical Guide to Discuss Controversial Topics in the Church

With the upcoming election - the ongoing racial tensions - the progressive sexual movement - and countless other cultural influences on our church...we pray this book will be a pivotal tool in helping Christians continue to have challenging conversations!

So excited for how God will use this!

And so thankful for Jason's love for God's truth and His body!!

A month or so ago, I got a text from a friend in Kentucky - asking if I would be willing to speak at the Women's Retreat at Camp Nathanael.

Camp Nathanael is my Kentucky home away from home.

So ANY opportunity given to be in those beautiful Appalachian mountains with people I love -

I immediately say YES!

Amy wanted to come with to make it a fun girls weekend.

Unfortunately, it didn't start off too great.

Road work detoured us onto a less traveled path...that didn't have the best cell service.

We MADE it safely to camp...only several hours off schedule.

The theme for the weekend was Cultivate and Amy made each of the attendants these beautiful journals.

I loved having Amy share this weekend with me.

Some of the mission ladies.

They work so hard all year round pouring out and loving on the ladies in the community.

I loved being able to spend some time with them - encouraging them and loving on THEM!

After the retreat, Amy and I drove to Louisville to spend just a quick overnight with the Richardson's.

It was a MUCH needed time of catching up.

Even though it was less than 24 hours of being together, I left completely refreshed.

These two were thankful to have us home...but also thankful for their new Camp Nathanael swag!! :-)

Later in October, with the weather being amazing...we spent an evening with our dear friends, Mark and Kelly Gott.

We are so thankful for their friendship and their godly wisdom.

They are in the next season ahead of us with kids and launching children into the world.

We have learned so much from watching their example!

Ran into these two cuties working at Marty and Liz.

Aleyna Bass and Isa Siguenza...love these two girls!!!

This election cycle has been CRAZY!!!

America has been cooped up in their homes all year long - fearing a virus, loss of employment, lack of community, and violent racial tensions. Our country was a powder keg just waiting to be ignited.

And two candidates came along and lit the fuse.

It has been painful to watch the polarizing division...not just with our nation...but also those that are a part of the body of Christ.

We, members of the church, need to be willing to jump into difficult conversations,

to fight alongside one another in the trenches and not be so entrenched in our views

that we stop fellowshipping with one another.

We may reject a person’s stance, but we are not called by God to reject the person.

We may be disinterested in having a close relationship with them,

but that doesn’t give us the right not to be interested in their spiritual walk with God.

Jason Jimenez ~ Challenging Conversations

I am thankful for Jason's book and the timeliness of the message.

And I am hopeful that regardless of the outcome of the election - that the body of Christ will willingly step into hard places and speak life and truth!