Come Let Us Adore Him

Like many of you, we sang the song, Come Let Us Adore Him on Sunday at church. While singing this great Christmas song I thought about one question over and over again. How have I adored Him this Christmas? Have I spent time with Him or have I spents most of my time with the business of the season?  Have I studied his word or have I watched a lot of Christmas movies? Have I really reflected on how God came to earth as a baby and paid the ultimate sacrifice for my sins? If I am honest with myself I often times get swept up by the traditons of the seasons. I am challanging myself and you to really adore our Savior this week as we celebrate his birth. So, how do I adore my Savior? Here is the definition of adore according to the dictionary.

adore (ə dôr′)
transitive verb adored adored′, adoring ador′·ing
1.to worship as divine 2.to love greatly or honor highly; idolize

I will choose to worship Him, I will spend time with Him, I will love Him, and I will honor Him!

Starting over, again?

Welcome to the roller coaster! If you were to ask us what God has been teaching over and over this past year it is that He is and we are not in control of our lives. I suppose this is what happens when we finally surrender everything we are to Him. It would be foolish to say that we have been models of perfection in this process, but God has certainly shown us major areas that we are a “work in progress” especially when it comes to surrendering. Many of you know that we have been in transition from camping ministry and have been pursuing the possibility of moving into serving overseas. Now, after wrestling back and forth with this idea of “surrender” and looking for any way possible to avoid it, God has shown us that regardless of our fears He is still sovereign, He cares and will care for us wherever we may go. I (Bryan) have had the recent opportunity to speak directly with native missionaries that lead the national ministry and student ministry programs for The Navigators in New Zealand. They have a need for a student community co-leader at Canterbury University in Christchurch, NZ. The program is an insider ministry run by The Navigators called “Lifenet”. The purpose of Lifenet is to recruit students each year and provide a place where these students can experience a sense of belonging, receive encouragement and input to their faith, and are encouraged and helped to live as “insiders” amongst their non-believing friends. One big challenge is to help these new young believers relate to a student community that has no interest in or knowledge of Christianity. In Christchurch less than 10% of University aged people attend church. There is also a strong binge drinking culture on the campus of Canterbury. As a result many of the Christian students retreat to their own safe networks. One of the biggest emphases of the ministry is to help believing student to live as “insiders” amongst the lost and encourage them to love and care for their unbelieving friends. This approach to evangelism is very relational and involves us meeting students where they are at by setting up meeting places, BBQs, spit roasts, sports events, parties, adventure activities and camps and then invite interested people to read the Bible or come to an occasional questions night. Another important emphasis within the ministry is to get students grounded in the Bible by studying whole books, or sections of scripture, helping them to read the Bible in context, entering into the biblical story and then relating it to their own current life story.

For more details please visit ucnavs.org.nz

Okay, now what?

Glen Morris (National Director, Navigators New Zealand) and Lynton Brocklehurst (Nav Student ministry and community leader in Christchurch) have invited our family to join them for a week in New Zealand at the beginning of February. They would like us to see the ministry in action as a new semester is beginning at the University of Canterbury. We have prayed about the possibility of our entire family going or just me. Due to finances, at this time, I will be the only one making the trip. I am apprehensive about traveling such a distance from my family. I am praying that God will give me clarity and a good insight of the ministry as well as a confirmation about our family coming along side.

So, what is standing in the way?

We have never made it very far without your faithful prayers and financial support. We are currently facing a deficit of about $7,500.00. We will not be able to transition to the next phase of our journey until that deficit is eliminated. The Navigators will not allow us to move into international ministry until the deficit is gone and we have our full monthly need in place. I can tell you that the prospect of this adventure both excites and scares me to my core. There have been times that I have allowed fear to grip me and it has rendered me useless. I know now that God’s hand is in this and He has and will continue to bring peace to us. He has also chosen to give us great hope through you, our supporters.

Well, what can be done?

I ask that you and your family would strongly consider going above and beyond with a yearend financial contribution that will help to propel us into the New Year. With your financial gifts we can eliminate our debt and begin to focus on the future. Also, I ask for you to pray that God would allow you to continue to support us faithfully for the next 3-5 years. In addition, would you ask God to provide you with the means to either increase your current giving and/or provide you with the means to begin to give on a monthly basis? We count every gift a blessing and no amount is too little. As always, please pray alongside us as we seek to follow God’s calling on our lives. We believe that the work He has begun in us is just starting and we are excited to see the outcome. We know that it is through your prayers and support that He will faithfully complete what He has started. (Philippians 1:6)

Landon's 3rd Birthday!!!

Landon's Birthday is December 18, but we always celebrate it early so it is not soooo close to Christmas.  He got to have his favorite people the Mariens over.  We played games, had dinner, cake, and presents!  A complete birthday.  He was so cute because this was the first year that he totally got that this party was for him.  After each present he would take it to his Auntie and make her open it (perfect for me...I didn't have to undo all those awful ties on toys) and then he would try to hold all of his new stuff as he opened his next gift. Now this was talent because by the end he only had about two fingers left to open the next gift.  It was too funny, but I can see why you have to protect your stuff from your brothers!!!!!

Tent City

Tent City?  What is Tent City?  Tent City are areas in Colorado Springs where the homeless set up their tents and make their homes.  They are actually little communities.  This year, along with our good friend Jonathan, we decided to visit some of the Tent Cities on Thanksgiving morning.  So on Wednesday night we met at Jonathan's house and set out to make 50+ Thanksgiving Brown Bag Meals.  It was great because we really had a chance to explain to Logan that not everyone has a home to live in or 3 meals a day.  We also had a chance to talk to Logan about how Jesus has called us to take care of the poor and feed them.  Logan was very excited and stayed up past 10:00 helping to make the Turkey Sandwiches, Corn Bread, and Cookies.  On Thanksgiving we got up early and headed out to the Tent Cities.  It was such an eye opening experience to visit with the people and hear their stories.  There were a couple of people that really stuck out to us!  One was Anthony who had a long beard.  As we gave him his brown bag and introduced ourselves, he introduced himself as Tramp (indicating that was all he was worth).  It broke our hearts and Mr. Sahhar (Jonathan's dad) immediatley responded, "No, I want to know your real name.  You are worth so much more.  God loves you and so do we."  After staying and praying we each of them.  We started to leave and Anthony (Tramp) looked at me and in sign language said, "Thank you."  Another lady that really sticks out is Nancy.  Nancy was at the last camp that we visited.  She called herself the Martha Stewart of the homeless.  She was really the mom of the whole camp.  She cooks and always makes sure that no one starves and that no one freezes.  When we first approached her and asked if we could pray with her she started to cry.  We then spent a good thirty minutes with her and her friends Steve and Chase.  The kids played with her and threw sticks in the creek together.  It really was a blessing to us to get to spend time with them and start to understand them and their situations more.  A hug, an ear, and an open heart is really what they needed and it was great to be a part of their Thanksgiving!

So... What Has Been Happening?

Living in our house has been crazy to say the least.  At the end of October we were blessed with being able to go with Gigi and Papa Thigpen to San Carlos, Mexico.  It was a true retreat for us!  We were able to spend some quality time with our boys just playing on the beach, reflect on the past four years with Eagle's Nest and pray about where God is taking us!  We also had a chance to celebrate our 10th anniversary, which was really neat because we actually got engaged in San Carlos!

When we returned to Colorado we all took turns being sick with a wonderful stomach virus...so for the past two weeks someone has been sick.  We have now all had it and are ready to be done once and for all.  I (Erin) have also started part time work at JC Penneys to help us get by until we are fully funded.  It is hard to be away from the boys, but I am taking it as an opportunity to witness and to walk out in my faith.  Actually this last week I have been training with a young lady named Danielle.  She is very sweet and very lost.  I have had at least three chances to talk about my faith with her and she has had a chance to tell me why she is scared to go to church.  I would ask that you would pray for her and that I would have more opportunities to witness to her.

Now on to the big question on everyone's mind...Where are we going???  We wish we had an exact answer for you, but we don't.  We ask that you would be patient with us as God is revealing his plans for us in His timing and not ours.  Many of you know we are looking to serve over-seas.  We have shown interest in joining a small team in New Zealand that have an established university ministry at Canterbury University in Christchurch, NZ.  We have now been able to begin dialogue with the National Director of The Navigators in NZ and are in the process of getting to know each other to see if we would be a good fit with their team.  We are learning the process of going over-seas is a slow process, but we are truely excited to see where God takes us.  In the meantime we are fund raising and have to be fully funded before we go.  We are also trying to attend some training classes with The Navigators that will help us in any ministry we serve. We would covet your prayers during this time as we seek God's perfect will for us.

So yes, The Thigpen House is crazy, but that is not new!

Supporters Needed

During this Transition time we are tasked with becoming fully funded.  Our current goal is to have $1000.00 in new monthly support by the end of November.  To help elivate not being fully funded we were dropped to part time and less pay.  As you can imagine with three kids that makes it very tight.  We are trusting God to help us fulfill this goal and to show us where we are going next!  Unfortunaly the process of going overseas is not a short one!  We are asking for your prayer right now and help in finding new supporters.  If we do not obtain our goals we might be forced to not have a paycheck until we are fully funded and out of deficit.  If you are interested in becoming a supporter please email us at erandbry@msn.com  We would love to talk to you about where God is taking us and where we have been serving.   Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Letting Go

If I were a leaf on a majestic tall tree,

And I had the choice, of which I could be,

I’d be a maple to turn orange yellow gold

When the cool autumn winds turned warm nights cold.

I’d want to be high as high could be,

So all of the world would be open to me.

I’d sway with the wind, spring, summer and fall

Up in the maple so big and so tall.

Then one moonlit night in October’s cold air,

A beautiful frost would come paint me with care.

All leaves would turn color, as God would have done

To give the world beauty for short days to come.

Then if I could choose on which day I would fall

I pick late October when winds came to call.

I’d choose Sunday morning so bright and sunny,

As sun through the leaves flowed golden as honey.

I’d pick the sweet moment, when the wind was just right

To let go of my limb and float nice and light

Drifting ever so calmly from the place of my birth,

Then gently lie down to my rest here on earth.

Autumn Leaf written by Sharon P. Pinnick © 2002.

I LOVE AUTUMN AND ALL OF THE CHANGING OF COLORS.

As I read this poem it reminded me of our walk with Christ.  Of letting go from where we started.  Of his perfect timing and how when we finally let go of our control how beautiful it is and how God can use us when we let go.  This is a lesson that we are currently learning and are giving up control.  We know that God wants to do something with our lives.  We are letting go and now praying for God to show His path for us.

I waited patiently for the LORD;  he turned to me and heard my cry.
 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:1-2

Happy 1st Day of Fall!

Although we seemed to skip fall this year in Colorado considereing it went from 75 degrees to 40 degrees in a matter of 24 hours, we decided to celebrate fall. We are excited to see the leafs change colors and enjoy the great food of fall. So what better way to celebrate fall then to make carmel apples. If you know the Thigpens we are food motivated!!!! So this was a fun and yummy activity!

Fun Things To Do At Home

Here are some of our favorite things to do when we are just at home!

Playing dish washer! This was a great idea that I learned from my sister. They love it and it last for a good 30 minutes to a hour!

Playing in the Jump Castle!

Riding Anything With Wheels!

Win a $500.00 walmart gift card

Go to A Happy Hippy Mom's website and enter to win a $500.00 gift card to walmart. Let me know if you win! Good luck! http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/08/walmart-your-zone-bedroom-makeover-and-500-gc-giveaway.html

Will Logan be a Famous Baseball Player….

Well…. I will let you decide! Let me give you all the facts and plays of Logan’s 5-year-old T-ball season so you can make a fair judgment! It started off great! We got our new glove and met our coach. We had a couple practices and then got our shirts, hats, and team name. We were the Diamond Backs and that made Logan very happy. Then the games started and let’s just say Logan must not of heard that they were suppose to play ball during a game instead he enjoyed quacking like a duck on the field with his teammate. I wanted to die of embarrassment, but we knicked that one in the butt, by taking him to his 12 year old cousin's (Jared) game to show him baseplayers DON'T QUACK. To replace quacking Logan decided to look at grass, wave to us, and give us the an occasional thumbs up (which meant he was not quacking or sitting down). Now here is my favorite part. Being the competitive parents that we all can be, Bryan and I were yelling at the top of our Lungs, “Logan get the ball, run for the ball.” Well if you don’t know Logan he is a very literal person and the coach had told the kids they were to stay in their assigned spots and not all run for the ball at the same time. Make sense, right? Well Logan took that literally, unless the ball rolled directly to him, he would not get it. He had to stay in his assigned spot. So back to Bryan and I yelling at him to get the ball. Logan got so tired of listening to us that he came over during the game and said, “Mom, stop! Coach said we have to stay in our assigned spots, so I cannot run for the ball. Please stop yelling for me to do that!” Enough said…coach knows best. Now Logan did very well at hitting the ball and running the bases. It is a good thing everybody wins in T-ball.

So what do you think? Will Logan be a Famous Baseball Player?