5 Minute Monthly: June & July

Hello! It has been a while since we have put up a post. The summer so far has been a bit of a whirlwind. Lots of different adventures has kept us busy and quite occupied. Although summer in America is signalled by schools letting out in June, the UK summer break does not really begin until mid-July, when their schools let out. That leaves us feeling a bit confused-- like summer has been going on for a while, but also like it's only begun!

June and some of July have been full of regular routines and programs, though the weather would indicate anything but regular. We have had a couple heat waves so far this summer and, like most of the world it seems, we are getting no rain. Which is very abnormal for England! The trouble of it is that basically no building in this country has air-conditioning. So sustained temperatures of 80º+ means no escape from the heat, ever! The hot days mixed with the normality and routine of school term-time has made us feel as though we are in the already-not-yet of summertime.

But next week will certainly feel like summer for us. We're excited to go on another vacation to Cornwall, and we're looking forward to the rest that will bring! But as we look back over the past months, we have much to be thankful for, and many ways in which we've seen the Lord working!

Life Happenings

Our family life is - in short - crazy! Or as the Brits would say: full on! Our boys are growing like the beans in our garden and sometimes it is difficult to keep up. Each day is a new adventure with those two!

Silas is running around and climbing on everything. He has found the tallest twirly slide at the playground and loves to climb up himself go down over and over again. Our little boy just loves to move. He also knows a bit of sign language and can say a few words. If he can't communicate in those ways though, he is amazing at getting our attention by screaming. We absolutely love him and his energy!

Josiah has also reached a new level in his mobility. He loves climbing ladders and jungle gyms at the playground and his new favourite thing is to "go on a run" just like daddy, fully decked out with his daddy's headband, armband, water bottle, and running shoes. Josiah still loves to read and build and use his imagination and it is a joy to watch him combine all those skills to do so much.

Tyler has been loving his break from school (which starts back up mid-August) and has been using the extra time to invest in others, help me with the kids and do some things for himself and his health. He has enjoyed getting back into running a bit and also going to the gym. He also has been working to keep our garden nice and our grass green which is a bit challenging in a drought.

As for me, I enjoy my routine with the boys. I try to get them out each day, going to splash parks, dates with friends, or a simple trip to the grocery store. One challenge has been finding things to do in the heat. With young children, temps in the upper 80's, no air-conditioning and no car, the options can feel limited. But it just means I have to get creative. Sometimes that means taking a train ride to IKEA for the day and letting the kids nap in an air-conditioned store. Other times that means setting up a pool in the back garden and playing with water all day. It is tiring at times but I love it.

I also continue to host and love inviting people over for a BBQ or just a simple game night. One recent family event we put together was Josiah's half birthday party. Since his birthday is on Christmas Day, we wanted to give him a day that's all his own to celebrate with his friends. It was a wonderful time and we will most likely do it again next year.

The honourable mention from these past months was watching the World Cup. The worldwide football tournament was a really cool cultural experience when watching in England. The country loves their football and are united under it-- though they're all resigned to the fact that England probably still won't be winning the World Cup anytime soon. During every England game the streets were empty and the pubs were full. Whenever England scored, you could hear up and down the streets people cheering. And the closer England got to winning the final, the more England flags we saw. They ended up getting third place and it was the topic of conversation for a while. It was great to experience the whole country's pride in the sport.

Ministry Update

Up until a week ago, ministry life was continuing as normal. Tyler helped lead youth group, the Worship Service on Sundays, and we hosted our connect group. Though these gatherings just continue as normal, it is wonderful to see them grow and change as relationships develop. Since roughly July 19, summer has been in full swing: no mid-week connects, youth group is on a break, no toddler group. We have a lot more time on our hands to see different people and do some different things. It seems like everyone is going on vacation at some point between the 19th and end of August, so church activity is relatively slimmed down.

But looking back, Tyler had many opportunities to preach and lead in the past two months. His confidence has grown in a noticeable way as he's had several sermons to preach and several instances of being up front. We're so thankful for the experience and feedback he's getting. He has also been continuing to meet with a young man who has seemed closed off to the gospel but who is in desperate need of a friend. It has been clear in many ways how much Tyler's relationship means to this man, and we hope and pray that, in time, the doors would open to more conversations about Christ.

I have also continued to meet up with my friends, and I pray that I would be bold in bringing up the gospel. I've also loved attending and helping with a small church service we hold at a nursing home each month. There is a group of older ladies who benefit greatly from this and I know it means so much to them. Unfortunately, they can't make it to our Sunday service-- not because they lack the desire, but our Sunday meeting space is inaccessible for them.

On that note, our church is actively searching for a building of our own. We currently meet in a school, and there has been genuine movement towards possibly leasing/buying a building. It is very challenging to find a place for 100+ people to meet, but even more-so in cramped island-city with no room to build new. Our church's prayer for a long time has been to have a building of our own, especially that is accessible, and it is exciting to some opportunities actually arise.

Back in June, our church had what we call Big Day Out. This is when all the church plants that are based out of Christ Church Southampton (there are five) gather together to fellowship, reconnect, and worship God together. This is a very encouraging time and it allows us to see how the other churches that we pray for and are connected to have been doing. We played games, had a big picnic lunch and attended sessions. It was a wonderful day (and I got to play volleyball!).

Overall, our church life is going well. Our boys love going to church on Sundays, and Tyler and I love serving and meeting new people while also connecting with regular attenders. We've been really blessed to serve our church in so many ways, and to even serve the churches of the community as Tyler has got to visit and preach at several local churches.

Our church has been an amazing blessing to us in so many ways, but there is one specific way that we have seen their love and care so tangibly for us and we wanted to share it with you.

Towards the beginning of the summer, Tyler was chatting with a church member, and she asked if we would be taking a trip to Europe this summer, as it is so close and would be a great holiday before we returned to the States. Tyler explained that we would love to, but we just didn't have the budget for it. This member then send an email to many in the church and asked them to give towards a Europe trip for us, as a surprise. The response was amazing. She gave us a large sum of money - enough for our family to have a wonderful stress-free trip to Europe. So in the autumn, we are going to Norway! We are really, truly humbled by the generosity and care of our church. We didn't deserve this and all we can say is that we are so grateful. This is just another way that God has provided more than we need and shows us his love and care through his people.

Pray With Us

The Lord is working in so many ways in Portsmouth, in Cornerstone Church, and in our own lives. Many changes will be taking place soon as we start to make preparations to head back to the States, but one of our biggest hopes and prayers is that we would make use of all the time we have here. In the next months after summer break, we will be transitioning into a period of handing off our responsibilities to others and preparing for what the Lord has next. We have much on our minds but it is very important to us that we use our time and energy wisely and not check-out too soon. So we ask that you pray for us to that end.

Requests

• Pray for us as we prepare our hearts and minds for what the Lord has next while also being present where we are at.

• Pray for the people that Tyler and I are investing into - that their hearts and minds would be open to the gospel

• Pray for our church and their search for a building

Praises

• Thanking God for the coming vacations and much needed rest

• Praise God for our church and their generosity

• Thanking God for some initial plans being made for the future

We cannot thank you enough for all that each of you have done for us. Your continual support in simply reading this blog means a lot to us and shows that you care. Thank you, and God bless!

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.