I agree with Rick Warren, that in this life, there are not ups and downs, highs and lows, that present themselves to us at different times, but two parallel tracks going at all times and one of them is the ups/highs track and the other is the downs/lows track. Friends, Dave Foster was so right by saying that everything CANNOT be going your way all the time………be careful about reporting, sharing, and writing about only the good that’s happened. People that follow you learn and grow from hearing about both tracks. It’s a mental choice how we handle ALL of them; Paul said, “Train yourself to be Godly.” Here’s what we journeyed through in 2008:
- The official merge of Tower Church and Christ Central Church was finalized, to form the great Anthem Church (a Northpoint partner) in Gainesville, FL!! Wow! That was one of the most gratifying ministries I’ve ever been a part of.
- Trying to sell a home in Florida, in this economy………..a challenge……still hasn’t happened yet.
- Our son, Jordan, was inducted into the National Honor Society, The Beta Club, awarded the True General Football award at Heritage High School, and was early accepted into The University of Georgia! Abigail started public school for the first time and has excelled! Melonie is thriving in a new school in a ton of AP classes! We’re proud of our little crew!
- Launched a new blog- I have enjoyed penning my thoughts; something I’ve always done, but in bottomless disorganization and on scratch pieces of paper.
- Began our monthly fundraising newsletter to launch a new church. God continues to stun and astonish us!
- Began the process in July of building the launch team for Origin Church. This church, our launch team coming together, the vision for the uniqueness of this church, and the hope for what we believe can add value to other lives is world-changing!
- Tapped into the I-phone world- the best phone and technology I’ve ever had! It has changed the organization of my life.
- Ventured into the macbook, facebook, myspace, and I-cal world- Some of the coolest things I’ve ever done, but didn’t think I would have done.
- God, in His Sovereignty, has put together a staff lead team for Origin that I am elated about; something I could have never done in the natural………..These guys are sharp, gifted, out-of-the-box, and Kingdom-minded guys; my privilege!
- Origin got to be a part of two service projects in the Ringgold community- we are excited about more connection and partnerships in our city in 2009.
- Found out I had mercury/metals poisoning after a long ? of what ailed me…….a by-product of mercury filling removal. Glad to have a strategy now of moving forward; many thanks to my friend, Bryan Davidson!
- Launched our inaugural Origin Church Christmas catalog to raise funds to purchase our launch/portable equipment. It hasn’t, YET, done as well as we had hoped, but it will!
