GBCing it

This last couple weeks we have been busy going from small group to small group at Gresham Bible Church (GBC).

It all started months ago when some friends of ours, the Rau's, visited GBC and mentioned that they had some friends who are missionaries and needed a church to help send them as they go to Slovenia. Vergil, the pastor, said, "have them call me." So we did. At the end of January we met Vergil over lunch and discussed the possibility of partnering together to reach Slovenia. That meeting led to further meetings as we all dreamed about the possibilities.

Then 4 weeks ago GBC officially accepted Sharon, Eliana, and me as their missionaries. In that meeting, Vergil asked me if I could preach in two weeks. So a couple of weeks ago we got to stand up in front of the church to talk a bit about Slovenia and then I taught on Luke 9.21-27 which was the next lesson in the series. Since then we have had the privilege of going to lots of home groups to meet the people of GBC. Its been cool getting to see the life in this church plant thats 3 years old and the friendships that we are forming there.

Thanks be to God for His provision.

A couple more pics from my sister's birthday

We told Lynn we'd pick her up outside her building after work. . .

. . .but then we went in and let Eliana go find her. . .

She was pretty excited to find her Auntie Lynn!

And to give her a big hug!

We were all pretty excited to see Auntie Lynn and celebrate her day!

Love you Sis!

I'm so glad we got to celebrate together.

Dancing in the rain!

These are three very important ladies in my life: my sis, Lynn, my mom Hazel, and my baby girl.

Well, today happens to be a very special day - today is Lynn's birthday. So, I want to take this opportunity to say that I am so glad that the Lord gave her to me as my sis!

Growing up, Lynn and I were as different as two sisters could be. She was outgoing, athletic and full of life (while I was more reserved, shy and full of life in a quiet sort of way).

When I was learning to drive, my mom kept telling me, "Sharon, drive with confidence!" And when Lynn was learning to drive, mom told her, "Lynn. . . drive with caution."

When I was in high school I played volleyball. I was a setter and when up in the front row my coach would encourage me to go up for the block, saying "It's all psychological. The other team doesn't know that your fingers only go two inches above the net." When Lynn went to Multnomah for college she decided to go out for volleyball even though it wasn't her sport. (At that time they didn't have a basketball team.) Her nickname ended up being "The Wall" because she was pretty amazing at blocking the ball.

The funny thing is that even though Lynn and I are so different in so many ways, (really different temperaments), it feels like the older we get, the more similar we become! Our interests overlap a lot more now. Our styles are getting more and more similar. She is one of my favorite people to spend time with.

You know how they often say - you'll end up marrying someone like your mom or your dad? Well, I ended up marrying someone like my sister. Crazy huh?

Well, all that to say, Lynn I love you and I'm so thankful for you! I would not be who I am today if I did not have you for my sister!

Eggciting Day

We had a great Easter with my (Matt's) family today. It's always fun especially with all the festivities at the Mormance house.

Eliana was super cute with the Easter dress Sharon got her on a killer sale the other day.

Her Mom was lookin pretty dang good too.

She is a smokin hot pregnant lady, might I add.

It took Eliana a little bit to pick up the whole idea of hunting eggs, but she soon caught on and had a blast hunting with mom.

Then it was time for a cousins picture.

She's going to miss them, aunts, uncles, and grandparents so much.

Unfortunately, Eliana has already inherited her dad's poor hearing. So we decided to try out these new hearing aids. She wasn't very hoppy with their quality though.

(sorry had to make some pun)

A Chuckle for your Day

Oh, my goodness, this is too cute.

Check out this clip on Carlos Whittaker's blog Ragamuffin Soul. It's called "Single Ladies, Parenting and Fatherhood."

It will put a smile on your face :-)