a moment

I had one of those moments on Wednesday night when everything felt right. I was sitting in the youth chapel listening to Nicole read aloud a verse in Ephesians. The air was slightly chilly from the air conditioner, but still somehow comfortable. The sun was just setting outside. And for some reason I felt at peace, as if everything was exactly how it should be. It was a really great moment.

Small Groups

For the last four weeks Pastor Darryl has been breaking us up into small groups on Wednesday nights. We've been working on the Beattitudes and every week he gives us verses to read and questions to answer as a group. It's a great way to learn!! It keeps everyone involved and gives us all a chance to get to know each other better. Plus, it gets people to open their Bibles.

Look! People reading their Bibles!!

Introducing Pastor Darryl and Bobbie-Jo Riehle ...

Our official new youth pastors!!

It was so bittersweet to have Pastor Darryl and Bobbie-Jo announce themselves officially two Wednesdays ago. Sweet because it's so great to have them and it's so obvious that they are striving to do what God wants for the church and youth. Bitter because they are a reminder of what used to be and the people that we all still miss terribly.

Having a new youth pastor is like saying that the era of Jake and Amy is over. We've moved on. But that's not really true - we haven't fully moved on and the Marshall family will always have a special place in our hearts because of all the times we spent with them. But it is time to start fresh. To have a new family to get to know and love and cherish. To once again have a godly couple giving us instruction and guidance. God is going to work mightily through Pastor Darryl and Bobbie-Jo and I can't wait to see what He has in store.

So thank you Amy for all the work you put into us and all of the love that you continue to shower on us. I love you so much and I pray that we will always remain in contact and be part of each others lives. And welcome Pastor Darryl and Bobbie-Jo. We're so grateful to have you! Please forgive us for the many times we say, "That's how Jake did it. " and "Well, Amy did it this way." We're just trying to help. :)

Sorry ...

Clearly I haven't posted in a long time. Don't worry. I've got lots of things to talk about now. :)