Humbled...

Last week we had another FABULOUS mission team encourage, serve alongside us, and really just humble us once again with their graciousness and willingness to do. This is our second mission team that Mission Fargo has had come and serve the church planting efforts this summer. Since we are so new, serving looks like:

--Spending the mornings serving some community outreach services in town (salvation army, dakota boys ranch, new life)
--Serving the three other SBC churches
--Surveying and Prayer walking the downtown area we seek to minister too
--Holding a Community Picnic for Mission Fargo to get to meet their neighbors

While all have been great outlets, bringing favor to the name of Mission Fargo, the picnic has been the highlight each time. Spending three days praying by streets and sticking fliers on doors, to see who may respond. Needless to say, we have been humbled each time. And there is no way we could have done it without the AMAZING mission teams we have had! THANK YOU "The Bridge" and Richpond"!!

Over the course of the two picnics we have been able to meet over 200 of our neighbors. We held these picnics with the primary purpose being to meet our neighbors, and the second picnic we definitely emphasized the new church that would be beginning and gave out our information. We have been overwhelmed by the response and the thought of how the interest may translate into church planting. Enjoy a few pictures from last week!

my (and Abbys :) sweet baby Julia at Temple Baptist VBSme and Jenny havin a little fun while sorting massive amounts of Target overstock!bein goofy..my body fit in one pant leg

good times...

Richie...our fabulous cook!community picnic!Mission Team with our Neighbor

More Visitors... And A Quick Update

Well not exactly MY visitors...but pretty close :)
Abby and I have been college roommates and the best of friends for about 6+ years now. Given that I lived 8-10 hours from home, whether it be Birmingham or Nashville, and Abby only lived 1-4 hours we would frequent her house more than mine. Actually, she has never been to my house and we might have to fix that one day! But digressing. I have spent many a holidays and weekends with the sweet Callahans, so when her sister and brother made the trek, I felt like it was family. Here are a few pictures of our journey to the Red River Zoo. It is other wise known as the "petting zoo" :) but it does have wolves and a Chinese Red Panada! After all, it was Julia's very first trip to the zoo... you can tell how amused she was!

the "fam" ...Julia is SO excitedI guess Julia and the goat have the same enthusiam for each other... in defense of the goat, she was three weeks overdue!
Pretty!(Jeremys Favorite--the bison clearly shedding off the winter coat)

Wolves

In other news, Jeremy and I are still on the job search. We could definitely use your prayer for patience. We are doing a pretty good job at waiting to see the place the Lord has for us, but there are some points of frustration along the way. I am still waiting to hear back from WIC about a Nutritionist position- that was the interview last Tuesday. This is the position that gets me the most excited, but we shall see. I also have an interview for a programs position at the Great Plains Food Bank this Friday. I have also contacted a staffing company for jobs in the meantime, if need, so pray the proper door will open. I am pretty excited about the Food Bank job, but their may be a little travel associated around the state. I will find out more Friday. This may be a factor, considering I am a FL girl experiencing her first true winter :) Jeremy is also going through the staffing company and applied for a job as a leasing agent with an apt, and a few others I believe. He had an interview last Monday as well, but we havent heard anything yet. We feel like we are doing what we can! I will keep you posted.

From Beatings to Best Friends...

It is amazing how our relationship has evolved. I am sure my parents never thought it would come to be. As for my granny, I am sure she was so excited when she didnt have to say "girls, you be pretty now" any longer. We pulled hair, we threw punches, we could never ride in the car while "keeping our hands to ourselves." But now, these girls are my best of friends! and definitely one of the highlights of my time in Fargo thus far. (the other being momma and momma n law spending time together and then our jouneys up!).

I mean really... one takes vacation days and the other decides a summer off school means a perfect time to spend her closely budgeted money on a trip to Fargo. I LOVE you girls!!
So in true blog fashion, and in line with how I have followed both of their actions throughout life...I will do:

TOP 5 Reasons Why My Sisters Are the Best
(ps..there are MANY more than 5, but it is getting late ... )

5. They put up with the most brattiest (is that a word?!?) youngest sibling, "the baby" and still love me! I likely did way too much wrong, blamed it on one of them far too many times, and got off the hook on punishment more than not. Sorry about that!
4. They were built in company and provided many of amazingly fun-ny memories on all the family vaca's...esp the conferences! Late night pizza and cards on the cruise ship, water slides in Bahamas, car games to Boston.....
3. They are fabulous game players, and keep playing over and over until I can at least win one game!
2. They have always let me tag along with their friends throughout the years, giving me the reputation of the "mature" one at Hogan. Thanks!
1. They have shown me Christ, pointed me to His love, and provided amazing examples of what it looks like to follow after Him. Carla-- you live each step of your life, the little and big, in such reverance and reliance on the Lord. From summer after summer to finances to relationships, it is such a beautiful picture of life in Christ. Amy--I love the freedom you have found in the Lord and the community in which you strive for and encourage me to seek after. I love your passion for people, and the selflessness in which you pursue each relationship. I am always watching and am so blessed to have such amazing sisters to look up too!

All to say, we had a blast. Very relaxing! From many photo-opts beside brick walls downtown Fargo, to a great cookout with the Fishers, to the grand tour with their brother n law, to movie, and game/coffee night at FCC, it was a great time! Here are a few pictures to highlight...

One of the many Brick Wall Times :)

Gelato!

(adding a little entertainment to one of many amy inspired photo sessions)

Definitely didnt win this game...

Carla walked to MN in heels!! sometimes i think we couldnt be from the same genes :)

(she decided to pose to amuse Amy :)(Amy was the paparrazi outside the Fargo Theathe..a little Billy Crytal action)

One of my fav restaurants--OB. Sweet Potato Fries..yum!