First Day Jitters...

Well, not really, but that is what first came to mind as I share about my second job I just recently accepted :)

Two jobs and church planting? are you crazy?

Have no worries-- I will be the new "on call" registered dietitian for a fabulous retirement living facility. Not one of those sad, I hate walking down the aisle kind of places. This one is cheery.

My first experience at Bethany: I walk in the door and get all checked in for my interview. I sit down by a sweet looking OLD man. In comes a stylish OLD lady on her walker. She says "Well hello Alfred. How are you these days?". The reply: "Well I am holding up great except my eyes have seem to stop working. Who are you anyway?" (pam chuckles) Good times...she was 94 herself but just a kickin :)

So, tomorrow is just my general orientation to the company, and then I will get my training schedule. I will only work when one of there other 3 dietitians is on vacation or sick leave. And for the most part they will be able to tell me my schedule about a month in advance. So I could just work once every 3 months or so, maybe a little more or a little less. I felt like it would be a good opportunity to keep my fingers in the field, earn a little extra income here and there, and they have agreed that I could leave by 2:30 when I am working, so that I could have plenty of time to make it to the Y!

Did I mention I would be working early evenings to close at the Y? Good thing I am a night owl and Jeremy has crazy hours as well ! And did I mention that when I talked to the Y about taking this second position my boss was all about it and just so encouraging! Thank you Jesus.

Hope you are having a great start to the week....

I Love My N-Laws...

I believe Jeremy and I would both say, we are incredibly blessed to have two amazing families who are loving and supportive--even when we say the Lord is calling us 1000s of miles away! They are so different it is funny; but both would do anything for us and we are so so grateful for the role they have played in shaping our lives to this point.

I got thinking about N-laws because today it my father n laws birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I love this man. He is ALWAYS good for a laugh and can love a person better than most anyone I know!

And also speaking of "N Laws" last week our nephew took his very first plane ride to come to Fargo to see us. It was so great to have Brandon, Crystal and Sawyer from Louisville! We got to take them around town to see Fargos finest, spending a good time in one of my personal favorite places-- Island Park. Sawyer is 11 months and learning how to walk. The boy has no fear and had a blast going up and down slides, swinging, and eating any stick/mulch he could put in his mouth before we got a hold of it! It has been SO SO fun watching Crystal and Brandon take on the role of parenthood as well. They are incredible! Enjoy a few pics of Sawyer at the park...

Da Da Da Da...

Ohh the joy of weddings!

Attending them of course, definitely not planning them :) Weddings have seem to take on even more of a special meaning since Jeremy and I planned our own. I absolutely loved that day. A special occasion in which the beauty of Christ can be glorified through two undeserving individuals. Amazing.

August 8th was a big day for weddings, as two of my closest friends decided to choose the same day to become the "Mrs.". While I would have LOVED to be a part of both, unfortunately I could not be in Dallas and Mobile within two hours..

But Congratulations Becki and Krystle!! you both were AMAZINGly beautiful brides and it was so great to be a part of the preparation and actual day!

It's Fun to Stay at the...

YMCA--which is my new place of employment!

As of Monday, I have been training in the Member Services Department at the YMCA. This is a fancy term for saying I will be working at the front desk of the Y West, being the customer service for our guests and registering for new memberships and programs. And believe you me, I am finding it is quite a busy job!!

But wait, I thought you got your degree to be a dietitian?? Yes, that is what I said at first too and yes, I am still going to maintain my license. I am also still seeking out nutrition opportunities, but after wrestling with and seeking the Lord, and being attentive to the doors that were opening, I have a huge peace about working at the YMCA.

I will be honest, it did take some wrestling, as I really had to lay down my pride of boasting in a unique, somewhat prestigious RD position, doing what i dreamed and making a salary for it. I am thankful the Lord gave me this opportunity for sure and know it was Him blessing Jeremy and I and preparing us for Fargo. But now, the YMCA has opened up a much different door of opportunity-- being in a strategic place in the community to meet SO many people in hopes of building relationships that will lead to relationships with Christ. I cannot tell you how many people I have been able to see in just the three days I have been working and now think of how I can connect with them as time continues. That is basically my sole responsibility-- connecting with members. As I stated in my last post, this is largely what Mission Fargo is seeking out-- relationships. Humm :)...I pray the Lord is up to something and that I can be vulnerable to speak and pursue people for community.

AND what is really neat... while I thought I was having to "give up" nutrition altogether, my second day there one of the new members asked about what sort of
nutrition opportunities we have. Interesting--they do not have any right now. Who knows..maybe an opportunity will present that I may be able to consult as well! But I better spend a little time getting my head wrapped around what programs we do have to offer...

God is so faithful.

In other news...Jeremy also has a job working at Office Max. He is really enjoying it thus far. Who would have known though, that it is one of the top 10 selling stores in the country. So it has been busy! But we are praying for opportunities for him to connect with his staff, many of which are of college age or young professionals.

I am so thankful for these opportunities to get involved in the community.

What is the Future and When is the Launch Date...

Mission Fargo is currently focusing on the downtown area in which to build relationships that Lord willing, would lead to evangelism and lives changed. There is a vision for the future as well. The motto around here is "evangelism that leads to new churches". While it is a process and will likely take quite a bit of time, Jeremy and John are always casting vision for the future while focusing on the present.

Presently, we are seeking to be intentional in our every day life and get involved in the community to build relationships with individuals and allow the love of Christ in our lifes to bear on their life situations. Jeremy and I are seeking to get jobs in the community (which thankfully we have!!! Woo hOO! another blog soon to come :) and also frequent the same places often in effort to get to know others. So far we have our favorite coffee shop, Fargo Coffee Company/Red Raven and Applesbees as places we seek to go at least weekly.

What about the church starting you may ask? ...And many people have asked me lately, so when is your "launch date" for the church. (one of the most popular questions on my recent trip to the south) While we are eager to get the church up and running, processes work a little differently up here and we are trying to take an approach that would be appropriate for the community. Needless to say, putting up a sign advertising a Southern Baptist Church starting may not draw a big crowd. People think you are trying to bring "the south" to them (and yes, while it seems there is no better place than the south and college football, people here beg to differ :), that you are the snake people, you are one of those churches that only wears dresses and reads the KJV etc etc. Hence, the relationship approach.

But, to try to provide the best answer to your question, we are prayerfully seeking to begin a Bible Study in the fall at our home and see where the Lord takes us! We are seeking to start this Bible Study with majority of non Christians. It is a vision to see Christ revolutionize lifes and have this Bible study grow into a community of believers in the downtown Fargo area. Once the Lord establishes the downtown community of believer, it is our desire to start multiple churches in the city and the surrounding areas of Fargo. I believe John would love to begin a new mission in Moorhead MN, which is just over the River from Fargo and where the Fishers are currently living. Long term, at least this point in time, Jeremy and John would love to see Mission Fargo expand even along the I-29 corridor, possibly even to Grand Forks, ND.

A few weekends ago, we took our summer missionaries on a little retreat and went through a couple of these towns, dreaming and accessing the current communities as related to the churches present and predominant religions. We definitely also made this a pleasure trip as well and checked out some attractions. Enjoy a few picures!

One of our last big hoorahs before the summer missionaries departed for home ;(

downtown in Grand Forks

"home of the fighting Sioux... hockey arena

introducing Jenny to Village Inn Pie :).. and starting a trend for the rest of the team that evening

if you know John Fisher--you know you get a little scaried when he makes the hotel reservation. he actually did make this hotel reservation and it was definitely picture worthy! the Holidy Inn happen to be brand new--hooray! the last place we stayed was the Knights Inn where I slept in my clothes on top of the sheets--but it was cheap :)


our (and when i say our...i really mean the fishers :) little girl is getting big!

And I was very bummed to miss getting a picture of one of the markees of a Baptist Church in Grand Forks which stated, "Visitors Welcome, Members Expected". Really?!? Man does this area need the freedom that comes from the love and grace of Jesus Christ!

Ohh How I Enjoy Sports....

While Fargo has many of fabulous things, I must admit I am a little sad that sports are not on the top of their lists. Well, maybe some sports are, but the most important (college football of course) does not seem to have the same fame as down south. Sad days I know. But, have no fear. I have scouted out a few restaurants that have plenty of tvs of which I have been assured wont let me down. Go Gators! In the meantime, Jeremy and I, with our summer interns and a few of Randall's work friends he made this summer, did enjoy some good ole' Redhawks baseball last week. It was one of our last events for the week before they left last Thursday, and man do we miss them!! Enjoy a few pictures and I will be posting soon on more of what has been going on in Fargo (and places I have been in between).

(if you are wondering...the Redhawks are in the "Northern" league...with no connection to the MLB.
but it was a great game--walk off 9th inning win)

Fun times with the Jenny!! we picked Simon (below) as our fav player to cheer on. I am pretty sure we were on only ones yelling loudly.


right on the first base line..great n ight!
baseball is not actually his favorite sport :)