What a Wild Several Months!!

Almost 17 years ago I planted the Chattanooga Vineyard and it is easy to forget what it's like to pioneer a new church.  Let me fill you in on some of the exciting things that have happened.

1. We left Chattanooga the week before Christmas and arrived in Houston in time to have Christmas in Texas for the first time in 16 years.
2. I enrolled at Texas A&M to begin finishing my degree that I had left undone for nearly 30 years.  I took 12 hours and made a 4.0.  I now have about 19 hours until I'm finished!  Being able to sit and learn, to get to know A&M again and meet lots of new friends was WONDERFUL.  I got up everyday feeling like I needed to pinch myself.  Who gets to do this? My college-aged friends do not take this time for granted!  Learning for learning's sake is a precious gift!
3. Kellie got a job teaching at the Brazos School and is finishing her certification to teach in Texas.
4. Though we have made less money than we have since the time I was in my early twenties (try a 40K hit to your income, it smarts) God has provided.  Our dear friends Jon and Denise Bowden allowed us to live on their farm/vineyard in Anderson Texas.  It was a truly wonderful time and getting to hang out with Jon and Denise on the weekends was soul-restoring after nearly 17 years of ministry.  The property was amazing and I can tell you the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.
5. Anderson was about 40 miles from Bryan/College Station so for the last 5 months we've commuted.  This last week both the Peils and Anderles moved into the Bryan/College Station area. We are renting a little 1920's bungalow style house three blocks from downtown Bryan, and the Peils got a great place near College Station High School in College Station.  Everyone (the Peils and Anderles) is in and out during July but we should get into a rhythm starting in August.
6. In August we will begin bringing people together and setting the culture of the church that will be the The Vineyard Church of Bryan/College Station. 
7. There are so many things that I am so excited about when it comes to my relationship with Jesus and what it means to live in Christ-centered community.  I will be posting about those things a little bit each week.

Here's how you can help.  Pray that our core team develops a unified vision and culture for the church.  As always, we can use your financial support.  You can give to the pioneering work of The Vineyard in Bryan/College Station by clicking donate.  Thanks we appreciate your support and prayers!