Most of you know that we have moved to Chicago to plant a church. We desire to plant a multicultural church that reproduces followers of Jesus Christ in the city of Chicago. Right now we are just getting to know the area and trying to build up our launch team which will eventually start the church. We had our first fellowship time this past Sunday! It was a sweet time of fellowship over some great food! We plan on having another one on December 14.
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| Picture from last nights Pre-Thanksgiving pitch in! |
We have been in Chicago for 2 months already! I can't believe how fast it has gone! I think I can finally say I now feel like this is home. It took some time getting used to living in the city from paying to park almost everywhere (even some grocery stores) to having 4 different keys to get into different doors where we live. Its just so different than what I am used to. I found myself saying its not bad its just different and Chicago is our new normal. God has been so good just helping us all adjust to our new normal but we definitely have a way to go. A month ago I don't think I could have said I really liked being here, but to my surprise I really like it now, our home and neighborhood is perfect:) One of the things I really like about Chicago is that we can walk to many different stores and restaurants. We have walked so much here lately that the girls will ask if we are going to walk or drive! The girls really enjoy walking and have adjusted pretty well here too. We were blessed to live right across the street from a park which they enjoy going to.
I am 28 weeks pregnant with #3 and we are leaving the sex of the baby a surprise until the baby comes. This time around has been tougher but the baby and I are doing well. We are earnestly waiting for January 26 to approach to meet baby Puckett!:)
Ramiyah turned 4 in September! Can't believe it! She got a scooter for her birthday which she loves riding on all the time. In her worlds she is still looking for friends, but has met some girls she likes to play with at the gym and at the park across the street from our house.
Elyana is busy as ever. Saying new words everyday. Her new thing right now is counting and jumping. She will be 2 on November 9! Not sure where time has gone, definitely doesn't feel like she should be 2 already!
Derrick has been busy meeting with different pastors from the surrounding churches which has been a blessing to see what the Lord is doing in Chicago. He has also been traveling a lot going to conferences, meeting with Orchard Group (the organization who is planting us) and also traveling every other week to be apart of the Fellowship Associates church planting program.
Word from Derrick:
The last few months have been great, but also trying at times. Many people told me going into church planting that it would be the hardest thing that we would ever do. I believed them but didn' know exactly how I would be affected. My natural tendency with anything that I do is to work hard and just get it done at the highest capacity possible. While this is a great attribute, I have quickly found in ministry as well as church planting it is not always what I should do. Throughout this process I have learned to make my resting place Jesus. This is his work that he wants to start in Chicago, not mine or anyone else and that is uplifting.. To know that we have a great God on our side that wants to do far more exceedingly than we could ever imagine brings me great joy and rest because the weight of performing or doing it by myself is lifted. We are looking forward to what God is going to do in Chicago. Please pray that leaders would arise in the city that should be part of this new work in the city. Also pray that we stay in a place where we are utterly dependent on God and not ourselves. I pray that you will join in with us as we watch what God does for years to come in this city. Also pray for me as I preach and share vision at a few different places over the upcoming weeks.
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| The girls at Navy Pier. |
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| The family at Lincoln park zoo for Ramiyah's 4th birthday. |
