11 Beautiful Years at Life Church!

We were so broken, insecure, young...and yet so full of zest for life and hope 11 years ago when we stepped into our new life in Oak Harbor!  It all started after that first service with an invitation to a Father's Day BBQ at Kay & Ernie Foote's home with many pillars of the church...so many friendly, loving people were willing to welcome us strangers into their intimate celebration!  WOW!  We knew this was THE place we would find a HOME and we decided to start participating in small groups for couples and serving the kids in the nursery mainly.

God had brought us here for a reason and He knew exactly what we needed to grow, heal, and become stronger in Him.  Slowly but surely, He's set us free, brought more peace, reignited lost love, and matured us in key areas...still a long way to go, but His Spirit has been on us, guiding and challenging us.  God is GOOD always and we feel it as we keep on trusting in His purposes thru the tough times.  John & I are very thankful for the various small group leaders that have helped us stay consistent in our walk with Jesus, provided godly fellowship, yummy food, and prayers that brought about miracles--AnaLuz & Steven Tercero, Barb Johnson, Martha Rodman, Bill & Sherrie Arnold, John Alexander, and many more amazing friends who hosted groups like Sara & Nate Morrow and David & Gazel Campbell!  Karen TePaske & Beth Haslet are huge reasons my kids survived the toddler/preschooler years HAHA!--their wisdom shared and prayers for this mama's heart made an eternal difference.

SO MUCH GRACE.  How do people make it in this world without the Lord and His people coming alongside...I pray if you don't experience this yet where you're at that you won't give up, but seek out a place to love and be loved like we have been at Life Church.  No church is without fault, but we're better together--connected, thriving, accountable, authentic, messy, LOVED.

 

All of our kids have experienced an uplifting, compassionate community at Life Church since the womb and have been impacted for ETERNITY!  From the nursery over to the Dome, each caring volunteer has took their responsibility to impart His truth and love into their hearts, minds, and souls seriously and passionately!  Kid's camps, first friendships forged, harvest parties, egg hunts, box maze fun indoor during the cool, rainy season, twirling dancing and lifting their hand's to their faithful Father... I hope they will always remember the good times and think on their times fondly!  John & I are so very thankful!  It takes a village, and even so much more when you have seasons of being a single parent with deployments. 

Joel & Ellie have asked the Lord into their hearts when they were very young and are developing a personal walk with the Lord, learning His Word and how to worship Him in all their lives.  Joel, Ellie, and Micah have all been dedicated to the Lord at Life Church...and Joel even got baptized last year!  I appreciate all the seeds planted and watered over these 11 years, partnering with our efforts to raise our kids to know Jesus as Savior & Friend.   

This is one of their current favorite songs and I hear they play it at Kid's Life!

We are so excited to see a Youth Pastor hired this summer, knowing the teens in our church are going to be abundantly blessed and enriched! We can't wait to come back in December when John's school finishes to see all the cool changes and reconnect with everyone!  We love and appreciate all you've been to us Life Church family!!!