The fall really began life for us in full force. We were a part of a 12-week community group that was held in 2 different couple's homes. The group was comprised of babies and couples much older than us. It was really refreshing to be part of a group with men & women who were older and wiser than us. I really think that is how the church is meant to operate.
We also decided to take a free class offered by one of the local churches in town. They offer free college-like courses to anyone. We did one on the Panorama of the Bible along with another couple from church. The man who taught it has spent his life developing this Panorama of the Bible and we definitely learned a lot through this course.
Jared often had band practice one night a week to go over songs for the coming Sunday morning. Towards the end of the fall semester, Jared was offered the opportunity to help lead worship on Wednesday nights for the Students at one of the local churches. This is a really neat opportunity for him to get to know some kids in the area and pour into the next generation that way, and it is also a great way that God is continuing to provide for us in ways we weren't anticipating.
(Girls Night Christmas Party)
Finally, Jared and I took the front seat in starting the student ministry at Northwest this fall. We would meet on Sunday nights for a couple hours each week. We have a Grow, Serve, Live mentality. Each night is either a GROW night where were we study the Word together, a SERVE night where we serve in some capacity as a group or a LIVE night were we just hang out and enjoy community together. We both love students, but Jared was very out of his comfort zone in teaching students on Sunday nights. He did a great job and really stepped up to the challenge. We have a unique opportunity of having a group of kids who are mostly very far from God and church in general. We have anywhere from 2-12 kids each week, and really have to wear our "flexible pants" in how we love and serve these kids. We were blessed and humbled recently to have Scott & Amilee Sanders join our team at Northwest, and Scott is going to be taking over the student ministry. Jared and I will continue to serve the students but we will be co-pilots for Scott & Amilee now. You can read the Sanders' story over on their blog here.
(Our little "Christmas Tree")
On top of all the church busyness, I have been working full time at Financial Office in town. The job is wonderful and I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with. They all love Jesus, and it is truly a gift from God that I get to work with such like-minded people; I am not unaware of what a rarity it is in our world today. While work is good, it has still been a difficult adjustment for me for a few reasons. I've never worked full-time before, I've never really worked in an office setting like this before, and I've never worked in finances before. It has all just been really new to me. But we're making it work, and thanking God for opening this door for me to work while Jared is able to do ministry full-time with Northwest. He wouldn't be able to do what he does if I wasn't working, so that makes going to work each day a little easier knowing I'm helping in the mission of the church in that way.
If any of you know us well enough, you know we like to work out and exercise. Jared has been able to join a gym nearby and make some relationships with the people there. That has been a fun experience to meet new people outside of church. I have been running. I am still on the lookout for some running partners around here:) I've had a few come and go, so I'm sure I'll find someone. The running/outdoor scene in Northwest Arkansas is thriving. There are awesome trails everywhere, and people are always out running or biking. It is really easy to spend time outside being active, which we enjoy greatly!
As always, we are so grateful for the prayers and support of our friends and family. As life has settled in here, we have our ups and downs, but we have been continually reminded of God's faithfulness and provision. He has been with us the whole way, and will continue to lead us from here. We are so sure of it.
If I can get my act together, I will update here more often so that these posts aren't so long!
.love.
Adrienne
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