Catch up...

Kellie and I have been reading through Romans lately. We started last week and have been slowly making our way through it. Yesterday we sat down with some tea and read chapter three together. For me, there is something about reading a book like Romans out loud with someone else...it just seems to make more sense. I like to talk out my thoughts and ask questions and hear what others have to say. In fact, that is how Jon Morris and I started to become close friends.

Here's Jon!

He and I studied Romans our freshman year at Arizona, and absolutely loved it. It was like a light went on in my head of all the truths I had grown up knowing...it was when the truths became reality and I truly understood what I believed. Anyway, Kellie and I have been going through Romans and loving it. Yesterday was a good time because as we went through chapter three we re-learned some truths: mainly that in our faith (our belief that God justifies us freely) we desire to obey the law (do good deeds) rather than ignore it and do whatever we please (Romans 3:31). It's truths like this that, once I understand them, I desire to search more into the gospel to understand what my life as a Christian is all about. Romans is a great book to do this in and we are both so excited to be reading it.

We've also been enjoying our church. Last weekend we were invited over for a dinner party at a church member's house. It was a great time to socialize and get to know others. It truly is a blessing to know people here in Jackson...especially brothers and sisters in Christ. Today was great also...we met a young couple at church and hit it off with them right away. Kellie actually works (or will be working) with the wife, and they invited us over for dinner tonight! We are pretty pumped :)

Here are a few other things going on in our lives:

 We decided to splurge one night and get Tollhouse cookies. Kellie was SO excited!!

 In excitement for The Hobbit movie that comes out next year, I am reading the Lord of the Rings. I just started the Fellowship of the Ring! I've never actually read them...unless you count my Dad reading them to me and Greg growing up (while I fell asleep most of the time).

We'll be out of town this weekend heading back to California because... My bro get's married to his fine Bride this Sunday! Man, I'm so excited!

Church

One thing that I never figured would be a difficulty post college was finding a church. I grew up going to church each Sunday, knew all my friends and family through church, and even liked church; liked growing, serving, socializing. I married a woman who also grew up going to church, and therefore never thought it would be a difficulty to find one for us. But over the past year of marriage, leaving our college ministry, and many long talks with Kellie, my Dad, siblings and friends, I've realized that finding a church, and even liking church is hard.

Kellie and I had some conflicting ideas when it came to picking a church in Tucson, and therefore decided to spend a week studying what the church is about: why go to church, what to do at church, etc. We read parts of Acts and other New Testament passages as well as listened to sermons by pastor's John Piper and Mark Driscoll. This study was great and rejuvenated us to pursue a church in Tucson. But with a job on the horizon and the high possibility of moving, we never fully invested ourselves.

Now that we are here in Jackson, it seems only logical to plunge in and invest ourselves in a local church. There are two here that we have tried and love for different reasons, but one more so than the other. That one is called Redeemer Presbyterian. We love their theology and our goals in life seem to match up perfectly with theirs.

(here's Redeemer. we love their gospel choir!)

Now, I am one who wants to jump in, meet anyone and everyone, get involved in everything, and become a part of the family here at Redeemer. I mean, that is what we're supposed to do right? This is our future family, our future friends, our future community... we must go, go, go! Well, apparently, the Lord seems to be weaving a different story. Community groups and most Bible studies at Redeemer don't start up until the school year at the end of August. There is an inquirers class, but that too begins later, in September.

Initially, I was bummed to hear such news. Bummed that it would most likely take time to really get to know people at this church. But after talking with Kel today, I've thought that maybe this is good for me. Maybe finding a church isn't so much about doing it fast and hurried, but being patient and committing each step to our Lord. Maybe He is teaching me to not look out just for Andy but to now consider how we, Andy and Kellie, as a family, meet people, get involved and join a church. This is hard for me, definitely new for me, but I think a very good thing for me.

It's pouring right now! And thundering every 10 seconds :)

Thought you'd like a taste of Redeemer's choir   :)