Elevate update

Less than two weeks until we launch!!

And my emotions are all over the place.

This last Sunday was a hard day for me. This was the 4th and final week in our Growth Track series. We had a wonderful turn out for Dream Team 401 and were able to get so many people plugged in to where they want to serve at Elevate. However, this was also our first Sunday morning at Harding School and our first attempt at setting up all our different areas. We knew there would be issues that would come up, things still needing to be purchased, problems to be solved... and I let myself get overwhelmed.

But then guess who popped into my head?

Psalty.  Who?

Remember Psalty the Singing Songbook anyone?? I can just hear him singing to me in the back of my parent's blue and gray big ole van....

It's not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.
It's not by might, nor by power, sayeth the Lord.

We'd like to think that we can handle problems on our own.
We buckle down, apply the steam, work our hands down to the bone.
But when we've gone around in circles and there's no place left to turn,
The Lord reminds us quietly, There's a lesson to be learned.

We try and try in our own strength to make things come out right.
We think and plan and orgainze and try with all our might.
But when we've finally reached the bottom, the end of all our rope,
The Lord reminds us, once again, In Me you'll find your hope.

It's not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.
It's not by might, nor by power, sayeth the Lord.

Deep breath.

Thanks for the reminder Psalty.

Elevate is Christ's church. His bride.

I can relax. There is absolutely nothing for me to worry about.

My hope is in Jesus. And the best news is that He is the hope of the world!

Joyful

Less than three weeks. 

There are less than three weeks until we birth this baby.  (confused? see previous post here!)  All my babies were big - Jake was close to 9lbs - but this one is gonna be HUGE! 

We are so overwhelmed that God would allow us to plant his church here in Erie.   Our partners, The Association of Related Churches and Cedarcreek Church in Toledo, OH, have been huge assets in helping us navigate this journey.  This is by far the hardest thing that we've ever done! 

My heart is so full of the possibilities of what the Lord is going to do through Elevate Church!! 

But can I be honest?? 

My house is a mess, my kids are eating junk, I'm exhausted, I'm scared, I feel unorganized and I hate that...

But I am also so joyful!! 

Joyful for the outstanding team that has surrounded us and carried us through this season in our lives. 

Joyful for our amazing families that have supported us from a distance, praying, and sending check after check after check, tangibly pouring into this ministry. 

Joyful for a place, a church, where I can finally, without hesitation or reservation, invite my friends!!! 

Joyful for my three little boys and their willingness to try out various different churches this winter - all while being "super spies" and tellling us what they liked about various children's ministries. 

Joyful for my husband who listened to God's call on his life and is praying without ceasing while working his tail off. 

And joyful that I get to be along for the ride.

"...upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."  Matthew 16:18

Our basement, bless it's heart



The sheer amount of wires in this room is insane.

Our kitchen table

Our kitchen counter

Our makeshift church office

A random chair with a wheel and carabiners, of course

Our floor




And besides my house being completely unrecognizable, we're also doing crazy things. Like sticking green putty in peoples ears.