updates

   Ok guys, I know that last blog was pretty depressing so I'll give you a happy update. We finally got a midwife!! Her name is Lynda Hoskins and she delivered 2 of April Parkerson's kids when she lived here in Memphis. We couldn't have asked for a better situation. Lynda came down in price for us (which midwives NEVER do, they don't want to compete with one another), and she's as sweet as pie! She's old school like Ammah and likes to be pretty "hands off", which is exactly what I like. Jeff and I feel really good about her and really feel like God has led us in this direction. And she does waterbirths (ya!!).
   Abba and Nathaniel came out Thursday and gave us some very inspiring things. There was a lot of talk about just going out and trying stuff to see where God's ppl are. (i.e. go to church, a concert, start a neighborhood bible study) They just said make a move in any direction and we'll start to get out of this depressing slump we've been in. Abba actually asked at one point if we ever felt neglected out here! I just about fell out of my seat! I emphatically shook my head 'yes' and thought "he must have read my blog". But I don't think he did, he just knew what we were all feeling. It made me feel better instantly to think that we haven't been forgotten. Anyway, Abba also said that we don't need to walk around thinking that we are here just to build a church. I know for some of us, that really took some pressure off. It's a whole lot more feasible to try and touch individual lives that we see in our day, then it is to try and start a church. That does seem like a lot of pressure. Not that God doesn't want a church here, I think what he's saying is that we need to think small. The Memphis gatehouse would look like a complete failure to most. Let's face it, the only lives they've touched here have all left. But it's not been for nothing. We are seed planters right now. They put a seed into Randy and Beth, Tim and Rustie, the folks in Millington and I believe that God will do something with that in His own timing.
   We've got some rearranging to do here. We have one house with only one family and the other is cramped full of kids. Not to mention the rent being split only 3 ways now instead of 5 (ouch!!). So change is on the horizon, and change is always good. Our God is good and He always provides. Please continue to pray for us and I'll keep you posted. Love you guys!!