He is Risen!

Happy Easter!
This time last year, we were celebrating Christ with Fellowship Raleigh, but we had no idea if we would ever see these people again. We had flown up for the weekend, an interview weekend of sorts, and they were holding their first Sunday morning service. I remember meeting several of the smiling faces. We had lunch as a church and most of our time was spent answering questions from all the locals. They were all just as curious about us as we were about them.

We were in an unfamiliar world. Today, things were very different.

Our church looks very different now. Faces are still smiling and it is a familiar place to us. Several of those people we met a year ago have changed churches, moved cities, or were gone traveling this weekend. We now are a big part of the behind the scenes, set-up and break down. We we're their early and stay late. We spend most of our Sundays at church. We also shared lunch with the body this afternoon. We invited people over, broke bread, and even enjoyed the warm sunshine with Bocce Ball and football. (Last year it was nearly snowing.) Conversation never seemed to stop. We weren't the newbies or in the spotlight all afternoon. We greatly enjoyed our time with our friends, our family.

As for other ministry, the church is growing. We have seen several couples commit to making Fellowship Raleigh their home church. We have seen one family, with older and wiser, parents and 4 children (their son leads worship for us) commit as well. The Lord is not only hearing our prayers, but we are seeing them answered faithfully. He is moving through this city - and the world!



As for personally, things are going well. Sara has been fighting off a cold most of the week and had an upset stomach all last night. Overall, her health has improved by the Gluten free diet. We both have been working quite a bit. Mike hasn't found much down time, but enjoyed having some guy time while Sara was visiting her sister and her family over her spring break.

So, Sara has another day of tomorrow for spring break. Although half of her students will be gone to DC for a few days in May for their class trip, she will be covering one or two other classes for other teachers. Then, come June 5, SUMMER! Hopefully, this summer will lead itself to some photography income. (Those of you in Florida, we'll be down for a couple weeks in June/July, so schedule an appointment or pass the word around.)

As for now, we're exhausted! I'm not exactly sure what happened, but as soon as Tiger Woods sinks his last putt, we're off to dreamland....