Happy New Year!

Job 34:4
Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.


It is my deepest, God-given desire to help each of you reach for God, grow passionate for Him, and desire Him above all else. It is my greatest joy to "walk" beside each of you on this journey, as we learn what is right and good, and as we teach each other what is pleasing to God, regardless of what others may think of us. Oh that we would each live radical, yet relevant lives! Our world wouldn’t know what hit them! Radical, so that those around us can see, beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are different, not playing by the rules the world seems to have laid out for us. Yet relevant, so that they can also see how this radical life can apply to them, helping them even in everyday life, causing them to deeply desire this Jesus who is our everything. I pray that this daily devotional helps each of us to move ever closer to that lifestyle.

As you can see, the new year has brought me around again! Life seems to be calming down a bit (although, I hesitate to say that, as I’m sure it will change in an instant). Our son, Nolan, got tubes put in his ears, and so his health seems to have improved. Now he is just trying to cut teeth, which can be just as harrowing, although I’m sure we’ll get through this just like anything else. We are now in the process of re-teaching him to sleep through the night, as he got in the habit of awaking every 2 hours (argh!) when he was having all the trouble with his ears. I, on the other-hand am learning a good lesson in how to live well on little sleep. I think it’s a lesson I have needed to learn for quite a while - I hope it sticks, as I really don’t desire to have to learn this one over and over again.

Now, you may be wondering why I am e-mailing you from this address, when I told you recently that my church would be using my devotionals. Well, it seems that we are going to wait to get that started until we have the necessary equipment to send out the e-mails automatically, and that won’t be until about mid-year. So, I thought that this would provide the perfect opportunity to begin writing again, and walking again with you around the pages of Scripture. I’m very excited to get back at it!

I am also praying about and preparing to begin teaching and writing homework for (YIKES!) a new Bible study starting this fall. I may be trying out some of the material on you all, and would appreciate any and all feedback! Also, if you would pray with me regarding the team that God would have me get together. I really desire to get a group of ladies together that really aren’t all that involved in ministry at Central - fresh energy! God is going to have to bring me the people, though, so I need to be patient and on the look-out. I am excited about where God is going to take this, and how He is going to use this study to reach out to the women in our area! I have long seen myself as a "stepping stool" for those around me to use to get ever closer to our Jesus, and that is how I desire to be used in this, as well. I count it my greatest privilege (and most exciting adventure) to serve in this way!

So, as you can see I’m busy, but happy (albeit tired). I’m so thrilled to be back here with you. I know that I have said time and again how much I miss you all, but it bears repeating. I feel like I’ve come home, and I’m so happy to be back.

Talk to you soon!

All my love,
Andrea

PS - May the Lord make 2006 a year to remember in Christendom!