Our last hoorah

A couple nights before we left we make one last stop at Nicky Blaine's. Our last Indy event before taking off for a new city. I'm really not very good at saying good-bye, and it's really hard to wrap my mind around not seeing people for 2 years. So here's a toast: to all of you in our lives that bless us every day. We know we are truly loved, and so thankful for each relationship that has been built over the past few years. To new adventures, and the encouragement of friends along the way :)

Thanksgiving Part II

Jackie had us over the week before we left for a little post-Thanksgiving shindig. We had each missed our annual bible study Thanksgiving, so we thought maybe we would cook one up ourselves (you have to take advantage of any Thanksgiving you can get!). Instead of the traditionally Turkey, we actually had a rotisserie chicken, which was yummy.

Afterwards we played a little super nintendo...super mario world and donkey kong. And almost beat the game in one night...

Nights like this make me sad to leave.

Thanksgiving

We had two very delicious thanksgiving dinners this year. We were blessed with such great times with our families and with some amazing food :)

Wine and Cheese

Two of our citygroup members, Dan and Steph, had a wine and cheese party last weekend to raise funds for their trip to Guatemala this January (you can see details about our trip here!). I am so excited for them to get to go! We have been so blessed by their willingness to serve others, and I know the people of Magdalena will be blessed as well.

The Kresses also know how to throw a good party, we had a blast!

a life changing story

A woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

"You see people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?' "

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Mark 5

exhausted.

This was a big end to the past few weeks!

1. We started off by saying goodbye to Ryan's car, which we gave away to some members of our church who are graduates of the Wheeler Mission drug rehab program. We were very happy to be able to help them out with a car, but both of us teared up as we drove away.

2. We moved some more, taking a load to Brazil, Indiana...and to Cincinnati. My head is still spinning from trying to keep track of what stuff needs to go, and what stays and where that stuff goes...

3. Saw friends from home for the last time

4. Spent time with family and said good bye to most of them for the last time. We were blessed to be able to see both sides of our family on Thanksgiving day and do a little black friday shopping :) And! It snowed! We were actually able to see snow before we headed off to NZ. And we ran into Dave!

5. Gave my car to my sister

6. Our last Indy Metro service...

I am so thankful for all of the awesome ways the Lord is moving in our lives right now, but it would be a lie to say that all of these things have been easy and I have been full of joy. My heart is heavy these days and, honestly, I cry a lot. But, I am trusting in the one that is worth all of this (and much much more). I know that we are blessed, this wouldn't be hard if we weren't. We are blessed with friends, family and awesome community. I have been focusing on this truth lately, and I pray it would encourage you as well.

my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. psalm 73

video

I found this video a long time ago, and it's really interesting. Let me know what you think!

Dove video

Thursday with Jenny

Jenny came to Indianapolis last week and we had a blast! Went to Goose the Market for lunch, Calvin Fletchers for coffee and then to the Art Museum (my new favorite spot). And finally dinner at YATS. What a great day...food and a great friendship :)

quick trip to Cincinnati

Ryan was going to a concert with our friend Dan the other night in Cincinnati, so I decided to tag along and meet my parents for dinner. It was a fun little surprise trip during the week!

I'm sure I say this all the time, but I love skylines. I think they are so pretty! And of course, I think Cincinnati is definitely my favorite. I've tried (usually unsuccessfully) to capture it many times over the years... I had some fun looking back through pictures, but here is my journey with the Cincinnati skyline, enjoy!

(2002)

(2003)

(2003)

(2004)

(2004)

(2005)

(2005)

(2006)

(2007 - the Reds are playing!)

(2008)

(2008)

Great memories! Most of these pictures are taken at the same spot up in Mt Adams, which is probably one of my favorite places. And I believe to be one of the best views :)

Drew in Chicago

My bro lives in Chicago these days so Ryan and I decided it was high time we visited the Windy City. We started by taking the train to Lincoln Park and going to the zoo!




Afterward we headed to grab some pizza and cupcakes at Molly's Cupcakes. Delicious! Thanks for having us, and we love you Drew!

Fall at the Art Museum...

we won Colts tickets!

I'm not sure if you know, but on Fridays (not conveniently from 2-4) before home games area Meijer's give away tickets to anyone that can spin a wheel and land on "TICKETS!". Well, we all know Ryan is the lucky one, but I actually won a few weeks ago! Maybe the luck is moving my way? Ha, we'll see...

Slacker

Woh, slacking on the blog.

This past week we were at Blake and Lindsay's new house to help them paint! The boys took on bigger projects such a tiling and staining, but the ladies chatted while painting most of the rooms. We were glad to be able to help and have some fun :)

Election Day.

punkins

Or that's what all the little kiddos at the patch called them :)

Well, it's that time of year. Pumpkin carving time! Aren't the fall leaves beautiful??



Happy soon to be Halloween!