Here is the latest update for what is going on in Kansas with the Johnsons. We had our first Volunteer BBQ mid-August and got to meet many of the AWESOME volunteers who are so excited to have a church like EastLake in Lawrence. The launch team has been meeting weekly to get details taken care of as well as doing a book study on Spirituality for the Rest of Us by Larry Osborn. If you have a chance to read this book, we highly recommend it. It has been very eye-opening to see how many things the “church” does as a matter of tradition that makes itself inaccessible by those who truly just want to know more about God. Check it out!
For Labor Day weekend, we decided to make a spur-of-the-moment trip to Tennessee to visit Dave’s Grandma and extended family. We saw the St. Louis Arch, the Tennessee Titans football stadium, and the Mighty Mississippi. It was a great trip as we got to catch up with family that we last saw at our wedding almost two years ago. We have now seen 11 states since leaving Washington in August and over 35 (and counting!) state license plates.
The Tuesday after we got back, Becky was offered a job at All Around Child as a co-Kindergarten teacher. She started work the very next day. Because it isn’t an elementary school, things are done a bit differently and she has to make some adjustments, but the staff and families are very friendly and welcoming. The wonderful thing about this position is that it is only 1 mile from where Dave works so we are able to drive to and from work together.
Last Saturday, we had another volunteer hang out time. We went through more of what each team is going to look like and what to expect. It just seems that this volunteer team is anxious and ready to start this church. The launch team is also in the same boat. We are just so excited and ready to hit the ground running.
Our biggest news right now is that we are starting to gear up for our very first monthly service. It is less than 3 weeks away and everyone is getting very excited. All of our programs came in and they are so cool! We will be meeting on Oct. 10th to unload everything from Portable Church and doing a run through of our set-up and tear-down. I am just praying that it runs as smooth as possible. I believe that we will have enough people to get the job done; but I know that it always takes longer you hope.
So… Until our next blog post, we miss you all and many blessing to you!
