another change of plans

after some long, heartfelt conversations that happened at different times in this weekend, several of us are desiring to have a sort of DTR, if you will, of small group. and by DTR, i mean 'define the relationship' of course. it's not just for couples after all.
this desire, combined with the fact that some people still don't have their ephesians book, led us to think perhaps we could devote this week to having a good heart-to-heart with each other, instead of mindlessly forging ahead as planned.

i, for one, am anticipating with excitement a chance to really hear some good honest thoughts from each of you. so get ready to share!!

ephesians

there were a strong number of us present at casey's last night, with the famous eric bolger in the house.
we had some singing, warming up for our EWE debut... nick showed off his hand-crafted box dulcimer, brandon shared some of his cello skills, and eric led us with the trusty guitar.
after a rambling music jam, we read through the entire book of ephesians out loud.

it was some goodness, i tell you what.

you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...

that power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead...

because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions...

it is by grace you have been saved...

for he himself is our peace...

you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge...

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God...

do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen...
be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you...

for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord...

submit to one another out of reverence for Christ...

change of plans

since about half of you are still lacking an ephesians book, there was a brilliant idea submitted to save chapter one for next week (oct. 31). then for this week at casey's, if everyone brings their bible we can take turns reading through the book of ephesians out loud. this will give us a good foundational jumpstart to our study.

so bring your bible and your reading voice! see you there!

hamm ranch work & play day

saturday was the much-anticipated hamm ranch day, with just the right amount of people there to get some good work knocked out. erica, jana, casey & kate cleaned out the barn -- sweeping & cobwebbing...
after finishing that up, liz joined us to clean out two of the cabins that had just been vacated...

inside AND out...

we were tired in a good, honest, hard-working, satisfactory sort of way.
but we recuperated quickly.
brandon & rob were the chainsaw kings, ripping up wood to their heart's content.

erica was so excited to give it a try that she didn't think through her footwear choices... thankfully she didn't cut any toes off.

everywhere we went, there were photo ops just waiting to be actualized! here's one of the cutest.it was such a perfect day... god made a right purty place out there in arkansas.
when our work was done, we drove up to a campfire spot for some good hang-out time. hotdogs, s'mores, hot cocoa, singing, laughing, friends...
well worth the working.

nooma night

the group was small at nick & rob's house, but the discussion was good! nick, kate, casey, liz, brandon, & rob were there to watch two nooma videos (sunday and luggage). we had some good thoughts and conversation about forgiveness and even an opportunity to apply it practically right then and there!

next week we'll meet at casey's and do the first chapter of the Ephesians study.

if you would like to be on the list of facilitators, let me know. so far, i only have one volunteer. i have a feeling different ones of us wouldn't mind the responsibility, it's just an effort to remember to e-mail saying so. therefore, if i don't hear anything back, i might just go ahead and make up a list with everyone on it. then if you really would not like to facilitate, i can easily take you off.

let me know your thoughts on that.

dead batteries = no group picture = :-(
there's always next week.

don't forget to send me your button requests!!

last time at nate & sandy's

alas, i forgot to take pictures at small group last night!
regardless of the undocumentation, we still had a good ole time at nate & sandy's humble abode. unfortunately, it will be the last time, as they're stepping out of small group for a while. they're so busy these days that they just need some leeway with commitments. they'll still join in on weekend fun though.

we split up into guys & girls to catch up. the girls shared their hearts and prayed for each other. the guys went to the basement and played with the treadmill & weights.

good time all around.

next week is shema, so we'll be meeting at nick & rob's for a nooma video/brief discussion and be done at 8:00 p.m. so whoever wants to attend can certainly do so.
it's at c of o in the gittinger recital hall. our very own erica smith will be in attendance as lead femal vocal.
(sounds impressive, eh? it is.)

meanwhile, may the peace of the lord go with you!
(and also with you, kate)

thanks.

the reading pirates of hazzard

last night was a 3-person birthday party to end all parties, with nate, nick & liz joining forces to bring us the reading pirates of hazzard party!personal banners -- a birthday party must.

getting all decked out got us geared up for the best part of october yet to come -- costume parties! can't wait.

take one...

take two...

and take three!

after all the posing drew to a close, we had a discussion about our next phase in this group. looks like we've decided to do a study on ephesians. we also talked about different outreach opportunities and sang a little acapella.
it's been a long time coming, but i think just about everyone was there this week!

good job, guys. way to show up.