Thankful for church

On Easter Sunday of this year, our friends Jake and Mandy invited us to come try their church - Church of the Highlands - in Montgomery. My number one hang up on going to church is the childcare factor - since Carter is so intimidating to some people. My friend Nichole had been attending for some time, and told me that the childcare is top-notch and they have an awesome notification system if a problem should arise. So that morning, we put on our Sunday best and headed downtown. I cannot explain to you the vast ways this church is different from any other church I've ever been to. We instantly felt at home. They were understanding of Carter's mobility delays and let us pick which age group he attended. We chose to put him in the class underneath what he would normally be in as they aren't nearly as wild and crazy (the 2 y/o class is aptly named "Zoo"... he's definitely more of a "Bee"!) We went back downstairs and fixed coffee, and Josh got a handful of mints. The worship service was moving, to say the least. I boo-hoo'd the whole time, I think. Pastor Chris is such an intriguing speaker. He's able to keep Josh's attention for the entire message - and that's saying something. You can feel his heart absolutely spilling over with joy for sharing the love of Christ. His vision and mission for the church is to be the hands and feet of Jesus - to LOVE people - to show the world that church does NOT have to fit the mold of boring Sunday services, judgment and damnation, and trying to be the "perfect" Christian. He is fully aware that there are tough subjects that have to be addressed, but believes that it's more appropriate to address those subjects in a small group setting where people are close to each other and can provide accountability and support. I have never wanted so badly to serve in a church - in fact, I never have served in a church! This will be my first! We've changed our view on generosity, on service, and on giving. The pastor that married us referenced the triangle (God at the top point, husband and wife on the two bottom points), where as a husband and wife get closer to God they get closer to each other, and we are seeing this in action! It's also important that we found a place where Carter can grow and thrive in the Word, aside from the teaching he gets at school.

I am forever thankful to our friends who urged us to try Church of the Highlands. We are so grateful for our new church family, the joy it's bringing to our home, and the growth we're experiencing in our personal walk with God.

¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. -- Col 3:14-16