Sunday, December 30, 2007

my first words...

Hey guys. Its' Mark, I'm blogging for the first time ever. Not sure what to say except that today we're going to look at a bank-owned home in North Charlotte. I have this obsession with getting a house that doesn't have major issues and working hard on it to get it up to what it could be really worth. So its not flipping, but I guess its kind of like making your home, without the price tag. We looked at the house today with Denise's parents. Her Dad, Paul, has worked as a home builder for 20+ years so it was great to have his input. They think its a lot of house for us, 4/3, (bedrooms/baths) but its such a good price! We could turn that sucker around. Its exciting but I want to pay close attention to their wisdom and also to the Lord. Proverbs 24:6 says, "for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." If anyone knows, Solomon does.

In related news, I start my job at Bonitz on the 14th after our trip to Seattle. I'm ready for a challenge and to learn a new industry and career. I can't wait to learn how to sell better and also how to put together my own projects. I'll be selling ceiling tile bids to contractors. Hoping they'll use our guys to solve their ceiling needs.

Lastly, just wanted you guys to know...the book I'm reading right now, What Jesus Demands from the World, by John Piper is unbelievable. It is broken down to chapters on all the commands Jesus had in the four gospels. The way he writes the scriptures into his prose is almost natural as if he's inspired himself, haha. I've found it to be a book that is discipling. I've learned so much and have been compelled by the Spirit while reading it to confess my disobedience, and then ask for his empowerment to carry out his commands. It is key for going deeper into this invigorating reality that is Christ resurrected. I want to use it to teach and disciple others as well. More to come....

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Call us Flan

I don't know if we'll be able to keep up as much as we'd like to but we knew that if you wanted a quick update on our life and say didn't have the chance to call us up and talk for an hour then you could always just hit our site and learn.

So here's a few quick updates-

After talking and praying about our future ministry and the possibility of moving to Asia, we have decided to stay in Charlotte for now. We love the people and the culture in Asia and sharing the love of Christ with them so bad, but we don't think it's the right time. We keep praying for the Lord to send us. :-) But for now, we consider ourselves missionaries in Charlotte and it's fun and challenging to have that mindset in the place you've lived in for years.

February 1 we are both starting seminary at Gordon-Conwell in Charlotte. We are both nervous and excited to go back to school. But we are totally excited about learning and being challenged and trained. It's a nights and weekends school, so we'll both continue to work. Mark at Bonitz (a new job he starts in January) and me at the YMCA where I've been working the past year and a half.

Kalle and Shawn, two of our best friends, are moving to Seattle in January. We are very sad to lose them to the west coast but we are thrilled for their adventure and for the 9-day road trip we'll be taking with them out west as they move. Staci is going with us and we are excited for the road trip across the country!

Mark's older sister Amy is pregnant! There will be a new little baby in the house as of the end of June and the family is totally excited. (I feel like I've said "excited" about thirty times in this post. I need to get a thesaurus out or something.)

That's the big stuff for now. Merry Christmas!