April 2011

Give thanks with us ...

...for our awesome project partners who are faithfully praying and giving to establish a GreenHouse for people to grow in their faith here in Austin!

...for how God used The Gathering Breakfast to connect men... 0ver 220 attended.  Cory and Coby used a Dude Perfect highlight video to open the gathering.  We have followed up with many men asking to get into small groups.

...for expanding opportunities for Diann to meet with younger women for discipleship and mentoring.

Keep praying with us...

...for God to keep connecting us with people who "don't do church", but have interest in discussing faith and the person of Jesus Christ.  We want to begin several new groups this spring.

...for God to connect us with people of influence... men and women who are willing to be used to help GreenHouse take root and make a difference here in Austin.

...for God to supply $1000 monthly from new partners (especially locally) who are willing to partner with us.

Thanks for praying with us this month!

March 2011

Give thanks with us ...

...for our awesome project partners who are faithfully praying and giving to establish a GreenHouse for people to grow in their faith here in Austin!

...for how God has connected us with people in Austin who love Christ and desire to advance His kingdom.  These people are encouraging us and helping us connect with others who have spiritual questions.

...for the opportunity to help with a local discipleship training here in Austin.  40 men attended the Saturday event!

Keep praying with us...

...for a Breakfast Gathering on March 25th where Jeff Struecker will be speaking.  Pray for God to prepare those who attend to hear and understand the Gospel and pray they will sign up to connect in small groups around the Austin area.

...for God to connect us with people who "don't do church", but have interest in discussing faith and the person of Jesus Christ.  We want to begin several new groups this spring.

...for God to send other Christians who want to do church along with us in a new, fresh way.  We need 10 people willing to serve alongside us to help in this GreenHouse work.

...for God to supply $1000 monthly from new partners (especially locally) who are willing to partner with us.

Thanks for praying with us this month!

February 2011

Give thanks with us ...

...for the people who joined us for our Christmas party.  Many of them are helping us network in Austin and some are going to begin small groups with us soon.

...for how God continues to guide our sons as they work with Dude Perfect.  Cory is writing a book to be published by Tyndale and Coby is working with a video game company to release a trick basketball game in March.

...project partners who are faithfully praying and giving to establish a GreenHouse for people to grow in their faith here in Austin!

Keep praying with us...

...for God to connect us with people who "don't do church", but have interest in discussing faith and the person of Jesus Christ.  We want to engage 3 new groups of 3-4 people.

...for God to send other Christians who want to do church along with us in a new, fresh way.  We need 10 people willing to serve alongside us to help in this GreenHouse work.

...for God to supply $1000 monthly from new partners (especially locally) who are willing to partner with us.

Thanks for praying with us this month!

This Harvest Mission

Thanks for being partners with us on this “harvest mission.”  We would not be in this place without your prayers and support.  It’s great to have you on our team!

Give thanks with us…

• For Heaven!!! That Diann's mom is experiencing a healed body and the beautiful place that Christ prepared for her. Even though Janett will be missed, we give huge thanks that she is in heaven!
  
  
• For how God prepared and connected us with each person… Kelly, Johnny, Matt, Jason, George and Roy… all people we have met around Austin and talked with about GreenHouse. 

Keep praying with us…

• Over the next 6 months 75% of our time will be spent meeting and listening to people ... discovering their spiritual interests and how to help them.  Keep praying for God to prepare us to see the people He has made ready to hear… to have eyes to see the “fields are ripe for harvest.”
• That God will provide funding partners over the next two months who will give to cover the year one budget. ($70,000 still needed)
• For God to connect us with couples and individuals who will join us for small groups to learn more about Christ and the vision of GreenHouse.

John 4:35
Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Getting settled in Austin

Today marks 20 days since our stuff was unloaded here in Austin.  Seems like these 20 days raced by.  Tons of "to do's" have been checked off our lists... starting to feel human again.

Thanks for your prayers during this transition.  We love and appreciate YOU, our partners... and all your notes, emails, texts and phone messages... make us feel so loved!!!

My back surgery went very well on July 1.  I am wearing a back brace for another 2 weeks and walking each day. I can feel the strength and healing every day... maybe not as fast as I would want, but still great progress!

As we are settling in, we see such a mixture of people.  Old and young, fashionable and strange,  all around the city who areI am starting to connect with people in the area that can help us get "The GreenHouse" started.  The need is big

 I will be networking with church planters and We can see the need all around us.  So many people who are wandering... looking for "that something" to

Manyhave talked with several 

Crazy I know... but one step at a time.

So here's the recap:

• My back continued to hurt and feel worse ... I was able to go to the reception on Sunday at StoneBridge and say thanks to so many friends... but it becomes clear I should cancel plans to do Sean and Melanie’s wedding ceremony in Dallas... can't make the trip.

• June 28-30 Dr. Moran orders MRI and reviews surgery options... I go ahead with pre-op tests to do surgery on July 1

• While waiting for tests on Wednesday… Diann calls from dentist to report her tooth is cracked and her gum is infected. Has to have tooth pulled that day!

• This forced Diann to cancel her plans to go to Dallas and attend the wedding.

• July 1... early morning at the hospital for surgery... I awake from surgery… pain is gone in my right leg!!!

This weekend Diann and I are back home, recovering and thanking God for our friends and His goodness!

Romans 5:3-5

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Give thanks with us…

1.     For all the people who prayed for us... for Doctors, Dentists and medical staff who have served us... and for all God did to help bring healing to my back and Diann's tooth.

2. Thanks and blessings for Sean and Melanie Townsend... married this weekend in Dallas.  Sean was a great roommate with Coby and Cory at A&M... part of Dude Perfect and is now attending medical school at Texas Tech.  Melanie has become close friends with Catherine and Diann.  We are excited about God's plans for their new life together. 

Pray with us…

1.     For complete healing for Larry's back and for Diann's teeth and gums.

2.  For our move -loading Tuesday (7/6) and unloading Wednesday (7/7)... safety for workers and during the trip.  For wisdom to be prepared and handle the many details.  For Larry as he stays behind a day or so in The Woodlands and sends the family to Austin to settle in.

3.     That God will provide the balance of our year 1 funding needs  this summer. ($70,000 still needed)

4.     That God will begin to prepare the people we will meet in our neighborhood and while settling in.  For chances to discuss faith and the Gospel.

5.     For God to connect us with a “core team” of people who want to join us in establishing a church with people who “don’t do church.”

Not the way we expected...

Thank you for your prayers as we embark on this new adventure!   We know that God is preparing us for what He has ahead. 

These last few weeks have not unfolded the way we expected.  Larry's lower back (giving him some discomfort this past year) progressed to a pinched nerve causing pain in his right leg.  He has had two separate treatments over the past two weeks.  This is causing us to adjust our meeting schedule and packing plans.  (Not easy to do with less than two weeks 'til the move!!)

In reading and reflecting on these circumstances, God has reminded us of how He tests our faith through various trials.  We want to pass the tests God puts before us... flunking and retaking tests is not our idea of fun :)

Thanks again for praying with us.  Our family is so thankful for your friendship and partnership.
Larry, Diann, Catherine, Cory and Coby

Our lives are in his hands, and He keeps our feet from stumbling.
You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver melted in a crucible.
-Psalm 66:9,10

When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
-Isaiah 43:2

Give thanks with us…

1.     For all the people who are giving to help fund the next 24-36 months of start up ministry in Austin.

2.     For finding a house to lease in Austin in a good location to discover where our work should be done long-term.

3.     For Cory and Coby’s opportunities to shine for Christ through the platform of Dude Perfect.

4.     For Catherine getting registered and ready for Baylor starting in August.

Pray with us…

1.     That Larry’s lower back and pinched nerve will heal quickly.  For each doctor’s wisdom to advise and treat over the next few weeks.

2.     That God will provide the balance of our year 1 funding needs ($120,000) this summer (June and July).

3.     For a smooth and safe move … loading stuff in The Woodlands (July 5&6) and unloading in Austin (July 7).

4.     That God will begin to prepare the people we will meet in our neighborhood and while settling in.  For chances to discuss faith and the Gospel.

5.     For God to connect us with a “core team” of people who want to join us in establishing a church with people who “don’t do church.”

QUOTE

“If there is one thing I think the Church needs to learn, it is that God means prayer to have an answer, and it has not entered into the heart of man to conceive what God will do for His child who gives himself to believe that his prayer will be heard. “ 

–Andrew Murray