A little more than five and a half years ago, Nicholas and I went to a little social gathering hosted by a pastor of a church we had been attending since we moved to the area.
Looking back now, I recognize that this night altered the course of our life together.
At this event we would connect with two couples. We'd be asked to consider leading a weekly Bible study. Nicholas and I would laugh at this suggestion--we weren't people who could quote scripture, who made daily time for reading the Word, and surely weren't perfect enough to guide others to Christ.
But God would intervene and help us see that we didn't need to be perfect. We simply needed a heart for people and growing spiritually--and that didn't seem like such a stretch for us.
So together, with one of the couples we met that night, we'd begin working to meet others who were in the same stage of life as us, and invite them in to our homes once a week. We'd serve yummy food, get to know one another, and pray alongside each other.
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Fast forward to now. Those 4 people we met that night at the "social gathering"...? They are four of our closest friends.
In total, we've done "Life Group" with 19 others. And by "doing life group" I mean this: help each other move in to the first homes we've owned, walk alongside one another through infertility, celebrate along child births and growing families, play sports together, volunteer alongside each other, experience tragedy together, brave the jump to new careers, and pray for health miracles for one another. We bared our souls, traveled together, and taught one another unforgettable lessons.
We've gathered around campfires, in hospital rooms, and around dining room tables.
We've seen each other at our most elated and our most devastated.
We've shared holidays, cases of beer, book studies, and birthday cakes.
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These people, and this thing we've committed to, it's made life worthwhile. They've helped me grow as an individual and poured in to us as a couple.
Our Life Group has made our time here in Sandpoint incredibly rich and meaningful. It has helped make this place our home.
Our Life Group has made our time here in Sandpoint incredibly rich and meaningful. It has helped make this place our home.
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As I was preparing this blog, I was thinking of what life would look like in Cincinnati. This much I know... we'll be taking these people and this experience with us in our hearts. Whether we shared 4 months doing "life" together or 6 years- I love them with all I have.
Your Friend, Kristin
Dedicated to: C&A I * T&K H * E&A R * J&R S * M&Z H * J S * R&A S * N&T A * J&S C * A&D M
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