A Word of Thanks

Merry Christmas! I hope you all are enjoying your time with your family. I have had such a wonderful time catching up with my brother and his family. I didn’t realize how far behind I was in the goings on in their lives!

I just wanted to take some time to let you know how thankful I am for you all. Volunteering can be difficult. Sometimes we sign up for things with all good intentions only to discover that the commitment has cost us a bit more than we realized it would. I believe God uses those times to grow us in Him and teach us more about who He is and what He did for us. Thank you for standing next to those of us in KCRG and doing ministry, and life, with us. We all have experienced some changes both in our church and in KCRG and I know that sometimes it is pretty confusing. Please know that you are deeply, deeply appreciated. You come every week (or every other week) and give. You give your time, your love, your energy, and your wisdom to make a difference in the next generation. And you ARE making a difference.

I heard a story just the other day about a student who is quiet in class, not really up front with his participation in class activities, yet when the time came to minister at Castle Lake last week by delivering presents and praying with families, he was the first in line to encourage—no demand—that his family make time to be there. He stepped up and went into homes he didn’t know and prayed with families he didn’t know. I believe that this child’s heart was shaped, at least in part, by what he absorbed during his time in KCRG.

You ARE making a difference. You are stepping up and living out the scripture:

O my people, hear my teaching;

listen to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in parables,

I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

what we have heard and known,

what our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children;

we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

He decreed statutes for Jacob

and established the law in Israel,

which he commanded our forefathers

to teach their children,

so the next generation would know them,

even the children yet to be born,

and they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God

and would not forget his deeds

but would keep his commands.

Psalm 78: 1-7

I pray God’s blessings on each of you as we start 2011 together. Our God is good!

Lori