foolishnotions.net

I often am so focused on getting all my techno ducks in a row on Sunday mornings that I sometimes forget to stop and meet new people.  I try to be very aware of this and make it a point to come out of my little box in the back corner of the sanctuary and seek out new faces.  I’m always glad when I do.  So, I decided to make this one of my blogging projects.

Meet the Lymans who have been coming to The ROCK for several weeks now.  They just moved here (doh -  I forgot from where - - I’ll have to ask again next week.  Now you have a conversation starter when you see them.)   Anyway - they are the 4 in the middle (left to right):  Diane, Tony, Marissa and Gary.  Today Gary brought Stephen (on the far left) who is his new roommate at UNCW, and Allison (guess which one) who lives in the dorm above them.  The Lymans where invited to The ROCK by Mark and Sharon Fincannon who have been coming for some time and became new members early this year.   I love it!!!!  New members, inviting new families, inviting their friends… this is what it’s all about!!!

Diane (Mom) is about is bubbly as they come with a huge, big ol’ smile and really great laugh.  She is oh soooo much fun to talk to.  Tony (Dad) always has a welcoming smile on his face - he is easy going, warm and easy to talk to.  He seems like a really cool dad to me.  Marissa is sweet and outgoing and she inherited her mother’s pretty smile.  I hear she also has a special musical talent that she is trying to be shy about (ya’ll go ask her about it - you can probably find her down at FlipSide on Wednesday).  And Gary is a communications student at UNCW.  As I understand it, he has a bit of a geeky streak.  I hope I get to find out more about that.  Oh, yeah - he also has mom’s smile and his Dad’s easy demeanor.  (Gary - - I consider the title of geek one of the highest honors to which one can be bestowed :).     Stephen, and I only got to exchange a hand full of words but he strikes me as a guy who would just be a lot of fun to have around.  Allison and I exchanged fewer words but she also has a really nice smile (I’m starting to notice a pattern here :D).  She was a real trooper when I suggested she join the “family photo” for my little blogging experiment.  Allison, if you hang around The ROCK some more you will come to find that we consider most photo ops family photos - blood or not.

It just reminds me of the fundamental most important thing I love about The ROCK.  It’s not the leadership or the preaching (though solid in the Word of God and relevant to real people), the building or the technology (though we’re blessed) or the worship (though authentic and passionate).  All those are just a bonus.  The real jewel -  the people.  Not church members - ministry partners - - kindred hearts - -  yeah, family.

(Hey!  Don’t overlook that last link.  It’s a good read.)

That was fun.  I hope I remember to do it again…..  What were we talking about?   

I asked Cam if he remembered his memory verse for FaithStation tomorrow.

He said, “Be sure the sin will wipe you out.”

We all laughed until we cried.

I was digging around in a folder of past sermon graphics and it made me rember. (Yes, I know it’s misspelled… if you don’t know why - thank you for not noticing. Others who did notice shall never allow me to live it down. Suffice it to say that I am the poster child for the importance of proof reading :).

Anyway, I seem to recall expressing my propensity for quickly falling out of love with some of my artwork… Well, during my peruse I stumbled on to a few that I still like… and they made me remember.

It has been an awesome year at The ROCK. Each of these graphics brings back memories of changed lives, new faces, new challenges, new excitement, new directions…. new, new, new. But mostly I see new growth - personally and corporately. Healthy, vital, life promoting growth all around.

Serving God is so good…. it never gets old. I love my life.

I AM SO STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Check it out ya’ll. I finally figured out this podcasting thing.  The ROCK podcast is officially up and running and available on itunes! Good-googa-mooga there are a lot of steps to setting up one of these things.  You know, traditionally the technical  has come to me pretty willingly  - but this process had me nearly misty eyed for a bit.  I still have much to do, and miles to go before I sleep - but I had to share my first success with someone!  I choose you!!!!!!!!!!  YAY

Go!  Look!  Subscriiiiibe!   Hee - Hee - -  Geeky stuff makes me giddy!  

..because he darted after me into the bedroom, bounded off the bed, landing squarely on my shoulders, wrapped himself around my neck and looked at me like he thought I might have never come home…

who needs a dog?!?!!!