Slow and Steady…...

We were SO blessed on Justin's birthday by a group of young adults who are going to be a part of the Springs Campus. We had no real plans on Justin's big day, and suddenly we have this group of people willing to drive all the way to Cutler Bay and bring Justin birthday cake or meet us out for a birthday dinner. These are people we barely know, all willing to come support, love on us, and welcome us with open arms….We were really blown away and beyond blessed. Lola had a ball being passed around, and I think has become the Springs campus mascot :)

I met our realtor turned friend at Starbucks not too long ago with Lola. It was a rare cool(ish) kind of day with a nice breeze, and we had the nicest time sitting outside chatting. As I left I reflected on that little trip to Starbucks, and I realized something….we were really starting to stumble into some kind of community….

When I had walked in, we were greeted by the most amazing kid whose name is Saul. He will be the Springs student director; we got to know him better the Friday prior at Justin's birthday--he instantly became Lola's new BFF. Honest, he's like the Lola whisperer…who else could keep this child happy at 8:00 at night (way past her bedtime) at a restaurant full of adults??…Tio Saul…that’s who. (Tio means uncle in Spanish)…anyway, I regress-

Saul works at Starbucks. He hooked us up with a free beverage too, which if you know us Tunmore and our Starbucks coffee addiction and connections, you would know back home we were often privy to treats by our favorite Starbucks employees…they were like family to us. This simple, kind gesture did so much for my soul that morning, it made me feel at home. But there was more….

As we sat out and talked, a group of interns from the church, who Justin helps manage, came out the door. Kelly, one of the interns we took with us to the fireworks, came running up to hug us…and Lola got this huge grin on her face. She knew Kelly as her other new BFF who rode in the backseat with her to the fireworks on the 4th, and who also rode with us to Justin's birthday dinner Friday.  In that same group, a great big teddy bear of a guy named "Ralphie" comes out and sees Lola and says..."Lola Jae!! I met with your daddy yesterday and I've heard all about you!!"

As we sat, Lola refused to sit on my lap…she wanted Jen, our realtor/new friend to hold her…..The. whole. time. She loves her! As we sat, Lola threw her ball at a group of students who were sitting at the table next to us. As the girl, Rachel, handed it back to Lola, I recognized her from last Saturday at the Church. Justin had introduced me to her and the group of kids she was sitting with here at Starbucks…we exchanged hellos and a few more ball throws on Lola's part. :)

As I drove home from that coffee date I realized I had so many encounters, all different, all separate, and all surrounding a community of people we are becoming a part of……it was a moment for me. I think this new road we are traveling, might just start to feel more and more familiar....slow and steady, we are getting there. 

Here are a few pictures of the last 3 weeks.......

Fridays are family days around here....we ease into our mornings with some light reading:)

a little sun tea in the sunshine state

one of a few storms that have rolled through...that sky

Happy 4th!!

Every.Single.Time. Every single time we do something with the community of people in this Springs Campus Launch….Justin and I leave SO SO full. This community of people is so very warm, and loving, and really…just beautiful. We feel like a part of a family, even though this is still new. There is something really special about this area and these people.

We are trying to get the word out to the surrounding  communities that the Campus is launching in September. So today, everyone involved with the campus gathered and walked in the parade. We met new faces, passed out candy, had water gun and water bucket fights with the crowds and just had an all around great time. Lola was in heaven. 

We hope you enjoyed your holiday!! Love and miss you all!! 

Welcome to Miami

We made it!!!

We are here, moved in and trying to establish a new normal. 

Moving is a hard thing….it takes a while to re-center from the jolt of your world being turned upside down. Living out of boxes and suitcases for weeks makes for an unsettled feeling….its been nice to get put back together again; and yet it's just such a huge shift- that it really does take some time. 

Here is an update of our lives in the last two weeks through a few photos.........

Home Sweet Home

We found a place! Something with enough space that we can afford and were able to get into fast.

 Yet we have this tension…..we are further from Miami Springs where the church plant will be happening. Not hours-realistically minutes and 10 miles further than the most ideal location, however this is a major part of Justin's role. We have felt torn about this for so long as we were looking for a place. Justin's other main role is at the main Campus working on leadership development….which we are only about 7 minutes away from; and so a tension lies of wanting to be so much closer to the community we are about to serve, and not being able to afford to live there and having all the doors shut. The catch 22 is if we move closer, it's a flip flop on being further from Justin's other location and more traffic, more time in the car sitting. To say the least-there is not a perfect scenario here.

So here we are, living in the tension…but at peace knowing God has us here and waiting to see His handiwork. 

Where is here?….Well, for those who want to look at a map and check out our proximity….we are in Cutler Bay. We are south.....way south. Palmetto Bay is where the main Campus is and Miami Springs is where the church plant will be…if you have just looked this up, you'll understand my previous statement…yeah, its far. But not too far, just far enough to be annoying because Miami traffic makes everything that much farther!!!

Justin has jumped in full throttle since he arrived and its exciting to think about his new role and the ministry opportunities this new season is going to afford us. But at the same time, its an adjustment. Its a step outside of our comfort zones, and its a stretch on many fronts.

People….let me be real here….Miami doesn't really have beaches like the beaches you keep asking me about. YES- South Beach, we do have that…..we are about 40 minutes in traffic away from that, and ill be honest……thats a train wreck of congestion and crazy that I doubt I will deal with very often. We are on the coast, but so far south that there are not many beaches, there is water to be seen….just not too many long wide deep stretches of beach that you tend to think of if you think of Florida. BUMMER, yes…I know.

We did go to Key Biscayne this past week. It is a stretch of beach about 45 minutes ( with traffic ) away from us. It has a beautiful view of the city and it was really nice to just unplug for the morning. Lola was in heaven, she loved it! 

Enjoy the few Pictures below, and we will be in touch soon! Love and miss you all.

I learned not to feed the ducks around us. Here I thought it would be this great wildlife experience for Lola to feed the ducks by our pond each day....yeah not so much. They are not so nice- and we fed one, and 13 showed up in the yard here...I didn't get a shot but SOOO wished I had!  (they look like demons, you cant tell in this pic, but their heads are red and creepy looking)... These things will come knocking on your window for bread days later, somehow they know where you live.

Breaking in the kitchen

 

Lola's first fresh squeezed Florida orange juice:)