Hang on! Here we go again!

Ladies, are you ready?!

Oh my goodness! I can hardly sit still in my seat today! I am sooo psyched for group to start up again! As many of you have said, the month of August has just felt off-kilter for me too, not meeting for so long has got me shook! :)

We've got some new faces coming in and some old people leaving us, but I believe that God has something new and exciting for us this semester! I seriously can't wait!

Anyone out there feel me?!

Living, Breathing, Aching for the Mission

Carmel shared this about her recent trip with the Baton Rouge mission team:

"There are really no words to decribe the mixed emotions I had on this trip. I tell you what though, the people I met down there are so strong and resilient. I am truly blessed and, unfortunately, it is times of crisis and disaster that have to remind us just how blessed we are. The NCC team (5 of us) helped another team to gut a woman's home, which consisted of tearing down walls, ceillings and taking out anything that was destroyed during the storm/flood. The house had not been touched since last August, so just imagine how much there was to do. We were there for two days and we still did not complete the job, but the other part of the team returned the next day. We also did volunteer projects with a church called The Healing Place in Baton Rouge. All in all, I learned a lot about what it takes to build an entire city and how people feel called to help others. I am so glad that God answered my prayers and took me down there to see the destruction and create hope for a home owner that wanted her life back...The trip changed my life forever and I didn't even have to buy a $1,000 air ticket or get a stamp in my passport for it. The affect of this on me and the rest of that region has yet to be realized."

I have been thinking a lot about God's renown. Basically, that is what living on mission is about right? Making God's love and sacrifice and salvation 'an indelible memory' giving him 'fame that never fades'. (Louie Giglio).

Christy Nockels of Watermark put it this way:

...We can't just wash our hands of this and walk away
And blame the ones before us cus its easier to say
Than to listen to his heart beating for the coming age...

...We are a doorway and window to the truth
We have one passage of time
What will we say then?
How will we live?
This burning passion is a gift...

Pardon our dust!

We are slowly starting the transition from "Summer reflections" to "The Vine Inspirations" for the Fall. This is still an available space for all past, current, and future small group members. Feel free to continue posting insights, reflections, revelations... stay tuned for some fun changes to our blog space!

End of semester party!

We're sorry if you missed last night's party; we had a lot of fun. Fruit punch in fun glasses with umbrellas; luau/tiki decorations; fabulous food; and of course, the shirts! Ladies, if you were not there last night, get in touch with Lisa or Lanre to purchase a shirt-- here's a sneak peek, they are pretty hot! (Thanks to Lisa and Kaarin for spearheading that project)














Its been a great summer and I've learned so much. I can't wait until September. Begin reading Romans in the meantime and keep your eye out for emails in August about our social gatherings! Bring on Fall semester!