Additions

We've enjoyed a quiet month in January, with only the Nixons and the Harrises living in the convent. It's been a nice time for our two families to enjoy each other's company and have some good talks together. Yet still the house has been full of friends. Our house church gathers here every Thursday evening. Dave and Janet Barr and their two kids (Theo and Aaron), Julie and Emma Rose, Kenny and Marissa (and Josephine) all come over for dinner, singing, prayer, and a time to share what's going on in our lives. One Friday evening we welcomed 40+ leaders from the Northern Kentucky Vineyard for dinner and hanging out. It was lively and the house was full of candlelight and laughter. And then this past Tuesday one of the NK Community Groups came over for dinner. Dave made a huge stir fry full of fresh vegetables. It was a delicious time.

And now it's time to add 2 new household members who moved in yesterday. Scott Ross has become an intern and will be living with us for at least the next year. He's a young single guy who works for DHL and is looking forward to family discussions and the rhythm of our community life. Charlie Levine also moved in yesterday and plans to stay for a month or two while looking for a new apartment for himself. We're excited about adding some new folks to our mix, and to building family with them for whatever time period they're with us.

I've noticed lately how Joseph and Grace have changed since coming here in early September. They are the children of Steve and Sara Harris. Joseph is 4 (almost 5) and Grace is 2. When they moved in they were rather quiet and guarded. Friendly enough, but a little wary of this place and all these people. Gradually over the months they've come out of their shells. Grace talks constantly ... she didn't say much when she moved in. She also gives unexpected hugs and kisses. Joseph likes to discuss various topics and has quite a lot of input to give on any subject. He likes to think, and he likes to come up with solutions. And he likes to help! He is the designated "book collector" when we finish prayers at any given meal .... and then Dave holds the chair while Joseph stands on it to put the books on the shelf. Children are terrific. Children give adults the opportunity to open their hearts, to laugh a little more, to feel tenderness.

So that's what's up in the convent. Gotta take some pictures and post them, too .....

A New year

The new year is underway. Currently we're enjoying a quiet period with just the Nixons and the Harrises living in the convent. It's nice for our two families to have more time together. Yesterday we gave the house a thorough cleaning which was much needed after the holidays. It was fun working together. I love a clean house!

Desiree left on January 5 to go back to Atlanta. We miss her. She's a sweetheart. We continue to pray for her in her new endeavors.

Scott Ross plans to move in at the end of January. We're really excited about him joining us. He spent a week with us in December and immediately became part of the family.

Things are not always perfect in community life. Just before Christmas we had a "melt-down" type Saturday morning. Kids had been sick, various holiday and work pressures were upon us, people were tired...and a couple of us just melted down. We did it together, though. We worried in private, cried in public, and worked through it with God's grace. Times of tension seem embarrassing and awkward, but we tend to end up in a better place if we let them happen rather than "stuff" our concerns.

So what else is new.....

Kim and Matthias, who were interns with us this past summer (and Kim is the Nixon's daughter) are getting married in September. So we'll be hosting a wedding. We're excited about all the friends and family who will gather for this event.

Cat visited over the holidays, and Ryan was also here earlier in December. It was so lovely to have them in the house again. And again hard to let them go. But they each have teaching jobs and are doing well.

We've been having more folks trickle through from the Northern Kentucky Vineyard, visiting for a meal or using one of our rooms for a retreat. We enjoy their company and the chance to serve them.

This past weekend Kevin had back surgery, so the convent kept Izaac and Zoe overnight so Tracy could tend to Kevin. They brought quite a burst of energy into the house! It was a fun time, and nice to be able to help each other out. The adults shared the care of the kids, and even Julie came over to help out on Friday night. It was nice to know that Tracy and Kevin could focus on their immediate needs, and we could enjoy some quality time with their kids.

We hosted the December and January AllGroup for Vineyard Central at the convent. Hospitality is so precious, and it unites us to serve together. Plus it's great to see all our friends in one place. We're thankful we have a home that's conducive to events like this.

So we plod on into the new year, looking forward with great anticipation to what God will do with each of us individually, and with all of us corporately.