Up, up and upstate!

Back home after a great trip to upstate New York. Charissa and I packed up a Honda Civic full with 3 kids, guitar gear and enough clothes to make it through the weekend. This was our first foray onto "the road" where we would be sharing what is on our hearts and leading others into a personal encounter with the Father. We were asked to come to New Hope Christian Community Church, where my father-in-law serves as pastor, minister to the church and spend extra time with family. On Saturday night I led worship and spoke about what it means to worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23). Charissa had invited a team of dancers from another local church to come and join with us as we were wanting to facilitate a place where people could let loose and be encouraged in the arts/talents. Sunday morning I led the band for the song service and gave a message called "Live like Jesus in 3 Easy Steps".

(L to R - Ezra sleeping, NY hills, faithful old guitar amp, SpiderMan on the road)

It was great to come to a place where we could be free to be ourselves, have ample time to do what we wanted and have someone watch the kids! Not often have Charissa and I both been able to be in the meetings together and minister together. She gave an intro for me at both services and had some great times praying for folks where encouraging and prophetic words were given. I know that during worship the first night Charissa's shoulder was healed without anyone praying for her. She had been having muscle cramps and limited movement and realized after the worship set that she was pain-free.

The trip was a blast. The folks there gave testimony to being touched by the Lord while we were there and fresh perspective of God's creativity and Jesus' redemptive side we're seen by many. For us, we had fun. There's always a trial or two (sibling rivalry in the backseat or general disgust from the baby in the backseat that just wants the driving to come to an end) and there's always reason to be thankful. I have reason to believe that God is more interested in working with us than through us. His desires have drawn us into this quest to see people's identities awakened. We push forward and look forward to the next trip.