I really have no way of describing the emotions that I feel for the community that Daniel and I have here in Charlotte. It has been an amazing 3 years that we have spent with them (since Watershed's existence) and I am just in awe at the lives that God has allowed us to be a part of. True community. Never had I experienced what true community was prior to Watershed, I had moments and glimpses of this throughout my years but not consistently. (thats another post for another day). Back to the friends....there is so much that I love about each of these in the pictures below...the respect, love and acceptance of them is endless. Since most of us leave the city to visit our families during the Christmas week, we started having a "family dinner" early in December to celebrate the season together! We love it....and we usually come back together for New Year's Eve for another big party! So...this year was extra special for this group since half of the "fam" is leaving for Malawi in July (not mentioning any names here). We also celebrated the Grammatico's big move too. They actually aren't moving houses but Ryan and Ashley are getting ready to go back into ministry. We are very excited for this new chapter in their lives!! Ryan is going to be pastoring a satellite church for another church in the area...its been his dream that we all have literally sat around the table and prayed for since this time last year. It's amazing how we have seen many answers to prayer this year. So...Ryan and Ashley (and their girls) will be physically leaving our Watershed community in a few weeks...but their friendship will be lifelong! We love you guys!
Ashley had these boxes set out when we arrived. They are gratitude boxes (an idea she saw on Oprah). Throughout the night we each wrote a nice little something on a small piece of paper for each person and placed them in the box. It was such a sweet idea!!
Scott and Kendra (and someone's hands)
family dinner together (the last family Christmas dinner for a few years)
Rachael and Jamie
Our friends (from left to right): Jonathan & Kayla (they are going to Malawi with us, Scott & Kendra, Rachael & Matt, Daniel & Jamie and Ryan & Ashley.
reading our notes at the end of the night!
2 comments:
I totally am going to steal the note in the box idea! Love it!
I didn't know that you had other friends going with you to Malawi and I am THRILLED! jI actually feel kind of relieved that you'll have others to lean on. Someone else who can relate to the experience, the trials, the joys with you! Ryan and I were just talking about you guys in the car today. Talking about the reality of what you're about to embark on. Knowing it's something we'll probably never do (Ry has health issues that would prevent it) but feeling so strongly about our responsiblity to send! I know you guys hardly know Ryan but both of us are so proud of you for following God's call on your lives! Thrilled with anticipation at what God is going to do thru you.
Love the notes int he box--- we have done that at showers and birthday parties, it is such a keepsake!~ We also did it after our friends lost their son in a terrible accident one year adn they still read them all the time! I was cryign as I read your post because we have a family here that isn't blood that I never want to have to leave adn pray none of them ever leave as well... being that soem of them are in the ministry full time, eventually God will cal someone on but for now we love each other as much as we can. It is like nothing I have ever had, to have couples that you can bond with... that are there to celebrate the best days adn weep with you on the worst of days... the friends that know when they need to order pizza and invite themselves over to your house to hang with you.... God is so good to supply those relationships! I am so thankful that you guys have this adn it will be such a source of strength and encouragement as you move into this next chapter that God is taking you to! I am so excited for you guys and can't wait to hear about the thigns God does in this big move. and btw --- love the family dinner idea in early December, we always try to do this but it gets crazy with all the travel... we are planning too late in the season!
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