September 2020

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UNPRECEDENTED TIMES

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“This year has been unprecedented.” These were the words my pastor spoke a few weeks ago in a virtual church service. He was speaking of course about the pandemic, the injustice, and the natural disasters that have rocked so many people’s lives, especially here in Portland. As Christians we are not immune to these and other sufferings. How we weather the storm though is different, because we hold onto Jesus as our anchor. This year certainly has been unprecedented, but when our anchor is Jesus we can remain steady in the storm. Unlike these times, Jesus is secure and unchanging. Keeping that truth in mind, the staff has been praying and seeking where Jesus is leading us in fulfilling the Great Commission. One place where we often can see Jesus at work is through Cru Winter Conference. This coming February 5th-6th there will be one large national event where we reach students on their campuses and virtually around the country. Which for us means producing all the videos for the conference. We are starting to plan them now and are praying for how the students will experience this online Winter Conference. Some students will be challenged and inspired to take a step of faith on mission, while others will hear the truth of the Gospel for the very first time. It is such an amazing time of the year to see so many believers gathered together with the sole purpose of proclaiming that Jesus is king and we are His people. This year’s conference will look different than it ever has, but Jesus is not limited by the confines of this world. He can work and change hearts no matter the circumstances. For me personally, I am very excited to tell you that this October (20th-22nd) I will be attending a virtual training called The Creativity Conference from Adobe MAX.This virtual experience has 56 hours of continuous live content featuring a variety of artists and over 350 workshops.I am excited for this event because I will be able to find time to learn from such talented creators and further the gifts that God has given me in videography. It’s time once again to pursue healing, in His strength, with the truth of His Gospel. Thank you for linking arms with us.

During these times, Tyler and I have been making decisions we never thought we would. Who we can invite over, when we should go to the store or if even going out to get something is “worth it”.

Our church has recently announced it will not meet in person until 2021. Community has been hard for us, but we are thankful that we have wonderful technology to see friends and attend church even through a screen. This way of having church is not easy, but it has shown Tyler and I how we need to be seeking God not just at church, but in everything we do. He must be our anchor.

Tyler was recently accepted into Nursing School for Winter 2021 at a local school in Vancouver. If you have been following Tyler’s journey with God and his calling it has been one of heartache and truth. He has spent the last four years processing, fighting, and following God. After having worked as an EMT for nearly three years, Tyler has felt God calling him to the medical field to do what he’s always felt passionate about, serving others. Tyler had always thought that serving others meant working in law enforcement, but God has shown him that it was not His heart for him. God has given him a heart and the skill for the sick. We are not sure what school will look like for him, but we are so excited!