I’m home!!!! Thank you so much for your prayers of hope and care during my surgery and extended stay at the hospital. You kept me full of hope and faith as I faced tests, probes, unsavory reports, poking, prodding, and all that they did to make sure I was able to return home.

This past Sunday, my blood work reversed from the “all is bad” stage to an “all is better” result. We were all so happy, and the docs said I could possibly go home in a few days – like Tuesday. We were settling in for a few more days of hospital stay, when a doctor came in the room and said, “How would you like to go home today?” Kim and I looked at each other with surprise, and said, “Yes. Let’s go home now.” I can’t even begin to tell you how much this did in our souls as we felt God had answered our prayers. 

Before we left, my main Thoracic surgeon came into my room and said, “The surgery was successful.” When the pathology was completed, we discovered that there had still been pockets of cancer that had survived the chemo/radiation, as brutal as that was. The good news is the surgeons were able to cut it all out with margins that they were very happy to see. So, the entire Thoracic team believes I am cured of cancer! Praise Jesus. The miracle is real. When I feel better, I will do a happy dance, but I’m just sitting here in gratitude for now. I love this quote by Robert Holden who describes just what I’m experiencing today.

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.”

- Robert Holden

Thanksgiving is a special reminder to take time to express gratitude for both the good and, yes, the seemingly bad, which we may yet have to understand. I know that sounds difficult, and believe me, I am in a place where I am deeply challenged concerning gratitude. However, what I love about gratitude is that it’s a spiritual practice that is helpful for our souls. The past two weeks have been such a challenge in this practice, which is why I was so grateful for the encouragement toward thanksgiving we received yesterday.

These words really helped me: One of the best spiritual practices may be the cultivation of the call to be grateful – a simple practice perhaps overlooked because of its seeming simplicity. Too often when we want to identify something for which we are grateful, we overlook the unnoticed, seemingly insignificant things in our life – the early morning dew shimmering like precious jewels on a moist lawn, the interplay of light and dark and the subtle shading of colors in the sunlight, the ever-changing, magical sights and sounds that freshen and renew our awareness of existence – and instead focus on the more obvious (but still important) gifts of which we are already cognizant, like family and friends, or even just material possessions or our status in life. - Enneagram Institute from November 21,2021

While in the hospital, I found great comfort in looking for God’s work in the layers of life that were going around me. Here are Paul’s words that I found so challenging and helpful: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

I am eager to praise God with you, for this is God’s will for us!!! God bless you all from the depths of my heart. Kim and I feel so loved by you.

Here are some upcoming opportunities to SHARE LIFE and SPREAD HOPE to our family and community. 

GIRLS NIGHT OUT Christmas edition is Friday, December 3, 6:30-8:30pm at the church. Gather with the women of our church and the friends they invite for an evening of connection and reflection. Begin your Christmas by gathering to reflect on the true meaning behind all we celebrate. Check it out on the website and reserve space for you and an invited friend.

GROWTH PATH is one of the best ways to get to know our church and God’s mission for us here in Western Nevada County. This series of engaging seminars will help you know who we are and how you can find a place to call home as you grow to be more like Jesus. The next Growth Path is Sunday, December 5, 2:00-5:00pm. This is a great way to enter into the life of our church. You can register online or at church on Sunday. 

HOLIDAY SERVE OPPS are in full swing. Let me encourage you to go to our website and look at all the ways we’re serving our community this holiday season. People tell us with deep appreciation that our engagement really boosts the hopes and spirits of those who are in desperate situations in these challenging times. 

Our YEAR-END GIFT emphasis is in full swing. This giving opportunity allows us to generously serve even more people throughout the year. You can get more information on our website.

Our next BAPTISM will be December 12. Let me encourage you if you’ve never been baptized, PLEASE consider following the example set by Jesus when He allowed Himself to be baptized in the Jordan River. This is the first step He took to signify the beginning of His mission to seek and save the world. If you want to express your faith in Jesus through baptism, send an email to Mare, and attend the class Sunday, November 28 or December 5 at 9:00am. She will help you know everything you need. 

THIS SUNDAY we begin our Advent series focusing on slowing down to experience the reason for this wonderful season. We want to make Christmas meaningful by refusing to get caught up in the regular routines that can tend to drain the joy out of our experience and leave us disillusioned and dry.

Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared for Sunday’s Service:

• Message Notes and Study Guide
• Weekly Spotify Playlist
• Children's Ministry
• Student Ministry 

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,

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