fall retreat.

Last weekend we went with our church to Camp Paron for our annual fall retreat. It's crazy what a difference a year makes.  Last year Audrey was the only baby at the retreat, and she was just learning to roll over.  This year there were 3 babies on the retreat, and they were busy entertaining us all weekend. I loved seeing how much each person in our group loves our kids, taking turns passing them around, and helping give us parents a break to enjoy the retreat.

We talked all weekend about intentional community versus existing community, using the community of believers in the New Testament as our guide. I left feeling convicted that I've been merely an existing member of our community, seeking what our community can give me. I came home encouraged to be intentional with my relationships, both at church and in my every day life. To seek out ways I can give (time, resources, encouragement, etc.) to others, and not just live life going through the motions. The starting point has to be me being intentional with my relationship with the Lord, if that is right, then giving others 100% will come naturally. I've got several relationships that I'm working on being more intentional with, and I look forward to sharing the fruit with you in the future.

This Thanksgiving weekend, as I reflected on last weekend, I am so thankful for the community we are blessed to be a part of.  Thankful that they are here to live life with us, good and bad times. Thankful that they sharpen me and encourage me to reach my full potential as a follower of Christ. Sure, we have our flaws, but I think this is the closest I've come to being a part of a community like the one Paul talks about in the book of Acts.