Fabulous Friday - My Most Memorable Moments in Peoria This Week

My Most Memorable Moments in Peoria This Week
24 August 2012


1. Matt and Andy Cieslak

Matt and Andy blessed us by helping us move lots of stuff to Peoria to Joe and Grace's new apartment. Since we were gone the week before, it took away our stress by not having to figure out a rental van/truck.

2. We win!

Matt and Andy left two hours before we did. We beat them to the apartment by 5 minutes (and we took our time). Too many Starbucks stops for them!

3. First United Methodist Church of Peoria

This is the church Joe is the "Director of Contemporary Worship Arts." The place is huge and it is a downtown church that has deliberately stayed downtown, right next to some of the worst of the worst. It is a mainline church that has stayed true to its original message - to love God - and to love your neighbor - which they actively do. I am impressed.

4. The Vandervoorns

This couple took Joe and Grace in for a few weeks before they got into their apartment. They are a great generous couple. Lauri was Grace's connection for the school position. John is your typical Dutchman who has a scuba diving business. These two are complete opposites and are a blast to be with. I hope we get to spend more time with them.

5. Morton, IL

This is the school district for which Grace has the teaching position. It is called the pumpkin capital of the world - and here all this time, I thought it was Clarence, NY. The one thing I find disappointing about the school is that the teams are called the Morton Potters. Just what does that mean? I am afraid to guess...

My Applause

This is the second of three installments - note the previous post of 8 June 2011.

My Applause
Zach Carhart

The glamorous life has blinded us all
Our own pride has captured us, ever since the fall
We are sucked into the lie of forgetfulness
Forgetting that we were once lost and oppressed

Our faith didn’t come from a glamorous scene
The crucified Christ came to seek and redeem
The broken and crushed were always on His heart
Because when Adam sinned, the world began to fall apart

The master plan didn’t include the glitz and glam
A Savior’s body was scarred for the sake of man
Pain and suffering was His pursuit of choice
To show His love for those who had no voice

The sick and the shameful, forgotten and lost
The freedom for captives required a great cost
To lay down one's life is the greatest love of all
To imitate Christ's humility, YES THIS is our call

Satisfaction can't be sought in the acceptance of man
But in God, who holds our life in His hand
The lost and the sick, everyday they pass by
But we don’t even spend the time to look them in the eye

TURN, TURN back to the cross, and see the blood which was shed
That purchased our souls now ALIVE, not dead
Breathe this new life, let it shine in our hearts
To carry out God's plan, for this we were set apart

Love, LOVE the weak, the lost and the slave
As this is the narrow path Christ has paved
Seek the love and grace flowing from the throne of God
As we SHINE for His glory, YES this, THIS is our Applause!