fellowship.

this is our small group.  so thankful for them.  our guys surprised us all.  

they lined up babysitting & cleared our calendars for the night.

matt took out our car seats & we piled into our [party] van.

we had such a fun night in chicago even though we totally got 

stared down with a disgusting look for taking this picture.

why do people have to be so snotty? i get that we look like tourists,

but we weren't in anyone's way & i'll be thankful for this picture 

many years from now.

i kind of digress, but no time for backspacing today.

what i mean to say is that i understand that a lot of people are intimidated

or uncomfortable with small groups or even church.

i truly do understand that more than i could express here.

i just wanted to share that the blessings of the small group model

in our church have far out-weighed my selfish desire to do life by ourselves.

slowly, each person in our small group begins to do life together--

sharing needs, blessings, praises, hurts, convictions, desires.

we can prayerfully point each other to Christ;

we can say hard things without becoming the enemy.

we can rejoice even more greatly with each other in blessings

because we truly have been a part of it with support & prayer.

 so grateful for this group!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good

deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,

but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25