July began with a BANG!!!

The month of July has looked very different than the month of June here in Zionsville, Indiana! June seemed to be jampacked between travel, spending time with the leadership team and church family, the house project, and focusing on two different teams being here for two weeks.  While I enjoyed every second of June - Rance and I's focus for the month of July shifted to reaching out to the community surrounding us.  We began praying for this focus back in March when we realized we were moving to Indiana for the summer and knew part of our role would be evangelism.  The Lord provided the apartment we are living in and a vision for outreach in such an incredible way back in May that we expected Him to bring about people and conversations while living here.  And boy has He...



Here is how July began...

Seems like July 4th was just yesterday; however, it was almost a month ago!  Time flies when you are having fun :) 

We had a very low key July 4th this year.  We spent the evening with The Thackers and their family (which we consider ours too!) as well as a lovely family we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know better from the church.  Our evening consisted of grilling out, cornhole, and enjoying some fireworks in downtown Zionsville. 

Helloooooooooo people!

 

Miss Anna got her nails painted!

Boo Bear showing off his form!

Dana, me, Carrie

Boo Bear using his master grilling skills!

Sitting outside in downtown Zionsville waiting for the fireworks to begin!

Rance and I were FLIPPING out when Lindy (aka coondog) and Hamilton told us they were coming to see us the first weekend in July.  Hamilton came in June with the Robbinsville mission team but since Lindy was unable to come - they made a road trip back together.  These two are so dear to our hearts.  We have watched them grow so much over the last 2 years and spending time with them is MORE than a blessing.  They drove here on a Friday and left on a Sunday!  While the stay was SHORT, it was sweeter than sweet! 

My dear coondog!

We showed Lindy around on Friday night - she was EAGER to see the progress on the house we have all been working on!

After LOTS of conversations Saturday morning, we ventured out for a bike ride!

I love this little trail that connects our apartment and Stonegate
(a very nice community which seems like you are entering another world)

Of course we would stop and eat wildberries along the way!

I'll never forget the first time I heard these animals as I was walking the short trail referred to above.  These animals are SO out of place.  Zionsville is NOT the country so I totally took this as a GOD WINK just for me :)

On that Saturday evening (beginning of July), we had our FIRST night of food, fellowship, and cornhole at our apartment complex with our church family here!  There is a huge grass area and dog park in the center of the apartment complex and Rance and I strategically thought this out since we have noticed SO MANY PEOPLE in the dog park every night at the apartments.  (side note: when we first moved, we thought we may have to buy a dog just to fit in here).  Anyways, our prayer was that we would be able to get to know more people in the apartment complex and community by simply being outside and inviting whomever wanted to join in!  This was a night I will never forget...

getting ready to set things up!

PIZZA!  Oh how I have missed having Papa Johns and pizza delivery close by (we don't have those luxuries in Robbinsville)

LOVE community & fellowship

 

 

I have loved every minute of getting to know Ellen!  Ellen is married to Eric who is a leader in the church here! She is a DELIGHT to my heart and I thank God for every minute I have been able to spend with her while I have been living here (which is a LOT hehe!) 

These two are TOO much fun together!  Eric (whose wife is Ellen in the picture above) is flippin' awesome! 

Meet Dylan!  He was in the dog park with his dog OREO and
Lindy ran over to ask him if he wanted to play cornhole with
us and the REST IS HISTORY!  He started coming to church at
Cornerstone that next day (Sunday) and we have hung out with
him almost every day since!  He has been Rance's cornhole
partner since that very first night of cornhole.

Apparently they are #1?!?!?! :)  Hamilton and Eric have a special bond now.
How cool is that?  All because of JESUS!



Carrie is on the worship team at Cornerstone and I have thanked the Lord so many times for her taking the time to teach Lindy how to play the guitar!

We are so thankful for Lindy & Hamilton's visit and their eagnerness to see
and be a part of what God is doing here!

Our first night of outreach was such a JOY and it was just the beginning of MANY more evenings out and about playing cornhole, grilling out, and getting to know SO many people around us.  Thank you Father for so many answered prayers.  I cannot wait to share many with you.

I may be behind on posts but I am enjoying re-living these last 2 months!!!  GOD IS SO GREAT!