One Hurdle...Church

So, Garratt and I all too easily fell into the "WE'LL GO NEXT WEEK" mode. We said we would go to church. I would lookinto diferent churches then we would let minor little things stop us from going. It started with Mel won't go by herself...yes Miss Indenpendent refusses to do much without her husband by her side. Then it was well, we need to get things done so that everything is unpacked before we go to CALI. Then we got back from CA and it was wel we need to recoup. Then it was what I would consider a somewhat ligit to a point excuse and that was Faith got sick and wasn't getting over it and I thought that it was because she was at daycare 5 days a week and I didn't want to put her in a Nursery with other kids and more germs plus her germs and blah blah everyone knows how that excuse goes. Then it happened there was nothing stopping us. Faith was still not completly better but she was ok enough to go into a nursery. So, yesturday we went. We visited the church that has caught our attention most of the time that we have been here. Living Faith Fellowship. This church is structually big but congregationally fairly small from what we can tell. But WE fell in love with it almost instantly. The people were very friendly and open. They greeted us multiple times and helped us find things. We also happened to visit on the day of SMALL GROUP RALLY SUNDAY. Basically it is there way of introducing all the Small groups that are available for the year. It was great. We found out that yes they have a Sunday School hour, but that is not were they put their focus. They are all about getting connected with a Small Group. So, after looking around and having met one of the Young Married Small Group leaders earlier in the morning we signed up to try his and his wifes Small Group. We are very excited. They meet every other week right after church. They do ao potluck at their house and everyone eats (kids are welcome)for about an hour then the kids go play in the playroom or if they are smaller they can play right there in the room with the adults, and they do an hour + long bible study. We are very excited to see what it is like. It starts next week so I will be sure to fill you in. As for the service itself...WOW!!! I don't think I have been so overwhelmed by worship like I was at this service. They are very open...they have the kids in with the parents during worship time. The kids are allowed to dance around, people all over were dancing and singing no one was shy because they couldn't sing. It was great. They did some modern music and a little old hymns stuff. It was done very well. Garratt and I both walked away wwith a great feeling about the worship. Then there was the sermon. WOW!!! I cannot remember the last sermon that I really enjoyed throughout the whole thing. This Senior Pastor is very interactive with the congregation. He knows when he can be loud and passionate and he also knows when to tone down and be serious. None of his jokes were forced or scripted they just came out along the way. Garratt and I both felt like we walked away with something from the sermon and that has not happened in a long time. We are going to stay at LFF for awhile and see how it goes. We both just really felt comfortable and very acceppted by everyone and Faith had a great time singing and dancing with us during the worship time and then playing and having a snack in the nursery during the sermon time. Plus, the nursery staff was very sweet and I just felt completly comfortable leaving her up there. The church structure is very different. I will try to explain hopefully it makes sense. Most churches you walk into the hallways are open and go off into different directions and the Sanctuary is closed off with a "LOBBY" area out in front. Not at LFF. LFF has an OPEN sanctuary. You walk into the building to an information desk lobby area, then you walk into the main lobby which is completly open and connected to the sanctuary. Everything else is behind hallways off of the sanctuary. It is really kinda cool. It sounds like it would be distracting behind you to have an open lobby but it wasn't at all. It was wonderful. So that was the WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS SOONER experience and now we have a church and we are eally happy about it. We cannot wait to get fully connected and start making friends. I am really missing having friends!!!!! I NEED SOMEONE OTHER THAN GARRATT TO HANG OUT WITH! (No offense my love!!) Well, if you have any questions in regards to our new church just leave a comment and I will answer any questions yoou have!!! Talk to all soon!!!