Sending Church Round Table

What an amazing thing to see pastors, mission pastors and church leaders come together to discuss sending people out from their churches. There were many states and denominations represented. There was a lot of earnest discussion between leaders seeking God's direction and encouraging each other with stories of successes and short comings. What an inspiring thing to see leaders come together and be humble and honest with each other. As a part of a team preparing to be sent it was beyond encouraging to be a "fly on the wall". As we served drinks, cleaned away trash and mingled, it was clear that everyone there was part of a bigger plan. A God sized plan for the vision of a Church body, one with many parts, that was together seeking His direction. I am blown away. I am beyond excited to see what will come of this meeting. I am sure that the Kingdom will feel the affects. I am grateful to the UpStream Collective for their fostering an environment of learning and encouragement. I am eternally grateful for a home church, a Sending Church, that is led by a pastor who believes that missions isn't just a part of our church, it is in fact part of the DNA of our church.

Are you sent? Or are you sending? If you aren't either I would encourage you to find your place, your role in this life. After all it's our purpose to bring glory to God. What better way than to lead people to know and worship Him!

For his Glory,

Cynthi

The Little BIG Move

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There's a reason it's called downsizing. We went from a 65 inch tv to a 27 inch one. A king size bed to a full. Yes it's crazy, yes it goes against the "American Dream". But as it turns out, selling out for God has been well worth any sacrifice we thought we were getting into.

The beautiful pool that we had all to ourselves but had to clean, to the beautiful pool we get to share with neighbors and don't have to clean.

Every sacrifice is met with a bigger and better blessing. They just don't come in monetary and "stuff" form. They come in relationships, freedom from all the possessions we worked for before and a lot less time spent cleaning. That might be my favorite part!

We are blessed, this calling has truly freed us from the rat race we were running. You might recognize it, working to buy things, to work more to buy things. Ultimately it is a game that never ends and no one wins. Now instead of working to buy the next big thing we are working towards something.

Please trust me when I say we are not better than anyone else. We still make mistakes, act selfishly and basically blow it. But the difference is now we repent, we seek God to be our strength to help us do better. We are making ourselves available to be used for His will and not our own. So thank you for your prayers and support. Keep them coming. We need them as we prepare for the BIG move to come!

This Friday we will say goodbye to a house that has brought us much joy and many happy memories. We welcomed the youngest member of our family in this house, started four new jobs and three new schools. As a family we made critical decisions in this house. The biggest decision being the one to follow God's calling us to move to Belgium to make Him famous in a place that is in need of experiencing His love. This move is another step in a two year process to be ready to go. It is exciting to know that He is opening doors, hearts and wallets to get us there. We are humbled by His grace and the love and support we have been shown by our vital group of cheerleaders! So while I am sad to leave this home we've loved I am stoked to be moving closer to Him and His perfect will for our lives.

Join us Friday at 6 as we bid goodbye to this house and bonjour to our new apartment. We look forward to celebrating this event with you!

Cynthi and the R's

Tonight is a rare night tempered with excitement and anxiety. Rob had his first ever interview with a Belgian company this morning. It was with Operation Mobilization, an agency that helps mobilize missionaries. The interview went great, Rob was totally comfortable and in his element. Turns out the positions for OM are volunteer positions and they also can not provide any assistance with visas and other entering the country needs. So we aren't totally back to square one, Rob would love to work part time for this organization if we are able to go totally funded.

As of now we are moving ahead with plans to move into the apartment here in Smyrna on August 12. We will sign a six month lease and Rob will continue to search for the job God has for him. We are still waiting to hear back from NATO on a few positions he applied for there. We trust that God has a perfect plan and we seek to do His will above all else. So for now we are continuing on the journey!

Tonight we put a deposit down on our three bedroom, 1,200 square foot apartment. We will be moving from an almost 2,000 square foot house. I am excited about the experience this will give us as a family living in close quarters. Sure we've spent time on vacation in a hotel but that's not the same as living in limited space. I am relying on God to be our source of strength and inspiration. In this process we have learned the importance of being willing to share God at any time, anywhere. The amazing things He accomplishes have blown us away! He is good all the time and serving Him is the single greatest purpose of my life.

Belgium Bound

the Law Family Newsletter

June 2011

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Prayer Requests *We would always seek Gods will first *Against discouragement *Job for Rob in Brussels * Financial Support *Praise! God has brought us renters for the house! People we know and trust. We move out in August! *Robs relationship with N, a Belgian citizen who is helping with tips and vital information about life in Brussels. For Financial Partnership Please make checks payable to LifePoint Church and send to: LifePoint Church 506 Legacy Drive, Smyrna TN 37167 615.459.3311 www.lifepointchurch.org *Please do not write the missionary's name on the check. Put the name on a sticky note on the check* We are Currently at 40 % of our first years budget. Thank you for your faithfulness! God has placed you in our lives as great encourager's and we are where we are because of you.

There is no Plan B... Almost eight years ago this picture was taken of Rob and I with my brother Beau. We had just finished unloading this truck full of stuff into our new house on 208 Lexington Drive. We have lived a lot of life in this house, lots of laughter and tears, Ross was born and all three of our kids came to a new life in Christ. If things continue to go the way they are, we will be leaving this house and headed to a two bedroom apartment NEXT month! Just this week we have had an offer to rent our house to people we know and trust. That same day Rob met a bank superior for lunch. They are excited about our opportunity and want to partner with us! The very next day as we were driving to a local apartment to meet with the agent Rob got a call from a fellow manager, she wanted to pass along the name of a customer of hers who owns a convenience store in Murfreesboro who is, get this Belgian! When God works He really works! In just a days time our journey went from someday to almost now. His timing is perfect! Belgium Bits The national flag of Belgium was adopted on January 23, 1831 after the Belgians gained their independence from the Netherlands in 1830. The national flag of Belgium was designed to signify Belgium's recognition as an independent country. The flag of Belgium bears three equal vertical stripes. The hoist side stripe of the national flag of Belgium is black in color. Other stripes color of the Belgium flag are yellow, and red. Black, gold and red colors of the flag are symbolic of the country's coat of arms. The black color represents the shield; gold stands for the lion, and red interprets the lion's claws and tongue. We are called to stand at the gates and make Him known. That He would be famous throughout the earth. We are striving to the day He moves us to Brussels but we are standing at the gate right here in Smyrna until that day comes. For the Kingdom, Rob, Cynthi, Ryan, Ruthie and Ross To learn more visit our blogs: www.cynthibearwithme.blogspot.com www.lawandorderoffries.blogspot.com

As today was shaping up to be a rainy, housecleaning downright boring kind of day, Boom! God swept in and blasted us with the Sonshine that can only come from Him. I wont totally admit that we've been discouraged lately but it wouldn't be a lie to say we were well, questioning. The timing of this journey, you know us being willing to sell everything and go and then waiting. And waiting, and waiting. Well I will admit some days it got the best of me. I look around, see people going through day to day stuff and felt a little jealous. What if my life were normal again. It would be easy. But then how can you ever go back when you have committed to God? When He has flipped that proverbial light switch in your heart? Following Him is the single greatest cause in my life. Making Him famous in the dark places is exactly what I was created for. How can we as a family give less than everything?

Well today two major things have happened. Rob was able to share his calling with a bank official high above him. She was not only thrilled, she asked to be added to our newsletter so they could support us! Then I got a message about the possibility of renting our home to a family we already know. Only yesterday Rob and I discussed the possibility as it seems unlikely the house will sell due to the failing market.

So now I sit stunned and embarrassed to be "called out" by God for having put Him in a box. He created everything and my tiny mind wants to limit Him to my abilities. Shame on me for that! I will now watch in amazement and adoration as God unwraps His plan. In His timing.

Thanks to my Savior for the reminder that only He can do these amazing things. Thanks to Him for the chance to be a little light for Him in the dark places. He alone is worthy of that!

Blessings!