IT'S FRIDAY!!

What exciting news that we made it through the week. I absolutely loved hanging out with the 1st graders, but I'm glad it was only for 5 days!! Matt got to lead 2 of his guys to Christ today!! How amazing for the Lord to allow him to be a part of His work. Along with the challenges of ministry right now, God has really kept our eyes on Him because of how He's using us. It's unbelieveable how a Perfect Savior would use very imperfect people to do His Perfect work. What a grace to His children!!
So now we shift our focus to "vacating" to the great state of NC that we all love and miss! We're going next Thursday for a long weekend. An added bonus is that my nephew is playing in the South Regional Soccer tournament in Raleigh the very days we're there!!! How cool to get to see him play!! We're probably not going to see the beach, which stinks, but we'll see so many precious friends and be able to go to Christ Covenant on Sunday...what a blessing!

2 MORE DAYS!!!

Want to know what I've been thinking about for the last week...."A-ya wiki, B-ya wiki, C-ya wiki...." I've spent the last several days in the Hawaiian part of Winchester at our VBS. I'm doing 1st grade music and, as it is fun, I can't wait until Friday!!!! Matt has been leading worship and teaching the 5th and 6th graders to get them excited about coming to youth group in the fall. It has been a great week so far, but we're exhausted!!!

Mommy's Heart

I am so blown away with God's goodness and grace in my life and how quickly I can turn to complaining or pouting. My amazing husband continually spurs me on in my relationship with Jesus. He challenges and encourages me with the Word and I love to be with him!!!! My precious boys definitely keep me moving and on my toes, but, man, do we have fun!! Just today I had them both piled on me practicing their tackling skills. All I have to say is...Tucker may not be 3 yet, but Noah better watch out!!! Those smiling faces are such a joy and such gifts from the Lord! He does give in abundance!!! And what incredible riches I've been given through God's Word. I crave it more and more and just can't get enough!!! I've started really trying to read through entire books in one sitting and the truth just comes alive and penetrates through the filth in my heart!! What a mighty God we serve!!!

Some New Stuff

Well some fun things are going on at the Gurney house. We are getting hair cuts like they are going in style and baby bear Tucker is starting to walk. He took 5 or 6 steps at a time last night. Jen said that this morning he took 10. Pretty cool to see how fast that little guy is changing. They are both hilarious and still challenging. Just thought we would share that and a couple of new pictures of the boys.

Long time coming

Well folks it has been a long time since any Gurney has blogged. Life has not been easy but we are trusting God that He has us here in Kentucky with a purpose. I got to go to Together for the Gospel last week and God used it in huge ways to remind me of core truths that are invaluable and have a lasting impact. I got to see guys from Union where I went to college. There were plenty of Southeastern guys as well as some guys from Southern that I know. And the crew from North Wake and my favorites-the Christ Covenant guys were there as well. It was amazing to see that the connection I share with all of those people is Jesus. We all love Him and are seeking to glorify Him by declaring His greatness to anyone who will listen. I was reminded that I will be judged not only on my faithfulness in ministry but also my joy in ministry. I was also reminded that to the degree that the doctrine of depravity is taught, understood and embraced is directly proportional to the true, deep and lasting joy of a people. Guys, if you can, go there in 2010. Incredible teaching. They gave each attendee 21 books. I think they are worth around $350. We all have different ideas about ministry, but we all love and were purchased by and through one gospel. What an encouragement for me to see and hear all that I haven't been hearing or seeing for almost a year. We are excited about just growing in our understandings and God graciously deepening them.

Happy New Year

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas with family and friends. It was our first time to do Christmas morning at our house. How cool to see Noah's expressions and excitedness. We are truly discovering how blessed it is to give. The four of us headed down to Mississippi for the week after Christmas with Jen's side of the family. We had a great time and played a lot of frisbee golf and a little ping-pong. We asked Jen's parents if they could just support us and we could move in with them. Then we actually thought about and realized that we would drive each other crazy in about a month. So we are back in Winchester. Still hoping for piano students and other opportunities to come through. We are both praying that God will do awesome things in and through us as well as the student ministry here at Central. We will be ramping up some new changes that aren't crazy but definitely different for here. They have been doing essentially the same student ministry for 20 years. There have been some minor changes here and there, but no depth charges dropped that might just cause some explosions. We may have some soon. Well, we will post some pictures from Christmas soon. Grace and peace

What would Christmas be like without Jesus?

I asked this question to our students last night. Would we do anything very differently? I think many people would still give presents at the St. Nick's Day/Festival. I read a statement the other day that I think is very telling, especially in evangelical churches. Many people think that Jesus is important for what he did in the past. Most of these are also hopeful for that day of His return in the future. Where the disconnect comes is how we value or don't value the gospel and all that Jesus is to and for us right now. Students have made statements with their mouths and with their lives that they don't need the Scriptures, or the church as long as they have Jesus. I am very concerned for all whose way of thinking is dominated by a Jesus and me mentality. I want to enjoy worshipping our God and Savior and want to encourage and help others do that as well. What broken people we are in need of our Savior every moment. May I press on to know Him and the fellowship of His sufferings and all that He is so my joy may be full in Him. May your Christmas be filled with Christ. This is not an anti-gift giving blog. I am hoping that my family will experience Christmas a little differently as we consider the great condescension of our Holy One. Grace and peace