Community
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This is my sweet friend Erin, daughter of the King, wife to a godly man, and mother to four beautiful children. She lives the Gospel daily as she utilizes every opportunity to share Christ, whether in word or in deed. Her love for Jesus is evident in the selfless nurturing she provides to her family, students, and friends. She is patient, kind, generous, thoughtful, and wise.
I first met Erin after starting my job at New Listing Media. From the beginning, she made me feel welcome, noticed, and completely comfortable. (That's just the nature of her personality and the Holy Spirit's work in her life.) As I got to know her, I gained an immense amount of respect for her. She and David are raising their children in Christ, grounding their family in Scripture and prayer. She is a role model, fellow worker in the Gospel, and beloved friend. It is an honor to have her in my life, and I look forward to the years of friendship ahead! |
ERIN J.
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EMMARIE M.
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This is my sweet friend, Emmarie. Her smile is caused by her infectious joy. She loves Jesus and others, which is evidenced by her selfless life. In conversation, she naturally makes you feel, at that very moment, like you are the most important person in her world. She is present, and her presence is a gift.
I first met Emmarie while she was working at Camp Geneva in 2018. I vividly remember her life-guarding on Big Pine Lake, waiting to talk with Noah about a situation she had encountered that week with her adopted cabin - a cabin she would help nurture throughout the girls' stay at Geneva. We were quickly introduced, the hour went by in a blur, but the friendship remained. Praise God! She is currently studying abroad in Israel for the next three weeks. When she returns, the next few months have exciting things in store for her, but I'll let her tell you more about that herself! |
Friends,
As Noah and I drove home from youth group last Sunday, I was overwhelmed by my deep love for you. Our time spent together is cherished, and when I don't see you, I long to be with you. I had always known this, but introducing someone new to our night of fellowship caused me to reflect upon our time together, its origins until now.
When Noah started inviting you over, I never anticipated such a friendship to develop. Growing up, I had one or two friends. We tried to experience the sort of intimacy brothers and sisters experience in Christ. Without fail, each ended. I mostly blame myself, because I was so engrossed in my own problems and insecurities. I was not living into my belovedness; therefore, I was incapable of calling out the belovedness of those with which I surrounded myself. Needless to say, I was lonely.
When I met Noah, I experienced an intimacy I had never known before. I was loved for who I was in Christ, and he called out my belovedness even when I couldn't see it. I was finally free to live into the fullness of Christ, marked by security and joy. Because of our brokenness, it is easy to misuse the good present in our lives. This is exactly what happened between Noah and me. I began coveting Noah's attention, desiring to constantly feel his particular favor. Well, you all know where that left me. Many of you were with Noah as he experienced the frustration that comes with bondage. I was quickly isolating myself from my misplaced source of security. I was not experiencing true fellowship, and I was left lonely once again.
As Noah and I drove home from youth group last Sunday, I was overwhelmed by my deep love for you. Our time spent together is cherished, and when I don't see you, I long to be with you. I had always known this, but introducing someone new to our night of fellowship caused me to reflect upon our time together, its origins until now.
When Noah started inviting you over, I never anticipated such a friendship to develop. Growing up, I had one or two friends. We tried to experience the sort of intimacy brothers and sisters experience in Christ. Without fail, each ended. I mostly blame myself, because I was so engrossed in my own problems and insecurities. I was not living into my belovedness; therefore, I was incapable of calling out the belovedness of those with which I surrounded myself. Needless to say, I was lonely.
When I met Noah, I experienced an intimacy I had never known before. I was loved for who I was in Christ, and he called out my belovedness even when I couldn't see it. I was finally free to live into the fullness of Christ, marked by security and joy. Because of our brokenness, it is easy to misuse the good present in our lives. This is exactly what happened between Noah and me. I began coveting Noah's attention, desiring to constantly feel his particular favor. Well, you all know where that left me. Many of you were with Noah as he experienced the frustration that comes with bondage. I was quickly isolating myself from my misplaced source of security. I was not experiencing true fellowship, and I was left lonely once again.
Our time spent together is cherished... |
You all know that Noah and I communicated through that season of frustration. He reminded me where my security truly lies-- Christ. As I grow in Him, I am learning to live as Christ intended: taken, broken, blessed, and given. I now have a group of friends with which to practice this life. I have never experienced this kind of fellowship before, and I never knew how precious this fellowship could be.
Each of you is treasured for various and unique reasons. You all love Jesus and are looking for a deeper relationship with Him. Some of you are introducing a significant other into your life. (I am so excited for you to experience pure and biblical intimacy.) This causes me to cherish who we are right now before our dynamics change.
I love having you all over, sitting on the deck or talking in the kitchen. Hopefully our house feels like your home away from home. I wear the title you gave me as a badge of honor. I know I'll have to submit it to another woman eventually, but until that time, I allow my heart to swell every time I hear it. You are all thoughtful and mindful of the other people in our group. You go above and beyond to make each person feel like they are family. There is no pretending (and no permission to pretend) in this group, and it is refreshing for each of us to be unapologetically us.
I hope you can truly accept how beloved you are and how thankful I am for your presence in my life. There is so much more I could say, but for now, I love you.
Each of you is treasured for various and unique reasons. You all love Jesus and are looking for a deeper relationship with Him. Some of you are introducing a significant other into your life. (I am so excited for you to experience pure and biblical intimacy.) This causes me to cherish who we are right now before our dynamics change.
I love having you all over, sitting on the deck or talking in the kitchen. Hopefully our house feels like your home away from home. I wear the title you gave me as a badge of honor. I know I'll have to submit it to another woman eventually, but until that time, I allow my heart to swell every time I hear it. You are all thoughtful and mindful of the other people in our group. You go above and beyond to make each person feel like they are family. There is no pretending (and no permission to pretend) in this group, and it is refreshing for each of us to be unapologetically us.
I hope you can truly accept how beloved you are and how thankful I am for your presence in my life. There is so much more I could say, but for now, I love you.
 BETHANY R.
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This is Bethany. She's a remarkable woman, who is kind, compassionate, and selfless. In sincerity, she actively listens and empathizes, no matter her circumstances. I am consistently amazed by her gentle and meek character that exemplifies a servant's heart.
I first met Bethany at Camp Geneva in 2016. She started as a Shores counselor, and now she is planning her second year as the Shores coordinator. She is also a phenomenal teacher who passionately cares for her students and challenges them academically, socially, and emotionally. It is an honor to call Bethany my friend, and I am excited to feature her as my first community member! |
