Expanding the Horizons of Our Hearts

When Joshua and I first moved to Baton Rouge we were a bit nervous about being able to find a community to become a part of. We left behind one of the most wonderful and loving support systems in Gwinnett and Atlanta where we had invested so much of ourselves. It was hard to imagine being able to welcome anybody new into our hearts because they were already so crowded with friends and family.

But God can do anything. We walked into the Chapel our first Sunday there in Baton Rouge, two shy and nervous strangers, and we were instantly welcomed as a brother and sister in Christ. The family of God is a powerful thing, and I found myself forgetting that no matter your background, your hometown, or your culture, it is Jesus who binds his family together. In October we became a part of a local community group (essentially a house church). Michael and Erica Rhodes open their homes and their hearts to us every week as we gather as a family to eat, celebrate, pray, learn, and encourage each other as we make disciples and discover more of God's character. I love our little group because we come from so many walks of life. Some have grown up in Baton Rouge, others have moved there more recently like us; some are still in school and some have been married for 20 years and have children; we have engineers, teachers, pastors, moms, insurance salespeople, and students.

Joshua and I have been incredibly encouraged through the Chapel, but particularly by this little group of people. Especially early in our marriage, we have cherished the support and prayer that come from our Baton Rouge family. It seems our hearts have learned to grow to accommodate the influx of tenants that we have become increasingly fond of. If you think about it, please pray for our little family, that we would increase in knowledge of Jesus, that our time together would be an encouragement and a refuge from the crazy world we live in, and that we would love one another well

 

We really are a fun group of people!