Friday, March 27, 2009

March wedding (1 of 2)

Here's a few pics from the March 7th wedding.
Great couple. My favorite part was the dedication of "I will follow you into the dark" by Death Cab to the bride and everyone sang along. Singing while taking pictures = fabulous.

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Back to the clubs.

It's exciting getting more dates on the calendar to spend more time in the strip clubs.

On Tuesday night Rachel, Heidi, Melody (Kaleb's Fiance) and I jumped in the car and had two clubs on the list (And a few as back up in case we didn't get in).

Our first club on the list was one we went to last time. We wanted to show up again and hopefully begin to form relationships with the club and staff. Last time the house mom took the gifts but was hesitant to let us. We gladly left the make up and thanked her. We prayed in the parking lot and hoped for favor! Even without our connection with the manager, "W", the men at the door were willing to let us in with cases of water for the girls. We were told they are often dehydrated and thirsty. We were walked right to their dressing room and welcomed by the house mom. There weren't many girls yet but we had a good conversation with "K" who was a bit skeptical and questioning but thankful we are doing what is rare for them. It seemed like she was just pushing us to see how we would respond. A lot of the girls have been hurt by religious people who have hated and condemned them so we have to get past all of that. Upon leaving we were introduced to the back dor manager and told we were welcome straight in the back anytime! This is huge :) Thank God! So, were stoked and head back to the car to share in excitement and head to the next.

Club number two is a new one and perfectly one Rach and Heidi had in mind and right around the corner. It is way smaller, seems to be empty and quiet. The door manager isn't sure what we are doing but gladly carries that water to the girls and allows us in their room. We give them make up, offer our services and spend some time with them. One of the girls mumbles concern of us being those Christians who will preach to them. We hang out while they anxiously go through the make up bags wondering what is in each one. The whole "religious" thing comes up again. I tell them that while we are Christians we are not there to condemn or preach but to offer our services and anything else we can do for them. They were grateful. It is great because it is so small it seems like forming relationships with the girls should be easier than other clubs.

It really was a great night. We spent the drive home brainstorming what else we can bring them and how we can love them. On the agenda: mints, foot lotion/soak, home made snacks, etc. We are so grateful or favor, open doors, connections and conversations in these clubs. If you think of it, pray for these girls and our outreach.

Thank you for reading about the latest!

Here is a picture from the parking lot:

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

a perfect desert day.

Rachel took me to explore the Red Rocks for the first time. The desert mountains are pretty much in our backyard which makes this part of Vegas so pretty.

The Red Rocks them self
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margie
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there IS green in the desert.
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Monday, March 23, 2009

The BIG Premier:

Of the Strip Bus.
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mastermind behind it all
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Check it:
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So what is the purpose behind this beautiful beast?

Someone donated this NEW bus to stephen and he drove it across the country. It was a big yellow bus but now is fab u lous. So, the bus will be available to pick up groups that come work with us and shuttle them around, be a driving billboard, haul us around for ministry on the strip, give people rides to church services and anywhere they might need to go (free taxi service?). Who knows how else it might get used.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Maggie's Baby Benefit (as Tiffany puts it).

So, Sunday was a jam packed weekend for me. Home for the first time since leaving in January. It was beyond busy but so good to see so many people. I was so blessed and encouraged with calls, text, visits, questions, time at Eastside, sharing, and so on.

One highlight was Maggie's first Baby Shower. Everyone did such an amazing job of coming together to bring perfect food, gifts, love and their presence. There was so much support squeezed in that living room.

Tiffany's beautiful baby cup cakes:
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Food!
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Games:
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Gifts:
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Maggie
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Thursday, March 5, 2009

I want to write..

but I have not pictures to post and nothing in particular to say. I should have pictures from beautiful San Diego this weekend but I haven't gotten that far! But San Diego was great. Craig spoke at all 5 sunday services at The Rock Church. It was inspiring to see how many people were touched after the great talks. We brought 800 of the Jesus Loves Porn Star Bibles (Brand New) and nearly sold out by the end of the 3rd service. We still had two busy night services! So Craig called Brandon who got on a plane with lots of bibles. We ended up selling around $1000 which helped us pay off the bibles to be able to give them away at the porn shows. People couldn't wait to buy one, or 10 or just throw down money. You could tell people were hearing important stuff that challenged and yet comforted them at the same time.
This broken woman approach the table to thank Craig. She began word vomit of all the heavy stuff she was going through. She was completely vulnerable and you could tell she just couldn't keep it in anymore. She was facing a recent divorce due to sexual addictions, hurt, fear of raising her two boys alone, and much more. She thanked Craig for listening and walked away but I had to ask if I could pray for her and she said, "Thank you, I really need it". So I prayed and we both cried. I encouraged her as much as I could. She has been on my heart. I wish I had her email. I really love to be able to listen, encourage and pray for those around me or anyone who needs it and I was blessed to have been there to do that for her that night.
The weekend was great though.. Sea World with Jeanette and the kids on a gorgeous day, Church, dinner in Little Italy with the Jedidiah folks, my first Chick-fil-A experience, A hotel over looking the water, lunch in san diego with Josh K., etc.

Pictures from this lovely weekend to come but for now I found a few from a couple weeks ago:

Meeting with the lovely Swaney Ladies (in town for Volleyball):
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Town Square music in the park on Valentines day:
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Ps.. I am making my first venture home this weekend for a wedding, Maggie's baby shower (woot) and an engagement shoot. Will be busy but I am excited!

so much for me having nothing to say and no pics to post. ;)