Fall Update

Our lives have felt like a whirlwind the last few months.  We have been working on our new building getting it ready for our Grand Opening and Dedication services on September 16th. The basement remodeling project was a bit more than we initially thought it would be, but in the end, it was worth all the time and effort to see the final product. The basement is now a bright, updated space for our nursery and children's Sunday school classes, as well as a great space for fellowship meals, and has nice, updated restrooms. Throughout the project, Tim had amazing stamina and vision to see the project finished. He and Pastor Fitch spent many, many hours working on details, painting, organizing helpers, as well as keeping up with the daily duties of the ministry.
September 16th was a glorious day with Ray and Ann Gibbs providing special music during the services. Their powerful voices filled our beautiful auditorium and inspired our hearts! There was excitement in the air, the building was full, and the Holy Spirit met with us!  Tim and I were truly overwhelmed as we looked back on the beginning days of our church and remembered all that has taken place since then. Having a permanent place to call our church home has been a constant prayer since before we moved to Branford in 1999.  Pastor Fitch put together a video showing the different locations that our church has met in over the last 13 years and documenting the transformation of the basement of our new location.   Here it is below:


Tim preached a message on "What's the Big Deal?" from I Timothy 3:15.  You can listen to it here: Grand Opening sermon
The dedication service that evening was touching as Tim recognized and thanked all those who gave financially and/or worked on the many different projects that needed to be completed.  Whether it was helping with the move, tearing down walls, pulling up old carpet, laying tile, hanging sheet rock, painting, cleaning, putting up trim, building shelves and radiator boxes, preparing meals for those who were working or completing the many finishing touches, each person was recognized and honored for their service.  It was a truly special day for us...and most of all we give the Lord all the glory for the gift of a permanent location in our town.
The week after the Grand Opening and Dedication, Dr. Rick Flanders came to hold a four-day revival meeting. Many people asked if we could continue the revival meeting and have it all week!  Our hearts were genuinely touched by his messages and many decisions were made to take new steps of faith in our walks with the Lord.  Needless to say, this has been a busy, but exciting few months in the life of our church.
Tim is doing really well physically.  His doctor has now extended his monthly checkups to every two months.  The cancer remains quiet, and his blood work is stable with all his numbers still in the normal range. We are so grateful for the Lord's faithfulness and graciousness to us!  Enjoy these pictures from the Grand Opening service:

 

Moving Day

We moved out of our store front facility in the middle of a thunderstorm about 3 weeks ago. So many people showed up to help that we were completly moved out by around noon. It was a crazy morning! I couldn't believe it when someone told me, "Well, that's the last load!"  As my mother-in-law always says, "Many hands make the work light!"  That saying was certainly proved on moving day!                          
The auditorium and front lobby have been painted and look fresh and bright.  The basement remodeling project is coming along nicely.  We anticipate the walls will be painted this week and the carpet will be installed at the end of this week or the first part of next week.  We are hoping to be able to move in to the basement at the end of the month.
There has been a good group of people come to help us with the project, and even more have given to help with the expenses of the project.  Tim has stated on several occasions how honored he is that so many churches and individuals would take time to help us or give financially. It means so much to know that others support the work being done here in Branford and are excited about this new phase in our church's history.  It has been amazing to see God bring people to us who have a particular skill - and they come at just the right time to finish certain tasks. We appreciate each person's time and effort to help finish this project in a timely manner. I look forward to posting pictures of the completed basement soon!

Group from Michigan who came to help



Taking a break for lunch

Fred keeps everyone laughing



It's Official!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! Today, we signed the papers
to purchase the church building.  We have the keys in hand and are ready to move in!  It is a very exciting day for us.  After nearly 13 years, God has provided a permanent home for Community Baptist Church.  We will be freshening up the place and remodeling the basement over the next several days.  Our first Sunday service in the building is July 1st, and then we will have a Grand Opening and Dedication service on September 16th in conjunction with our church anniversary.  When we moved here and started Community Baptist Church in 1999, having a permanent home was just a dream and a prayer.  God has been gracious to us and we give Him all the glory for this new home! 

A New Home

Our church is on the edge of an exciting event - the Lord has provided the opportunity to purchase our very own church building!  We started in a hotel conference room in 1999.  In 2006, we moved to a community house and then in 2007, we moved to a store front lease where we have met for the past 5 years.  It is pretty exciting to think that we will have our own place and have our own identity in this shoreline community.
The building that we are purchasing was built in the late 1800's, and looks like a typical "New England" chapel with a tall working bell tower and beautiful stained glass windows.  The auditorium was remodeled a few years ago and is beautiful, as you can see in the picture below.  We are scheduled to take possession of the property in the middle of June, and then we would like to make some repairs and a few upgrades to the structure.  We are seeking help with these projects, both physical laborers and financial help.  If you would be willing to help us, you can contact us at the church office. (www.cbcbranford.org)  We are planning a "Grand Opening" and dedication service in September in conjunction with our church's 13th anniversary. 

Outside of building

Remodeled Auditorium

Yale class finished for now...

This is a picture of the last meeting of Tim's class at Yale Law School.  For ten weeks, he was able to lead 13 students (three are not pictured here) in a study of the Christian Principles in Early American Law.  This study was challenging, fascinating, and very rewarding.  Tim learned from the students as much as they hopefully learned from him.  The students questioned him at every turn, but God used the course in the hearts of some of the students who attended.  At the end of the last class, Tim gave each student a Bible and a copy of a book that explains the Bible in an understandable way.  More than one student expressed that they were curious about Christ and Christianity and that they were seeking.  We are excited because Tim has been asked to return for the fall semeter and conduct another class.  He is praying about the topic and working with one of the students to finalize the details of the class. We are praying for fruit from this amazing opportunity!

Answers to Prayer

Tim had his MRI done today and we already have the results.  The test showed no change from the last time he had an MRI, which means that there is no compression fracture and the cancer is still quiet.  The blood tests also confirm that the cancer is quiet.  Tim's pain is easing up and he has been feeling better in the last few days.  The doctor believes that the pain was from a possible muscle strain, and that it had nothing to do with his bones. This is very good news and we are praising the Lord for His graciousness to us.  We do appreciate all of those who have prayed for Tim this last week.

Another answer to prayer happened today - McKayla (8) was able to ride her bike for the first time since June of 2011.  That is when her JRA began acting up again and she had to stop riding her bike because it hurt too much.  This was really hard for her, because she enjoys riding her bike so much and LOVES riding with her daddy and the boys.  When we started her back on the JRA medication last fall, we began praying that when warmer weather arrived, she would be pain-free and she would be able to ride bikes with the boys.  Today, they went for a 2-mile ride down to the water.  When they returned, McKayla was grinning from ear to ear!  She was so happy to have been on her bike again and she said there was no pain!!!  Praise the Lord!

Prayer

I hesitate to share this because we don't know anything yet, but I know that many of you who follow this blog are prayer warriors and we need people praying for us right now.  Tim has been experiencing pain in his upper back for the last few weeks and it is getting worse.  The doctor ordered an MRI, and it is scheduled for Monday, March 12.  Please pray for peace of mind this week as we wait for this test and the results.  Thank you.

Update on Class at Yale

The class at Yale is going really well for Tim and he is so excited to be a part of it.  He has 11 students participating and they are very intrigued by the topic.  This Tuesday, he will be discussing the Biblical principles of government.  He will open the Bible and show the students the principles that directed the founding fathers to formulate our government.  A few of the students have indicated that they have never been exposed to this viewpoint and they find the discussion challenging and fascinating.  One student shared how much she was enjoying the class and that it was the fastest hour and a half that she has had in law school!  Please pray every Tuesday night from 6:00 - 7:30 that Tim will have favor with the students and wisdom as he guides this class.

Amazing Opportunity

We live just outside of New Haven, Connecticut, which is the home of Yale University.  Ever since we moved here and started our church (www.cbcbranford.org), we have always wanted to reach the Yale community.  Tim has recently been given an amazing opportunity and is so excited about the potential.  A young man in our church is a student at the Yale Law School.  He recently submitted Tim's name to be a guest lecturer there at Yale, and the request was granted.  So, starting tomorrow night (1/24) and going for the next 13 weeks until the end of the semester, Tim will be leading a one credit reading group for the law students there on the campus of Yale! He will be lecturing and leading a discussion on the Judeo-Christian heritage of our American forefathers and the influence their beliefs had on the founding of our country.  There are already about 9 students signed up and there is the potential for several more.  Please be in prayer for Tim as he leads this group.  It is a huge commitment as he has to add a lot of extra study and preparation time to his week, but he is really looking forward to it and what the Lord could do through this class. 
(Update: He just returned from his 6 week visit with the oncologist.  Things still look great - Praise the Lord!)

Chicken Pox ... Seriously?!?

Tim woke up on Monday morning with little red spots all over himself and he was itching like crazy!  At first we thought it may be hives, but called the oncologist just to be sure he was okay.  A visit to the doctor that afternoon confirmed that he definitely had chicken pox. Seriously?  Chicken pox at this age???  Apparently, stem cell transplant patients are highly susceptible to the chicken pox and shingles viruses. The doctor gave him a very strong anti-viral medication and by yesterday, the spots were fading and the itching had begun to subside. He is feeling much better, now.  And you thought chicken pox were only for kids!  We are just wondering who he unknowingly shared them with in the days leading up to the rash breaking out.  Um...sorry about that...

This is just one incident in a long line of things that have happened to us since the week of Christmas.  Remember that nice, quiet week I was hoping for in my last post?  Well, that was only a dream!  Two days before Christmas, Tim got pink eye and then gave it to two of the kids.  Then, on Christmas day, our hot water heater quit working.  Two days after Christmas, our boiler unit went out and we found black smoke billowing through the basement.  No one was injured - just the bank account.  Then, I got a bad flu bug and then the chicken pox got Tim...  and then...well, there is more, but I won't bore you.  It's just that something we affectionately call the "Zac Curse" has struck yet again.  It's our version of Murphy's law - anything that can go wrong will go wrong and it will usually happen in a cluster of several consecutive events.  We joke about the Zac Curse to keep from crying when things happen like this one after the other after the other.  We realize that our troubles could be much worse, but a string of challenges like these has the ability rob us of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual strength.  Having a sense of humor - and spending a lot of time in prayer - certainly helps get us through the tough days.