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I am the official organizer, planner, and keeper of the family calendar and daily flow of our home.  I’m sure many of you can relate.  It’s a hefty job! 

I am convinced that if anything were to ever happen to me, our kids teeth would rot out because they would never get brushed, the electricity would be turned off due to lack of payment because I’m the only one in the house who knows where to checkbook is kept, and the Sunday morning crowd would revolt because the coffee pot was no longer filled and piping hot.  O, the things we do as moms and church planting wives. . .

In the early years of Cool River, when church planting was only a dream and a prospectus, Kevin and I were incredibly blessed to have some great examples of how ministry families could/should “do” life.  I was always the one asking the parents of exceptional teenagers, “how did you do it?  How did you end up with such great kids?” And out of those conversations came much wisdom and lots of ideas.  The wisdom I took to heart - the practical ideas I determined to practice from day one - and this is what we have done. . .

The two biggie calendar moments that our family has always made a priority are Date Nights and Daddy Dates.  Neither have we ever been able to afford to do.  And just the same, neither have we been able to afford NOT to do.  They are the foundation of our connectedness - TIME - we calendar it. . .no matter what. . .NO MATTER WHAT!!!

I recently discovered an old personal blog that I thought I would share. . . 

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I was reading this morning in 1 Chronicles 17 after David had been established as king over Israel.  The ark was back in Jerusalem. People were celebrating.  And then it says that David returned home to bless his family.  In verse 16 “King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:  “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”

Don’t you just love it when you start digging into the Word and discover someone verbally putting the words of your heart out there on the pages for you to read? Who am I, O Lord, and what is my family that you have brought us this far?  Why us?  What did we ever do to deserve such a calling as raising up a community of faith in an area that has none?  Who am I to be called to start a church in this place?  Are you sure?  I mean, come on, you know the junk in my life.  You know all those things I struggle with.  You see what I’m really like behind closed doors.  Seriously?  Are you sure you didn’t mean to call her instead of me?  Are you sure this is what you want for our family? 

Been there?

And the reality is that we are here.  God has placed us on this journey of church planting for a reason far greater than we may ever understand.  One day it can be overwhelming and the next it can be just as fantastic.  And as a mom and a wife there are so many things to consider.  We may not have to balance the church budget or craft a new sermon series every month, but many, many things are still required. 
Can we handle it?  What do we do to prevent burnout?  Boundaries, family fun, pastor kids, mommy time, date nights. . .Over the next few weeks leading up to the holiday season we are going to start a conversation about family in the middle of a church plant.  You don’t want to miss it!

So here is your opportunity. . .I have some ideas, but where would YOU like to start the conversation?  I really hope you will continue to share your stories as we go.

It’s 3:00 in the morning.  I wish I could say I’m wide awake.  But the truth is, I’m not.  I’m struggling.  My eyes are tired from staring at this computer screen for hours.  I’m dreaming of being snuggled beneath my covers.  But instead, here I am. . .

It’s one of those nights where I woke up thinking about responsibilities - money and bills and the future of all of those things.  Has it ever happened to you?  I never seem to know that I have so much to worry about until the darkness and quietness of the night sets in.  And for some reason, then my mind starts swimming. It’s almost like I lay there and unconsciously create things to be concerned with - things that never cross my mind in the middle of a swirling day.

Inevitably I crawl out of bed frustrated and find myself here - at the computer - researching or calculating or doing something completely mindless to waste away the hours until daylight again. 

But tonight, I just have to share with you that in my draggy and sleepy, overstimulated mind and heart, I found encouragement and love from the Father.  Tonight he settled my heart as he has done so many times before by giving me a bigger picture.  Tonight I saw online pictures of my dear friends, Nikki and Andy and Keith and Bobby and David, serving in Vietnam in the middle of a huge flood.. .and I read stories about their adventure and how God is all around.  Tonight I watched a video created for the 6 month anniversary of a new church in Boulder that is reaching college students like crazy and another gathering called, The Collective, in downtown Boulder tackling injustice in the city streets - and again there was confirmation, God is all around. I watched a video (no matter who you voted for, you’ve gotta see this!) of little children being inspired and encouraged to be all that they can dream to be, and once again, it was confirmation to my heart that God is all around.  And just now, I finished a Facebook conversation with a close friend who once lived in Ethiopia and now in …

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It’s Monday morning and this is the conclusion I have come to today. . .I Need a Wife! (hehe)

After a weekend of costumes and sugar, church, play dates and more election news, phone calls and political knocks at my door than I could ever hope for. . .welcome to my Monday!

(This is the one picture that I dare to share. . .if you could only see my kitchen. . .)

So, should I tackle the monster of my house, or should I just sit back and enjoy the kids Halloween candy when no one is looking?  Unfortunately, I have a feeling that no other wife is coming to my relief today and Samantha is no where in sight to wiggle her nose. . .so off to work I go.

Just thought that I would take a moment to let you know you’re not alone!!!

Enjoy your week, ladies!

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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

Thank goodness God quickly did a lot more than just “call” me to start a church with my family during those early days of Cool River.  Though remembering that “call” is most definitely the foundation of what keeps me moving forward when times get tough, there has been more “God movement” in my heart. As we continue on this journey, God just keeps on solidifying His desire for us to remain, even when times get really tough and messy.  So here’s another reason I can’t “throw in the towel.”

About 8 years ago, as Kevin and I were nearing the end of our search for “the place” to plant, we found ourselves one weekend in Colorado driving down a particular street - the street that is now only blocks away from our home.  We had already driven down lots and lots of streets and through many similar neighborhoods.  We had searched all the way from South Florida to Kentucky/Tennessee and now to Colorado.  And though many places were intriguing enough to gain our second glance, not one had truly captured us - not until Superior, Colorado.

This particular street was tree lined and beautiful, yet immediately everything about this community seemed impossible for us.  The cost of living was outrageous.  We were so very far away from the home we knew so well.  But despite all the things that appeared as roadblocks in our own mind, our hearts were beating undeniably fast.  And we knew that something “Godly” was happening - this was “the place.” Long story short, a family on bikes with their golden retrievers following close behind caught our eyes.  We looked around and there was not one single church of any faith or denomination in the entire community.  Who was watching out for these families?  Who was sharing Christ with those kids?  And that’s when it happened. . .at that very moment God said, “these are your people.”

And at that moment I didn’t really get it.  Everything was moving so fast. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I revisited that moment and understood what was happening.  It wasn’t until very recently that I have been able to slow down enough to savor the awesomeness that God really did …

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Earlier this month Cool River celebrated it’s 5th year.  That means that our family has been in Colorado now for 6+ years doing this thing called “church planting.” Sometimes I sit here and I can barely remember what life was like prior to these days.  Starting a church has been a fantastic whirlwind.  And for those of you currently in the swings of it alongside of me, you can surely attest to the fact of its all consuming motion.  Time has literally flown by.  There are days when I float on the clouds, completely amazed at the “God motion” all around me.  And then there are days when I honestly want to throw in the towel, stop working so hard and convince my husband to get a steady and predictable “real” job.  (you laugh, but I bet you’ve been there)

So what do you do when those “throwing in the towel” days hit?

Recently I was in a conversation with a good friend in our church.  She asked, “how did you guys decide to do something like start a church?” What a fair question.  I mean think about it. . .people decide to become lawyers and teachers and morticians and construction workers.  But who decides to start a church???  It’s really not the most normal of future decisions to make. 

Later that very day I was listening to a song on the radio that reminded me of another friend.  She and her husband did make the decision to start a church.  It wasn’t their first choice, but due to a set of circumstances that is where they landed.  It was a tough road.  Her heart wasn’t fully in it.  And today, do you know what she would say?  “It was a great growing experience, but I know now that I was never ‘called’ to start a church.” “Call,” for her made all the difference.  And what did she and her family do when “throwing in the towel day” hit?  They threw the towel.

I know of yet another friend - they have struggled since day one of starting their church.  They live in a very hard to reach area of the country.  By now their church would be bursting with families and resources if they were planted in any other part of …

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About a month ago God started challenging me with this idea of “God Speed,”. . .and it’s blowing my mind!  I’m an American for goodness sake!  Isn’t life about the 60 hour work week, cram your fun into 2 weeks of vacation/year, no siestas, no holidays, a kid involved in every activity known to man, go, go, go faster?  And aren’t we supposed to feel guilty when our body needs a nap and we just can’t keep up with the pace?  Unfortunately it’s the world we have created for ourselves.  This is the world I live in.  To bail would be to completely segregate myself from the world around me that I am trying to engage for the Kingdom.  But to remain. . .could it possibly mean a “lesser” Amy than God intended?  Could it possibly be that faster really doesn’t win the race?

So God has been challenging me. . .what does it really mean to start boldly moving at His speed?  When was the last time you sat still (and I don’t mean sitting still while entranced with this amazing blog ) When was the last time you pulled off the side of the freeway just to sit and watch the sun set with your kids? - That kind of still. . .

Last Friday my agenda was interrupted by God.  I had an entire day all to myself and I was actually psyched to tackle my 2 page list of things to do.  Like so many mornings, I sat down with my iPod, journal and Bible to get my dose of God to carry me through the day.  I admit I was in a hurry to move on.  And what did God do?  He dared to say, “Amy, will you move at my speed today?” “NO! Not today, please not today!!” But I knew the answer must be, “yes.” Long story made short, he asked me to hand write (who does that any more??) an 8 page letter to some important people in my life.  And at 11:45 - 3 hours later - I walked away to finally conquer my day.  And that is when I finally “got it.” I always seem to think that the days are MINE.  I can’t describe to you the feelings …

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Not only is it my desire to create conversation between church planting wives through this blog, but I also want to resource you whenever I find something really great that might assist you in your journey. 

For some of you this may not be new, but when I discovered this site I knew I had to share it.  We all get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, no matter how hard we try not to let it happen again this year.  So it’s October and this is my challenge to you. . .decide now. . .let this holiday season be different!  Then share your stories with us. 

Make sure you check out www.adventconspiracy.org as well as the Advent Conspiracy Facebook Group!  It could change your Christmas!  It could change everything. . .

Do you have any other good ideas to share about how you, your family or your church get “intentional” during the holiday season?
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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

Confessions of a Church Planting Wife (Part 4)

I’m just wondering today if any of you are like me?  Does it ever feel as if your husband is the one who has all the fun? 

As church planting wives we wear so many hats.  We are mom and wife and counselor and chef and family planner and housekeeper and the sounding board for all kinds of church stuff and encourager of our husband and. . .the list goes on and on. . . Most days I am more than thrilled with my role.  But I must admit that there are some days that I find myself getting so envious inside.  Those days would more than likely looks something like this. . .

Two of the three girls wake up on the wrong side of the bed, fussing and fighting before I even get the chance to say “good morning.” The dog is going crazy, needing to go for a walk.  The waffles burn in the toaster.  The computer connection is down.  The car needs to be in the shop by 9am.  No one can find their shoes.  And then the phone rings. . . it’s Kevin just checking in with his typical bubbly voice to say “good morning.” He tells me how he just had a great early morning conversation with this guy he has been mentoring.  He tells me how God is doing great things in the life of his friend and how deep and energizing their conversation had been.  They started their day in a quiet restaurant that specializes in my favorite breakfast dishes.  And being there made him think of me.  So he just wanted to call and say, “hello.”

“Yea, yea, yea. . .hello,” I’m thinking.  And with every last bit of energy I have, I try to sound so happy for him.  But inside his news was just like a punch in the gut.  You know the feeling.  What about me????? 
Kevin dancing with the Hmong ladies in Vietnam last week
When my kids were younger I struggled with these feelings a lot.  My husband was the one that seemed to be having all the fun - having coffee, playing golf, traveling, going to game nights and community affairs all for the sake of the Kingdom …

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Today I am choosing to turn it all off - the morning news, CNN, the computer and even the talk radio station in my car (my girls will be thrilled to finally get to hear Hannah Montana again).  I’m choosing to stop reading my latest book by Thomas Friedman, Hot, Flat and Crowded, and I’m not even going to log onto chase.com to check the status of my account.  Today I am choosing quiet.. .because my brain hurts.

Between the stock market reports and the presidential debates, I am quickly finding myself in need of recalibration.  My focus is off.  I’m tired of thinking so hard.  And so for me, I believe it’s time to take a step back and regain some much needed perspective today.  Our country is in crisis and all eyes are on us, but the reality is that nothing about who God called me to be has changed.  Nothing about who God is has changed.  And so this morning I am choosing to just be still. . .to enjoy laughing with my kids. . .to go eat ice cream. . .to talk with a neighbor. . .to reopen my eyes to the people around me. . .to love on someone. . .to call my grandmother. . .to take a nap. . .to re-watch “Dancing with the Stars” with my girls. . .  I just need to catch my breath. 

How about you?  Does your brain hurt?  Do you need to catch your breath today?  (Remember, Obama and McCain debate tonight - you’ve only got a few hours to take the break.hehe)
Why don’t you join me and just turn it off?  I guarantee it will be there when you get back.

Praying that you discover a day full of peace.

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posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook

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