Car

Okay, we need to see a picture of the new car!

Anda

Job Search

I wanted to share that the search for the first accounting-type position has begun. I have applied to three positions through UT that are north, nearer to April and home (and being through UT are transfers that pose no insurance issues). One of them would allow April to stay at home, and all are a good step as far as accounting experience while I work toward getting the CPA. Please pray that the right door will open to keep us on the right track, professionally and financially with Lena almost here.

We plan on being in town early to mid-afternoon Friday. Until then, have a good and blessed week!

-James

Happy Birthday Dad!

I'm just a little late but wanted say happy birthday to Dad. I don't know of any man that I admire more than you. One of the comments I hear a lot from others is that Dad is involved in so many good things. I look around and see all the areas that your life has touched, and it inspires me to find more ways to be used by God. Dad, I thank you for your example of godliness. I pray that when I am your age, I will have made a fraction of the impact on the lives of others that you have. My life has been richly blessed because of you. May God continue to bless you with good health, as well as more opportunities to invest your life in advancing His kingdom.

Josh loses first tooth

This morning on the way to school Josh pulled his own tooth to the delight of Emily and Ashley (and Grandpa). He says it is his first. We will save it for the 'tooth fairy' liaison to get back in town. A good way to start off the day with big news for friends at school.

Happy Birthday, Josh (a day late!)

We had a big celebration yesterday for Josh! I can't help but think that September 20th could have been a really tough day in our lives, but instead it is filled with joy & praise for a life that was saved. It's hard not to just "gush" over the baby anyway, but even Josh readily states to his siblings that he's "the most special, cuz I almost died!" Josh believes in this theory and uses it to his advantage often.

Jackson Hole, WY was cool - really cold at times - we loved it, and the work that they do at Family Research Council is amazing. I'm so glad they can be passionate about Christ-centered government, and that they have the tenacity to acomplish things in Washington D.C.

Thank you, family, for helping us with our kids while we are in NYC. I told Holly, that is one of the nicest things you all could do for us. We share a lot of good memories with you all, and will count you in our blessings as we celebrate 15 yrs. of marriage.

Love you all!

Jenny Lake 

Grand Tetons 

Soccer, swimsuits and water balloons - too fun 

Cute cousins - Alex, Josh, and AJ 

Blink?

I keep thinking about that book(?) Tod and Dad told us about at the lake. Was it called "Blink"? Who was the author? Seems like maybe there were 2 different books.

Today

Hi--
Just thought you might want a report of today! It was very encouraging. We were told to expect a letdown, and to be pleased if 100 people showed up. We counted 175 this morning. We had several new families and lots who returned from last week. We had lots of teenagers today for some reason. They are all excited about our youth ministry. We are thrilled that God is bringing us real unchurched people as well as some pretty solid believers to be part of our team. We continue to be amazed!

It felt very normal today. It didn't seem bizarre having church in a school. It felt like we'd been doing this a long time. Like it's time to dig in and get busy being church. Which was good for all of us. Until today it felt like we were doing a big event. Now it feels like we're here to grow a church. (Is it planted now?)

Mom, once again you were my hero today! Elijah threw up all morning and Grandma took care of him for me. Have you noticed that Grandma always ends up with my kids when they're throwing up? He's much better tonight.

We also heard today that we've already been written up in the Eisenhower bulletin. Bobbie Hagler's late mother has had their church sign on her property for 40 years or something. She got the bulletin in the mail this week and is so upset about it that she's going to make them take the sign off her property. We will, of course, encourage her to conduct herself in a gracious and godly way. But it does make me laugh a little. Bobbie is bringing her Odessa family members to try to get them hooked in.

That's enough for now!

Test results

Well, I got my test results back from the doctor today, and everything is just fine. I do not have gestational diabetes. I could have managed with it, but it's good to know that I don't have to.

Everything is going well with work. As of monday, 4 children will be moved out of my class, which will bring my number down from 20 to 16. The 4 that are moving out are the ones that make the most trouble. Those children transitioned into their new classes today, and while they were gone, it was so quiet in my classroom. I was actually able to stay on top of things.

We're excited to see everyone. Just 2 more weeks and we'll be in Midland. I can't wait to see everyone's new houses. Till then,

April

Pregnancy

Well, here's an update. So far everything seems to be going well with the pregnancy. I feel alright except that I'm tired a lot from working with 2 yr. olds all day. I went to the doctor last week and they did the glucose test that tests for gestational diabetes. The results showed that the level was high, so now I have to go in tomorrow and have a more extensive 3 hour test and have my blood drawn four times. After this one, we should know for sure whether I have gestational diabetes. I should know by the end of the week. I'm not too worried. I feel blessed even if I do end up with it. It only lasts during the pregnancy. I just have to figure out how to entertain myself for 3 hours at a doctor's office without eating or drinking anything for nearly 12 hours. I'll make it through. Anyways, I'll update again when I know something.

April

Quick admin update

Some of you may have noticed some comments on the blog from people not connected with our family. Unfortunately, the resourceful hackers have figured out how to mass blog. So I have changed the settings to allow only our family to post comments. I apologize to all of the friends of the Brown family who have commented in the past. We still want to hear from you, so email us with your thoughts.

Thanks,
Alan

New Life launch

Wow! What a day yesterday was. We planned and prepared and prayed, and in the end we knew it was completely up to the Lord to do whatever He intended to do.

By yesterday morning, I was quite confident that He had brought together the team of people who were the "launch team"--they are a team like I've never seen before! I was even pretty confident that we could pull off a pretty good worship service--all the pieces were in place and there was enough excitement built up that we were ready to burst! The thing I didn't know was whether He would bring people to us. I knew that some would come--my sweet family (Thank you!), the Halsteads friends and family, and some GCR people, but it was hard for me to imagine that people would respond to our invitations--flyers, personal invitations, radio ads. I prayed that they would, but I couldn't imagine it!

Let me describe the morning just a little bit.

When I arrived at the church just after 8:00, it was bustling with "our people" setting up (although we got to do most of our set-up on Friday evening). The praise team was practicing. Cookies were baking. Coffee was percolating. Tim and Melinda were hanging the stage curtains that had arrived Saturday, thanks to her mom in Houston and her sewing friends! I had a few things left to do--put signs on the bathrooms, check on all our children's ministry people. One was having a melt-down because she was worried it wasn't going to be good enough, but got "prayed" through it. At 8:30 our children's ministry team gathered in the "worship center" to share communion as the praise team led us in worship. It was a very sweet moment. And then it seemed to be calm and peaceful as everyone went to their stations and waited to see who might show up.


And people started coming. God brought them. Lots of them, actually! Some looked a little apprehensive as they walked in, but they were greeted by little girls with baskets of cookies and lots of other friendly faces.

267 people came to New Life Church yesterday. Of course some of those were "our people"--GCR folks, friends, family:). But lots were from the community. Some of them wrote on their registration cards that they want to be members of our church, some want personal Bible study, some want to help, several want to be part of the youth group. We had more than 60 children. People came--certainly because God is moving in their hearts, and because they are looking for something to fill the God-sized hole in their hearts.

It was one of the most exhilirating experiences of my life so far--to see God moving right before my very eyes.

As one man left early, I happened to be in the hall. We talked for a moment, and he ended up filling out a registration card and saying he wanted to be on the praise team. He said he'll bring his grandkids next week.

One teen (who looked very uncomfortable when he walked in) spotted his football coach--one of our members--and lit up! His coach happens to be planning to help with our youth.

A young mom named Michelle had a baby in the nursery who cried and cried. She finally took her back to worship and had a rough time. My striving self tried to think of how I could get her to come back after such a difficult experience, although I reminded myself that was God's business and not mine. Then I went into the preschool class to visit with the children there. I had a great visit with a beautiful little girl named Courtney. She can't wait to come back, and Michelle's her mom. I'm praying.

Gary and Sharon Gaines (of Friday Night Lights fame) came. I'd been praying for them for months--since I heard they were coming back to Odessa. Tim had met with him as recently as last week and gotten no commitment at all. Gary approached me and said his wife wanted to talk to me because she wanted to be on my team. She told me she thinks God may have brought them back here just to be part of this--New Life.

Donnie and Carol Rivas came to help their unchurched friends who live in Odessa get connected. Ryan Hernandez' dad and family came because Ryan is on our praise team. There are lots more stories of other people--stories I don't know and stories that have not yet been written. We pray that this is just the beginning of what God will do.

One more--Tamarie. After we arrived in Odessa in July, it didn't take long to get coordinators for preschool and elementary, but I had not found a coordinator for Cradle Roll. Tamarie had volunteered to help, but she'd never even been in a CR class. Not having another option, I asked her if she'd like to coordinate it. She was thrilled and has proceeded to do an excellent job of leading her team. She is a young newlywed, and her team is made up of several women much older than her. But I've watched her lead them so beautifully--in every way. She taught her first Cradle Roll class Sunday, captivating her 5 students. As we finished putting everything away and I was sending Elijah with Grandma to eat at the Barn Door, I found a beautiful handmade card in his diaper bag. She had written a personal note to Ben and me, thanking us for blessing her with Elijah and telling us how well he did in class. She did the same for each child in her class. Her team of workers missed out on the corporate worship altogether because they were with the babies. But they were some of the most excited when it was all over. I think they got it. They understood that yesterday was not about them, but about the Kingdom. And they were as thrilled as I was to see God use them.

Is that not the coolest thing ever? God did it. I just love Him. He made it so very clear that He was the One! In May when we said yes to moving to Odessa, I felt a kind of exhiliration I couldn't explain--except that I felt like I was joining God in some big God-sized adventure where He was going to show His glory in ways I could never experience otherwise. Yesterday I saw His glory. It was beautiful! It was so fun! He is astounding!

Thank you, dear family, for your part in it. You have encouraged, prayed and helped in so many ways! It was so fun sharing the day with my family who got to come. I missed the rest of you--because you would have enjoyed watching God in motion, too. I wrote a lot because I want you to have some sense of the experience. I'd love for others who were there to share from their perspective as well. And I may have to add more as the days go by. Church planting sure is fun so far!

We praise God, the Giver of Life. He is so good, so very good.

Phone card won´t work

Rita, the IDT calling card is giving me the same kind of problem we had with it in June. Can you try to call, or get Carissa to, and find out if they can fix it for me to use it from here? Tommy is having trouble with his AT&T calling card as well. Just send me the information by email. Maybe you can call Sheila and let her know. We tried until late last night with the help of the hotel clerk and finally gave up. This morning I went to the sidewalk phone booth and had the same trouble. Sorry. Dale

We´re in Brazil

5:30 pm (3:30 Midland time) Saturday, Sept. 10

All went well with our flights and we are in Uberlandia. Mitch and Rita will remember the Hotel Montblanc and just where I am using the internet. Daniel and Guida met us and we are to meet them later for dinner.

I feel bad that Guida left the annual ladies´retreat they host to meet us. She insists it is no big deal, but I know she had to make some special arrangements. There are about 100 in attendance at a camp outside of town. Tomorrow is their big day of celebration of the church´s third anniversary and said she needed to come back early anyway because she is building a big cake, with the help of other ladies. We are to have lunch at their home tomorrow.

Miriam and Alaor said to give love to Rita. She commented on the Heaven Story book and also said she has not seen us since we left here in 1971. Our lunch at the Congonhas airport was good and I am encouraged that the Itaquera church where he is an elder and the preacher will want to partner with GCR in support of a worker either here or in Cuiaba.

Rita, I love you and will try to call later tonight.

Dale/Dad/Grandpa

This is my favorite Alaska picture. It was a thrilling view of God's magnificent creation. He (or she) put on a show right beside our boat for several minutes. 

By the way, are all of you aware that last week Lee Ann officially became a registered nurse?? We are sooo proud of her. 

What a wonderful way to celebrate our family weekend together--a new birth! 

A future jet ski wild one just practicing the feel of it. 

I am looking forward to meeting Lena. April called today to invite me to be in the delivery room and take pictures. What fun!! 

Wonderful weekend.

Thank you all for a wonderful weekend. I have posted a few pictures that make me smile. We have been blessed by God's grace beyond anything we could ask or imagine or deserve. I love you all. Allison's birth was so special.

Dad is working day and night trying to get ready to leave for Brazil on Friday. I think he is feeling a bit overwhelmed, which is a little unusual for him.

Tod preached tonight and had a wonderful lesson on the parable of the persistent widow (prayer). It was a blessing to me. I think I am going to miss our "extended" family when they move out. We have had lots of fun together. They pretty much finished the inside painting today. It is really looking great. We are all excited for them. Lee Ann has been going to Red Cross volunteer training for the past two nights.

Holly is getting ready for her sale. Ben and Trisha are getting ready to birth a church on Sunday. I began a series of home meetings last night (along with Eddie Lee and Gary Glasscock) to launch a multi-million dollar campaign for Midland Christian School. I also began (as a student--yea!!!) a new Beth Moore study on the Patriarchs Tuesday morning. I guess you could just say no one in our area is eating bon bons and watching soap operas.

I love each one of you. What fun I have looking at the pictures and thinking of each one of you! I am just kind of sappy thankful tonight.

Love, Mom

Elijah discovered the joy of water. 

This one is growing up... 

They all make me smile. 

Cousins and friends... 

Cousins and friends... 

Cousins and friends... 

Cousins and friends... 

This one is making us proud in every way! I am loving getting to spend more time with her lately. 

In case you didn't get to see Alan's fish... 

Is she cute or what??? 

What a great weekend--sooo many blessings and memories. I love you all. Mom 

We can usually pull it together when we have to.

This is probably a more accurate rendition of our family picture. 

Austin & UT Katrina Help

Austin is also trying to help with Katrina victims. Around 5,000 refugees will find their way to a local shelter after going through Houston.

On Tuesday, UT's President Faulkner opened Fall enrollment on a visiting basis to students with Texas residency or that graduated from a Texas HS enrolled at colleges hit by Katrina. On Thursday, our Dean offered to accept the Dean and a portion of the faculty and students of Tulane Law School, and so far have admitted 60 2nd and 3rd year students that arrive on Tuesday to continue their studies. I'll be helping the new students and may accept a Tulane Faculty member should they also decide to come with 1st year sections. Certainly the health and life issues are most important, but it's also good to know that some professionals and many students will be able to continue their work and studies in spite of the devastation.

See you on Sunday.

-James

hurricane

Hey family,
Good to know that God is sovereign.

Not sure about plans for us this weekend now because of refugee situation. Many are coming to Dallas - they're recruiting doctors from all over. But today many people started arriving in Ft. Worth. Randy may or may not be involved this weekend, but we'll see. This whole deal is unbelievable.

Anda