Year of Blessing!

As I end my first year of teaching I am so thankful for so many blessings God has poured out. The ministry of teaching the Bible every day over the last 10 months was such an incredible experience. I was able to see my class grow in their love for God’s Word and God, himself. I also had the opportunity to teach on Theology and developing your testimony. As I watched my 8th grade class graduate and share their testimonies to their closest family and friends, I was just over whelmed with joy. I pray as those 8th graders go off to high school, that they will remember all that God has shown them and provided for them. I pray these students would grow deeper in love with their Heavenly Father as the years go by. I was also blessed by my other staff members that helped me through my first year of teaching in a pandemic. Whether it was an encouraging word or advice or listening or praying, I have been so incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to work beside some of the most God fearing and talented teachers. I am excited for the refreshment of summer but can not wait to get back to pouring into the students next year!

It has also been a year since Chris started working at our Church. I can not say enough how blessed we are to be apart of this amazing Church community. Our Church has encouraged and championed Chris with the youth program in every area. They made it a priority for us to feel welcome and a part of the family. Chris and I have been able to see our students grow in the Lord in such deep ways. Whether that is serving the community or wanting to make a public statement about their faith through baptism. We are also blessed to be apart of a community group of likeminded couples that all want to grow in their faith and relationship with each other. We could not be more thankful for our first year in North Carolina and know the best is yet to come!

Chris Baptizing Students

Learning to throw axes with our community group

Planting gardens for our local community

Squince becoming more handsome everyday!

First Spring in NC

April has been a great but busy month in the Colangelo household. Our first Easter in North Carolina was filled with refreshing worship with our Church community and we have enjoyed some amazing weather! We were also able to take Squince (our now 4-month old pup) on his first big hike. For being so small, he did a great job! It has also been incredible to bask in God’s creation this Spring with the blooming flowers and beautiful butterflies. I love how God’s creation reflects His redeeming and resurrection promise!

This month we also had our D-Now (Youth Retreat) for our Church. Chris did an incredible job speaking on the topic of “Pause”. Right now the youth of this generation are getting information just pouring into them non-stop and they never give themselves time to pause with the only One that can give them true rest. It was great to see our students put their phones away to have a blast with their friends and learn more about how to spend time with Jesus, their best friend of all. We are loving this ministry and feel that God is doing great things in these students lives.

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Praise Report: A couple of our students committed and recommitted their lives to Christ during the retreat and want to be baptized! Praise Jesus!

Prayer Request: Chris and I have been giving 110% of our energy! It is amazing to look back and see all the ways God has moved in our lives and in the lives of those around us. But we are in need of some refreshment before our busy Summer schedule. Please pray that Jesus would refill our energy and we would trust completely in His strength and not our own!

Jesus is Alive!

Some of you may not know that I am a Bible and Theology teacher at a small Christian school right in my neighborhood. I absolutely love my job and the people I work with. In meetings and small discipleship groups that are apart of my job, I am reminded constantly of the truth that Jesus is alive! In North Carolina I am experiencing my first spring. I have been able to see a cold dormant ground, start bursting with life. It honestly reminds me of resurrection every time I walk outside. I am so lucky that my job enables me to be reminded and share that truth every day. That Jesus died and rose again, and that those who follow him will do the same. The flowers cry out that; Jesus is alive!

During one of Chris’s sermons, he shared a painting that he discovered. An artist named Thomas Cole, painted The Cross and the World in 1847. It is a five-piece painting series. The first painting starts with two pilgrims going on a journey in two different directions. One pilgrim went on a path that was beautiful and filled with green valleys and golden buildings. The other pilgrim went on a path that was filled with steep mountains. Then Chris asked the group of students, which path is the path of the world and which is the path to the cross? Most said that the beautiful path is the way to the cross, right? But at the end of the painting series the artist does something interesting, the path that was easy and brightly lite, in the end turns into something dark and full of rocks and the path that was dificult and filled with steep mountains is gloriously beautiful with a shining cross in the end.

The path that was beautiful in the beginning is the path through the world. The world can look great on the outside but when you get to the end of your life just traveling with the world, it turns extremely dark. The way to the cross looks incredible hard and difficult but in the end, it is worth every step. You will be standing in the glorious light of what the cross means. Chris explained this beautiful truth of Jesus on the cross to these young students. This touched my heart in such a deep way. Sometimes my Christian walk can bring me into hard places, where I have to stand tall with Jesus. But I have seen the way of the world leading only to complete darkness in the end. The new life of spring and the resurrection of Jesus reminds me that being a follower of Jesus will one day bring me into the glorious light!

Two Pilgrims going on a journey

The way of the World

The way of the Cross

The end of journey through the world

The end of the journey on the way to the cross

Learning to be a Blessing!

This week our Pastor quoted Leanne Payne. Leanne is an author who is describing her view on how Micheal Angelo sculpted. She said; “The work says: “Release me from the chaos; give me my form, my shape, my being.” And listening to the work, the artist frees it to become, to be.” This quote spoke so deeply to me. In the beginning God created the world out of the void and chaos. He has created each one of us out of chaos to become who we were always made to be; which is His. He created us to be beings of light like Paul says in Ephesians 5:8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Out of void and darkness, God released me into the light.

What does “walk as children of light” mean? I asked myself this question this last week and it has really changed my perspective. My Pastor just wrote a book called Power to Bless: How to Speak Life and Empower the People You Love. He has started a sermon series on this topic. I believe this is the starting point of “walk as children of light”. That we are called to bless those around us. This was a profound truth that I honestly have not practiced as much as I should. This world is filled with bitterness and lately it has been hard not to fall into it. But I believe I am getting woken up from a slumber and I feel that God is calling me to walk as a Child of Light! We are the granite rocks that are yelling “release me from the chaos; give me my form, my shape, my being.” God is the only one that can do this. And he does it so that through us, His light would shine on others and bless them.

Chris took me out on a Valentines Date!

Squince being as cute as can be!

Chris had the honor of baptizing one of our students!

Squince being a sleepy pup!

Chris bringing the Word to the Young Adults Ministry!

Happy New Year 2021

2020 is finally over! Everything is great now, right?! It still seems like the world is in chaos and a couple days difference has not changed much. But I will still stand firm on the Truth of the Gospel. Jesus never promised that this world would be free from trial but that His spirit would be with us even in the hardships. This January I have had the privilege to teach 24 sixth graders the book of Daniel. As we studied Daniel chapter 3, the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace really impacted me. This might be the 50th time I am studying this story but every time I find something that deepens my faith. As the three friends face death, they confess to King Nebuchadnezzar;

“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18) 

There are days where I look at the world around me, and fear sets in. I strive to take the example of these three amazing men and trust that God is in control, and if He heals the world around me, I will worship him but even if he doesn’t, I will still worship him. I will not serve the fear or the feeling of losing control. I will lay my heart and burdens at the feet of the one who can save. I will not worship my own plans and security. I will trust in the only one that can truly save me. I will stand on the only ground that is solid, which is faith in Jesus Christ. 

This Christmas was such a blessing to us, as we got to see family in California. I had a wonderful birthday and such a fun New Years!

This January we have made a decision I have been praying about for years! We are getting a puppy! We pick him up on February 2nd and can not wait for this new adventure we are about to step into.

Prayer Request:

Prayer would be much appreciated for the health of both Chris and my family to be restored. Both sides have been affected by this pandemic.

Gobble Gobble!!

This November has been filled with incredible memories. We were blessed to go on an amazing young adult retreat with our church and really had a time to be refreshed by the Lord. We were able to host the wonderful Davis family all the way from California with their fun, silly and loving four children! One of the days they were here we went up to Pilot Mountain where Chris does what he does best and gave me a heart attack with his mountain climbing “skills”.

Enjoying Nature at the young adult retreat

Loved having our nieces and nephews here in NC

Chris giving me a heart attack on our hike

This Thanksgiving was different, like most people, but we were so happy to be able to host Chris’s parents from Pennsylvania. This celebration was smaller than usual but there seemed to be more gratefulness. For Chris and I this year has been a year of transition. We moved homes, communities, jobs, Churches, and states during a time none of us were prepared for. But through it all God has been so faithful to us. And when life gets rocky like it does we will stand firm on His faithfulness. As we look forward to December and the craziness of the holidays we can not be more thankful for our supportive family and friends.

Thanksgiving with Chris’s parents

Prayer Request:

This upcoming month is very busy and exciting but we need a lot of energy. We pray that God would give us energy for all the events we need to put on for our church and that I would finish my fall semester well.

Pray that the youth that come to our events would find a place of amazing community and love. Most importantly they would fall more in love with Jesus.

“Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Let the Holiday’s Begin!

As the holiday season begins and the leaves start to change here in North Carolina, I could not feel more blessed to be where we are. Chris and I feel we are starting to get in a rhythm of life and we are so excited about what God has in store.

Chris is becoming such an amazing leader in his new job. I find it a pleasure to work beside him and support him with our youth group. Every Wednesday I have loved watching him live out his calling, as he preaches the truth of the gospel to our awesome students.

A year ago if you asked me what I felt God calling me into, I would have said something along the lines of being a Bible teacher. By the grace of God I am doing just that. I have had such a blast walking with my group of 6th grade students through the Old Testament. It is an incredible feeling to see these young students have such a hunger for the Word.

Even though Halloween looks a bit different this year form the years before, our youth group was able to get together and dress up. Chris is a guy being abducted by an alien and I’m in an avocado onesie. The students had so much fun dressing up and having way too much candy. The holiday season may look very different this year for most people but I believe we are taking less for granted. Whether it is with our family or our health, I definitely feel like God is showing me how much I am thankful for each day.

Prayer Request:

Please be praying for our students in our youth ministry. That God would be calling them to himself in such an uncertain time and that they would fully learn to trust in Him and His gospel.

That God would give us energy each week to thrive in the ministry he called us to do.

The Word we feel for this time is that the harvest is ready. We would love prayer for Holy Spirit to guide us in our harvesting!

Favorite Quotes:

“God’s intention for us is to ingest God’s Word on a regular basis so it changes the way we think, speak and act. The Bible gives us a godly worldview we can never gain from any other source.” (Rooted: Connect with God, the Church and your purpose.)

Pennsylvania Wedding

This September has been one for the books. Chris and I are so thankful for our new community in Winston Salem. But this month we were able to take a break from our busy schedules to celebrate our friends Tyler and Kate getting married in Pennsylvania. It was a celebration of a life time and we could not be more happy for them!

Congratulations Kate! She is so beautiful!

Congrats Tyler!!

It was the first time in a long time that every Colangelo was under one roof. It can get a bit rowdy with all the brothers in one house but I got them to settled down enough to take a picture before they started wrestling again. We were able to share great memories of playing corn hole and some fun board games.

Brothers!

After the nice picture!

We were also able to go on some incredible hikes and just praise God for His creation. In my bible class I have the privilege to teach 6th graders about the creation of the world. Right now we live in a fallen world that is different from the garden but God in His grace still allows us to see glimpses of what the garden may have looked like.

Beautiful waterfall

Look at that view!!

Praise Report:

Chris is doing an incredible work as a youth director. We have been able to connect with our students well even through such a strange time of pandemic.

I am working hard to get Master’s as I teach my 6th grade Bible class. My class has been such an encouragement to me because they have been so engaged with Scripture and we have had amazing discussion about God’s Word.

Prayer Request:

Please pray that we find time to rest in our busy schedule. Pray that more students come to our youth events and that they feel welcome and loved. We are trusting that God will do amazing things with our ministries that we have poured so much into.

Favorite Quote:

Timothy Keller: “You can avoid Jesus as Savior by keeping all the moral laws. If you do that, then you have “rights.” God owes you answered prayers, and a good life, and a ticket to heaven when you die. You don’t need a Savior who pardons you by free grace, for you are your own Savior.” 

Back to School

This month I started my new job as a teacher. I teach the 6th grade Bible class at an amazing Christian school near my house in North Carolina. The school is called Redeemer and I have 24 amazing students! It has truly been such a blast discussing the Bible with all of them. It has only been one week but I already feel I am learning so much from them and loving the questions they have for me.

First Day of Teaching

Mask Up!

Chris has also been doing amazing at his new job as the Director of Student Ministries at our new Church. This month we had an end of the summer bash at Nomad Farms! The students and leaders were able to have so much fun, doing a slip and slide, playing kick ball and worshiping the Lord.

Worshiping at Nomad Farms

Huge Slip and Slide at Nomad Farms

As the summer comes to a close and fall is on its way, we are blown away by how much we have seen God in our new home. We are so thankful for the blessings God has already given us just in a short three months of living here in North Carolina.

Praise Report:

We are so happy to be hosting Chris’ brother Eric this month!!!

Prayer Report:

Learning how to teach and do our jobs in the midsts of Covid-19 has been… “a great opportunity to grow.” We could definitely use pray like most people right now.

Happiness and Heat

This month has been full of youth camps, visiting family in California and a lot of heat. We had the opportunity to help run a service camp called Love Out Load with about 65 students. We were able to serve the community around us by cleaning up a local garden, repainting a local school and planting new gardens at Churches in the area. We really loved getting to know our students better and worshiping Jesus with them at the end of every day at camp.

In California we were able to celebrate a few birthdays, meet my beautiful baby niece and celebrate my nephew being cancer free! This trip was already a celebration of our 5 year wedding anniversary but we just can’t believe how much celebration we were able to cram into one little trip!  We also had a blast going to the beach, paddle boarding and learning how to play pickle ball. We are so thankful that we were able to make the trip out and felt so refreshed.

Praise Report

• Blaire got a job as the 6^th grade bible teacher at a nearby Christian School that she can’t wait to start next month
• Chris is settling well in his new position as Student Ministries Director at our Church

Prayer Report

• Pray that even in this crazy time of pandemic we can make deep connections with the students in our youth group

Our First Shrimp Boil 

 Doing some crazy weeding at Love Out Load!

Chris feeling very confident holding new baby Hayes 

Got to see Eric in California 

 Building shelves at a local Church 

Making a sign for a school

 

Favorite Quotes of the Month: 

“Apart from your grace, we are incapable of living into the fullness of who you have created us to be. This awareness brings with it the burden of shame and guilt. In our humility, we are grateful for the blood of Jesus Christ, which redeems and covers all shame and guilt, and for the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to forgive like you, to love like you, and to see others the way that you see them.”
– Prayer from Cassandra Albert in Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison

“Holy Spirit, come down (come take)
Holy Spirit, come down (come down)
Holy Spirit, help now (way down)
Holy Spirit, help now (uh, uh)
Holy Spirit, come down
Holy Spirit, come down (ayy)
Holy Spirit, help now (come down)
Holy Spirit, help now (yeah)”
– Wash us in the Blood: Kanye West