So, it's been three months since we moved to St Louis (two months for Chris), and we've made pretty good lives for ourselves in the process. We have been welcomed by our sponsoring church, St Louis Mennonite Fellowship, and it has become a vibrant faith community for the two of us. We have been blessed to be here in their move from the burbs to South City St Louis, just a few blocks from the MVS house. It's really been a formative time for the church and for the two of us as we participate in church life and discern what our role is in this new neighborhood. Chris gave a sermon a few weeks ago on the Greatest Commandment... We don't remember much of what he said, but he did say something about the foundation of faith resting on our capacity to give and receive love. Or something like that...
From tie-dying at the church retreat to carrying a piano and stove up a flight of stairs, we have been encouraged to become a part of what God is doing at SLMF. It has been inspiring to see how enthusiastic members are about sharing their gifts and contributing to the life of the church. There seems to be no spectators at SLMF.
There are a lot of people who know what service is all about. They've been there, and have contributed in their own unique ways to make us feel even more welcome in St Louis.
We have also shared some good times with MVS'ers Dan, Amanda, and Heather. We have grown closer over the past coupla months and they have done a good job of keeping us out of trouble.
We also have a lot of random silly stories...
About a month ago, Steve and Chris saw a poster for a rock show hanging at "The Diner", a 24-hour eating establishment just down the street. The band is called "Kentucky Knife Fight", and a few days later, Steve, Heather, and Chris headed down to the show in Granite City, Illinois. We were enticed by the possibility of appearing in an amateur music video and loads of free pizza. After driving around Middle of Nowhere, Illinois for over an hour, a two story barn and gloriously well lit country mansion surrounded by prodigious pumpkin patch. The barn was filled with black lights, old farming equipment, vintage signs, and other random freaky-deeky Americana nostalgia. The show left nothing to be desired, and after listening to good tunes and eating our fair of free pizza, Heather, Chris, and Steve decided to steal the largest pumpkin in the pumpkin patch (pumpkin picture included).
Oh, and we made an ice cream cake out of whip cream and loads of ice cream sandwiches for our Wednesday night Bible Study. It’s so easy we were able to make it in the car. One of these days, and you know how long it takes us to post anything on this blog… we’ll share this story, and the amazing automotive ice cream cake recipe. Stay tuned.
