Spring has sprung!

I absolutely love this time of year.  The weather has started giving us tastes of what this summer will bring, the green grass is peeking up out of the death of winter, the snow has turned into refreshening rain, the spring flowers are claiming their triumph over the cold, the sky seems bluer and the clouds seem whiter.  The parks and trails are calling us to come spend some leisure time walking them and enjoying the freshness of spring.  I am so excited to be able to be outside more enjoying this beautiful weather!

The last few weeks have been ridiculously busy for the Templin family!  We had our first Worship Gathering March 10th.  In order to gather we had to give the "Garage" a face lift.  We were painting, installing lights, ordering furniture, creating art pieces, taking pictures, making a counter, ordering curtains ordering sound equipment and so much more.  We developed a children's ministry which means creating policies and procedures, purchasing baby items, baby proofing, finding curriculum, training workers, ordering background checks, checking references and the list could go on.  We finally got the children's ministry area and the Garage ready and had our first Worship Gathering.  It is so exciting to be moving onto this stage.  I keep wondering where has all the time gone!  We have a very relaxed environment where people can experience God free from things that might chase them away like a traditional church or traditional preaching.  

We went from our first gathering to a mission team that came from Spring Break while the Templin Family went to Missouri for a Missionary Celebration.  Nate spoke 6 times in 5 days and we hope and pray that we left an imprint on Missouri while we are there, left them desiring to reach their neighbors for Christ. While we were there Nate spoke at a church where they were reaching lots of kids from the surrounding communities.  After Nate spoke and I shared my testimony we had several kids come and talk to us with such sad stories.  One girl is on suicide watch and another one is flunking out of school, her mom has cancer, she is cutting herself and she has 3 18 yr old boyfriends even though she is under age.  It was heart breaking to talk to them.  I keep wishing I could do more for them but praying for them will have to suffice for now and I have to trust that the church can meet their needs.  The church seems to be doing a great job, my question is whether or not the students will respond to them.  

We are now home and trying to recoup, heal from the colds we brought home with us and get back into the swing of things.  Much easier said than done!