Let me tell you about the launch team. Every Sunday night at 5 PM a group of about 15-20 show up at our apartment to dream about the future of Christ's Church for Brooklyn. The group is made up of all kinds of professional people: teachers, moms, aspiring actors and dancers, students, health care professionals, firemen, toddlers, ex-military...the list goes on. And while these people feel called to these particular vocations they are excited (and nervous) to be called to this church plant where they are given the freedom to dream big; where they are asked to think outside the traditional box; where they are challenged to redefine familiar vocabulary; where they are pushed to go into unknown territory. They all seek something new and different. They desire something fresh and fluid.

We started meeting on January 9. We've been meeting for a little more than a month and already I feel as if these people are my family. They have accepted that the one leading them (me) is groping for God and have accepted their role in helping my family in the midst of this valley. They have not expected too much nor have they expected too little from us. Two Sundays ago they, as a group, asked Laura and me how they could help. We were quick to say that we needed help with babysitting arrangements during our hospital appointments. Nathan was quick to volunteer his day off this past Friday to watch Sophia for what turned out to be a six hour gig. Hillary is babysitting this Friday as we make yet another visit. I'm amazed at this group and how quickly they are coming together. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us as we continue the journey of this church plant.

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On another note, have I mentioned that my family (mom/dad, my two sisters and their husbands) is treating Laura and me to a vacation in Mexico? We leave this coming Sunday. We are excited about getting away. I asked Laura what excited her most about the trip and she said that not having to be "on" every minute will be quite nice (Sophia is staying first with Laura's mom and then my sister). She asked me what I was looking forward to and I said "nothing". She looked at me confused and I explained that I'm looking forward to doing nothing. I can see us doing a bunch of nothing while there and I look forward to every minute of that. So yeah, we are excited...but we also feel guilty. Why? Because there are a ton of people out there who are suffering that aren't and won't get a reprieve from their suffering with a trip to the beach; because what if our excitement makes us forget about Ira's condition; because my own family members have experienced grief and pain and none of them were given a lavish trip; because we are so undeserving. I am extremely grateful for the loving generosity of my family to provide for us in this way (and can't wait for nothing) but you'll understand if I don't mention this trip again.