Missed you guys tonight...sorry about the blog...

I haven't been on this thing in forever...sorry about that. My new job doesn't allow me to be on the computer during the day...so...
We missed you guys tonight and I hope everyone is well.
Be in prayer for Eli, he has a very sore and irritated throat...infection kinda thing.
Let me know if you guys have any prayer request and I will post them.
Hope to see you guys Sunday.
Blessings!
Zach

The Crosswalk

Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain...
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.


May God fill your day with blessings!!


Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!

More praise!!

I think this is another praise...my coworker, Reenie, seems to be recovering well. She is still at Baylor Rehab, but is able to use a walker and expects to be able to go home in about 3 weeks. Please continue to pray for her recovery as I know it will be difficult, but it sounds optimistic that she will be able to return to work soon!

-Sharon

Connect Group 4/9/08

Hey family,
How has your week been so far? It is Wednesday and I hope everyone is feeling well and ready to get together tonight. Everyone is healthy in my house again (I almost hate to say that) so we will be back at our house tonight at 7:00. I look forward to seeing you all then.If you are not able to make it, let me know how we can be praying for you and your family.
ZS

Jon's sick

Jon didn't receive his shot yesterday. Apparently it had not come in. He is starting to get the withdrawal pains and also feels like he has started to get bronchitis. I had him take some cold medicine and he is back to working on the computer so at least he's busy. I'm going to call Beth later and ask her to take me food shopping so that's covered (maybe). If she can't, may I ask one of y'all?
Please pray for Jon to feel better and that his shot is at the dr'd come Tues.

Thanks,
Claire

Connect Group - 3/26/08

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed dinner and the discussion last night. A special thanks to Jon for teaching and unpacking the Scriptures for us.
You guys just remember to be holding each other up in prayer this week.
Also, if anyone would be interested in coordinating some meals for Jack and Christi, just let me know. I know Susan and I could definitely do it one night, but if someone could put together and schedule of "who can do what when", that would be awesome. I seem to be crunching time a lot lately.
I love you guys and hope you have a great end to your week and I look forward to seeing you all Sunday!
Blessings!
ZS

Spaghetti Tonight!

This is our week for dinner together so I look forward to seeing you all tonight at 7:00!

I love you guys!

ZS

Baby Lexis...

Hey guys, Alexis is going to have her tubes put in tomorrow (Tues). Because we need to get this done ASAP, we are going to be at Lake Point Medical Center. It is a very common procedure and doctors do it all the time, so I am hoping everything goes very smoothly and this will allow her to get well and stay well for a change. Planning to see all on Wed night.

Prayer Requests

I have a few requests this week.

• I have a good friend, Amy, whose son Cayden was hospitalized last week with an asthma attack. He hasn’t ever had asthma before and they haven’t been able to figure out what might have triggered it. He is back home this week recovering. While Cayden was in the hospital, Amy’s dad was admitted to the hospital and under went emergency heart bypass surgery. They thought he would be able to go home today and due to additional illness, his stay has been extended. Amy’s dad was very active and was supposed to ride in the MS 150 with us, so this was very unexpected. Please pray for them and their family as they recover.
• Our babysitter has moved in with her boyfriend and we believe this is a typical domestic violence situation. There was an incident over the weekend and things escalated when she tried to leave. Please pray for her to have strength and to be able to see more clearly that this abuse is not right and help her accept some help in getting out of this bad situation.
• I have another good friend Aimee who was laid off last week. Please pray that she is able to stay upbeat and optimistic as she is in search of a new job. Although she worked in the housing industry, this was very unexpected and she had been with this builder for five years.
• My neighbor’s mom has recently had a stroke and they have been caring for her along with our other neighbor (her brother) since about Christmas time. She requires constant care and they have moved her into their home temporarily. Chris has recently taken on a new job and is required to travel out of town a few times a month. His wife Pat is very uneasy being left home alone and now has the added burden of caring for her mom. Please be in prayer for them during this time.
• My dad called this morning and he spent the evening at the hospital with my grandmother. Her blood pressure has gotten too high (very medical, I know) and they have not been able to lower it. They have run every test and have been unable to find anything. Please pray for both my dad and my grandmother. This has been a most difficult time for my dad as he takes on the burden of making sure my grandmother is cared for every day and does everything he can to try and make her comfortable. She has extremely advanced (I can’t remember the numbers anymore) Alzheimer’s and stage 4 breast cancer. Please pray that she may have some peace from these painful ailments and my dad the continued strength to take care of himself.

Thank you all for being such a supportive group of individuals.

-Sharon

Up-date on Claire

We still waiting for the test to come back to see if she had any infection that might of triggered this.

She is doing very well today. Just tired they did not give her any sleeping meds last night so she only got about 3 hrs. The Dr. fixed that and she will be getting her full meds tonight.

The results of the MRI are back. Bad news she now has legions on her back. I do not know if these legions are accountable for what happened for up until two weeks ago she was constantly getting stronger.

They Dr. brought up Tysabri again. Though it was just brought up, not really talked about. Claire and I are very un-easy about the drug. But such a decision does not have to be made right now. The last time it was brought up we turned the choice down.

After the steroid treatment, which will last until Sunday, she will be doing some rehab at the hospital. Hopefully she will not have to be there very long. I know that is currently her biggest concern because the last time she was there it was nearly 30 days.

I personally really do not think it will be that long this time.

Anyway that all I know right now

God Bless all of you

Jon

Claire In Hospital

I will let you know more ASAP, but she collapsed.

I am currently waiting for my mother to get here and we will be getting her to Presbyterian Hospital.

Please be praying.


Thanks Jon

Thank You

Claire and I would just like to thank everyone that has brought us food, and checked in on us. So many others in our group are also having difficulties right now and we want you to know that we have been praying for all of you.

Claire got her treatment today, and once it starts working she will probably have rapid improvement. As of today I am still without my shot that I was suppose to get last week, but I should be getting it tomorrow. Never the less the withdrawals, from not getting it last week, seem to have past. I am just very tired.

The food has been a lot of help. Claire has been to unsteady to cook and by the end of the day I could cook but it would currently be a chore. So the food has lifted a large amount of weight off of me. I suspect that things will be getting much better in the near future. Not just for us but everyone in our family.

Many everyone of you take care and again thanks.


Jon & Claire

Prayer Request for Cameron

Hello Family!

I wanted to mention that Cam will be having surgery this Friday morning. It's a day surgery, they will be putting him under but he will not be having to stay overnight or anything. Please be in prayer for Cam, that everything will go well and that he will have a fast and easy recovery and for the surgon that will be working on him. I will share more at connect group.

Thanks Everyone! Love,

Laura

Daylights Savings Time (or whatever happens in the Spring)

This is just a remind to make sure you set your clocks ahead 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night. Yes, this means you lose an hour of sleep but we don't want any of you to miss church because you were an hour late rising.

Hope this helps to serve as that reminder.

Blessings!

Zach

Vroom Vroom!!

Josh and I did this several years ago and thought it was a great event for a wonderful cause. While Josh won't be joining me this year, I will be joining a couple of my friends as we work the next couple of months to raise funds and train for this event.

Join me for the Sam’s Club MS 150 as I support a great cause! This two-day, 150 mile bike ride is a fundraising event to help fund research as well as local National Multiple Sclerosis Society chapters to be able to assist patients in their area. Amazing progress has been made in medical research in recent years, but a “cure” for MS still eludes us. You can join the fight by supporting me with your tax deductible donation here - http://www.ms150.org/edon.cfm?id=215985, or take a ride with me some night or weekend as I begin to "shape-up" for this event!

- Sharon

Prayers for Jon and Claire

Hey family,
Just wanted to shoot out a quick prayer request for Jon and Claire. They are both very sick right now. Jon wasn't able to get his shot last week and is in much pain. Claire was also unable to get her meds this week and is hoping to get it tomorrow. Jon should get his on Tuesday hopefully.
Just be in prayer for them this week.
Love you guys and we hope to see you all Wednesday night.
Blessings!
Zach

It's Wednesday Again!

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight at our place at 7:00!
I know that there are still some that are sick, so just let me know via email or a phone call if you and you'res aren't going to be there tonight.
Until then...
Blessings!
Zach

Connect Group This Week 2/20

Hey family,
Hope everyone is having a great week. I regret to inform you that everyone in my house is sick except me. So, what we are going to do this week is meet at The Davis’ in Caddo Mills. It’s only about 10 minutes from Royse so don’t panic…

(SMD...removing our address from the world wide web...)

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow night.
Blessings!
Zach

Another Prayer Request

Laura just called me and ask that we please be in prayer for her PePaw, Bobby Saunders. He just collapsed and they were taking him to the hospital. That's all she really knew when she called. Please pray for Bobby and Laura's family.

There is much happening in the lives of our people. Thanks for being diligent in your prayers.

Blessings!
ZS

Pray for Claire's Brother

Hey everyone, I just wanted to make you all aware of a need. Claire called me and ask that I have you all be in prayer for her brother who was on his way to the hospital. He had a heart attack and that's all I know at this time. I asked Claire to keep me informed as she finds out more info.
Also, continue to be in prayer for Lindsey's uncle who was in a car accident on Wednesday.
You guys have a great weekend. Men, hope to see you Saturday morning for the men's breakfast...we will be eating pig.
Blessings!
Zach

Happy Valentine's Day!

It was great seeing everyone that could make it last night. We will be praying for Lisa, Lindsey and your Uncle Chris.

Hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day and a wonderful weekend!!
- Sharon

Dinnertime Again!

Greetings. It sounds like people are feeling better this week and we are planning to meet tomorrow evening. If you would like to bring something for the meal, just let me know. Hope everyone is having a good week and we are looking forward to seeing you Wednesday.
-Sharon


Here's what we've got:
meatballs & tbd sauce - Josh and Sharon
side item - Laura
tossed salad - Lisa & Lindsey
dessert - Jon and Claire
sweet tea - Lisa & Lindsey
plastic wares - Zach and Susan

The Sickness Continues

Just wanted to catch everyone up:
Jacob has an ear infection
Eli has a sinus infection
Alexis has the flu
Cam is recovering from his illness
Laura is still struggling with sinus infection
Jon is still experiencing much pain in his joints and in his back

This is what is going on in the life of our family. Please be in prayer for everyone's health. We are a needy people.

Let me know if we need to call off this week so we can have a chance to recover. Right now, we are a go!

Love you guys!
Zach

Prayer Request from Connect 1/30/08

Please be in prayer for the church with a few things that are coming up
1.) we have planned a community event at the new building Saturday February 9th
2.) the next day Sunday February 10th will be our official grand opening at Stonebrook
3.) please be in prayer for our pastor and his family

I would also like you to continue praying for our SIP's from ETBU:
Rachael
Ashley
Aaron
Eamond
Allison M.
Allison B.
You can be praying for them by name and please pray for their semester at school, their families, and their ministry at their local church.

Please also be in prayer for Jon. He had a bad day yesterday and was in much pain.
Jon, we love ya and we're praying for you both. Claire, you guys let us know if you need anything.

Laura has been having some health problems also mostly caused by allergies. Pray for her health. Cameron is feeling much better though, thanks for your prayers for him over the last week.

Feel free to get on here and update us on prayer request that I didn't mention or praises that we need to share also.

Everyone have a great week! Susan and I will be traveling out to East Texas this weekend. I'm doing a wedding at my old church and the father of the bride paid for us to have two nights in a hotel...kid free weekend :) Obviously, we will miss our little boys tremendously but it's always nice to have a little get away.

We'll see you guys next Wednesday night...Just want you to know that I turned down Mav's tickets for next Wednesday night so I could hang out with you guys instead. Now that's love!
Hope to see you then.

Zach

It's Wednesday!

I hope everyone's week has been great! Sorry I haven't had time to enter a post lately. I'm trying to be better about blogging my thoughts on here as well as my own personal blogspot. Feel free to drop by and leave your random thoughts.
I'm looking forward to tonight.
Blessings!
ZS

Let's Do Dinner!

This week we are going to be doing a Taco Dinner. But, we need your help...What can you bring? We need everything from taco meat to shells and of course something sweet. Anyway, let me know what you can bring and we will put it all together. Even if you aren't able to bring anything this week we look forward to seeing you all at 7:00 Wednesday night.

Have a great week!

Love you all!

Zach

I was sick too! (Susan)

I started feeling badly about 2pm on Friday. It progressively got yuckier until 9pm or so, then produced the inevitable..... I am feeling much better now though. Maybe we had a touch of something......Hope you are feeling better too.

SICK! (Jon & Claire)

Claire and I started feeling sick last night today we feel horrible. It is either food poisoning or a stomach flue. If it is food poisoning the only thing it could be is the tuna salad we made fresh yesterday, for it is the only thing that we ate in common. Or we Anyway I just wanted to let everyone know what’s going on, and to pray for us for we are miserable.

Christian Web Source Page

I just want to let everyone in our group know about the Christian Web Source page I put together Fellowship of Christ. It for anyone to use and has a lot of tools. I plan to offer more as suggestions are made or resources become available. Please go check it out.

http://fellowshipofchrist.bravehost.com

Take care and God Bless

2008...Back in the swing!

We were finally able to get together again last night...so good to see most of you and of course we missed the rest. Please be in prayer for Laura, she has been battling a migraine for about a week now. Those of you who have lived this dream know how miserable it is.

Laura, we are praying for rest, comfort and healing. Please let us know if we can do anything to help.

Sharon, hope you guys had a great trip and we look forward to see you back next week!

Lisa has returned to work after being off for 6 or 7 weeks...everyone knows how difficult it is to get back in your routine after taking any time off of work so we are praying for you and your strength and of course your health as you too get "back in the swing!"

Jon had his doctor's appointment with his new primary care physician yesterday which I know was a long ordeal, but we are praying that this will be a good move for Jon and his health. Continue to pray for he and Mrs. Claire.

There is so much happening in our lives and the life of our church right now and we feel like 2008 will be a banner year. Continue to be in prayer for the church, the staff, youth workers, children workers, the worship band and of course each other. Thanks for being a part of our family. We love you guys!

Have a great week and we will see you all Sunday morning at Gateway Fellowship Church at Stonebrook!

Blessings!

Zach

(the image above is Rusty Greer, the greatest player in the history of baseball!)