Punch Hurricane Matthew in the Throat!

It is the morning of Thursday, October 6th, 2016 and we are waiting. We are waiting for updates, we are waiting for unknowns, and we are active in prayer. Hurricane Matthew looks like it is heading for my friends and my family in South Florida, and I am 1,400 miles away. BUT you guys are going to rock this hurricane!

We live in South Florida, literally that is where the weathermen are pointing. So unsettling. BUT this guy is pointing to where the strong people are, where the brave community of hardworking-serving-loving-faithful people of Coastal Community Church live and build their lives! God is faithful in this storm!

Our church body is taking care of each other -- helping provide shelter and finish preparations like installing crucial hurricane shutters, some have even opened their homes to one another. Everyone is stocking up on water, food and fuel, and sharing it around! I am so proud of my community!

There is a yearning to be near to one another. I cannot be there. Not even close. My prayers are with my boys, my prayers are with my friends! You guys are going to overcome and come out of the other side more bonded and strong than ever before!

Prayers for our Haitian brothers and sisters: My beloved Haiti was devastated and we prayed as we received word from our friends in Ti Goave. Pastor Brucelee shared that the people took shelter in the church building. Their lives were spared as they remained together in the church, while their homes were swept away. Some homes that our mission helped them purchase were round metal structures, anchored into the ground. Those that were anchored did not get destroyed. My heart is broken for Haiti and my Haitian friends. You are so treasured, you are so strong. 

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Mitchael Family Update June 2014

Wow! Is it July already? -- We just completed our 4th month here in South Florida, and we are loving being involved at Coastal Community Church! Josh and I are having a blast co-hosting connect groups this summer! Josh is co-leading a Music Connect group for songwriting and musicianship, and I am helping with an Art Journal small group! Both communities meet weekly and are such a creative outlet for us and those involved :) I also have begun serving in Coastal Kids and student ministry, Catalyst -- which has been such a blast! We have continued to serve on Adopt-a-Block -- myself with the kiddos and Josh praying down the block or cooking up the hot-diggity-dogs!

other big things this month -- 

1. Jay, Jennifer and Jayni visited us! We had a wonderful reunion together and enjoyed one another's company. The Mitchaels rented a vacation home with space for us, and we had a restful and memorable time! We took them to one of our favorite places --Butterfly World! 

 

Did you know Coconut Creek is nicknamed the butterfly capital of the world? You know I like that! My mom and I raised Monarch and Eastern Black Swallowtails for many many years (and she still does when she has time between mission trips and children's ministry at church!) I love LOVE to share the beauty and wonder of butterflies with family and friends! Need proof of my butterfly obsession? Look no further than my childhood scrapbook::

We also got to make a trip up to Melbourne to visit Josh's uncle for a chill day by the coast. Thank you for visiting, family we love you and miss you!  

2. I've started writing more on the blog, hoping to make it a regular part of my routine and a way to stay connected with friends and family and to meet and resource people with similar interests and activities! Please comment and share if you like what I'm writing, I'd love some feedback! I also made a Facebook page, for those that want to receive updates there:: Mitchael Journey

If you'd like to get caught up, click below to view some of the top posts this month:

• Anyone Want a Free Essential Oil?
• Updates on the MUSIC page
• Art Journaling Intro
• Having Fun Isn't Hard When You've Got a Library Card!

3. Technology is my friend -- thank you friends and family for letting me see your faces on video chat! Here is a picture of my wonderful sister, Natalie and her darling baby girl!

4. This month was Father's Day and Josh's 25th birthday! 

JOSH--You are the BEST!!! I am so proud of you and am SO blessed to be able to treasure you as my husband and live life alongside you! You're an amazing daddy -- thank you for being who you are!

Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear from you:: What was one of your favorite memories from June?

Getting Settled In: Ministry Update

Here we are already over a month into our new life in South Florida! We love our church - the people in it, the leadership and the TRUTH and HOPE of Jesus that is taught week after week! With Easter coming up next week, I have butterflies in my stomach - I know people will step into our building that only do a few times a year, or maybe it will be their first time to truly hear to the gospel. As with every series we are given 2 or 3 invite cards in our sermon guides during weeks leading up to the next series. This Easter::

So far Josh and I have personally invited a pizza chef and an Enterprise car assessor - we also left an invite card in a pre-paid Aldi shopping cart- I prayed for the person who might receive that card next might find a bit of encouragement and a reason behind it. I wish I actually knew people here other than from church so I could invite others coming out of a natural friendship, but so far, that's still something I'm hoping and praying to have. Apparently, out of the "unchurched" 7 out of 10 will never get invited to church. 8 out of 10 of your friends will come, if you just ask them and 2% of Christians never share their faith --woah! Let's step it up!

Have you ever invited someone to church? Did they come? Did someone ever invite you? 

I have joined a She Reads Truth connect group with some AMAZING ladies on Wednesday nights and have gained friendships through studying the book of Acts together and letting ourselves be challenged to take bold action for God's will in our lives. 

photo credit to Krystal F.

Josh and the Coastal leadership team traveled to the Arc conference where they heard from wonderful and empowering speakers and met with fellow church planters and leaders!

We have also been pumped about helping in some outreach volunteer projects through Coastal. Josh was able to meet and pray with people at Adopt-A-Block outreach in Collier City. Coastal is faithful to be in Collier twice a month. During this outreach we are able to love people through cleaning up, food distribution, children's activities, visiting people in their homes and much more. Loving God, Loving People & Showing It. I look forward to being involved in their kids outreach during that time called KidsJam! 

A few Saturdays ago, I was able to be involved in a clean up at S.O.S Children's Village. We raked and cleaned up over 200 bags of leaves, power washed & trimmed trees. 

Photo credit to Krystal F. 

Sunday mornings have been truly a blessing! Josh is leading so well, and enjoys getting to know the worship team even more as the weeks progress. It is always good when God's people worship Him in Spirit and in truth. There is definitely an environment created where people can meet with God, maybe even for the first time!

 

Photo credit Ivan M.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

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newness

Here we come!!!

leading at Coastal in January

The Mitchael family is thrilled to announce that we will be moving in MARCH to South Florida! Josh will be the Worship Leader for this wonderful church body that is changing the lives of so many. Coastal is a 4 year old church plant that is a great fit for our family. 

We visited Coconut Creek earlier this month for our 5-day "interview" with the Coastal team. Josh and I are looking forward to the relationships, ministries, and even the challenges that will grow us.

• We will appreciate your prayers as we move our home 1,300 miles away from our loving family and wonderful friends. God has made it clear that Coastal is where he wants us--and we know that he will comfort our hearts as we miss the people we love in NWA. 

• Please pray for our packing, moving travels, and housing. Pastor TJ will be checking out some of our housing options on Monday!

• Another prayer point is for our current positions and congregation. We are praying for a good transition and for those who will fill our current roles. We will miss our friends at CCF!
  
  
• Coastal is launching their new campus TOMORROW at a local movie theater. Pray with us for this start, and the new people that will grow in Jesus because of this leap of faith.