city dogs wear sweaters

I'm just saying. It's kinda funny when I find myself turning my head to check out a cute sweater, and it is on a chihuahua!
It's not even that cold. I think the low was in the upper 50's. But, the little doggies are all sportin' their winter apparel. Maybe this is just the fall line. Maybe in winter I will see some cute doggie boots and scarfs.
And, this is in Brooklyn. Imagine what I'd be seeing in Manhattan!

Happy Yom Kippur

Well, we had a happy Yom Kippur. I don't have a lot of knowledge about Jewish celebrations, but we had fun because we had the day off.

Here are the girls and our neighbor having fun at the audobon center at prospect park. We had fun biking, climbing trees, and just taking in the gorgeous park on a perfectly beautiful day.

Because it's fun, that's why...

Our new truck for church...just having fun.

good times

Friday night we had our small group. Still small :) But, so nice to hang out with people and dig into God's word, spend some time in prayer and getting to know each other.
Saturday we were able to go to the soup kitchen and serve as a family. That was nice.
Saturday night, I was invited to join the "over 40" girls night out. YAY! Clearly, I am FAR from 40....OK, a couple of years. But, I was so glad to be included. We walked around the Lower East Side, found a great place for dinner, then went for coffee. Ahhh, hanging out with the "girls". How refreshing!
Sunday morning church. Our last week of "practicing". Next week, we open our doors to whoever God brings our way.
Later in the day SUnday, went shopping with Alli. Finally got the coat tree for our entry way. Went to IKEA. There goes a few hours! Then, we made a "quick" stop at Fairway Market. Or, so I thought. Quick stop??? I guess not! This place had to be 2 acres of grocery store. We got lost at least 3 times. But, it was fun. ANd, it was the first time I went grocery shopping with the van since we moved. So, I stocked up on a few things since I didn't have to carry it all. We finally have some meat in the freezer.
So, today we have the day off. Still in our jammies. The schools are off for the Jewish holiday.
Those are some of the "good times" recapped from the weekend.
Just to feed those of you (tmp) who read this to stay connected to what the Kelly family is doing :)

the timing of Jesus

I know what you're thinking. If I don't have anything else to do all day but sit around painting my nails, watching soaps and eating bon-bons (whatever those are), then what seems to be the problem with updating my blog? geez.

Whatever.

I think it was about a year ago that Timm listened to a sermon from Tim Keller (a pastor here in NYC who is a great teacher/author) called "the timing of Jesus". And, it came at just the right time to encourage us. It restored our faith in the PERFECT timing of God. And, just so you know, His timing IS PERFECT. Even when we can't see the big picture.

We have been blessed to see some very tangible, concrete answers to our prayers. We have been fortunate to see God's perfect timing unfold before our eyes. But, sometimes, we don't see the things we want to see and it is frustrating, and confusing, and it rocks our faith. But, God can be trusted no matter what we see.

Anyways, I have been lamenting about my issue of "How does God want me to spend my time?" A few years ago at a "hearts at home" conference (a wonderful place for moms to be encouraged, equipped, and affirmed) I learned that there are some moms who tend to be "do-ers" and some moms who tend to be "be-ers". In other words, some moms are really good at DOING things, while other moms are really good at BEING in the moment. It was a good lesson for me. Because, those who tend to be "do-ers" often look at "be-ers" and think "Why am I not more content with spending downtime with my kids? Why am I so impatient and why am I anxious if we don't have at least two things scheduled on our calendar each day? I wish I could be more relaxed and less scheduled like my neighbor. She is so relaxed and she never seems uptight about what they are going to do". Then, those who tend to be "be-ers" often look at "do-ers" and think "Why can't I be more motivated to get up and go? Maybe my kids are missing out on things because I'm not more like my neighbor who seems to be signed up for every activity that is offered."

In other words, we often don't see the value in the way we are wired. We only see someone else and measure ourselves against their strengths, weaknesses and temperament. But, we need to STOP DOING THAT!

OK, now, back to what I was going to talk about. That was just a sidebar that has been on my mind lately.

Anyways, I have been praying each day for God to lead me to the serving opportunities He has for me. I was able to meet with someone from a very cool organization called CHIPS . You can click on the link to check it out. Such a neat place and they have a parallel vision/mission to our church! I think I am going to volunteer one day a week preparing, serving, and cleaning up a meal in the soup kitchen. They serve up to 200 meals a day! Anyways, that was an answer to prayer.

I was also able to help out a group from our church at a food pantry one day this week. That was great. I am a do-er by nature, so I absolutely lOVE doing.

Then, I was excited that our first PTA meeting was this week. I was praying that God would provide for me some opportunity to be used. The meeting was last night, and it was interesting to me what God placed in my path. There really wasn't anything presented at the meeting that I could do for the school like I was anticipating. I had already signed up to volunteer for a few fundraisers and stuff. But, they announced that the speech pathologist from our school was just diagnosed with breast cancer. My jaw dropped. Of all the staff at the school....the speech pathologist is my next door neighbor. She just found out. She has a one year old baby girl. And, she is going to be facing treatment soon. I'm not sure exactly how I can serve my neighbor, but I know that God has placed us side by side for a reason. Here I was at that meeting, fully expecting God to reveal to me a divine appointment, and an opportunity to be used by him. But, I thought it would be IN THE SCHOOL. Maybe it is right next door?

God has been reminding me every day to be PATIENT. His timing is perfect. He has plans for me. My temperament drives me to fill up my calendar with obligations, commitments, serving, fun, and opportunities. God is telling me to quit getting so far ahead and to take each opportunity as he places it in my path. The timing of Jesus is always perfect, but it is often mysterious to us. And, it usually doesn't follow our projections for how things will unfold.

Ahh, the weekend

It may sound like I am relieved to have the weekend arrive because I am exhausted from a hectic workweek. Not exactly. Reality has sunk in this week. My kids are gone. All day. I miss them. So, I am enjoying the weekend because I am hanging out with my very fun kids and my great husband. Ahhh.

So, as I have mentioned before, people ask me what I am going to do with my time now that my girls are in school. I still have to answer "I'm not sure".

This week I had to get Olivia from school one day because she had a stomach ache that persisted for over a week. I also was experiencing a bit of a stomach problem for several days, so I had to take it easy. Then I took both girls to a doc appt for a physical one day. I was scheduled to volunteer with friends from church, but had to cancel because of Olivia not feeling well.

So, each day I am waking up, spending some time with God, and asking him to guide my steps for the day. I literally ask him to help me make my daily "to-do" list. And I am focusing on each day as it comes. Just so ya know, that is NOT the way I am wired. God is stretching me. I desperately want to fill my calendar and feel like I am being productive and useful and BUSY. But, God is clearly telling me to step back and give him control and be AVAILABLE and take his daily and weekly assignments as they come. UGH! I know, I can't actually complain, because I'm already sure i"ll get a handful of comments saying "oh, you poor thing. you have a lot of free time? that must be so hard." But, if you really know me, you know I am being stretched!

Anyways, I am going to get off the computer a play a game with my sweet 9 year old. I am not ready to start calling her 10, but it won't be long now!

We enjoyed a visit with a friend that olivia made at school. They came over today and I visited with her mom and my girls played with her two girls. We ended up walking to their place to visit and, in all, we spent 4 hours together! It was nice. New friends! YAAY!

TOmorrow I send alli off with a friend to celebrate the girl's birthday. She gets to go the movies, then for pizza with her friend! I'm only a tiny bit nervous about sending her off with parents I do NOT know.....pray for me.

Ahhh, the weekend

BVA in NYC!

OK, I am definitely the luckiest wife EVAR. Sorry for rubbing it in to all you other wives out there who had to settle for the man you got, because I got the best one!

Not only that, but I have the best friend EVAR too!

Last night, my husband surprised me. When I got home from taking Olivia to dance, our friend was here, ready to babysit for the evening.

Come on, I came home to this smiling face! And what did she say when we got home? She said "The girls and I agree that next time you should go out on a weekend night so we get more time together and you don't come home so early".

Then, I left with my man and we went into the city, lower east side. We were walking down the sidewalk, enjoying all of the cute pubs and cafes, when we stopped in front of one. Timm pointed to a poster in the window and said "Hmmm, look who's playing tonight. Wanna check it out?"

My response.... "SHUT UP!" And I pushed him almost into the street. My absolute, all time, favorite singer/song writer ever was performing at the "living room". Brian Vanderark was the lead singer for the Verve Pipe, then he has released several solo albums. I have probably seen him perform over 20 times over the last 15 years. He is from Grand Rapids, MI, so I wasn't expecting to see him pop up at a small venue in NYC. It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so if that wasn't enough to make me smile from ear to ear non stop for hours....get this. We were able to chat with Brian before he went on. We have met him a few times, and he (sorta) remembered us. He asked us if we wanted him to add any requests to his play list. YES! Then, he had to excuse himself to submit his VIP list to the ticket guy, and stuff like that. So, he takes a few steps away, then comes back and says "Hey, what am I thinking. I'll put you guys on my VIP list. Just give your name to the ticket seller, and you'll get in." So, we were VIP for the night! We didn't even have to pay for our tickets!!! Seriously.

For some people, this would just be a nice night out. For me, it was the BEST!!!! Did I mention I love this guy? I am a nerd fan. I turn into a total dork because I like this guy so much. Next time he comes to NYC, I hope to bring a bunch of friends!

But, this time, it was the best date night I could have ever dreamed up. ANd, I was so glad to have Timm all to myself to enjoy the night.

wow, what a weekend!

Well, if we were living in Michigan this weekend, we would have had an incredibly BUSY and FUN time at the Richmond Good Old Days festival!

Instead, we are living in Brooklyn, and we had an incredibly BUSY and FUN time here!

Friday after school, the girls hunkered down to get their homework done. Alli has been getting a minimum of 2 hours homework each night. We aren't used to that! So, it is a challenge for her to finish it before dinner! THis week dance class starts, so it will be her challenge to complete it before dance class in the evening.

Anyways, they got it all done. THen , we hosted our first small group. Emphasis on the small :) It was just us and two of our friends. But, it was so so so great to have them, and I hope we continue to grow! We enjoyed pizza and bible study and chatting.

Saturday I went to a women's prayer breakfast and had a great time connecting with the amazing women God has placed in Communitas.

After that, I came home and prepared food for our "block party". It was great! The weather wasn't the best, but they didn't cancel it, so that was good. We had some of our neighbors and about 10 friends from church all hanging our for a bbq. The kids had an absolute BLAST taking over the street with their bikes, scooters, skateboards, sidewalk chalk, etc. Of course, Olivia and her new neighbor friend had to draw pictures with marker on paper and then try to sell them! It's her thing lately. Alli even had a friend come over who she met at school this week! That was great.

Alli discovered that out of the 17 students in her class, she is the only one who speaks English as her primary language in the home! She is the only one who has parents who were born in America. How interesting! I love Alli's adventurous spirit. She isn't the slightest bit intimidated by that. She thinks it is totally neat.

Anyways, after our sat night festivities, we awoke Sunday morning and loaded into the van to head to our very first visit to our new church location! PS40, an elementary school in Manhattan. We picked up some freinds and sound equipment on the way. We were there from about 9am-1pm. Timm was the master of sound! He was learning all there is to know about transforming the auditorium into a place of worship with a band and all that goes with that. ANd, what was I doing? What I do best, of course, PLAYING! I am going to attach a few photos of our "children's ministry" at Communitas. It consists at this time of my two girls and one other little sweetie pie. When I walked into the area that is available to us for our children to gather on SUndays, I had goosebumps. I was literally near tears. Praise God! We have an awesome gym, and an amazing courtyard that is going to be so fun on beautiful mornings like it was this Sunday! It was the absolute COOLEST thing on SUnday to look around and see who God brought together to form his church. Each person has a unique personality, skill set, passion area, spiritual gift, temperament, and style! And God uses EVERY SINGLE person to make up his body. And I can't wait to see who he brings in the future to add to his body. It is breath taking!!!!! We were PUMPED UP!

So, we came home for a little rest, then headed back to Manhattan in the afternoon for our "second sunday" party on the rooftop of our friend's building. Let me just say it was glorious weather, delicious food, and so many people enjoying time together. What a way to complete our crazy weekend! We stayed long enough to see the sunset behind the city landscape and watch the lights come on! Our favorite view! THen, home we came to get in bed to start the school week.

THis morning, I had "meet the PTA" meeting in the morning. YAY! I'm officially signed up for just about everything I can be signed up for at the girls' school now. ANd, I met some fantastic moms (and a couple of dads). I am so excited about serving in their school.

But, for today, what will I do with my time? Well, I've had an upset stomach (couldn't have anything to do with the massive amounts of potato chips I ingested the last two days, as well as donuts, dessert, etc, ugh!) But, I'm feeling a little bit better and may have the confidence to venture away from my home (and bathroom) for a bit. SO, what will I do? More shopping of course. Seriously, I have NEVER shopped so much in my entire life. Literally. Not in my entire life combined! But, it just seems that there is one little thing after another that we need. ANd, it takes time to get to the places. TOday, I am going to ride my bike. I won't get everything on my list, but I have a plan to get a few things.

One thing I need is one of those carts to push from the grocery store. I haven't been able to commit to one yet. But, my arms are pulling out of the hinges trying to carry bags from the grocery store. No need to give myself permanent ligament or joint damage! I just need to decide what kind I want...one more thing to shop for!! See what I mean? Ridiculous.

OK, enough. I will attach the pics of SUnday morning.

What are you going to do with all your time?

\

OK, I understand this question. What AM I going to do now that both of my girls are in school ALL DAY LONG???

My answer? I'm not sure.

However, God has shown me his faithfulness in opening doors of opportunity if I can just patiently allow Him to take the lead.

For now, I am taking care of the home, waiting to find out how I can volunteer at the school, running errands (which takes 4 times as long in this city than they did in MI), and realizing how much work it actually was to homeschool last year. Wow. Shout out to the mom's who are home schooling! You are amazing. I loved it and it was SO fulfilling, and SO busy and all-consuming!

So, today is the first day of school for my sweeties.

I have been on my knees, praying for God to give them peace, strength, joy and perseverence to work hard and make great choices while they are at school. I have been praying for each of them to make a good friend. ANd I have been praying for each of them to be used by God.

Happy first day of school!

Labor Day a new way

Happy Labor Day.
Timm is getting ready to take our guests to the airport for their departure back to Michigan. What a great visit we had! I'd post pics, but my power cord for my computer died and I'm on Timm's computer. Anyways, we have had the ideal weather. The girls have had a blast hanging out with their pals, and it was so neat to be a part of the wedding on Saturday in Central Park. Long story, let me just say that following Jesus is not always easy (actually it is never easy). So, a friend of ours struggled SO MUCH in his pursuit of listening to and following Jesus and understanding what in the world Jesus had planned for him. And, we all celebrated the fruit of his obedience and perseverance as he exchanged vows with his new wife on a gorgeous day in the park.
Last night we enjoyed a casual church gathering where we celebrated labor day weekend NY style. We shared some friend chicken, potato salad and leftover desserts (from the wedding) at our normal Sunday night gathering. It felt so good to have the Pfeiffer gang hanging with us at church. Bittersweet, as we wish they were living here with us, but that is not God's plan (for now).
Today, we plan to take a road trip to Long Island and just do some exploring of the area since we've never been out there. Our destination will likely be Jones Beach, as a handful of friends are hanging out there today. So, labor day is definitely being observed in a new way for our family.
I haven't updated this week, but much has happened. Many friends ask me to keep this updated with new happenings, so I'll give a quick update.
We visited PS130 where the girls will be going to school! We registered the girls, met some staff (including liv's teacher) and saw their classrooms. Ahh, it felt GREAT. I'm so very excited for them, as GOd has answered my prayers for peace about sending them to school! More to come, as they start school in two days.
We went to a beach called "far rockaway" with a friend and it was a perfectly gorgeous day. We also had those friends over for a visit and dinner. Very nice.
We met our neighbors! We have a family across the street who have 3 boys. Age 9, 6, and 6 weeks. The girls hit it off right away with the boys and had a great time playing. I really enjoyed visiting with their family and they even invited the girls to watch a movie, and I LET THEM! Timm was working late for a parent meeting and didn't get home until 9:40pm. He walked in and was shocked to see that the girls were not here. THey are the Gonzales family, and they informed me that there aren't a ton of kids on our street that are the age of our kids. So, I was very happy that they took the initiative to come over and introduce themselves. Look forward to getting to know them better, as they seem like a great family.
Went shopping for school supplies. I'll just say that shopping is always an adventure.
The girls had their new friends over (the girls they met at the church we visited). That was a nice afternoon. We had rented a movie from blockbuster last week (chrissa-american girl). They shared that movie with their friends. We definitely got our value out of that rental. I think the girls watched it 5 times.
What else? Oh yah, I found a doctor and I liked her.
We had a visit from our pastor from our "mother church" Kensington. He was able to see first hand how different ministry is here compared with the suburbs. It was nice to have him here.
So, here we are in September. We start our small group this Friday night. This Sunday we start meeting on Sunday mornings at our new location. ps40, an elementary school in Gramercy Park. We will use the next three Sunday mornings to "practice" setting up the school auditorium with our sound equipment and stuff, and setting up the gym with stuff for kids. We will still continue to meet in the evenings for our worship and teaching from the bible for the next three weeks. THe first weekend in October, we will "officially" open our Sunday morning services to the public and we will stop meeting in the evenings at the Estonia house.
We are updating the website, so check it out as it is revised and transformed. www.communitasnyc.org
Thanks for the prayers. Keep them coming! I am feeling the excitement of anticipation for fall. I know God has plans for our family, and I can't say exactly what that looks like. So, we continue to wake each morning and ask God to direct our steps and to be present in every encounter we have. He is opening doors to relationships and revealing opportunities all the time. He has called us to "be the church" and we are humbly trying to carry out that call.

Countdown is on...

So, the countdown is on. My little Livvy will be heading to school a week from today. She will start 2nd grade. She will be gone for about 7 hours each day. Ouch. That really hurts.

When Liv was one, I quit work to be home full time. I dabbled in a few part time gigs, but I mostly used my niece and nephew to babysit and tried to time it so that I was gone during her nap time. We did homeschool for preschool. She went to Kindergarten from 8-11:30. Then, last year, we homeschooled again.

What I'm saying is....I have never had to send her away for seven hours a day. This is the first time. Ugh.

This past weekend, Daddy took Alli out on a Sunday afternoon date. So, I got to hang out and have some one on one time with Liv. These pics were taken in prospect park, near our new home. We rode our bikes, did a craft and explored the audobon building, read a book on the grass under a tree, climbed a tree, and enjoyed the lake. It occurred to me as we enjoyed our hours together, how much I just love being with my girls! And, I have been SO SPOILED by hanging out with Liv. It's going to be hard for me to say goodbye. We have had 7 years of hanging out together, and I absolutely LOVE IT. She is so smart and cute and witty and silly and inquizitive and affirming and loving.

I am confident that school is going to offer her some great challenges and opportunities. ANd, I am sure that God has clearly answered my prayers reagarding what to do with my girls for school. I know that we are making the right choice in sending them to school this year. But, that doesn't make it easy.

I cried a bit on Alli's first day of Kindergarten. I cried a bit more on her first day of first grade. THat was a LONG day. I don't know if I will shed tears next week, as God has taught me to trust in Him and not to worry. But, the emotions involved in missing my girls are real, and I wouldn't doubt if some tears fall.

OK, since I always feel that I need to be "fair" I better include a pic of Alli! This is a self portrait of her that I found on my phone. A little blurry, but cute. I actually can't even go into my emotional state about Alli going into 5th grade. It is more than I am even ready to articulate. I'll just say that I thank GOD for her strength of character, her amazing personality and her mature view of many social situations. And, I will be PRAYING like crazy for her strength to be the little leader she was created to be, and to not give into any pressure to comprimise herself!