Club is in Session!

I know its been an obnoxious amount of time since we last updated you all. Life the last few weeks has been a little crazy! So...here's your update haha.


CLUB!! We are three weeks into Clubs this year. Caleb is rockin' the Elementary Club! For those of you who attend/attended New Community, Caleb is doing Ten Commandments in a similar way to the Ten Words series we went through which is great. He even made some totally sweet tablets so that the kids have a visual. Learning to teach at an elementary kid level is a challenge, but Caleb is doing great. We have had about twenty kids show up the last two weeks, and as the word gets out I think the numbers will continue to grow! There is a strong team of leaders that help with Elementary, so we are very very blessed to have help (though we always need more volunteers, hint hint, wink wink!) Caleb has also been going to Mary Becks Elementary's 5th and 6th grade football games in support our Lifeline kids, this has a great way to show the kids we care about them and support them. It is really cool to see how excited to kids get when you watch them play.


We have had a little slice of home sweet home the last few weekends! Keri Burden, a friend I have know since seventh grade, stopped by for two days on her journey from Maryland to Washington. There is just something so special about getting a hug from someone who knows you so well and you can share anything with. She also supports us, so we got to show her around town and have her experience Clubs and what we are here for. Last weekend, Caleb's friend Matt Rogers was in Chicago for a business conference, so Caleb drove up to Chicago to see him. They enjoyed some real Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and shared life together. God knew exactly what we needed and decided to send us two best friends to encourage us. 


We joined a bible study! It has four to six other married couples in it, so be praying that we can grow closer to them. We are going to be talking about the book Radical by David Platt. I have only read the first chapter and it is definitely convicting. It's about taking back your faith from the American Dream, understanding that this faith we believe in is radical and often very often uncomfortable. 

We have some serious prayer requests. A little ten year old girl who lives in the house right next to Lifeline died very unexpectedly of an asthma attack! This is very sad and while she did not attend clubs yet she was signed up and she has two cousins that attend. So you can pray for that whole family. Also pray that Lifeline can help comfort and reach out to the kids and parents. I really have no idea how to deal with something like this. But God is Holy, sovereign, and has a divine plan for the earth and for Elkhart and this family.    

Some prayer requests: 
- Christ shows up at Club on Monday-this Monday is a going to be a big day where we challenge the kids with the gospel

- Lifeline can continue to work in kids' hearts for Christ
- We can find where we belong here and a solid group of friends

- Caleb and I can rely on Christ more and allow Him to be in control

Thank so much for all your prayer and support.  

Clubs are coming!!

Romans 2:13
  "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who OBEY the law who will be declared righteous."

My husband, and God, decided to challenge me with the scary task of trying to go through Romans. This verse stuck out to me while I was having my quiet time today. Our relationship with God has to be more than hearing the words, more than sitting at church, more than listening to Christian radio. It has to be fulfilling God's purpose for our lives, taking his teachings like "Love your enemies" and actually doing it. It sounds easy enough, but the actions are hard in coming. That was my challenge today, to make my faith become more than words, but actions.

We are one week away from the kick-off of Clubs at Lifeline! It is exciting/scary/nerve-wracking/humbling to know that in one week twenty to fifty elementary kids are going to be coming through the doors, ready to be loved. Our prayers are that we are ready to love them. Our biggest prayer request is that God shows up. That we didn't move to Elkhart, Indiana just to find out that it isn't for us, that God has a different plan. Friends and family, if you could pray over Lifeline and each volunteer that will be preparing to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some other prayer requests would be: developing strong friendships, consistency and quality in our quiet times, and that Caleb is prepared and confident for his first Club.

We miss and love you all. Thank you for your prayers and support. OH! And we have Skype now, if you would like to find a time to talk to us (jenna.stanton89)! Or feel free to e-mail us or call us too :) we'd love to hear from you!

A Month IN ;)

Hahaha. Get it? IN? Indiana? Bahaha :D Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Can you believe we have been gone a month? I can't! Exactly a month ago, Caleb and I packed up the car and set off on the longest roadtrip we ever had, trying to get over the strangeness that we weren't driving back, that it was for real. Well. Lots has happened since then!

Living over here has had its ups and downs so far. Adjusting to our new life has been much harder than we anticipated. I mean, we knew it would be hard. We left everyone we knew, everything we understood, and moved 2,000 miles away. We just hadn't expected it to be this hard. I don't think we have gone more than a couple days in a row without one or both of us breaking down in tears. We are so blessed to have been asked to make this journey as a married couple. To those who have moved away by themselves, I give you big props. I couldn't do it.

God is definitely teaching us a thing or two though. Caleb and I are getting the very CLEAR message that we need to be flexible. We both have expectations and when those expectations don't occur, we get frustrated. Surprise, surprise, God wants us to ease up on our expectations and recognize that He is in control and not us. He told us to learn patience through a broken fridge over the last week, showing us that we need to rely on Him, not in what we can control.

He has also answered some serious prayer requests :) I found a job that I really enjoy, talking about books and learning about popular authors. Caleb's volunteer meeting last night went very well and it looks like we'll have some strong leaders. Our fridge was finally fixed. We are discovering a church that we are connecting at. We haven't gotten lost in a while. (Knock on wood!) Our apartment in Spokane was rented out and we got a rent refund. God provided enough for us during the time we worried about money to pay for things. God is just so good!!!

Some prayer requests:
- Clubs start Sept. 12th!! Pray that we will have enough volunteers and organization so that we are prepared for the kids
- We can connect to other young couples and begin friendships
- That we can feel loved and connected both to people back home and here
- We can learn flexibility as we get used to both of us working and at different times
- We can gain back motivation to raise support for Lifeline

We love and miss you all! The Stantons :)

Getting Settled

Hello all you wonderful people who read our blog :) Thank you for actually reading this! I never know who actually does lol so thank you for being one of them.

It's hard to believe we have been in Elkhart for two whole weeks!! At times it feels like a lifetime ago we were in Spokane, and at others,  it feels like yesterday. Trying to learn the city has definitely been an adventure! Here are some highlights of what we have been doing:

- Church hunting. It's way harder than I thought. We have been to three different churches so far, searching for where God wants us to be. We really like one but do not want to limit God just because we are comfortable in one setting. (But that is also a dangerous statement haha)

- Caleb is really enjoying his work at Lifeline. He is getting to know some of the boys that visit the office and growing accustomed to the fact that he never really knows what his day will actually look like. We painted his office yesterday, so it looks all fancy and grown up :)

- I got a job! The Lord definitely provided, as the opportunity seemed to come out of nowhere. But I will be working at a small used bookstore in a nearby mall. It's working Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the next six weeks, and then re-evaluating after that. It's not alot of hours or money, but I get to do something I am passionate about. So thank you for your prayers!!

- We finally got  internet!! It took a week from the first time we called, 8 or 9 calls back to Comcast, well over four hours on the phone, and three Comcast service guys, but we are now connected :) which feels wonderful. God really wanted to teach us patience, apparently.

- Lifeline got enough people to sponsor school supplies for around 100 kids from the River Run Apartments (government assistance housing) all the kids who signed up arrive at school on Tuesday with new backpacks and all of their school supplies!! Many families in the Elkhart school systems cannot afford the school supplies necessary for their children, so for the last three years Lifeline has helped by finding people to sponsor those in need. We get the exciting privilege of handing out full backpacks tomorrow night. You can pray for the kids as they start school this Tuesday!! (Yes you read correctly they have to start already!)

Love you all! Look for the post coming with pictures!!

Finally! A Real Update :)

Hello all!! I finally found some time and internet to write a real and full update!

Our Trip:
       The trip was a blast! We took five days to get to Indiana, spending time in Yellowstone and at Mount Rushmore. Yellowstone was positively breathtaking. We wished we could have spent more than just a day there. If you haven't been there yet, you should go! Mount Rushmore was incredible and definitely worth seeing as well. There is nothing like four giant faces to take your breath away ;)
       We had perfect weather up until the time we decided to leave Mount Rushmore. We had beautiful sunny days for all of our touristy stops, and then the rain came. Out of the 36 hours we drove, the 13 hour drive from Rapid City, SD to Davenport, IA was the roughest. South Dakota and Minnesota weren't too bad, but Iowa and it's constant corn were a bit rough haha. All and alll we had a fun trip over, though it was strange to get over the tendency to think we were driving back. Glad we aren't doing that drive again anytime soon!

Elkhart, IN:
       We officially arrived Friday evening around 6pm. The place we are staying in is so nice. We often feel like we are being spoiled, it's just so big and modern. Wood floors, new appliances, and five bedrooms (two unfinished). It didn't feel real the first couple days. Our possessions didn't arrive until Monday night, so we kind of felt like we were camping in our own house! No cookware, dishes, silverware-it was quite a challenge to find something to make for dinner.
       The best part of the weekend was seeing some familiar faces. Russ, Shannon and the Davis kids were in town visiting family, so we received the huge blessing of having them show us around town and invite us to church. As many of you know, Caleb and I loved our church back home, so finding a new church will be a journey, but God is faithful and knows our needs and desires.

Lifeline:
       Caleb's welcome into his office consisted of pink Barbie wrapping paper, Hannah Montana plates, and a Justin Beiber poster. His co-worker, Andy, wanted Caleb to feel welcomed for sure! Today is Caleb's third day of working at Lifeline. He received a work computer, which is another blessing!! He is slowly getting a feel for what is expected, what he should know, and the humor of the other staff members. Caleb has already showcased his mad basketball skills with some of the Lifeline boys and is getting a feel for the kids he will be working with and loving on.
       As for me, I am unpacking and organizing the house for now. Our ReloCube came at 7pm Monday night, so I have been working away at making our house feel  like a home. I miss home and my family alot,  but am enjoying the adventure of living here. Next week, we will hopefully have internet and I can begin a job search. After some direction from God, I have decided to help out with the Junior/Senior High girls club here.
       Last night was our first activity! It was Elkhart's Night Out Against Crime, helping support Elkhart Police Department. We made cotton candy from 3pm to about 9pm last night, so we were hot and sweaty, and a little sugary! ;) It was fun to see the community we live in, and meet those who live in it.
           
First Board Meeting: (Caleb)
       I just got done with my first board of directors meeting and I was very encouraged. I just wanted to share with you a quote from Scott the president of our board of directors. In a rather intense discussion with the advisory board, they discussed the idea of merging/working with other organizations to save money. The problem arouse of possibly losing our central mission at this time Scott finally spoke up only to say "Here is my only thought, I would rather die than be apart of an organization that does not share the Gospel every day!" I was so excited I almost jumped out of my seat. That is why we are here to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the youth of Elkhart.

How you can be praying:
- That we can daily seek God's direction
- Jenna can find a job that is fulfilling
- Caleb can learn his way around and relate to Elementary kids
- Support will continue to come in now that we are in Elkhart
- That we can adapt to a new community and culture

We love and miss you!! Love, The Stantons

We made it!!

Sorry there hasn't been an update lately! And this post isn't it. Our new home doesn't have internet yet, but an update is coming soon I promise!!! We love you all!

Almost There!!

Luke 11:33
      "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light."

The gospel of Luke is rocking my spiritual world right now. Read chapters 11 & 12. It covers: prayer, our spiritual "lights," a reminder that legalism isn't the answer to heaven, not putting value in possessions, and worry.  God knew we needed to hear that tonight.

SIX DAYS!! How crazy/insane/scary/exciting/sad/happy/anxious it is! It is coming so fast, but yet so slowly. We will obviously miss our home, family, and friends in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (don't forget mountains, we will miss those too! Good bye Cascades!) But we are so anxious and ready to begin our new adventure. To go into the unknown, show up in a town where the only family we know will be out of town when we get there, and pray like crazy that our stuff shows up on time and in tact. It is so scary, but I guess, I have never done it, so maybe it's fun??? I don't know yet.

God has provided amazingly for us. He wants us in Elkhart, Indiana badly apparently. We sold Caleb's car to the director of YFC here in Spokane, which was their answer to prayer too. God works in some cool ways. We sold the desk, table, and couch. All we got left is the tv (Please buy it someone!! You know you want it!!) We chose to opt out of our lease and hope that it is rented out very soon. We put our 20 day notice in that we were leaving, going on faith that we would get the support we needed, and later that day, the support we needed to get to $1000/mo. arrived in the mail! Thanks Mamaw!!! Now we just need all our supporters to send their forms to Indiana.

It has been a wild, emotional ride the last four months, one we are ready to get off. Limbo is a weird place to be, especially considering Caleb is a proactive guy and hates sitting still.

Hey prayer buddies! Here are some requests:
- someone will buy our tv (32'' HDTV, not flat screen, heavy)
- someone will rent our 1-room apartment ASAP!
- safety on the road as we road-trip across the US
- that everything fits in our car and the Relocation Cube
-that those pledged to support us send there forms TO INDIANA
-continued support raising as we transition to Indiana

Any and all prayers are appreciated! We love you all and will miss you dearly. Come to our Going-Away party at 6pm @ New Community Church to say goodbye, or catch us at church this Sunday. If you can't make either, and we haven't said goodbye yet, we are going to miss you!! God bless!
The Stantons :)