Hello family and friends!
We are so sorry it has taken so long to update our blog! Please forgive us!
These past few weeks have been full of events over spring break (and even before), we could hardly have called this "spring break"!
Our slideshow below will hopefully help you see what we have been up to over the past several weeks.
The slideshow begins with Micah's volunteering at WorldVision before Moody's Service in the City. We also celebrated our friend Michael's birthday late last month. This was followed by Moody's annual Service in the City (also Lauren's birthday and our anniversary)! Micah co-led a group at Sonshine Gospel Ministry where we were able to reach out and interact with the local community. The next day Micah took Lauren downtown to celebrate her bday and anniversary. During spring break Micah was very busy at work as they prepared to help with Moody radio's (WMBI's) "Share 2010" event, where the radio needed to raise funds to support their ministry for this year. Micah and his co-workers went to Five Guys to hang out one day after work (of course Lauren came with)! After dinner we introduced them all to geocaching! It was so much fun!
Later that week we went with a couple of Micah's friends to see AVATAR in 3D at the IMAX! It was the very last show at the IMAX and was totally sold out! We had the best seats in the house though! Not only that, but there were 2 empty seats in the very middle that no one ever claimed (which was very odd)! We also only paid 8 bucks for parking (versus the normal 24 needed to park at Navy Pier)! CSF went on their spring break trip to PA, but stopped to visit us and spend the night going there and coming home. We were blessed to have breakfast with the group at an Algerian crepe place near the church! Check out the sweet pictures of some of those crepes!
With all of this going on, Micah has been doing a lot of studying for school, drilling with the Army (just last weekend at the 863rd), and volunteering at First Free, helping with their website. We are blessed to be so involved with our church, community, school, and life. We are also both looking forward to a real "break" sometime - hopefully the time between the end of school (sometime in May) and Micah's 42 days at CH-BOLC.
Thank you all once again for your prayers, kind letters, encouraging emails, random acts of kindness through surprise gifts, and for your loving support. We don't know where we would be if it wasn't for God giving us friends and family like you.
Love you guys a bunch!
- M&L
21 March 2010
01 March 2010
Great Weekend!
We had a great weekend - Lauren's birthday and Moody's Service in the City were awesome!
On Friday night, we drove around Chicago using Lauren's birthday coupons good for free stuff - free dinner, dessert, and coffee! On Saturday we got up early and headed for Moody. There we met up with our service team and went to Sunshine Gospel Mission. We got a tour of the facility - the mission offers tutoring, after-school care, awana, an entrepreneurial program for teens, a computer room with free internet access and free computer classes. They're doing construction to have low-cost apartments built above the mission and adding on a cafe'.
The mission sent about 20 of us Moody students to different areas in the Woodlawn neighborhood to survey people on the street about their neighborhood and technology needs. We also gave out hot chocolate and cookies. For some it was an opportunity to share the gospel and encourage Woodlawn residents to attend a local church. We experienced some things that were very encouraging and some things that were rather heartbreaking.
In the evening, we gathered with all the other Moody students who had gone off to do other service projects - about 225 people! Each team presented what they'd done that day - some student experienced a life-changing day and were blessed to tell several people about Jesus and who accepted Him as their savior!
On Sunday, we witnessed 5 people be baptized at church - it was a joyous event that lasted the whole service! Micah then took Lauren out for a fabulous lunch downtown where they also walked to Navy Pier.
It was a busy, but a wonderful weekend!
(Pictures to come!)
On Friday night, we drove around Chicago using Lauren's birthday coupons good for free stuff - free dinner, dessert, and coffee! On Saturday we got up early and headed for Moody. There we met up with our service team and went to Sunshine Gospel Mission. We got a tour of the facility - the mission offers tutoring, after-school care, awana, an entrepreneurial program for teens, a computer room with free internet access and free computer classes. They're doing construction to have low-cost apartments built above the mission and adding on a cafe'.
The mission sent about 20 of us Moody students to different areas in the Woodlawn neighborhood to survey people on the street about their neighborhood and technology needs. We also gave out hot chocolate and cookies. For some it was an opportunity to share the gospel and encourage Woodlawn residents to attend a local church. We experienced some things that were very encouraging and some things that were rather heartbreaking.
In the evening, we gathered with all the other Moody students who had gone off to do other service projects - about 225 people! Each team presented what they'd done that day - some student experienced a life-changing day and were blessed to tell several people about Jesus and who accepted Him as their savior!
On Sunday, we witnessed 5 people be baptized at church - it was a joyous event that lasted the whole service! Micah then took Lauren out for a fabulous lunch downtown where they also walked to Navy Pier.
It was a busy, but a wonderful weekend!
(Pictures to come!)
28 February 2010
Faith Works
Some sermon notes from Pastor Bill, found on some notes I saved (writing this 10 years later, on 2020.09.25!)
Faith Works Series
New Life in Christ; Bill Shereos, Senior Pastor; Feb 28, 2010
Baptism
I. Cleansed Life - 1 Peter 3:21
II. Romans 6:3-4
- Blank ink stain on shirt - everyone has a dirty shirt, even the person next to you
- The Kingdom of God is NOW! You want to go to heaven?! Go today! Allow the Holy Spirit to live His life through you! Baptism is a picture of this life.
III. 1 Corinthians 12:13
A. A Connected Life!
We are all connected to one another - we need all the gifts to do the ministry of First Free
IV. Renewed Life - Committed
Immerse yourself in it! God really comes through
22 February 2010
MORE pictures!
Here is another slideshow of our big day! More pictures of Lauren's bday, our anniversary cake, and more! Enjoy!
Oath of Office
Micah's is officially a 2nd Lt./"Chaplain Candidate" in the U.S. Army. We took the Megabus to MN where Micah's parents picked us up and drove us home for breakfast. We napped, Micah got a military haircut and had Lauren's bi-annual ring inspection done at the Jeweler's. We met Lauren's parents and Micah's family at the Armory on the University of Minnesota campus. Micah's friends from his trip Israel, Ken and Barb, also came to see him take his oath of office. Major Boisen administered the oath and Micah signed the dotted line. He's technically a 2nd Lt. but it will be official when he gets his orders in a few weeks.
After the oath, we all drove back to the McLellan house for lunch. The grandparents, Aunt Sue, baby Madeleine, and our friends Jon and Katie all came to celebrate too! Besides Micah's oath, they were there to celebrate Lauren's birthday, our 1st anniversary, and Ariel's birthday. Our cake topper had been frozen all year, so it was thawed and we all ate it - it still tasted great!
That evening we got right back on the bus for home - we needed Sunday to recover from missing sleep on the bus. We had a great day in MN and loved seeing our dear family and friends.
Love & Blessings,
M&L
After the oath, we all drove back to the McLellan house for lunch. The grandparents, Aunt Sue, baby Madeleine, and our friends Jon and Katie all came to celebrate too! Besides Micah's oath, they were there to celebrate Lauren's birthday, our 1st anniversary, and Ariel's birthday. Our cake topper had been frozen all year, so it was thawed and we all ate it - it still tasted great!
That evening we got right back on the bus for home - we needed Sunday to recover from missing sleep on the bus. We had a great day in MN and loved seeing our dear family and friends.
Love & Blessings,
M&L
19 February 2010
Hooah!
Tomorrow morning I (Micah) will be sworn-in as a 2LT, Army Chaplain Candidate at the Armory of the University of Minnesota.
Yesterday, my boss and several of my friends (and co-workers) threw a mini-party :) Brittney made some sweet camo-brownies, using Christina's mom's recipe! GOOD stuff! Melissa also provided some sweet USA stickers for the event :) Thanks guys for the fun afternoon and celebration!
Lauren and I are excited to be going home - even if it's only for 12 hours!
Love,
M&L
14 February 2010
Pictures from Recent Events!
Micah's 25th birthday at home in MN, and back in Chicago with Lauren:
(link to video): http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-ehcqAkU2vtu001vkF8vUA?feat=directlink
Micah taking Lauren out on a date!
Micah's friend Tim (from his Israel team) came to visit us on December 19th, on his way to Arizona!
We had a Christmas party at our place on the 13th of December (there are a couple great videos too)!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lZzWqJ6v6hgUSqiCsZeCew?feat=directlink
And last but not least, Micah's Christmas party at his job at Moody!
And...another video!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K46uat7Il2hIsiBwT4Tkwg?feat=directlink
Love,
M&L
(link to video): http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-ehcqAkU2vtu001vkF8vUA?feat=directlink
Micah taking Lauren out on a date!
Micah's friend Tim (from his Israel team) came to visit us on December 19th, on his way to Arizona!
We had a Christmas party at our place on the 13th of December (there are a couple great videos too)!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lZzWqJ6v6hgUSqiCsZeCew?feat=directlink
And last but not least, Micah's Christmas party at his job at Moody!
And...another video!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K46uat7Il2hIsiBwT4Tkwg?feat=directlink
Love,
M&L
13 February 2010
Army of ONE
Just two days ago Micah received his "Oath of Office" form!! This was the last piece of material we have been waiting for in order to be sworn in. (Apparently Congress had to approve him after the Army Board so that was why we have been waiting these past few months).
Now we are making tentative plans to go to Minnesota next weekend for his swearing-in ceremony at the Armory located at the University of Minnesota. From that point he will be considered a 2L (2nd Lieutenant, and should receive his first orders and his assigned unit within two weeks of taking his oath.
God has been faithful to us and this ministry opportunity may open many more doors to serve our Savior through the opportunities that the Army can offer. Please keep Micah in your prayers as he is currently overwhelmed with homework (more than last semester) and is doing his very best to stay on top of things.
Please also pray for Lauren, as she continues to work full time at Little Green Tree House. She has been loving her job and has loved taking care of the infants in her room. The infants are adorable and the parents are incredibly caring individuals. Please pray that God continues to give Lauren the rest and energy needed in order to most effectively nurture and care for "her" infants on a daily basis (as she has been doing so well)!
Pray also that both both of us continue to seek after God's own heart, and that our lives continue to be transformed into the character of our Messiah.
Love and blessings,
M&L
ps. We were also both blessed to spend time at Moody on Thursday evening for a Valentine's dinner sponsored by the Student Wives Fellowship. We got all dressed up, hung out with some friends of ours, listened to a good speaker (a couple actually), and ate a lot of good food!!
Now we are making tentative plans to go to Minnesota next weekend for his swearing-in ceremony at the Armory located at the University of Minnesota. From that point he will be considered a 2L (2nd Lieutenant, and should receive his first orders and his assigned unit within two weeks of taking his oath.
God has been faithful to us and this ministry opportunity may open many more doors to serve our Savior through the opportunities that the Army can offer. Please keep Micah in your prayers as he is currently overwhelmed with homework (more than last semester) and is doing his very best to stay on top of things.
Please also pray for Lauren, as she continues to work full time at Little Green Tree House. She has been loving her job and has loved taking care of the infants in her room. The infants are adorable and the parents are incredibly caring individuals. Please pray that God continues to give Lauren the rest and energy needed in order to most effectively nurture and care for "her" infants on a daily basis (as she has been doing so well)!
Pray also that both both of us continue to seek after God's own heart, and that our lives continue to be transformed into the character of our Messiah.
Love and blessings,
M&L
ps. We were also both blessed to spend time at Moody on Thursday evening for a Valentine's dinner sponsored by the Student Wives Fellowship. We got all dressed up, hung out with some friends of ours, listened to a good speaker (a couple actually), and ate a lot of good food!!
08 February 2010
Week update
This week was fun but busy! Work and school went smoothly.
Lauren's parents and sister flew to visit us on Thursday morning! They went with Micah to visit Lauren on her lunch break. They had lunch together and then all went to Lauren's work to see the babies. They stuck around to play with the babies for a while and headed to Moody for "Founder's Week." There they listened to one of Micah's professors, Walt McCord, speak.
That evening they all went to the Art Institute of Chicago. The institute was HUGE and had amazing artwork to see. Lots of famous paintings were there that we'd only seen in books - a very cool experience. The institute has a large collection of Monet and Renoir, famous American artwork, and some amazing ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art. (Lauren is a big fan of the board game "Masterpiece" and got very excited every time she saw a painting from the game.) The month of February is free admission, so we may go back to see more. We probably saw only a fifth of everything there!
After all that art, we went to a pizza place in south Chicago - Homerun Inn - delicious stuff!
Friday was a laid back day - everyone made dinner together and headed to Moody to see a "Founder's Week" speaker - Dr. David Jeremiah. He had a powerful message to tell.
We later walked to Portillo's for Chicago hot dogs and "chocolate cake shakes." If you haven't had a chocolate cake shake in Chicago, you are missing out!
Saturday we all walked around the Wrigleyville neighborhood checking out a few shops. We visited at the apartment for a while and watched the film "Radio." In the early evening, Micah and Lauren had to say goodbye already. We drove Erick, Cindy, and Danielle to the airport and they flew safely home.
On Sunday we went to Church and to a church meeting (there was Jimmy John's for lunch - we won't say no to church meetings from now on :) ). We learned a lot about the church, it's past, and it's goals for the future. God has blessed us with an awesome church to attend and we hope to get more involved soon. Membership classes are coming up and we want to begin the membership process. In the afternoon we lounged around and half-heartily watched the super bowl.
God Bless!
Love,
M&L
Lauren's parents and sister flew to visit us on Thursday morning! They went with Micah to visit Lauren on her lunch break. They had lunch together and then all went to Lauren's work to see the babies. They stuck around to play with the babies for a while and headed to Moody for "Founder's Week." There they listened to one of Micah's professors, Walt McCord, speak.
That evening they all went to the Art Institute of Chicago. The institute was HUGE and had amazing artwork to see. Lots of famous paintings were there that we'd only seen in books - a very cool experience. The institute has a large collection of Monet and Renoir, famous American artwork, and some amazing ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art. (Lauren is a big fan of the board game "Masterpiece" and got very excited every time she saw a painting from the game.) The month of February is free admission, so we may go back to see more. We probably saw only a fifth of everything there!
After all that art, we went to a pizza place in south Chicago - Homerun Inn - delicious stuff!
Friday was a laid back day - everyone made dinner together and headed to Moody to see a "Founder's Week" speaker - Dr. David Jeremiah. He had a powerful message to tell.
We later walked to Portillo's for Chicago hot dogs and "chocolate cake shakes." If you haven't had a chocolate cake shake in Chicago, you are missing out!
Saturday we all walked around the Wrigleyville neighborhood checking out a few shops. We visited at the apartment for a while and watched the film "Radio." In the early evening, Micah and Lauren had to say goodbye already. We drove Erick, Cindy, and Danielle to the airport and they flew safely home.
On Sunday we went to Church and to a church meeting (there was Jimmy John's for lunch - we won't say no to church meetings from now on :) ). We learned a lot about the church, it's past, and it's goals for the future. God has blessed us with an awesome church to attend and we hope to get more involved soon. Membership classes are coming up and we want to begin the membership process. In the afternoon we lounged around and half-heartily watched the super bowl.
God Bless!
Love,
M&L
31 January 2010
Weekend Joy
It has been such a wonderful weekend here in the Windy City (which isn't very windy...nor is it that cold for this time of year...but that's beside the point).
Friday night was spent at Kelly and Nicolas' new apartment where they invited us over for dinner. Nicolas made a wonderful dish of chicken and rice (with a French sauce). Lauren and I whipped up an awesome salad to compliment the dinner. We spent nearly four hours that evening in their company while we shared stories, played games, and had fun.
On Saturday I (Micah) went to work for a few hours while Lauren was able to sleep in and catch up on much needed rest.
Later in the afternoon we went to see a movie, "The Book of Eli." I will save my review for another time and place, but as a believer, and with high standards for when a movie should be watched, I would caution against seeing such a film. If you feel a burning desire to see it in order to develop some sort of critical opinion of it, at least wait until it comes out on Red Box so you don't throw your hard-earned money away. At least we went to a matinee.
Saturday evening Lauren and I went out to Edwardo's Pizza to celebrate my birthday again, thanks to the generosity of Lauren's parents! Thank you guys! We even got a free slice of chocolate cake out of the deal!!
After dinner we met up with Uncle Mark, Aunt Tammy, and Dayton at Loyola University to watch them defeat #5 Penn State in men's volleyball. We later enjoyed ice-cream at McDonalds (thanks to the Erickson's)!
Today we went to church at First Free and fellowshipped with other believers, while worshiping our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Messiah. Our pastor spoke on Abraham's faith, and what it means for us a believers to exercise that same amount of faith.
This afternoon Lauren made a KILLER AWESOME chicken something-or-other with a salad. She's an incredible cook! We spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out, Lauren exploring the web, while I read several chapters of various books for school.
Hope all of you, our dear family and friends (and those we don't even know who happen to come upon our blog) are in good health, and are continuing our given mission to Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength!
Love,
M&L
Friday night was spent at Kelly and Nicolas' new apartment where they invited us over for dinner. Nicolas made a wonderful dish of chicken and rice (with a French sauce). Lauren and I whipped up an awesome salad to compliment the dinner. We spent nearly four hours that evening in their company while we shared stories, played games, and had fun.
On Saturday I (Micah) went to work for a few hours while Lauren was able to sleep in and catch up on much needed rest.
Later in the afternoon we went to see a movie, "The Book of Eli." I will save my review for another time and place, but as a believer, and with high standards for when a movie should be watched, I would caution against seeing such a film. If you feel a burning desire to see it in order to develop some sort of critical opinion of it, at least wait until it comes out on Red Box so you don't throw your hard-earned money away. At least we went to a matinee.
Saturday evening Lauren and I went out to Edwardo's Pizza to celebrate my birthday again, thanks to the generosity of Lauren's parents! Thank you guys! We even got a free slice of chocolate cake out of the deal!!
After dinner we met up with Uncle Mark, Aunt Tammy, and Dayton at Loyola University to watch them defeat #5 Penn State in men's volleyball. We later enjoyed ice-cream at McDonalds (thanks to the Erickson's)!
Today we went to church at First Free and fellowshipped with other believers, while worshiping our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Messiah. Our pastor spoke on Abraham's faith, and what it means for us a believers to exercise that same amount of faith.
This afternoon Lauren made a KILLER AWESOME chicken something-or-other with a salad. She's an incredible cook! We spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out, Lauren exploring the web, while I read several chapters of various books for school.
Hope all of you, our dear family and friends (and those we don't even know who happen to come upon our blog) are in good health, and are continuing our given mission to Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength!
Love,
M&L
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