can you say "pool boy"?

well this weekend has been an interesting one. it went a little something like this...sunday the 24th-8:30am: final sunday at cloverdale. 1:15pm: depart with thomas & family for their new church/home/life in raymond, ca. 3:27pm: starbuck's, stretch, potty break. 5:35pm: potty break. 7:15pm: potty break. 8:45pm: arrive in raymond. monday the 25th-12:18am: finish unloading the moving vans. 2:30am: eat chocolate cake, drink 3 cups of coffee, go to bed. 10am: wake up, unpack boxes 1:20pm: depart for shingeltown to pick up zech @ grandma & grandpa mapes cabin. 9pm: arrive home, go to bed! then this morning...tuesday the 26th, i (nick) interviewed for a position as a pool cleaner. i can't say that i am overly excited about the idea of cleaning pools 50 hours a week but there are definitely worse things to do for a living, "dirty jobs" anyone? right now we are really praying that God will provide something that will not only meet our needs but others needs as well. well i have to go look for another job. maybe i'll be a professional blogger? bottom line: the tate's are getting settled in their new home, we have no idea what God is up to regarding ministry stuff for us, & the pierces are moving to seattle! (keep them in your prayers) there is no shortage of excitement these days. it's late, i'm tired, & i can always blog tomorrow. p.s. apparently cleaning pools is a highly solitary working environment so if anyone wants to contribute to the "get nick a sweet ipod" fund send cash or check to... us.

i'm speechless!

since our first post we have gotten a job, lost a job, gotten it back, had someone offer us a free place to live, received a substantial amount of $ in the mail to pay bills, & seen God use so many people to really encourage us. we truly feel ministered to & taken care of. we still don't know what the next month or two will look like...actually we don't even know what the next couple of days will look like, but it is still exciting. we are not freaking out...yet, however, we are beginning to wonder just where we will be living in the near future. ultimately God will see us through, He always has. on a lighter note, zech is starting to say sentences! "mom, up?" "more cheese" & "dad poop" are pretty commonplace these days. (don't ask me what he means by that last one) it is awesome to see him growing up into more than we could ever have imagined. it will be interesting to see what the next few months will bring for him as well. anyway, if you need someone to rake leaves, fix your deck, or do some youth pastorin' just give me a call. if not, just pray for us. thanks.

so here is the deal.

as of now the 3 of us (which i will refer to regularly as "us" referring to Rachael, Nick, & Zech) are facing some pretty serious challenges. interviews for a new ministry position, the possibility of moving, car trouble, etc...and yet it is pretty awesome to be so dependent on other believers for support, encouragement, & just the basics like food, gas, lattes, you know: the essentials. i think Rachael & I both are excited for a change, no matter what that means. well this is our first post & look forward to keeping you updated as God continues to provide. have a good one.-nick