Seasons...

Seasons come and seasons go. We have been at The Springs through 2 seasons. Spring & Summer. 

I was recently at a memorial service where this song was sung. The words of this verse touched me...

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Spring was amazing as we were able to see new growth come from the dirt and turn into beautiful flowers. New mercies I see. Summer was hot and full. Both seasons we welcomed many new and many returning guests, all coming to be quiet and rest in His creation. We welcomed our friends and families here as we are learning more what hospitality looks and feels like. We continue to grow in the Lord, learn new and deeper meanings and love life in Indiana. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided...

We now find ourselves in the throws of fall and cooler weather and can't wait to see the leaves change. Each season has brought such a beauty all it's own. 

Opportunities: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

Gratefulness. Thankfulness. Two words that are 'in the air' this time of year more than the rest. The changing seasons bring so many thoughts of what we are grateful for. We are grateful for the many opportunities we are given on a daily basis as we live and serve at The Springs.

First, we are most grateful for the quiet and peaceful surroundings we have here to connect deeply with God. The noises of nature are incredibly soothing and beautiful. This place is truly God ordained for such a time as this.  Other opportunities we are given on a daily basis are to prepare a place for guests who come, through preparing clean sheets, towels & cabins, to freshly cut grass & cared for landscapes. Allowing guests to come & rest, with little to no distractions.  We have great opportunities to meet new people and share stories, to work with and develop new friends as they come to volunteer in our work with us and to host them in our home for a meal and a chat. We have opportunities to learn and grow in our walks with Jesus with the other couples we share life and work with and learn a deeper meaning of hospitality as we offer our space with family & friends, sharing meals and overnight stays together.

The Springs is a place to come, seek God, be quiet and get rest for your souls for sure – our opportunity to live in that, to minister to, is a true gift from God Almighty.

Galatians 6:10, so then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Psalm 100:3, Know that the Lord, His is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

The Scriptures tell us to make the most of every opportunity literally means “redeem the time.” We are given an equal amount of time each day. How we use it determines its value. When we ‘redeem’ the time for Christ, we place the utmost value upon it.  quote by Dan Rhodes, www.spectrum.com

Another Favorite Bench...

We talked a bit in our last blog about the benches on the property and trails here at The Springs. We have another one to share that brings a powerful story. 

A bench on the lake trail sits at the foot of a broken hollowed out, yet alive tree. The word at this bench is "shelter." Psalm 91:1 reads Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

As you walk on the path you come across a fork in the path. You have a choice to make...which one do we take? The wide path or the narrow path. 

Shelter is a description of our lives and the decisions we have. When things are bad, and it looks like our lives are dead...then we are given opportunities to make better decisions and choices to start building a strong foundation. What will we choose? 

Let God be your shelter, begin to build a strong foundation and things will spring to life. God will honor our good decisions. This tree tells that story. A story of life and death. Looking at the tree head on - it's hollow and soundly dead, yet on the other side,  it is alive. It's branches on that one side are alive, has leaves and living branches. How can this be? The tree is hollow.  It's because it has a firm foundation and is rooted in good soil. Lesson: you may feel hollow, sad and dead on the inside - but if you are rooted in God's Word, have a church family and seek wise council, you will live abundantly with Christ. 

Some pondering questions while sitting at the 'shelter' bench: Can you name with gratitude those who have sheltered you, and those you have sheltered?  How do you experience the incarnational presence of Christ to you through another? 

Come see, come hike the trails, sit at the benches and be with God. It's beautiful, quiet & peaceful.

Ministry Update...

We are starting our 7th month here as Operations Managers @ The Springs. We are in a good rhythm in our tasks. We are very busy welcoming individual guests, couples, women's ministry groups, life groups, ministry teams. A few reasons why they come, "I am feeling burned out and need space to rest and replenish, to care for my soul", "to rest and seek the Lord's heart and perspective in order to better fulfill His call", "I need a personal and spiritual rest", "I am in great need of quiet uninterrupted time with God and to hear His quiet voice!", "get away and spend time with my husband", "team building", "seeking God's next for me", "I'm looking for rest and rejuvenation for my staff", "we are exhausted", "seeking the Lord's direction for next steps", "discernment, wisdom, clear direction, rest and refreshment"...and on and on. They come weary and leave refreshed. Our job is to prepare their space and time here so that they can find what they seek. We are so thankful and honored to be here, serving God's people this way.

Family Update: 

Sad news.... most of you have heard that we lost Jim's brother Bob (Bert) on September 26th, 2022. The family has another hole in it. It's only been a few days since we received the news as I write this update. We are processing, are a bit numb and are trying to wrap our heads around the facts. Bert had a stroke 10 days ago and with his other ongoing health problems, his body, his organs could not recover. We pray he has found peace, our brother and friend. Pictures from left to right are Jim and his siblings. Teri Aunkst, Jim, Deb Green and Bob Green. 

Ron and Anita continue in a slow mental decline. Mom loves to chat on the phone and has some funny and interesting stories to tell. Dad is becoming more angry in his confusion. Dad turned 92 on 9/25. We are grateful for his life and continue to pray God's mercy for him. We spent a few hours with mom and dad celebrating his life with a violin serenade and chocolate cake. 

We are expecting a new grandson late November. Andy and Sarah are first time parents. We are all super excited and await his arrival. 

Hunter & Connor visiting and helping Grandpa with the horses. 

Family day celebrating Jim's birthday in August. 

Kylie & James visiting for Grandpa's birthday. Teddy too! 

We continue to enjoy grandson's sports events of fall baseball (James, who is 13), soccer (Connor, who is 10)  and volleyball (Hunter, who is 12). So are grateful for the flexibility to be able to drive in for some of their games and enjoy our family! Our granddaughter Kylie is a senior at Oak Hills this year YES HARD TO BELIEVE THAT! She is finishing up her 2nd season working at The Goodie Shoppe - you may have seen her there for ice cream :)

Thankful...

We are so grateful for our support team as we are missionaries raising support. If you are interested in being a part of our team, please reach out to us. We would love to have you come and see us. We'll give you a tour, you can ring the church bell and feel God....right here!

Many many thanks!

Jim & Karen Green