Hello Everyone! First of all, sorry it's been so long! Much has happened since this Summer! The best news of all that we want to share is that we are pregnant again! Our baby is due in the end of May and we couldn't be more thrilled at the thought of welcoming our 2nd child! So far the pregnancy is going well with the usual pregnancy symptoms and feelings. Our first appointment is this week so we'll have more of an update very soon. Thanks for your prayers for a healthy pregnancy!
I ask you to bear with me because this update is a bit lengthy! I guess that's what happens when you wait so long! HA HA!
These pasts months have been some of the most rewarding and blessed months. This summer the Lord spoke to Scott and I about starting an in-depth discipleship program at our church called "Operation Solid Lives". This program was actually started by another church we are in close relationship with and introduced to us through the senior pastors. The church who founded the program has seen hundreds and hundreds of people discipled and saturated in the Word of God, and also graduate from the programs several levels. The first level to this program is called BOOT CAMP and is a complete immersion of bible reading, scripture memorization, daily devotions and journaling, plus listening to several teaching cd's throughout the week. You are also required to invite someone to church every week, sit within the first 3 rows at church services and take notes on every sermon you hear. The program is rigorous and tough because of the incredible disciple it takes to meet the daily and weekly requirements. However, it is the most rewarding experience and will grow you so quickly in your relationship with Christ. We just graduated our first group of BOOT CAMPERS! Approx. 30 men and women graduated this past Tuesday and God has truly changed all of our lives forever! The Lord is also changing our church through this program as His people are being captured by God's word and His love for them. Scott and I beamed with pride as we graduated our first ever group from Operation Solid Lives!
Also, since February, Scott and I together with an incredibly talented team of singers, musicians & dancers have been working on a project called "Christmas Street" (CS). CS was originally introduced to Grace North two years ago as a production written by my mom-in-love Marion. We actually pulled it off in six weeks! This year, the play has been completely revised by our good friend and fellow pastor Torrey Inez. God sent Christina and Torrey Inez to our church to join our staff last Christmas and they have blessed us with their talents in worship & media. Christina is a phenomenal vocalist and worship leader and Torrey is a great musician and highly skilled in videography, directing and editing. They have 3 awesome kids and are like family to us. Along with Torrey and Christina, God brought my best friend Danielle and her husband Terry from Houston in March. God literally picked them up and moved them within weeks! Having them here, living with us, have been a wonderful experience. Terry is an awesome vocalist and Danielle is a gifted dancer and choreographer. God has truly brought the pieces of the puzzle together. The biggest piece of this production has fallen on the shoulders of our dear friend David Means. God sent David and Rita to us 4 years ago. David is an extremely talented musician, song writer and producer. David took on the responbility of writting over 1/2 of the songs we are performing in "CS" and also recorded, produced and arranged the entire CD we just finished recording. The God-given talent in this young man's life will bless (we believe) literally hundreds and thousands, if not millions of people!
Our first ever Grace North recording, "CHRISTIMAS STREET - The Soundtrack" will be released in the middle of November! We are extremely proud of this production and recording and would love to share it with you. If you'd like to pre-purchase a copy of Christmas Street you can pre-order through me and only pay $10. After the CD's arrive the cost is $15. This is a phenomnal way to experience the sounds of Christmas and also of Grace North!
Another highlight of these past few months is that last month I had the honor of accompanying Marion to Australia! Marion was asked to be the main speaker at the Foursquare Women's Conference for Australia East. It was such an incredible time of ministry. We were gone for 10 days (I won't lie...it was extremely hard being away from Scott and Dominic that long), however, it was a very rewarding and fulfilling time. I made some great connections and a wonderful new friend in particular who will actually be coming here to Phoenix to visit in December. We stayed in Sydney, which is a beautiful city and also got to visit Hillsong Church. That was a dream come true for me as I have always greatly appreciated and loved the worship ministries that flow from Hillsong!
Here is a bit of a family update! Dominic is doing wonderful! He is the best little boy, full of so much life, energy and happiness. He is 16 months and as active as ever. He loves to play outside, run and talk! He can keep up with kids that are 5! It's so funny! He loves people and interacting with others. He is always full of the joy of the Lord! He will make an awesome big brother! Scott, Marion and Joe are faithful in the real estate business. God always provides for us even when it looks meager! Our passion is the church, and Grace North is flourishing! God has brought incredible families and we are experiencing some wonderful growth. There is also a strong flow of God's spirit, wholeness and healing. We love what we do and are honored to serve. We currently lead worship and marriage ministries. Scott is on the Executive Pastoral team and preaches regularly. We love our church family and those we serve together with.
My mom is doing wonderful and it's awesome having her live so close, not even a mile away! She helps with Dominic a lot and has given of herself to help serve our family. I am continually blown away by her! She is excited to welcome 2 new grandbabies into her life as my sister Lise is also pregnant, due 2 months before me. Very exciting!
Well I think I've said enough for now! Thank you for taking the time to read and follow along with what's happening with us. I promise to not take so long in updating next time!
Many Blessings from Scott, Lydia and Dominic!
Dominic's 1st Birthday in Stavanger, Norway
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Dominic's 1st Birthday in Anthem, AZ
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Scott in South Africa, May 2007
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Lydia & Marion in Sydney, Australia Sept 2007 (in front of Hillsong Church)
Dominic playing in the backyard recently and after a taco dinner!
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