Prayer Mapping

 

This past summer the Pastor from the mission team that came to serve with us introduced us to a new concept called "Prayer Mapping". While our church is familiar and even consistent to an extent in prayer walking this was a new concept to us that was completely transformational in how I personally am going to approach praying for my community and neighbors. 

In prayer mapping, while you most definitely pray while out walking in the neighborhood you take it a step further and make notes of what you observe. For example, you see a house with a trampoline so you would note that there is a connection to kids in that home, or you notice a wheelchair ramp so you make note that maybe there are elderly that need assistance in that home. The idea is that you then think of ways that you or your church can serve those people. 

On September 29th our church decided to do a serve Sunday and rather than stay in the four walls - we went out prayer mapping throughout the community of Olathe, Co. We divided up into 4 teams and each team had specific areas they were mapping. The task was this: pray, try to start conversations with those you encounter, map what you notice AND find at least 3 homes that you as a team can go back and offer to serve. The information and feedback we got was amazing! All four teams had specific thoughts on how they could serve the areas they covered. I am excited to see how God uses this means of being a church that went beyond the walls to reach our community! 

Here I go again...

 I think I shall officially call myself "the periodical blogger"! Ha! It seems as though I set good intentions of keeping up a blog and then...well life happens! Anyway - my husband recently started a new blog and I thought oh yeah! Once upon a time I had a blog maybe I should dust away the digital cobwebs and try again. 

First off - here is a mini life update: Joel and I are still in Delta Co where I teach Special Education at Garnet Mesa Elementary. Joel is pastor at Harvest Community Church in Olathe Co and also works for Delta County as Accessibility Coordinator (basically he makes sure all things digital are accessible). We are loving where God has us and continually seeking to serve him in co-vocational status. 

Hannah, our oldest, is in San Jose California working as a Special Education paraprofessional and loves it! She is close to finishing her Associates Degree and will move right into working on her Bachelors - she is looking into staying in the Educational field but will also have a Business Degree should she decide to go elsewhere. 

Malachi, his wife Jinny, and sweet Delilah-Mae live here in Delta as well. Malachi is a special education paraprofessional and works at Garnet Mesa Elementary as well. Delilah-Mae is thriving and doing amazing! She is a true miracle and we are so blessed to have her here! She will celebrate her 2nd birthday in just a few short weeks! Jinny does an amazing job staying home and managing all of Delilah's appointments, therapies, and care. We are continually amazed at her ability to juggle it all. 

Kestra just started at Garnet Mesa Elementary this year teaching Kindergarten after two years at another school in the District. She and her fiance' Wyatt are looking forward to hopefully a 2025 wedding. She loves her kinders! 

Tyler just recently moved home after being in Louisiana for a year. He loved the adventure but said he missed the Colorado mountains and family! He is currently looking for a full-time job but was able to pick up a short seasonal position building fence in the high country and he loved it!! 

Picture July 2023 which is the last time we were all together at one time! 

My hope is to begin to journal what God is teaching me,  how He is moving in the lives of our family, and just be a light in the darkness. Look for more soon!