Compassion Justice & The Christian Life

8 weeks ago I started a new small (term) group at church focusing on "rethinking ministry to the poor". We read Robert Lupton's book: Compassion, Justice, & The Christian Life. Talk about challenging. If you've ever wondered how you can move beyond giving a mere "hand-out" and move into actually helping develop impoverished people and communities, you need to read this book. After living in New Guinea for almost a year, I came home with a raw desire to be part of sustainable change and development in impoverished places. I have been taking baby steps towards that desire. Starting this group was one of those baby steps, proving to be more of a leap. By its nature, a group provides synergy, networking, support, community, interest, involvement, new ideas, movement, and activism. What a great way to move forward. Bizo and I are so excited that God has provided such an opportunity (Thanks Sue Ferguson!) In 8 short weeks we have made new friends, finished reading an important book, attended a conference we didn't know existed until we started reading this book, gotten some temporary work for Bizo, hosted the 1st ever You Make It Matter(http://www.youmakeitmatter.com/) fair trade event, and opened ourselves up to new possibilities. God is good. Here is a link to the book- Check it out!
Amazon.com: Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (9780830743797): Robert D. Lupton: Books

CCC 20yr. celebration!

September 6.2009. CCC celebrated 20 years of ministry on Rotary Hill in downtown Naperville. 7000 people and 140+ baptisms! It was a cool celebration! I had the unexpected privelege of baptizing my friend Marci! I got to know Marci through our dear friend Louise who is now living in Australia- we miss you! Marci and I have shared the joys and pains of motherhood, marriage, and family life over the last year. Marci has her masters in social work and she is an incredibly smart woman. She is super compassionate and understanding. She makes me laugh every time I am with her, which I love! She is real and authentic about who she is and who she is becoming. I respect and admire her a lot. I'm so thankful for her friendship! CONGRATS Marci! I am so proud of you! I can't wait to see how God continues to work in your life this year and the next and the next. He's got awesome plans for you and your family.

California Here She Comes!

Jodi and I met for breakfast at Egg Harbor for our last moments together before she and Dan left for Pasadena. This is our last picture together until I see her again. I wanted to savor the moment... I have a terrible memory and I am also not good at remembering events according to when they happened in time. It's hard for me to place memories in the right place on the timeline of my life...So, one of my new tricks is to make sure I take a picture of the important moments, especially when one thing is ending and another thing is beginning. So, this picture marks the end of one season and the beginning of another:
Jodi had been home since Thanksgiving of 08, working at Glen Ellyn Bible Church. She and Dan just got married on July 18.2009. Jodi was accepted earlier this spring to Fuller Theological Seminary to pursue her Master's degree in Counseling. (Marriage and family therapy) They packed up their Pods and drove cross country earlier this week to their new home! I can't believe my baby sister is married, living in California, and going to grad school. WOW! Congrats Jodi, on all your awesome accomplishments! I am SO PROUD of you! I love you!

Logan Glen Sogavo

Welcome to the big bad world Logan Glen Sogavo!

Born June 3.2009 @ 2:49am

9lbs 1oz. 20 1/4 inches

I just spent an hour typing up Logan's birth story in between feedings and naps and the whole thing was lost as our internet went down...lovely. I don't have the energy to re-type it right now...another day.

Logan, we're SO thankful for you. We're sooo GLAD you are here and that you are home with us, healthy... You are awesome little guy! I am in love with you and daddy and big bro alex are too!

Weekend Bliss

Bizo and I enjoyed a fabulous weekend away to Long Grove, IL... far enough away to feel like we were on vacation and close enough to play it safe in case I went into labor. This was Memorial Day weekend- Mom & Dad took Alex for us and they had a grand time spoiling him. We used 2 free hotel nights from Bizo's old job with Turbochef, so that was awesome! We ate some fun yummy meals, walked around Long Grove all day, saw an IMAX movie, slept in & enjoyed the quiet stress free moments of pretending like we didn't have children :). Actually, we spent half the time talking about what a great kid Alex is and distracting each other from missing him too much! It was a much needed and much enjoyed few days- Thank you God for peace and quiet and rest and relaxation before our lives change again forever with 2kids instead of just1! Here are some pictures from the wknd.