share post

Beautiful Things: A Labor of Love

by | Sep 11, 2009 | Authentic Living, My Life

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

Beautiful Things: A Labor of Love

Beautiful things can be created in nine months. With time and love and prayers, you can create something beautiful where there was nothing.

It has been nearly nine months since we moved here to Washington to start a church from scratch. We came here knowing no one. And in that time we have made friends, had a logo and website designed, had street signs created, we designed, handed out or mailed out nearly 100,000 flyers and postcards, and bought everything from a sound system to a coffee brewer to baby toys. We prayed and labored and gave everything we had to make this happen.

Isn’t that how it is with a labor of love?

It has been a long nine months, but we are excited to finally be moving on to the next phase of our life here in Washington — actually having a church we can invite people to on Sunday instead of just plan for and talk about it every week! If you are in the area I hope you’ll come visit us sometime. I’d love to meet you.

Beautiful things can happen when we look past the impossible, overcome the obstacles, dream about what COULD BE, and then make the effort to create it. All things are possible.

What is YOUR labor of love?

Thanks for your patience with me. I’ve been juggling a lot of labors of love! I apologize for being late to Beautiful Life Friday today — my computer has been being used by others for creating promotional items and I can’t always blog when I want to! I’ve really missed visiting you all the past couple of weeks!

Have a lovely weekend and don’t forget to stop and take in the small and beautiful every day moments. Feel free to link up a beautiful life post or share some moments in the comments.

PS. No that is not my house, it is that dreamy one I showed you all awhile back. I adore that house. It is a beautiful thing. The owner lovingly built it herself, from the ground up! Truly a labor of love!

 

44 Comments

  1. Kelly

    What strong faith! You guys are in my prayers, good luck and congrats on your progress so far.
    .-= Kelly´s last blog ..Do You Remember? =-.

    Reply
  2. Melissa

    Thanks ladies :-) Have a lovely weekend!!

    Reply
  3. The Stylish House

    Melissa,
    I’m sure at times is has not been easy, but you have always shown grace and kindness. All my best to you and your family. Thank you again for hosting A Beautiful Life; it is a nice way to start the weekend!
    Cathy
    .-= The Stylish House´s last blog ..Cozy Autumn Decorating Ideas! =-.

    Reply
  4. janice

    You’ve created a church – the concept is just so awesome, I can barely get my head around it! Have a great weekend and be sure to take good care of yourself so you can enjoy your beautiful new creation for a vwry long time to come. All ‘new mums’ need to rest after a birth. ;)
    .-= janice | Sharing the Journey´s last blog ..The House of the Thousand Horrormoans =-.

    Reply
  5. Julia

    Has it been 9 months already? This year is just flying by! That’s great that the church is ready to open its doors. I can’t imagine the amount of work that must go into something like that!

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Melissa. :-)
    .-= Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog ..Hooked on Treasure Hunts =-.

    Reply
  6. Gayle at Mountain Moma

    Congratulations on your labor of love! May God bless it, and may you both follow the true teaching of Jesus and bring that to your congregation.
    .-= Gayle at Mountain Moma´s last blog ..Playhouse Makeover =-.

    Reply
  7. Janmary, N Ireland

    Wishing you hugs and prayers for this new exciting chapter of your lives.

    The website looks great. If I am ever passing (from Ireland?!!) I will be sure to visit your church.

    Reply
  8. Gayle at Mountain Moma

    By the way…the web site rocks!!
    .-= Gayle at Mountain Moma´s last blog ..Playhouse Makeover =-.

    Reply
  9. TidyMom

    Congratulations on your labor of love! That’s a LOT of accomplishment in such a short time!♥

    ~TidyMom
    .-= TidyMom´s last blog ..Gallery Wrap Canvas & Giveaway! =-.

    Reply
  10. anne

    God bless you Melissa, you have certainly labored for this…yes an amazing feat..well done .

    I never knew that is why you moved to Washington..we are about to lose the rooms we use for our church, and another in a small town in france has lost theirs and are looking for new building to hold their church in.. What you have done is so great.
    .-= anne´s last blog ..Friends and a wonderful evening on the Seine =-.

    Reply
  11. songbirdtiff

    You certainly have been taking on a labor of love. I have lived the life of a youth pastor’s wife and that alone was quite a labor! I can’t imagine starting a church from the ground up. I pray that God blesses you in tremendous ways!
    .-= songbirdtiff´s last blog ..Pottery Barn Inspired Kitchen Table =-.

    Reply
  12. Karen B

    Hi Melissa, I was wondering how your first Sunday went. Thanks for keeping us updated. This came at a perfect time, because I’m working on my own Labor of Love this week. I hope and pray that this week you will see God do something AMAZING!

    Karen B.
    .-= Karen B´s last blog ..Clipboard Invasion =-.

    Reply
  13. Sheri

    What a lovely post! Labor of Love. Hmmm…
    .-= Sheri´s last blog ..Love Story Chapter 11 =-.

    Reply
  14. Lorrie

    Nine months already? Wow! I just spent a few minutes looking over the church website – fantastic! I love your vision and your concept of people “on a voyage.” At our church we talk about people being on “a spiritual journey.” God’s richest blessings to you and your husband.

    Lorrie

    Reply
  15. Jocelyn Stott

    Congratulations and best of luck! I checked out the website and it looks great.
    .-= Jocelyn Stott´s last blog ..Back from Blightly =-.

    Reply
  16. teresa

    Hugs, blessings and I hope all goes well-
    Hope you get a chance to sit back and take it all in …..you are a gift to many people.
    .-= teresa´s last blog ..Daily dose of Nicholas- =-.

    Reply
  17. Becky K.

    Praying for excellent results from all of your hard work and prayers. A church family can be so special. Hope your new church family is one of those close and loving ones.

    Becky K.
    .-= Becky K.´s last blog ..It Was Glorious ~ Our Mountain Time!!!! =-.

    Reply
  18. t.smith

    Wow. I know how much work this takes! May the Lord’s presence and grace shine from your church to your community in wonderful ways! http://www.nciglobal.org is my husband’s website…he coaches church planters. Our church was planted about 7 years ago – http://www.crossbridge.cc – is the website if you get a chance to visit! Your church website looks really good! Godspeed to your family and all involved in the advancement of the gospel!
    .-= t.smith´s last blog .."The Price of Liberty is Great; the Gifts of Liberty Priceless =-.

    Reply
  19. randee

    how fast for us (your readers) the past 9 months have gone. the voyage website looks great! may God pour out his richest blessings on your sweet family as you serve Him.

    i’m linking up to your party for the 1st time. thanks for being such a gracious host in the midst of all you are doing.

    blessings & peace
    .-= randee´s last blog ..never forget! =-.

    Reply
  20. Deidra

    Nine months? Is that a coincidence? I think not.
    .-= Deidra´s last blog ..New Nabbers… =-.

    Reply
  21. laney

    …blessings to you…and all those you and your husband touch…may God rest His eye upon your home..and upon His church …

    Reply
  22. Wendy

    Hi Melissa! I live in Arlington, but have friends near the Silverdale area! God bless you and your family. I love your blog and church website. xox

    Reply
  23. Emily

    Melissa, I am so so so glad for you that you are living out this dream and seeing this all come to fruition. I can’t even imagine what this year has been for you and am in awe that you’ve done all of that and given so much of yourself online too. You truly are a beautiful person.
    .-= Emily@remodelingthislife´s last blog ..Fun Uses For Mason Jars =-.

    Reply
  24. Arleen

    Hi Melissa. What an exciting time this is for you. All your hard work and patience are paying off. Wishing you much success and contentment in your new endeavor! ~Arleen
    .-= Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home´s last blog ..Decorating with Shades of Orange =-.

    Reply
  25. Chelsea

    Sounds like a true labor of love that has paid off! Very exciting and your website is beautiful. Thanks for the Labor of Love party, lots of great links!

    Chelsea

    Reply
  26. Abbie

    My labor of love is the tedium of every day with three small and wonderful children. And a church plant, too, but in rural Kansas. I love seeing God build his kingdom in spite of us!
    .-= Abbie´s last blog ..Overheard … =-.

    Reply
  27. Gina

    What an adventure you’re on! Pray great blessings on your first Sunday and for great favor in your community with those who follow Christ and for those who just may be beginning their own Voyage. I love that name, and the website is amazing. Being part of church plant and in ministry for the past decade or so has been the adventure of a lifetime for me in so many ways-I’m sure it’s the same for you!

    Pray blessings, favor and great harvest for your willingness to obey the call!
    .-= Gina´s last blog ..How to Make a Sweater Knit Pillow Cover =-.

    Reply
  28. Claudia

    It’s obvious that you are a giving, inspired person. Blessings to you as you and your family continue to give.

    Thank you so much for what you have always given me.

    TTFN~~ Claudia &heart; ♥
    .-= Claudia@DipityRoad´s last blog ..Living Beautiful: Pink fades =-.

    Reply
  29. Tara

    Melissa…I don’t have a blog…but I follow yours! I was the one a few months back who could read your posts but couldn’t see your pictures! (all worked out now!)

    We are praying for Voyage this weekend…went to the website and loved it! We have been in full time vocational ministry for 10 years…my husband is a campus pastor to college students at University of Central Florida in Orlando.

    Be sure to let us know how the first service goes tomorrow!!! Praying that many would hear the truth of God and be transformed into his image.

    Reply
  30. Angela

    Thank you for always reminding us about what is really important. We all have something that is our labor of love, and it gives such purpose to be working to create it.
    Best wishes, Angela
    .-= Angela @ ImagineCozy´s last blog ..Above Kitchen Cabinets =-.

    Reply
  31. The Scooper

    How exciting! I had no idea that’s what you were doing out there. When I was 10 years old, my family packed up and moved from NC to Tulsa, OK where my dad and a team of others started a church. From scratch. (Way back in ’83.) He pastored that church until my senior year of high school. Now as an adult with children of my own, I have such an appreciation for what a labor of love that really was. Blessings upon you and your family in this exciting endeavor!
    .-= The Scooper´s last blog ..A Story =-.

    Reply
  32. Bonnie Mattson

    Melissa, congratulations on coming to this point in the process of getting your new church up and running. I read the whole website and love it. What a beautiful family project! It will succeed…everything you do does! It was fun to see a photo of your entire family.

    God’s Blessings to you each and every one!

    Bonnie
    .-= Bonnie Mattson´s last blog ..Hindsight is 20/20 =-.

    Reply
  33. Passementerie

    What a lot of hard work you have put in – best of luck with it!
    .-= Passementerie´s last blog ..Big Day Out =-.

    Reply
  34. Joyce Joneschiet

    I just found your site from Velvet and Linen and what a blessing! We live in Federal Way (just around the corner ;-) !) and came here from Oregon almost 15 years ago to start a new church. The Lord ended up having different plans for us but I remember the initial plans for our startup and our wonderful little church in Oregon that we missed. How wonderful to see your vision and dreams become reality. May God bless you in your new endeavor. I love the website and can see how you have a wonderful ministry already.
    .-= Joyce Joneschiet´s last blog ..12 Coolest Faucets =-.

    Reply
  35. clarice

    I prayed that Sunday went well and you were blessed xoxoxo Clarice
    .-= clarice´s last blog ..Cheap Chalkboard Trick =-.

    Reply
  36. Maureen

    WOW! Congratulations. The website is fabulous. I am in awe of your dedication and purpose. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. I wish I could attend from the east coast!

    Reply
  37. Annette

    Thanks, Melissa, for sharing. I too have been part of a church plant, but ours (City’s Edge in Beaverton, OR) has been going nearly 13 years now. While I am just a committed member rather than the pastor, I know how stressful and faith-challenging this endeavor can be. It Will get better: we’re finally having the problem of too many people for our space, instead of too few! Better yet, we have a whole host of incredibly valuable, healthy, and unlikely relationships in this genuine community. Can’t imagine anywhere I’d rather be!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Decor Finds:

browse categories:

browse archives:

let’s stay connected!

Follow for daily
Home Inspiration:

get my free decorating guide

home decor inspiration, free downloads,
and more, straight to your inbox

css.php