the Jipps

Summer 2008 Kick Off

2008-05-16T21:28:00.002-05:00

I have just been adding pictures to my other blog: jippjourneys.blogspot.com. . .I really enjoyed blogging every day while I was in China. I think I want to do more blogging over the summer. Unfortunately, internet access won't always be available (ghetto, I know), but I'll do my best.

Honestly, after coming back from China, I had a tough time with motivation. Maybe it was coming off such an amazing trip. . .or just being at the end of the year. Who knows?! But I am happy to report that we just came back from a week at Young Life's Sharp Top Cove Camp where we had InterVarsity's SouthEast region chapter camp. About 30 Emory students came. . .and truly, the Lord answered prayers there for me - for restoration, renewal of vision and motivation, sweet time with Him, and great time with students in training, discipleship, and fellowship.

Now we are preparing for our summer of travel - back to the midwest first - KC for my 10 year H.S. reunion. Yes, I also went to Blue Springs South along with David Cook. I am disappointed, though, that out of over 380 in our graduating class, only about 25 classmates are registered for the reunion (thankfully with spouses, guests, and children added I think we are up to 50 total). I am praying more people show up. . .then we're off to Iowa to spend time with Josh's family and for his family reunion - then, to the Twin Cities (a kind of third or fourth home for us) - then Madison, WI for training for InterVarsity - then Germany!!! for a month! The summer wraps up with a wedding of a dear friend, then InterVarsity divisional meetings back in Pigeon Forge, TN. We'll finally be back in ATL by early August!! Ready to welcome Emory students back!

Lately I have been really re-inspired by Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret - what an fantastic biography! I am re-reading it as I prepare to really dive in to more fund development for IV, seeking out more faithful and generous ministry partners.

Now, actually, I am really tired - and to honor my new commitment to make the most of the mornings (as I used to do, but has been lost for the past 2 years), I need to go to bed.
Later.

Still Reveling from China and Getting Ready for Summer

2008-04-28T19:54:00.002-05:00

This will be short, but I wanted to say that my time in China was absolutely incredible. God is working so powerfully in the city where I was, and it was so electric joining Him in this ministry!! I felt so fruitful, fulfilled, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. What a blessing!!

Josh is right in the middle of final papers. . .and not a little stressed. You can pray for him to be renewed in God's vision for being here in this program. This end of the year time is always full of pressure and insecurity for students.

I, too, am wrapping things up with Emory students. It has been an exciting year, and I am totally looking forward to all God has in store for next year.

InterVarsity chapter camp in northern Georgia is fast-approaching. We look forward to that, as well as celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary, which is officially on May 20, but we'll be visiting St. Simon's Island, GA just a few days before the official anniversary day.

The exciting is shaping up to be really fun and exciting. We are both looking forward to the change of pace.

Two Months in a Nutshell

2008-03-21T09:58:00.002-05:00

Yes, it is inevitably true. I have taken 2 whole months to post a new blog!
Is this a joke? NO! Well, it is not meant to be, but it is becoming that way sort of naturally, I suppose.

What have the Jipps been up to since January 19?? LOTS!

Highlights:

Jan 20-21 we had a 24-hour retreat with IV at Emory. It was great!! I particularly enjoyed a few hours of Karoke - what a bonding experience to rock out to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "I'm a Survivor"! Of course, I was also thrilled to give a seminar on Islam and Christianity, which has born great fruit, namely, a Qur'an/Bible discussion that meets in our apartment every Saturday and has a lovely group of Muslim and Christian students alike.

I joined an Atlanta women's ultimate frisbee league - it was very fun! but let's be honest, I was so busy and the weather was so fickle, I think I only played 3 Saturdays total, but great idea!

The "Brown Girls Annual Reunion" was February 8-10. . .Beth C, Bloom, JT, and I rallied together here in ATL for such kindred-spirit time together! LOVE those sisters! Then JT stayed the whole rest of the next week with us. What a treat!

Our cousin, Paul, also stayed one night with us. . .and our dear, dear friends, Eve und Andi from Germany stayed a few nights with us. That was a huge blessing to see them again! (you all might remember them both from our wedding)

Josh and I spent 1 night/2 days at Hilton Head Island, thanks to mama jo's amazing Starwood hotels employee discounts! We walked up and down the beaches and on the zillion miles of bike trails - I am pretty sure we walked almost 10 miles in 2 days. It was great. It was a very refreshing time for us.

Lastly, our Easter Celebration Service at Emory was 2 nights ago. . .Praise God for answered prayers. We were so happy to share with many of our non-Christian friends the why and how of Easter and Holy Week.

Now, final preps for my East Asia trip. . .I leave Thursday.
I am actually hoping to post blogs daily?? we'll see?? while I am gone.

Here Comes the Snow

2008-01-19T17:02:00.001-05:00

Truly.
We live in "The South," AND it has snowed 2 days in the past 4 days. . .I am honestly in such shock!

You wouldn't believe that though we from "The North" would consider this a light dusting, here. . .churches are canceling, etc. etc.

As I explained to a friend today, who assumed me brave enough to drive out in this today b/c I am "from the North," you see. . .the farther North you go, the more prepared and effective snow removal teams are and the more competent the drivers too - the converse is true. That is, the farther South you go, the less prepared and effective the snow removal teams are, and I think the drivers are actually disproportionately competent - I am honestly scared of southern drivers (no offense intended), so we are just staying in today.

I am actually working on a seminar I am giving Monday, and Josh is working on course stuff for this semester. He is much more prone to cabin fever than I, so he just stepped out to get a McFlurry at McD's with a gift card he received at Christmas! Since I have been FREEZING all day, I will not be sharing this treat with him.

This post was mostly nonsense, but just thought I would let you into my thoughts as I gaze outside at the wintry mix, as it were.

Ms Bhutto and the Gospel

2007-12-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

As often, I have had good intentions for days to post a reflection on Christmas. As I tossed and turned last night in my bed, struggling to rest deeply, recalling over and over the tragic and horrific assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto. . .I was compelled to post a reflection today.

I kept thinking: that is SO anti-God!

These terrorists and suicide bombers are committing crimes against humanity, and in the name of Allah/God, whom Muslims claim in their prayers to be "the most merciful" - isn't that ironic? and I am only getting started. The radical Islamists kill 'enemies of God/Islam' - so called "infidels". . .I find it so striking that God the Father, who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, at just the right time, while we were still sinners, enemies of Himself, chose NOT to violently kill His enemies, pushing people to fear and to cower at His caprice - RATHER, God the Father, who is most merciful, chose to reveal Himself to us in His Son, Jesus Christ - who did not destroy His enemies, but quite oppositely, gave Himself up as a sacrifice so that we could no longer be enemies of God, but in community with Him AND He gave His Holy Spirit to us so that we could forever be dwelling with Him and we could become more like His Son, Jesus.

This IS indeed Great News!

Our prayer is that the Spirit of God would reveal this amazing Gospel to all those who don't know Him, Jesus Christ!

Christmas parties, crafts, and sermons!

2007-12-16T21:30:00.000-05:00

I am always a little ashamed when I finally look at our blog and realize so much ridiculous time has gone by since we've updated. I have over promised and under delivered too many times. . .so I won't say it will change in 2008, but I'll do my best.

Find us on facebook for a day-to-day update. . .

anyway, SO much has happened since Thanksgiving - a few of our favorite things include the following:

1. I had some Emory students over for a Christmas party - these are wonderful girls - about 8 of them - 2 Christians; 6 Muslims - we get together often. I made a Christmas dinner for them, filled some stockings for them, and we talked a little about the Advent wreath. I love these girls.

2. Today was a FULL day - Josh preached from Luke 2 at the CUP worship service for homeless men. . .I spent 2 hours making Christmas crafts with homeless children at a Day Shelter here in Atlanta (with our amazing small group). . .and we just got home from me preaching at our 3rd service -oh, from Matthew 2.

3. Celebrating Advent together - I really treasure the sweet times when Josh and I celebrate Advent together about 3-4 times per week - we gather around our little Advent wreath, light the candle(s), read some Scripture, and sing a few songs.

We look forward to heading back to the midwest on Wednesday. . .

Merry Christmas!

Trick or Treat Carnival and Party

2007-11-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

Since October 3, Josh and I have been hosting a young adult missional small group in our home on Wednesday evenings. . .WE LOVE IT!!

We have around 17 people (including the Jipps) in our tiny apartment living room each Wednesday. We enjoy fellowship and community; we study the Gospel of Mark together; and we break up into groups of about 5 or so to pray for one another and what God is doing in the world.

Our group is MISSIONAL in that we serve together in urban ministry. For the first 6 weeks we are volunteering together at the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children from 1-3pm on Sunday afternoons. We usually spend those 2 hours playing with the kiddos and just loving on them.

This past Sunday, we hosted a Trick or Treat Carnival and Party. It was amazing! I was blown away by the creativity, generosity, flexibility, and love of our small group members. We had 9 different carnival stations (people from the small group planned a carnival game, provided the materials/props, and brought candy and prizes to give away) - after the kids visited each station in groups of 5-6 for about an hour, we had a party in the cafeteria. . .some Emory Medical School students diverted us with their dance of Michael Jackson's Thriller, then we had a huge spread of food and drinks for everyone to enjoy!!!

What a joy to serve together - and I know the kids and mothers were so blessed!!
This was definitely a highlight of the semester!

Flying October

2007-10-20T10:43:00.000-05:00

The last 3 weekends, not to mention the search for all things Fall, have made October seem non-existent.

With the InterVarsity Fall retreat, Camping over Fall break, and then Josh's mom in town, the weekends have flown by!!

Also, I find myself almost every day longing for the Fall that has not yet arrived. I am nostalgic for the midwest - for leaves changing colors, for hay rides, pumpkin patches, apple orchards and hot apple cider. . .

Despite the speed of October, we are enjoying ourselves. . .my life is full of all sorts of crazy ministry adventures, and Josh is working so diligently on all his presentations!

Probably our favorite thing about October is our new young adult missional small group that we are hosting/leading in our house on Wednesday nights. We have about 16 people in our little apartment living room each Wednesday - we love getting to know these people from church, studying the Bible together, and praying. . .and then every Sunday we all volunteer together at a local Atlanta homeless day shelter for women and children.

6 Hours of ER, 5 Stitches

2007-10-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

We were both running around trying to do last minute things before our dinner guests arrived in 20 minutes. . .when I heard Josh say, "Babe, uh. . .I cut my finger again. . .and it's pretty bad." I was worried, but then even more worried when I say just how much worse!!
We ran out after turning the oven off. . .and headed to the ER - stitches were inevitable.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel with our guests :(

AND even more unfortunate, we spent 6 hours in the ER!!! and Josh finally got 5 stitches around midnight. . .

Since I am writing this SO late, he, of course, already has them out, and his finger is healing up nicely.

What an adventure!

Amber (and Josh) in urban ministry

2007-09-22T09:01:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more details about what I am so blessed to do through my new job as the urban ministry intern at North Avenue Presbyterian Church.

1. Josh and I will begin leading a young adult missional small group in October - we will study the Gospel of Mark together and serve together in an urban ministry context.

2. Each week we participate in The CUP, North Ave's Sunday morning worship service at the 24/7 Gateway Center, a homeless shelter in Atlanta.

3. Throughout the week - lately - I have been visiting as many homeless shelters, services, ministries I can to get a feel for what's going on in Atlanta to prevent and help people out of homelessness. I hope to begin volunteering in some of these contexts.

4. I have also been learning a ton about the sexual exploitation of children in Atlanta and around the globe! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! and too many people just don't know about it. I would like to dedicate a whole blog post to this issue just to inform folks more directly. . .so look for that soon.

Well, better get the day going. . .

Amber at Emory

2007-09-22T08:53:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, I am serving 10-15 hours per week on campus at Emory University with InterVarsity . . .(as my support-financial provision increases, so will my time on campus). I have really enjoyed getting to know students the past month or so, and now it is thrilling to see things kind of settling into a rhythm for the semester.

A few of my favorite things:

1. I am leading a group of small group leaders in a study of the Gospel of Mark. I LOVE IT!! We meet on Tuesday nights. These students, in my opinion, are really the cream of the crop in our fellowship as they follow Christ and serve Him in the role of small group Bible study leader. Please pray that we all grow in God's Word and are trained to teach others as well.

2. I get to meet weekly with at least one student - Liza! She is a senior, so I am already bummed she'll graduate in May, but it is wonderful we get to meet weekly until then. Liza and I share a lot of the same loves, including our love of brown people!
In fact, Liza and I and a few other students, are partnering with the Muslim Student Association each week to serve refugees from Burundi and Burma through World Relief.

3. I am looking forward to leading a breakout session on sharing Christ at our upcoming Fall Conference called The 40~ please pray God prepares me and uses me.

Please continue to pray that God raises up ministry partners for me who will come alongside me in this ministry both prayerfully and financially. My support is only at 36% right now. . .
Thanks!!

Amber, the Urban Ministry Intern

2007-09-01T16:59:00.000-05:00

Praise God!
He has provided an amazing part-time job for me.

For those of you who don't know, I am on full-time staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Emory University, BUT this position is provisional as I raise support for my personal and ministry annual budget. . .THUS, while I am still seeking financial ministry partners, I must have a part-time job to make ends meet.

Good Bye, Adios, Gorosuruz to those mind-numbing temp jobs - excel this, copy this, fax this, load more paper, set up the projector, etc. etc. etc. ad naseum. . . (my summer 06 and fall 07 jobs). . .

The Lord has supernaturally orchestrated an urban ministry internship for me at North Avenue Presbyterian Church. . .more details to come!!

Jipps in Georgia: What's New?

2007-08-26T15:31:00.000-05:00

Now that we have been here about 2.5 weeks, we can highlight some of the NEW in our lives:

1. Josh at Emory University - remember, Josh is starting his PhD in New Testament at Emory. So far, he took a 3 day course about teaching at the university. Tomorrow he finally takes his French exam. The rest of the week is filled with more orientation stuff, and Friday he begins classes. He'll be taking New Testament Theology, The Use of the Bible in Systematic Theology, and The Jewish Heritage of the New Testament this fall.

2. Amber at Emory University - YEAH! I have started to meet some students at Emory. I have met the Servant Leadership Team of Emory Christian Fellowship (ECF), some other student leaders involved on campus, and yesterday I had my first privilege to start meeting Freshmen :)

3. Amber and Mac, etc. etc. - Yep, I converted to Mac. I am now a proud and satisfied owner of a Macbook and the free iPod nano I got with that purchase. This makes me very happy! . . . I have also started on Skype and Facebook (man, where have I been?!)

4. We have already found a church - North Avenue Presbyterian Church - if you would like to know more, please see the link in our link list.

The location of our house is perfect!! Thank you, Lord. We are close to the downtown/midtown areas of Atlanta - very close to Emory - and very, very close to Target, the grocery store, and all things important for day to day life.

Coming up this week will be more about what our week-to-week might start looking like here in Atlanta, Georgia.
Over and Out!

Miles and Miles of U-Haul in 120 Degrees

2007-08-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

As we write, we are "resting" in a humble motel room near Clarksville, TN - on our way to our new home and life in Atlanta, GA. Yesterday we endured the 100 degree weather to load up the U-Haul, today we savored the blessing of air conditioning as we spent nearly 12 hours on the road, suffocating in the 100 degree weather whenever we had to stop for a break.

So far so good. . .please pray for us as we move in tomorrow and the next day. . .especially regarding the age of our primary helpers, my 77 year old aunt and uncle, and the oppressive heat.

As we anticipate our new apartment, we are most excited about. . .
1. our own space using our own things
2. using this space and things to bless others through hospitality
Our home is always your home!!

Tour de Midwest

2007-07-18T13:07:00.000-05:00

We have been travelling from Durham, NC all througout the midwest "en route" to Atlanta, GA for exactly 3 weeks now. We have delightfully enjoyed the sweet fellowship of many family and friends. We have tested out all sorts of bed types from air mattresses to sofa sleepers to "real" beds. . .and this weekend, we'll finally get to do some tent camping :) when we visit family at Spook Cave and Campground in McGregor, Iowa.

We continue to seek ministry partners for service with InterVarsity, and Josh continues to prepare for his French exam (correction for last post, which stated the exam as being "German"). We covet your prayers.

If you even have this new blog address yet, please note that we will officially announce this blog and begin regular posts by the end of August, once we settle in to our new apartment in Atlanta. I plan to begin at that time the long-awaited and much-desired PICTURE posts, which, of course, are the reasons everyone even checks these blogs :)

Until then, Blessings!!

Ministry Partners, French, Etc.

2007-05-29T13:10:00.000-05:00

Quick update - we are in the process of inviting people to partner with us in ministry - both prayerfully and financially. I am joining staff with InterVarsity at Emory - in case that was missed. . .
Josh just found out today that he needs to pass a French language proficiency exam before he starts classes. . .

SO - we need your prayers. . .
First, that we could be at least at 70% of our support by early August - AND that Josh could study for and pass this exam in August.

Only 1 more month in North Carolina - a lot of family visits, fun, and packing.

See many of you soon.

A New Leaf

2007-05-25T11:42:00.000-05:00

The Jipps have turned a new leaf in blogging!! (hopefully)
Between us, I was not happy with the services offered on the competition's design/configuration page. . .so we are going to try blogger instead. I have many friends who use blogger, and I love their blogs! We'll see.

So, I have 6 days and 2 hours of teaching math and reading remediation left! YEAH!

June is full of family visits to us - July is full of us visiting others -

and most of our dedicated readers :) know already that Josh will begin his PhD in New Testament at Emory, and I will begin campus work with InterVarsity at Emory in August!!

Gotta run now - this is only our initial post.