October was a fairly busy month for the Bales. So much has happened. In the beginning of the month we were able to go to Arizona to see my family and witness my little sister get married! She is now Mrs. Allison Phillippe, which is still strange to think about. We had a good (but busy) time while we were there. Although most of our time was devoted to the wedding festivities and seeing family, we were also able to see some dear friends and were even able to visit another church plant that was in Peoria. Actually, it's kind of a funny story. Our pastor knows the pastor of The Church of the Cross, which is a young church plant in Peoria. Caleb and I were debating whether we should visit while there or go to my parent's church, Paseo Verde Christian Church. We decided it may be encouraging to both sides if we visited the church plant. When I looked up the address for directions, I realized that they were meeting in the same building that Paseo Verde used to meet in while their church building was being built! So when we went, I knew where everything was. It was such a trip down memory lane considering that was where I went to church during high school, and it was there that I first found out about Central Christian College of the Bible. Anyway, all in all our trip to Arizona was fun and busy, encouraging and exciting.
Caleb has been continuing to hold a C-group in Moberly, which has been so encouraging for him. God has been working in him to challenge the students and encourage them in their relationship with God and with each other. I work Tuesday evenings, so I have not been able to go, but we've been able to take the students out to lunch some Sundays and we're hoping to have them over on Friday nights (since they love to occasionally escape campus).
Our C-group here in Columbia has also been going great. Tony and Bri, a couple in our group, are about to have their second child any time now which is exciting. We're all so thankful that God has given us a great Christian family to call on to help them in this time of their lives. Tony and Bri still live in Moberly, but there have been a handful of friends that have volunteered to cook meals, drive to Moberly and babysit sister Chloe when her brother, Jonas, arrives! And even more baby news--David and Nichole, another couple in our group are expecting their second child and just found out it's a boy! God is truly blessing the people in our lives and we're excited to be apart of what is happening here.
Caleb's internship is proving a blessing in so many more ways. One huge thing is the accountability and encouragement that comes from the leaders and other interns. A couple of weeks ago, Caleb was burdened by several homework assignments, on top of internship responsibilities and really just a desire for rest. The leaders and interns meet Tuesday mornings, and Caleb was able to let out to them all that he was feeling and all that was on his plate, and they were really able to encourage him and lift him up in prayer and help him in other ways. He always leaves those meetings feeling like he can tackle the world (at least the world of school, internship, home and other things that come up), and know that God gives him strength and guidance and a group of brothers to help him out. I am so thankful that I too have had this kind of encouragement with some ladies at Karis that I get together with. We've been able to share what is on our heart, challenge each other to grow in Christ even in our weakness, and share the strengths we know He gives us.
One thing that we've been sharing lately is that God answers prayer! and maybe not always in the ways that we expect. My last post, I explained that I had an interview for a management position. I had the interview, it went great, but I did not get the position. The same day I found this out, I was approached by another assistant manager with an opportunity for a different management position. We scheduled the interview and when it came time to have it, she said that the position was closed for interviews. It was a bummer, but I was not distressed. I expressed this to my manager, Mike, and explained how I hope eventually I can get a position that would allow me to not be so stretched and have to work two jobs. The next day he offered me a full-time position in the deli! I was blown away because I knew exactly what that meant. They had made that position for me! Walmart never opens up full-time positions. Even if someone leaves who is full-time, they would rather fill it with a part-time employee. Mike had gone to the store manager and asked him personally for me to be full-time. I'm so thankful for what God is doing in our lives, even at Walmart. It's not a management position (I'll still be trained by Mike in the meantime), but its full-time, which allows me to leave my other job. Also, I'll be able to stay working with the people I've gotten to know so well, which is such a blessing. I've been able to share and live the gospel to my co-workers and I'm excited to be able to continue this. Caleb and I both have been able to spend time with them outside of work, which has been great. A couple of the guys I work with want to get together with Caleb and go to the gym and play sports, and I've been able to spend time with a few of the ladies. One of them, Kawthar, who is from Kuwait, shares my passion for cooking and we've been able to get together and cook and swap recipes. She's teaching me delicious middle-eastern dishes and I've been teaching her some American classics. Yesterday we baked banana bread!
At Kawthar's house for dinner.
Caleb, me and Kawthar.
Yep, we're still goofy.
Well, that's the quick run down on October. I love being able to type it out. It reminds me of God's blessings and promises, and hopefully it serves as some encouragement to you as well. We're so thankful for all that He does and who He is. What amazing love He has for us!
Things to be praying for:
- Continue to pray for Caleb's studies and that he can balance all the busyness and still find time for rest. Pray that he remains encouraged.
-We are still in need of a laptop. We are trying to sort out finances and figure out when it would be a possibility to buy one.
-We have come across a good deal on a used car, and are trying to prayerfully consider if we should buy it. Please be praying we make the best decision on this car. We know we will need another by the end of next semester, when Caleb is no longer carpooling.
- Pray for my coworkers, the Central students, and members of Karis. Please be praying for the hearts of the people that are in our lives, that they yearn to serve and love Christ always.
Thanks again for all of the prayers and support, and please let us know if there is anything we can be praying for as well.
Cheers and God Bless,
Kelly and Caleb Bales
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