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One of the things I was most looking forward to about living in Redding was the group of people I was going to do life with. I mentioned them in my first post, but to have any sort of appreciation for my Redding life you really need to know more about the people I live with. So, let me introduce you to the Ohio House:

Michael: As I write this my housemate Michael is furiously strumming on his guitar and singing, “I’ll Fly Away.” Michael is a musician, a worship leader, and a servant. He graduated from Ashland University last May but is originally from Virginia, which is evidenced by the accent he carries with him wherever he goes. Right now he is an insurance salesman and is co-leading worship at a local church. But the important thing to know about Michael is that he is a man who knows what it means to carry the joy of the Lord. He has a humorous, childlike, yet brave heart which helps him connect easily to people. He frequently ends most of his sentences with the phrase “Thank you Lord,” and is never afraid to tell anyone how awesome they are. He would make you laugh, and not necessarily intentionally He is totally awesome.

Tim: He and his wife came here to do Bethel’s School of Supernatural Ministry (incidentally, I moved out here for the the same thing, but due to lack of finances I will have to wait until next year). He is a pastor at a church in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, but he was granted a sabbatical to be here for about a year to do ministry school. Tim is a courageous man with a heart that chases after the Father. He is also intensely contemplative, wise, and compassionate. He and the Leo the Pug frequently have mini-fights, but we are all aware that Tim secretly loves Leo That is Tim, and he is totally awesome.

Brit (Brittany): Brit is married to Tim and also came out here to do ministry school. Brit is funny, sweet, intelligent, unconditionally kind, and carries a braveness that I sometimes envy She also has an amazing singing voice and rocks hairstyles that most people would shy away from because she is just that awesome. She is beautiful. I mean, like totally beautiful. But her outer beauty is nothing compared to the beauty she carries in her spirit. She is totally awesome.

Ryan: He is an ordained Anglican deacon and until recently worked in hospice. He is best friends with Tim from their shared time both in college and seminary. The two of them actually came out to Redding in May to visit Bethel Church and had some crazy awesome experiences that inspired them to move here. Ryan has incredible strength, integrity, and a spirit that carries an access to God that is awesome to witness. He is also contemplative and intellectual, but easily approachable. He is totally awesome.

Em: Ok, so you know by now that Em is one of my best friends and has had a significant impact on my life. She is from Mt. Vernon originally (which is how she got to know Tim & Brit) but has lived pretty much every place you can imagine. She is also a professional counselor, but for free she is also a pastor and a mentor Em loves with abandon and is always interested in celebrating people. If you met her you would never forget her She is totally awesome.

Leo: This  list would be totally incomplete without mentioning Leo (whose formal name is Leonardo de Pug). He is obnoxious, playful, and sometimes a huge diva, but I love him for it! He brings a peace to places that need it, and he seems to know when you need to have a friend near you. Mostly though, he lays around. He just needs his rest He is totally awesome.

Ok, so this is my house! What is so awesome is that we all carry our own significant gifts and it makes for a really dynamic group. Last night was one of my favorite nights in our Ohio House. A friend of ours came over and Brit decided it would be good to pray over her. But when we pray, we don’t just pray – we make declarations for what the Lord wants! We believe the Lord wants good for His children and loves to love on them, so we spent our time calling out the things in her that are beautiful and letting her know that she is loved. A few of us prophesied and sang over her, and the room was thick with the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was so good! Ryan went in with his boldness, Brit covered her with sweetness and joy, Tim went after healing, Michael sang over her, Em provided some brave and graceful words of encouragement, and I made room for the Lord to fill her with love. Oh, and not to be left out, Leo put in his two cents with his snoring. We each bring our own stories, gifts, personalities, and personal relationships with the Lord which makes it so great to be living in community. Jesus meant for us to do life in relationship. We are built that way! So I am so blessed to live with such a crew.

We give Ohio a good name.  We’re trying to do what professional sports in Ohio cannot. Baaazzzing!!!!! Seriously though, it is depressing to be a fan of any sports team in Ohio. Can you blame me for moving to California?

Love hilariously. Cindy