Wootton's World

Prayer Requests

2009-07-02T17:23:00.003-06:00

Dear Friends,

Rob and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Virginia. We were able to see family and dear friends, worship with our church family Trinity in Norfolk, and take our kids on a few cultural and sentimental tours. We have shared with many of you what God has done over the past year and how blessed we are to be a part of his kingdom work in Queen Anne, Seattle. Now, we have a few URGENT prayer requests. Can you read these over and spend a few minutes interceding on our behalf?

• On July 4th, we expect up to 75 people at our house for a party hosted by the church plant. Please pray that the Gospel community that Christ is building here would be palpable to those who come and would build bridges to deeper relationships and questions about Christ.

• On our return home, we found out that we must move out of our house by August 15. Pray for a house for us that we can use as a hub for the plant. Pray that it would be the same price, or less, than we are paying now. Pray for the many details that go into moving. Pray that we would not despair, but trust and hope. Pray for shalom.

In Him whom we rely on,
Claudia (for the Woottons)

Seven Pounds

2009-01-04T15:18:00.003-06:00

*SPOILER ALERT*

Have you seen Will Smith's new movie? Like most Americans, Rob and I love Will Smith and have watched him since The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Besides I Am Legend, I am generally pleased with his acting and the stories he chooses to tell. Seven Pounds did not disappoint. It was a well acted and well told story.

My issue with the movie is the story itself. Was it a good story? Rotten Tomatoes called it "grim and morose." Did I think it was grim and morose? Sure, but I love grim and morose. However, I also thought it was beautiful and selfless, but was it beautiful and selfless enough?

The plot is listed to be "An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers." The problem is Will's condition on the "seven strangers," his demand that they be good people in order to receive his redemptive gifts. I could never be worthy. If someone called me and berated me on the phone, I am sure 2 out of 10 times, I would give them a piece of my mind. Furthermore, I hate when someone gives me a conditional gift. It makes me feel bound and guilty. Imagine living with that after someone has died for you? Guilt that you can't meet the condition that was set to receive the gift.

I need a more beautiful story, a more beautiful gift. I needed someone willing to die for a jerk and a selfish girl. That's a better story. That someone would sacrifice them-self for someone completely undeserving and unable to repay the gift. That would truly be a grim, morose, beautiful, and selfless story. I know a story like that....

Greetings!

2008-12-12T15:35:00.002-06:00

It's been a long time since we have posted on this blog. Not because it has not been forgotten, but like most of my life, the more time that passed, the harder it was to write.

I write today because we have asked many of you to pray with us for Seattle and the church plant. It is hard to pray, but knowing that even one of you could be praying, has helped me persevere.

Here is a reminder of our specific requests:

December 13: Our first mezzanine (entry level) event & Christmas party- please pray that the un-churched and de-churched would feel welcome in our home and that relationships would be formed with the Christians who have invited them.

Launch Team: Pray for a family with children to commit to being a part of our launch team. Thank God for the 7 folks who have committed to partner with us. Pray that they would have courage to love their friends and co-workers. Pray that God would condescend to use them to spread the gospel. Pray that we would see folks come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Small Groups: Pray that more people would fold into our small group ministry and that another group would form in the New Year. Thank God for the two groups we have going and the 30 or so folks involved. Thank God for John & Libby Scrofano who lead a group in lower Queen Anne. Pray that these groups would experience Jesus’ love and grow in grace and knowledge.

Finances: We need approximately $40,000 more to fund the first few years of the plant. Please pray that God would raise up new partners in giving. We have included an envelope if you are interested in beginning to partner with us in this way or you wanted to make an end of the year contribution. Praise God for all that he has provided!

Latest Update

2008-08-28T15:27:00.002-06:00

(we send updates through e-mail with more details and stories than we post here, if you don't get one and would like to please email me, rob@crosspointchurches.org)

Dear Friends & Family,

Summer is coming to a close and Rob and I hope that it has been a good one for you! We have had an exciting and encouraging beginning to what we hope will be a long and fruitful ministry in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle.

Many of you are wondering, and have asked, how we spend our time and what it looks like to start a new church. Currently, our time is spent getting to know the neighborhood: its culture and its people. This has meant drinking a lot of coffee, eating plenty of food, and hearing many stories.

Aside from meetings and meals, we are beginning to lay the ground work for more formal ministry. In Sept., we are beginning a Community Group at our house. We are excited about who has expressed interest. Please pray that the presence of Jesus would be evident, that the Gospel would change hearts, and that relationships would be formed. Rob and I will also be teaching a Sunday school at CrossPoint Green Lake. We hope that we would continue to build relationships with this church that has so faithfully pursued and supported our desire to church plant. We also hope that God will call a few co-laborers to partner with us in Queen Anne. Please pray to that end.

Lastly, as some of you already know, in the midst of amazing opportunities for the Gospel, we have also been tempted to despair and be discouraged. Our house was broken into two Sundays ago during worship. Our laptops, my purse, Rob's wallet, and a spattering of other things were stolen. We have written several posts about it on our blog, below. We invite you to read through our process with God in the midst of fear and violation.

Furthermore, this last Sunday, our car wouldn't start, Nate swallowed a tooth, cracked open his head and received stitches in the fellowship hall. I tell you these things not to complain, but because I realize that life and ministry is hard and will be hard. We will suffer for the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and in a real sense, there is a spiritual warfare that battles to thwart our work and the Truth.

However, I give thanks for you because I know you must be praying for us. I still want to be here, I still smile when I think of this city and this neighborhood, and our present sufferings have not assuaged our desire to see God build his church here.

Please continue to pray for us. Pray against the work of the evil one. Pray for continued peace and hope. This work cannot happen without you!

Grace and Peace to you and to your family,

Claudia (for the Woottons)

What God Wants

2008-08-20T10:41:00.002-06:00

The first few days after our break in, I thought a lot about fear. I found every passage in the Scripture about fear and the promises of God's presence in the midst of fear. My fear was not eliminated, but it was comforted. Out of prudence and not paranoia, I am still living with the alarm always "on". Each day gets better.

I have also been thinking a lot about my stuff. I check craigslist and ebay and look at people on the street for my purse. I have felt guilty and materialistic for wanting my things replaced AND through my "hyper-vigilant criticism radar", I have thought other Christians were judging my sadness over the loss of my things.

It's funny that I hadn't looked up any passages on stealing until my counselor urged me to do so. In Exodus 22, it talks about the need for restitution for victims of stealing. Why? Why does God not only require the original goods to be returned, but in some cases, 2-4x the amount stolen. The only reason can be that getting back my original items is not enough to assuage my sense of violation and fear. But, if I got 8 computers back and 4 purses, then I might not mind being robbed again.

I am NOT saying I need 8 computers and I don't want to be robbed again.

I am saying that God knows that I feel violated and vulnerable. He knows that I feel afraid. There will be justice and there will be restitution. I'm not crazy to want my things back. It is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. It is part of feeling whole and human again.

Although we did not have insurance, God has provided the means to replace our computers and even some of our other things. I am humbled and grateful.

Comfort and Obedience

2008-08-12T11:38:00.008-06:00

I should be working on other things (this is Rob writing) but I find myself a little sad this morning and thought I might work it out on-line for the world to see, or at least for the handful of people that check this blog.

As Claudia wrote below, we were broken into Sunday morning, and I think this is part of the source of my sadness. I'm sad about the material losses, but saddened more by the fall and brokenness of this world. Forgive me for spiritualizing. I'm sad for my wife who sits uneasily in her own house, I'm sad for my children who don't have the capacity to make sense of this violation of their home.

However, what does a soon to be pastor have to say in a situation like this? I do think that this is the work of the evil one. Our pastor here said that what happened is an affront to God. He's right, and it would make sense that the devil would want to attack people who are trying to start a new church of Jesus Christ in an city that has long been under the sway of the world, the flesh, and the devil. I know this is a minor attack and I would like to think that it was minor and remains so because the people of God pray for us and our work.

There's another side to it as well. As a good Presbyterian, and someone who believes unapologetically in the sovereignty of God, I know that even as this was the work of the evil one, in and through a fallen broken person (the one who broke into our home), it was at the same time allowed by God. Again, I know in the grand scheme of all the brokenness of this world that what happened is a minor aspect of the fall: minor compared to my father's death and the brokenness of my past, but this is where I am now, right now. This is what happened this week and it shouldn't have. It's not the way the world is supposed to work! An affront to God indeed!

Yet, still allowed by him. Why?

I don't know.

Maybe I'll never know.

One of the best things I learned in seminary was in Psalms and Wisdom. The best way to read the wisdom books like Job, Ecclesiastics and Lamentations is to remember that

a full understanding of all of God's ways is not a prerequisite for following hard after Him.

I follow him because he loves me, he gives me life like nothing else has. My life is fuller, more meaningful, and makes more sense when I follow him and try to live faithful to all he has called me to.

So where is the comfort? I've been reading 2 Corinthians lately and Paul begins the letter by talking about the comfort that comes from God in Jesus. Comfort in suffering. I don't know about you but my idea of comfort doesn't necessarily sound like the type of comfort that God would give. I don't want to minimize the good worldly gifts that God gives people, (food, drink, sleep, sex, books, movies, the olympics), but I think there's more to the comfort of God. What comfort can the things above really give? Maybe for a moment, but they don't last. I think the comfort that God gives in suffering is his presence. In counseling, they talk about being a non-anxious presence for someone, and I think that that is part of it, but not all of it. God does more that just offer a non-anxious presence, he offers a perfectly loving presence. He offers the presence of truth and real holiness, not holiness that condemns, but holiness that draws us in and makes us holy. Truth that reminds us of his goodness and love despite, in, and through the brokenness of this world.

Real comfort that even we don't understand all of our suffering.

doubting thomas songs
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B & E

2008-08-11T23:40:00.003-06:00

As some of you have heard on Facebook, our house was broken into Sunday morning. Rob was home sick with the flu and the kids and I left to go to church. I did not set the alarm. Someone came through the window of our living room, stealing our laptops, Rob's wallet, and my purse with its contents. It's been difficult. We had not gotten renter's insurance- lesson learned.

That night, we had about 25 neighbors & about 8 kids over for a "wine and cheese" or "grape juice and cheese sticks" for our younger friends. What could have been a skeptical evening was a sympathetic and neighborly time.

I'm glad we went ahead with the party.

I'm thankful Rob did not wake up and that the kids weren't home.

I'll have to trust for the rest: a renewed sense of peace, safety, and provision.

Courage

2008-07-21T08:31:00.003-06:00

Rob and I went to seminary with the desire to church plant. I always got the impression that folks thought that was brazen. Everyone talks about how difficult church planting is, and in many ways, we have spent the last 3 years assessing whether or not we were called and equipped for the task.

Being in Seattle has not dismantled the notion that this is going to be long and hard.

being a pastor's wife is something new and a transition
having our kids watched closely is hard
for every encouragement in ministry, there seems to be something hard that wants to negate it
there is a loneliness in ministry (beyond our move)
things we say have a new added weight- which means I have to guard what I say- something that doesn't come easily to me

I know that I am not alone in these beginning observations. But, what am I going to do?Despair? Become cynical about ministry or the church? Question our calling?

Yesterday, I heard God say to me loudly through the sermon: despair is easy- the gospel enables me and motivates me to do the more difficult thing, the more courageous thing. The gospel calls me and enables me to hope. Please hope with me, for me, and for this work.

Church Planting

2008-07-18T09:21:00.001-06:00

One month into church planting, I realize that while it may take a year to plant a church, I will be fat much sooner.

Greetings from Seattle!

2008-07-10T16:52:00.003-06:00

Friends & Family,

We hope this finds you well. In the past two months, we have graduated from seminary, relocated to Seattle, and begun our work to plant a church in Queen Anne. It has been a whirlwind: full of surprise, joy, sadness (leaving so many friends), and expectation.

God has blessed us with a great house that has been a hub of dinners, parties, and conversations.

Prayer Requests:

X Please pray for God’s protection of our family from the evil one who wants to thwart God’s work here through us.

X Please pray for our children. They need friends. Give thanks to God that they are enjoying each other and have found companionship there.

X Please pray that God would use our networking- that we might get to know the neighborhood AND begin to discern whom God will bring to our church.

X Pray that the kingdom would be furthered in Seattle. When we pulled into our neighborhood, we asked God to call his children to himself and condescend to use us in that process.

Thank you for your partnership and willingness to join with us in ministry. Would you take a moment and pray for us now as you read this?

In Him, Rob & Claudia Wootton

Jer. 29: 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

We're Here

2008-06-30T18:03:00.002-06:00

I realize that I have been silent for awhile. We had a great trip out here and are enjoying our home and neighborhood. I'm sure you would listen to more details, but I need to write them later.

For now, I need your help.

For the 4th, we are inviting about 50 people to our house (half of whom we do not know.) I am racking my brain for the right menu. I need it to be affordable, yummy, special, but not pretentious. I will have a grill.

Thoughts? Recipes.

Would love to hear from you.

BTW- our new address is:

502 Newton St.

Seattle, WA 98109

Four Weddings & a Funeral

2008-05-26T19:31:00.006-06:00

A whirlwind- that's the only way to describe the last two weeks. There has been much joy, laughter, and tears.

Let's start with the weddings:

1- Baccalaureate- the class of 2008's last time to worship together with the faculty. It was beautiful- a glimpse of heaven. One professor said that we were on the verge of being charismatic when the congregation sang my favorite song- the Lion of Judah. "And the earth will reply, You shall reign as the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords!"

Rob gave his testimony. It was raw, redemptive, and encouraging. I hope that it will be available online. I will let you know when it is.

2- Graduation- So sweet, and the culmination of so much hard work. I thought I would cry, but I smiled and clapped and yelled like everyone else. I was very proud of Rob and amazed at God's faithfulness to us. I conducted a choir singing "Alleluia" by Randall Thompson. Filled with graduates, wives, faculty, staff, and children, it was a great picture of the CTS community.

Rob kissed Dr. Chapell when he received his diploma. Dr. Chapell said, "I guess we're all just one big happy family." Funny.

Many of our family members and some of our dear friends came into town to celebrate with us. Thank you!

3- What else? The PROM- My dear friend Rae threw us an 80's prom. Funniest night ever. There were plenty of preservatives (think Twinkie tower and cheese puffs), some very bad outfits (including a nasty pantsuit), and some great dancing. A night under the stars! (Pictures are on facebook.)

4- Particularization- Our church plant, South City, became a particular church Sunday, May 18. What a blessing to be able to see and celebrate God's faithfulness to his bride and to this city. It was a good reminder of the joy of the call of church planting- people come to Christ and his kingdom is spread on the earth! We love our pastor Jay Simmons and are sad to be saying goodbye to our St. Louis church.

Funeral- One of my classmates, and a beautiful baritone, lost his wife to cancer. She was 50. I attended the funeral Monday, May 19. I sat there and wept as I listened to a husband eulogize his wife with the hope of the gospel and the resurrection. The irony of the timing was not lost on me. Amidst the celebration, there are still tears.

BUT, I was also reminded that ministry is about walking alongside those whom God loves- that one day we might all be reunited to him forever. Madeline Owens is with her Savior. Ministry is done in the context of this hope.

The movers come tomorrow, and Friday, we head west. We leave many good friends, and what has been the most amazing opportunity and experience.

Our journey will take us to Grand Canyon, Vegas, LA, San Fran, and then to our new home. Pray for safety and good family time. Much love. Claudia

We Have an Address!

2008-05-13T23:00:00.004-06:00

It has been a crazy week! I am officially done with my seminary career!

I have some thoughts about my last exam that I want to share, but I must wait until Thursday because I pledged not to discuss it......:)

After searching the internet in every spare moment, we faxed a lease on a house.

Actually, no other house worked out and so I have to assume this is where God wants us to live:

It's great and we would love to have you visit.

I was telling my friends tonight that I need to retrain my brain. I don't have any papers or tests or theological books to read. Strange. However, that means I am looking for good books that you read for FUN- a novel concept. I have to start with Keller's book, but would love some other suggestions.

When I write again, I may have an actual diploma......(Rob has one more tomorrow- you can do it honey.)

Milestones

2008-05-03T09:02:00.003-06:00

Last night, the faculty wives had a celebration for graduating women (wives and students.) The faculty wives are very caring and truly love being a part of the seminary.

They gave us each a rock and had us think about God's faithfulness while we were here. They suggested that we start a rock collection of the milestones in our lives- similarly to Abraham's altars.

I thought about a few that I would share with you:

-the fact that Rob and I have both been able to get degrees and study is a blessing

-God has always provided for us financially

-although we didn't think it possible, we have made some best friends here

-we both know more, yes, but also love Jesus more

-our children have thrived here

-we have lived across the hall from two very dear families that we will love forever

-we have had opportunities to serve the kingdom with our gifts

-we have realized how much we need partners in the gospel

-our marriage is so much better

-lastly, although we have grown and been sanctified, we know more of our sin now than ever and that Jesus still loves us- that's faithfulness

Tomorrow, my daughter will take vows in front of the congregation and partake of the Lord's supper. I am looking forward to seeing how God uses this means of grace in her life.

I have a rock for her.

Shame Fest 101

2008-04-29T08:24:00.002-06:00

This morning, our chapel rehearsal ran late. We were rockin' to IG5's Litany Song. Bass was loud and drums thumpin.

A professor had to stop lecturing, come upstairs, and tell us to be quiet.

Lovely. Way to go out with a bang.

The Beginning of the End

2008-04-23T10:37:00.003-06:00

days left of school: 14

exams: 3

tests: 1

papers: 1

chapels: 2

sunday am worship: 5

New Fitness Regimen

2008-04-17T11:48:00.003-06:00

I always want to work out, but don't always have the time or tenacity.

UNTIL NOW.....have you played Wii Sports?

My arm is so sore from playing tennis that I can barely lift it. Plus, I am really good at virtual tennis. I always wanted to play AND I get to hang out with my son.

Furthermore, when we box, we have to open the windows it's such a workout.

Soon they are coming out with Wii Fitness- including Yoga.

Please, let's all commit to being Wii Healthy this year.

Remember Virginia Tech

2008-04-16T12:35:00.000-06:00

Many people are grieving today- the one year anniversary of the VA Tech shootings. Pray for them- for comfort and healing.

Abi's 10!

2008-04-14T21:15:00.005-06:00

My daughter turned 10 last week.

Many of you asked about our trip to Chicago. It was wonderful! After traveling by Megabus, we spent 7 hours at the American Girl Doll Store. It was surprisingly worth it. Abi spent her birthday money, and then I treated her to dinner at the cafe and the American Girl Revue (a musical). It was entertaining and cute. All the girls at the end stood with their dolls to sing "I can be brave. I can be strong."

Saturday we putted around the city shopping and site seeing. We even went to the Lego store to pick up something for Nate.

It will go down as a memorable time in our relationship.

(on the bus)

(dinner at American Girl Cafe)

Lastly, on Friday, with 5 of her closest friends, she got her ears pierced. All in all, a very grown up, transitional birthday.

American Idol Shout to The Lord Reprise

2008-04-11T07:40:00.004-06:00

DID YOU SEE THIS?
I'm astonished. This is the at least the third time this season when Christ has gotten major air time. First from Dolly and the boy band and now an actual WORSHIP SONG. Not unbelievable, but exciting and weird.

A Hymn of Grief

2008-04-03T18:31:00.002-06:00

There are times when I am tempted to believe that Christian maturity means growing in greater control of emotions and flat lining the undulation of life. I realize that this is not reality of the Christian life this side of heaven, but is in fact Buddhism.

However, it doesn't keep me from wishing that my life felt more stable or that I would feel things less deeply. It is exhausting and painful to wade through deep emotions and to trust God both in my joy and in my sorrow.

In the last few days (which have been quite tearful), I have been sorting through grief and loss, and wrote the following hymn:

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
The light on the horizon lendest me breath.
As it sinks beneath the trees, tears fall heavy from mine eyes.
O LORD, am I forsaken? Hear my cry.

Cold wind beats against my face while fear stirs within.
Is all hope lost? Wilt Thou pursue sinful men?
Across my path a bird flaps with freedom to the sky.
O LORD, am I forsaken? Hear my cry.

Overwhelmed with grief and loss I stop to catch my breath.
Hope gasps for air amidst the paradox of death.
Cling to the crucifixion my lips begin to sing.
O LORD, you were forsaken. O Death, where is your sting?

But, I continue to walk down this path of loneliness.
Every step I take trusting in Your comfort and grace.
Rejoicing that these tears of sorrow and injustice flowing down
Are caught within the crux of the LORD’s bleeding crown.

Shhhhh- It's a Surprise

2008-04-01T08:31:00.003-06:00

On Friday, I am whisking Abi to Chicago for a surprise 10th birthday trip. I am really looking forward to our time together and she has wanted to go to the American Girl doll store since we moved here.

We'll be taking the Megabus, seeing the American Girl Doll show, and having dinner there. I used every last one of my Amex points for a hotel room on Michigan Ave.

Does anyone have any suggestions for something to do on Saturday that's virtually free and that a 10 year old girl would enjoy?

WARNING: Craft Blog

2008-03-31T07:34:00.004-06:00

Believe or not, I used to be quite crafty. I've made the good, the bad, and the ugly (think green octopus painted on a purple canvas.)

This weekend, I made these onesies for a new baby in our church. It was super easy and quick.

I asked Rob if these counted as graphic design- stop laughing designer friends. Rob said no because I hadn't actually designed anything. I then asked if it counted as graphic arranging- kind of like musical arrangement.

He said that sounded like a super hero- The Graphic Arranger.

Into the Wild - Trailer

2008-03-29T07:42:00.001-06:00

Has anyone seen this? If so, I would love to hear what you thought about it.

I found it to be a beautiful movie about community, forgiveness, family, and God. It is the story of a man who finds himself.
The cinematography is beautiful and the music is by Eddie Vedder. A movie with many poignant moments.

No Smoking

2008-03-25T18:42:00.002-06:00

The kids had a police officer come to their school to warn them about the effects of smoking.

It is a subject talked about often at our house. Growing up, my bread and butter came from big tobacco, but also was a cause of my Dad's heart attack and stroke. Needless to say, I am too aware of the effects of tobacco and glad for my kids to be as well.

I had to laugh as Abi told us there was something else that you smoke that starts with an m, has a j in it, and is illegal. "You can even go to jail," she said. I looked at Rob and laughed.

Anyway, here was her prayer:

"Dear God, please make tobacco and marijuana plants extinct. Amen."

Book Recommendation

2008-03-24T19:37:00.002-06:00

If you have ever experienced crisis, trauma, suffering, or loss, OR have ever known anyone who has, then you are like the rest of the world.

Have you ever wondered what to do, say, or ask someone who is experiencing great pain? Have you found that you are more like Job's friends than you would like to be?

Well, I have a book for you:

The New Guide to Crisis and Trauma Counseling by H. Norman Wright

I am only half way through, but it is helpful, hard, and encouraging. It is not just for seminarians or counselors, but practical and helpful for everyone in the church AND NO, I am not getting any kickbacks. Enjoy!

Sullivan Gage Anderson

2008-03-23T19:32:00.002-06:00

Many of you who read this blog already know our friends Heidi and Brad and the journey they have taken over the last 6 months.

For those of you who don't, an article was written about them in the VA Pilot. Also included is a beautiful video.

It is worth your time:

Click Here

He is risen!

2008-03-23T05:57:00.004-06:00

I am up early this morning preparing for Easter. It has been hard for me to engage in worship this week. I am sure there are many reasons why.

I find it funny that this morning I gazed out my window to find that it is SNOWING- that's right, SNOWING. Although it is only a light dusting, it seems that creation didn't get the message either. It is supposed to be a happy and sunny day.

I am praying that worship will be joy-filled, even if I am struggling to smile. I am thankful for Christ's work and can praise him for that.

Like St. Louis, I will thaw out soon enough.

Music and Theology

2008-03-17T18:29:00.005-06:00

Denis Haack of Ransom Fellowship was here teaching a class on music (of all genres) and its theology. I am currently participating in a group project discussion of five songs:

Rebellion Lies by Arcade Fire

All the Things that I've Done by the Killers

Rootless Tree by Damien Rice (my pick)

I'm Movin' On by Rascal Flatts

Wayfaring Stranger as covered by Neko Case

It started this week and we will discuss one a day. Join in here.

PS- You have to click the link....it's on my friend Megan's blog.

Prayer Request

2008-03-12T21:35:00.003-06:00

This weekend, I am honored to be heading back to VA for a women's retreat.

Please pray that God would use this weekend for His glory!

Dan the Man Allender is coming to St. Louis

2008-03-11T16:45:00.003-06:00

As I begin the process of leaving my jobs, I am feeling something familiar- a sense of insecurity, fear, and loss of control. Some say that it is when you leave or are leaving that everyone is freed up to tell you what they really think.....and I find myself hating that it matters so much that I would let it shame and un-name me.

Dan Allender is coming to campus this Friday to speak in chapel about leadership. If you have not read Leading With A Limp, I would highly recommend it. He talks about the importance of being vulnerable, broken, and honest enough to look at your failures- not leading out of fear, control, or egolatry. He also confirms what I have felt for years, that leadership is costly and lonely.

I think transition calls me to wonder: was I faithful and was it worth it?

I am looking forward to hearing him speak and know that is not accidental that he is coming when I am trying to get my heart to remember that it is okay to be broken and not perfect, not have everyone like me, and still be crazy enough to want to serve the Lord in love and faithfulness.

It helps the chapel liturgy stay fresh for me to constantly struggle. :)

Henry Lyte's mother died when he was very young. His Father remarried, sent him to an orphanage, and only allowed Henry to refer to him as "Uncle" from then on. Truly abandoned, Henry penned these words of amazing faith and security:

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow Thee,

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou from hence my all shall be.

Perish every fond ambition,

All I've sought or hoped or known.

Yet how rich is my condition!

God and heaven are still my own.

by Henry Lyte

Sometimes a Light Surprises

2008-03-08T14:05:00.004-06:00

Recently, I have been experiencing a lot of anxiety, fear, worry, and sorrow. I wouldn't know that except I constantly feel my feet at the edge of a gorge of tears. Last week, at a worship service, in the midst of great turmoil in my heart, I became giddy with joy as the thrust of my pain on the cross was not in vain. Singing Holy, Holy, Holy, I literally was filled with laughter over the goodness of Christ, his provision and protection.

In a class by Kevin Twit, I learned that William Cowper, after an experience of "God's Kiss", wrote the following hymn which echoes my experience:

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord who rises with healing in His wings:

When comforts are declining, He grants the souls again

A Season of clear shining, to cheer it after the rain.

The hymns of the saints bring me such encouragement. I would love to hear what hymns have moved you, brought you comfort, or understanding......

Snow Again

2008-03-05T09:19:00.003-06:00

Tuesday was beautiful, peaceful, and an unexpected day of rest. I have never seen more snow fall. Life has returned to normal, but the beauty still resides.

Chasm

2008-02-22T14:13:00.002-06:00

What do you do when expectations and reality don't meet?

Sometimes it takes me awhile to figure out that I either need to change my expectations or my reality.

Today, I realized that my kids have been to school 2 out of the last 10 days. They had a four day weekend and then snow days. So, today, I find myself realizing that unexpected snow days can throw me off and the suggested Star Wars Movie Marathon didn't even last through the first episode.

At 35, I am trying to learn what it means to live in this constant flux called life.

Parenting Moment

2008-02-19T19:52:00.002-06:00

Rob and I are a little tired today, so we set all the clocks ahead 30 minutes. So, when we said, "it's 8:00, time for bed," they all went.....terrible, huh?

E.R. discovers the flaw of post-modernisem

2008-02-18T21:20:00.001-06:00

I saw this show last season. I was amazed.

Random Thoughts

2008-02-17T16:58:00.003-06:00

1. I often dream that I can fly- not very high or very far, but just enough of both to escape imminent danger.

2. Jordin Sparks, last year's American Idol winner, has a new song called Tattoo.

You're on my heart just like a tattoo
Just like a tattoo, I'll always have you.

At first, these lyrics struck me as funny. I have a tattoo. It's getting kind of old, a bit faded, and a bit wrinkly.
I was saying this aloud and Rob said, "well, so am I."

Maybe Jordin Sparks is wise beyond her age.

3. There is an article about Tim Keller in Newsweek.
It's worth a read.

4. Our friend, Jon Storck, is being ordained next weekend. Congratulations Jon!

Lamenting

2008-02-11T21:13:00.000-06:00

I have struggled to write anything over the last two weeks because I have been at a loss for words. There have been many reminders that I live in a broken world, and each day that passes seems like an opportunity for me to long for heaven and the healing of this world, our bodies, and our relationships.

Furthermore, I have struggled wondering what joy and hope looks like amidst so much sadness and loss.

I was reminded that when Jesus was confronted with the death of his friend, Lazarus, knowing full well that he would raise him from the dead, he wept. The God-Man, the one who should know the fullest joy and hope, wept. He entered into pain and cried.

I cry. I cry for my friend. I cry for broken bodies. I cry for broken relationships. I cry for sin.

Tomorrow, the seminary will spend the day in prayer. It's my last day of prayer. Tomorrow, we will lament as a community. We will surely cry. We will weep over pain, sin, and injustice, but I am praying for hope and peace as well.
May our lamenting find hope in a great and powerful kinsman redeemer and may that free our tears to flow freely.

Home Sweet Home

2008-01-29T19:29:00.000-06:00

We went home to Virginia for our first fundraising endeavor. The weekend was amazing- not because we raised any money, for all we know we raised nothing. It was amazing because it was a reminder of what we are doing. In the midst of all the awkwardness of having to ask our friends to support the church plant, we were reminded that the purpose of fundraising is the gospel and the kingdom.
God gave us plenty of opportunities to walk beside our friends and family this weekend- sharing our story and hearing theirs, being encouraged by God's work, and also being reminded of the brokenness and sadness in the world. It was a very 'real' weekend, not perfect, not fake, but full of hard conversations, suffering, tears and laughter.
I am grateful for that. Grateful for their openness and grateful for their care for a city on the other side of the country.
Thank you Trinity family!

Last One- 10th Commandment

2008-01-28T06:54:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house;
you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant,
or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey,
or anything that is your neighbor's.”

P: Father, you have given us your law for our good
and for our righteousness yet
we are convinced that it is constraining and binding like a straight jacket.
In this arrogance and ignorance,
we have decided that we will satiate our thirst
and satisfy our hungers apart from you.

We have chosen to ignore your ways,
hate your law,
and be satisfied with unrighteousness and adulterous hearts.

O LORD, forgive us. Awaken us!
Help us to know grace in such a way that we are bound
to obedience by love and thanksgiving.

Themes: Law, Grace,
Scripture: Rom. 7:7, Ps. 1:2

9th Commandment

2008-01-26T07:35:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

P: Father, we have convinced ourselves that our
righteousness is built upon the backs of others.
We judge others in an effort to assuage our own guilt
and shame and then use our words to slander and spread lies.
We mask our behavior by couching it in religiosity and
entertainment, and unless caught or confronted, go unconvicted and numb to our sin.

O LORD, we know this is divisive and damaging to
your church and its mission, and yet, attempts at
self-control have proven impossible without your grace.

Make us sons and daughters that love the truth above all else,
and give us hearts that
promote,
protect, and
pursue our neighbors.

Themes: Unity, Tongue, Self-Control
Scripture: Matt.7:1, John 8:44, Eph. 4:25

8th Commandment

2008-01-24T18:45:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall not steal.”

P: Father, forgive us for all of the ways that we are
tempted to steal and manipulate to acquire possessions.
Forgive us that economic principles have driven us
away from community toward individualism, consumerism, and selfishness.

Forgive us for placing a higher value on goods than people or ethics.

Forgive us that we have allowed our greed to blind us
to the cost of our desires,
and have forgotten the joy that comes from
freedom from materialism,
giving to the church,
and giving to the poor.

Holy Spirit, help us to trust You.
Unclench our fists
and untangle our hearts, we pray. Amen.

Themes: Greed, Theft
Scripture: Ex. 20, Eph 4:28

7th Commandment

2008-01-23T23:08:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall not commit adultery.”

P: Lover of our souls, forgive us that instead of
turning to You in our thirst
to be known,
comforted, and loved,
we have numbed, blinded, and filled ourselves
through porn, masturbation, lust, and adultery.

Instead of looking at each other as mothers, fathers,
sisters, and brothers, we have consumed others
in an attempt to satiate our pain.

We have fed the desires of our hearts with those
whom You have called Your beloved children.
Likewise, our failed attempts at obedience have
caused us great shame and despair
instead of opportunities for belief in the Gospel of grace.

We need You.

We need You to break through our addictions and to
break through our hopelessness,
that by the power of Holy Spirit, we might know again
real freedom and hope, and be characterized by
fidelity and faithfulness.

Themes: Sexual Immorality
Scripture: Ex. 20, Ez. 34, 1 Tim.5:2

6th Commandment

2008-01-22T17:37:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall not murder.”

P: Lord of all creation, You have called us to live in
community with one another and care about
issues of justice and mercy.

In turn, we have hated those whom You created in
Your image by becoming
callous and apathetic to compassion and love.

We have dehumanized Your creation and ourselves
when our minds have turned to evil thoughts of
those in our lives and in the world.

Holy Spirit, help us to see our sins of
commission and omission,
of hatred and revenge,
of self-loathing and contempt,
and move us to love, fight for life, and do good,
even to our enemies.

Themes: Community, Justice
Scripture: Ex. 20, Mark 17:21, Matt. 5:44

5th Commandment

2008-01-21T20:35:00.001-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be
long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

P: Father, we confess that we are rebellious and feel
justified in our rebellion.
We have gossiped and slandered those in authority
over us and used their sinfulness as justification for our anger.
We have not honored You in the way that we have
cared for and submitted to our families.

Out of guilt, we have become co-dependent,
out of shame, contemptuous,
and out of ambivalence, withdrawn.

Help us to honor and pursue those who are created in Your image.
Help us to submit to those whom You have put in authority over us, and
help us to worship You with our lips, hearts, and lives. Amen.

Themes: Family, Parents, Authority, Submission
Scripture: Ex. 20, Matthew 15, 1 Peter 2:15

Wootton's Update

2008-01-21T13:40:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends and Family,

A little more than a month ago I sent an e-mail prayer letter announcing our call to church planting in Seattle through Crosspoint Churches. I also asked for prayer about my knee surgery and how it was affecting our ability to finish the semester. Thank you for your prayers, the surgery went well and I was able to finish all my course work for the semester prior to surgery. Claudia, though having to take an incomplete in a class, has now finished all her work from last semester as well. Would you pray now for my recovery and how it affects our family life? I have almost another week on crutches and then will still be limited in how far and how long I can walk on the knee.

In the next few days many of you will receive a letter from us about our new ministry in Seattle. We hope to draw together a team of folks who will be committed in prayer and financially to our work and the letter outlines how you can join us. Please take the time to read through the letter and consider if you are called to be a part of our ministry. I know that there may be many questions about what we are doing and I want to answer them, so please e-mail or call if I can clarify anything for you. Would you also pray now for our fundraising work? While we finish our final semester at seminary we will also be working to raise the funds to start this new church.

Thank you again for your prayers and your investment in us and let us know how we can pray for you.

Grace and Peace,

Rob, Claudia, Abi, & Nate

4th Commandment

2008-01-20T18:40:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”

P: O Lord, from the beginning of creation,
You called us to work and labor for Your glory on the earth,
yet we have twisted that mandate from being about Your glory to our own desire for
wealth, reputation, possession, and identity.

Our desire for a personal empire has caused us to
whore ourselves to perfection and therefore,
become either slaves to work, or when defeated, slaves to laziness.

Because of our selfishness, we fail to know true rest,
and we refuse to believe this commandment is a gift
and a foreshadowing of an eternal Sabbath with You.

Jesus, as the Lord of the Sabbath,
grant us the grace to sit at Your feet in worship
and obedience, that we might continue to serve
You as Your ambassadors to the world.

Themes: Worship, Sabbath, Rest, Work
Scripture: Ex 20, Gen 2:15, Romans 8:20, Matt. 12

Baby Got Book (OFFICIAL)

2008-01-19T21:19:00.001-06:00

Wow....I'm not sure what to say.....

3rd Commandment

2008-01-19T20:07:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

P: Yahweh, in Your graciousness,
You have revealed to us Your very self,
and allowed us, as Your children, to know, call upon, be blessed by,
and baptized in Your Holy and Precious Name.

In turn, we have dishonored You and Your reputation
when we have blessed You only when we have felt blessed,
and cursed You in the face of our humanity, suffering, and struggle.

Forgive us, we pray.

Likewise, forgive us for speaking falsely against You
in our ignorance and pride,
and failing to speak about You in our shame and fear.
We pray that the name of our Lord Jesus might be glorified
in us, and us in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Themes: Worship, Name of God, Blasphemy
Scripture: Ex 20, Num 6:27, Matt 28:19, 2 Thes 1:12

2nd Commandment

2008-01-18T18:02:00.000-06:00

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

You shall not make for yourself a carved image,
or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,
or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them,
for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”

P: “O Lord, how manifold are your works!  
In wisdom have you made them all;  the earth is full of your creatures.”

In Your sovereignty and Lordship,
You have dictated the ways in which you are to be worshipped.

Forgive us for being a stiff-necked people who out of
fear, boredom, and rebellion,
substitute worship in spirit and truth for worship
that is borne out of self and consumerism.

We ask you to purify our hearts
and unify the church
that we might praise You, and You only, to the glory of Your Holy Name!

Themes: Worship, Idolatry
Scripture: Ex 20, Ex. 32, Psalm 104

1st Commandment

2008-01-17T19:51:00.000-06:00

I have been working on a book of confessions of sin for some time and am about to turn in a first portion draft as an independent study in worship. Trying to think of helpful resources, I wrote confessions for each of the 10 commandments and thought I would list them here...one a day for ten days. I hope you find them helpful, hard, and encouraging. -Claudia

L: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.”

P: Father, You have proven your covenant faithfulness
and goodness to us as the One True God,
and have called us to respond with worship, love, and obedience.
Forgive us that we know the truth of the Gospel and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord,
while worshipping so many other false gods.
Rooted in pride and egolatry, we worship
money,
fame,
power,
acceptance,
and sex.
Convict us of our unfaithfulness, and by your grace,
may we turn from these false gods to love and serve only You:
our creator, redeemer, and friend.

Themes: Worship, Idolatry
Scripture: Ex. 20, Romans 10:9, I Thes 1:9

Nate's 7th Birthday Party

2008-01-14T20:55:00.000-06:00

This year, we had a Marshmallow War Birthday party for Nate that included kids from school and the seminary. In Seattle, we had seen PVC pipes turned into marshmallow guns at an open air market in Freemont. Rob said he could make them and Nate held him to it- only making 12 guns instead of 2.

Here's a group shot:

I also collaborated with my personal graphic designer extraordinaire Sara to make the kids T-Shirts. It was easy and a good take home gift.
Here's a close up of Nate and his shirt. He was head of the white team.

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY to my baby......(I'm not sure how I feel about that)

Click on the Picture

2008-01-13T18:08:00.001-06:00

Fund Raising Begins in Earnest

2008-01-04T13:22:00.000-06:00

Except for the four years that I was teaching art, Claudia and I have been raising money our whole adult lives. First it was with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and most recently, to help us make it through seminary without going into debt. For our family and friends who have prayed for us and who have given financially over the years, we are deeply indebted.

We now begin a new fundraising venture. If you keep up with this blog you'll know that after graduation in May we are moving to Seattle to start a new church. We'll be working with Crosspoint Church to start a new congregation in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. Pictures of the Space Needle in the foreground with the city behind it are taken from the neighborhood where we'll live and work.

Starting a new church is not an easy or inexpensive project and our first fundraising letters will go out next week. We are desperate for your prayers and need your financial support, as well. If you do not get our e-mail newsletters and you would like to, would you send us your name, e-mail address, and regular address to rcwootton@sbcglobal.net?

You also may have noticed the new section on the right side of the screen that allows you to give by debit or credit card on-line. If you have questions, or just want to say hi, please keep in touch through the e-mail above.

Grace and Peace,

Rob

January Depression

2008-01-01T20:05:00.000-06:00

Mental health experts beware: your busiest month is upon you.

Do you ever wonder why January is so depressing? How many of us had expectations for the holiday season that just weren't met?

- maybe you didn't get as many Christmas cards as you hoped
- or the "right" present
- you gave presents that weren't reciprocated
- you weren't invited to the party you wanted
- your kids were difficult
- your money is short
- you ate too much
- you drank too much
- you were reminded how difficult your family is
- your suffering isn't miraculously replaced by joy or hope

I have experienced many of these this month and I admit, I am a little blue. I realize how much of my self-worth is wrapped into the list above. I go from depressed to angry to sad again- sad at my idolatry, sad at my whoredom, sad that much of my service is attached with an unspoken reciprocity agreement.

I long to know freedom from the list above- not in a dehumanizing way, but in a way that says I find hope and reprieve in the fact that a perfect God came to earth to suffer and be betrayed by his closest confidants for me....

New Year's Resolutions

2007-12-30T22:39:00.001-06:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I am looking forward to 2008 and all the challenges and excitement to come. There is much on the horizon. I don't believe in resolutions because I can't really resolve to do anything, BUT, I thought I would let the world know that three days ago I gave up Diet Coke.........I know, you're shocked, maybe even surprised. It was time- not for resolution's sake, but for health's sake. So far, so good. I actually feel better. Probably mental.....

Christmas Memories

2007-12-21T08:41:00.000-06:00

There is nothing like the classic Christmas cartoons that I am glad to watch each year: Frosty the Snowman, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, and Rudolph. I love everything about them, especially the music.

Yesterday, we sat down to watch Frosty with the kids....

Rob: "Hey kids, did you know that this show was made before your Mom and Dad were born?"
Nate: "That's why it's so dorky."

sad.

Surgery

2007-12-18T09:12:00.000-06:00

Please pray for Rob's surgery which is scheduled for 1:00 today. We will keep you posted.

Agility Training

2007-12-15T20:06:00.000-06:00

Agility is the ability to rapidly change directions without the loss of speed, balance, or body control. As with other fitness components, agility is specific to a particular movement pattern. One problem with agility training is that an athlete can learn to anticipate the next movement. Therefore, the athlete should be required to respond to a directional order.

To help our kids with agility, we've decided to keep our house randomly messy until the semester and the surgery is over. It's the least we can do for them.

If you're interested in training your kids in the way they should go.....here's a sample course from our hall:

1. shoes
2. dirty clothes
3. clean clothes
4. more shoes
5. last year's backpack
6. jackets
7. drum
8. basket
9. old playstation
10. cables for playstation
11. bag full of books
12. misc. junk

Hope in Advent

2007-12-13T08:16:00.000-06:00

I finished my Prophets class last night. It was taught by Dr. Richard Pratt, a former professor at RTS and founder and president of Third Millennium Ministries.

The class took some getting used to, but by week four the way I read the prophetical books was re-informed by Pratt's insight, specifically related to human intervening contingencies....
When the prophets made predictions of blessings and curses, there were different levels of determination by God to carry them out. Some predictions were conditional if/then statements.

Jeremiah 7: 5 “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

The purpose of this prediction was to motivate the people to action.

Other predictions weren't obviously conditional, yet we know by their outcome that the response of the people caused the prediction not to be carried through, if only for the time being. Take the predication by Jonah to Nineveh.

Jonah 3:4: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

When the Ninevites heard that they were going to destroyed, they responded with belief and repentance. Why would they do that? Can repentance be used to manipulate God and change his eternal decrees? No. God's transcendence is not threatened
by his immanence and involvement in history. They repented because they knew what we know, that God is merciful. They took the same "who knows" approach that we see from David and others. Who knows what God will do? Who knows his holy will?

Jonah 3: 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

In many ways, accepting Calvin wrongly in my heart meant living like a fatalist. I have not understood the relationship between God's transcendence and immanence and according to the way I prayed, I acted like God was in a coma.

But, in advent, I'm reminded of the grandest display of intervening human contingency and the immanence of God.

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love's sake becomes poor.

My prayer for this season is that I will know real, true hope. When I pray, I am believing that God hears my prayer and uses secondary causes. I am praying boldly. I am praying with hope. God can heal. God can save. God is merciful.

Latest Update

2007-12-06T09:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends and Family, 12/6/07

I am excited to officially announce that we have accepted a call to start a new church in Seattle, Washington. Many of you have already heard this news and I had hoped to get the word out before Thanksgiving, but I had to go and injure myself first. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I went to help a single mom on campus by teaching her daughter to ride a bike. It turns out that her bike had been confiscated by the grounds crew for not having the right sticker, so I jumped over a fence to retrieve it and when I jumped back over, my left knee decide it had had enough. I tore my ACL, both menisci, and dislodged a piece of cartilage from the femur. This has come a bad time as exams start for Claudia and me next week and there are other assignments and papers to finish up as well before surgery on 12/18. This also has made things difficult at home for Claudia, as I am not able to do as much housework and parenting.

Would you pray that Claudia and I would finish our semester on time and not have to take in-completes and extend the work? Also pray that surgery goes well, without complications, and that recovery is quick. And pray for Claudia as she has extra responsibilities because of my limitations.

The encouraging news is that after almost a decade of searching for God's call on our lives, he has revealed many details of that call. We now know what we'll be doing, starting a new church, and where, the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. There are other exciting parts to this as well and we'll share those with you in the coming months. For now, I'll say that we're excited and encouraged, sure of God's call, and looking forward to the next phase of our lives. This phase though has some more to attend to and it is here that we need your help. We need your prayers, like the ones mentioned above, and we need you financial support if we are to finish seminary in the black. My injury and upcoming surgery will end up costing us about $2000 dollars. I have good insurance but there is a fair amount of out of pocket expense with deductibles, co-pays, and physical therapy expenses.

If you have yet to give to our seminary fund or if you can give in addition to your usual support, would you be willing to help so that we can end our time in seminary debt free? Even the smallest of gifts help.

All gifts are tax deductible and should be made out to Trinity Presbyterian Church, designated for the Woottons, and dropped in the offering plate at Trinity or mailed to 1600 Colonial Ave, Norfolk VA 23517. Thank you for your prayers and support. We could not do this with out you, nor would we want to.

Grace and Peace,

Rob, Claudia, Abi and Nate

Funny Or Frightening?

2007-12-01T22:07:00.001-06:00

You be the judge.

Pictures

2007-11-29T16:09:00.001-06:00

Our friend Kelly toook our pictures one last time before we graduate. She has put a few on her blog.....

Prayer

2007-11-20T18:22:00.000-06:00

Rob injured his knee on Sunday helping a single mom on campus teach her daughter to ride a bike......well, he actually never got to the teaching because he was breaking into the physical plant department to retrieve the bike that had no sticker and after jumping off the fence.......well, you can guess what happened. Big falll!
We just found out that he tore his ACL, both menisci, and that there is other missing cartilage. He will begin rehab after Thanksgiving and then have surgery in two weeks. Please pray for us. Rob has been sick most of the semester and it has taken a toll both at home and in school. He is in great pain. Please pray for everything on our plate, for healing, for patience, for the Doctors, and for our family's sanity.

What the Wootton's do on Saturday (with the Silva's)

2007-11-17T15:46:00.001-06:00

Thank You

2007-11-06T20:27:00.000-06:00

Rob and I want to thank you for praying for us this past weekend. The trip to Seattle went well, felt very familial and sweet. We were encouraged by how excited we were to be back in the city and to worship at CrossPoint. We had the chance to catch up with the church and a few friends- one from our IV days and one a Cov. grad. We also spent time with Mike Kelly (Sr. Pastor) and his family and really enjoy them.
You may be wondering, well.......what's up? At this point, Lord willing, we expect to move to Seattle in June. All of the signposts have confirmed that God is calling us to Queen Anne to plant a church. Mind you, we have not yet signed on the dotted line, and so, God could still re-direct us.
The session meets on Nov. 14th. Please pray for wisdom and discernment.
Thanks for following our story and being such an important part of our lives.

Yours & His,
Claudia (for the Woottons)

An Idea

2007-11-01T15:34:00.000-06:00

After seeing Nickel Creek last week on their farewell tour, Rob and I have a question. Why don't we stand and applaud our pastors to call them back for an encore? Wouldn't that be great? If they came back for one more point? This Sunday, you should try that at your church. Get your tithes worth....

Latest Update

2007-10-30T13:51:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope that you are well. Claudia and I wanted to let you know what is happening in our lives and how we could use your prayers.

This weekend, we head to Seattle, without the kids, to meet with the congregation again, pray, and formally discuss the vision of a church plant in the Queen Anne neighborhood. This is the final step toward discerning whether God might be calling us to partner with CrossPoint Churches to begin this new work. Please pray with us that God would use this weekend to clarify our calling. Also, please pray that we would be ourselves. We want to begin a church that is both indigenous and transformational to the Seattle culture while being authentic to who God made us to be. Lastly, I am preaching on Sunday from John 6. Pray that the Word, through the power of Holy Spirit, would give people hope.

As we are well into our last year of seminary (finishing mid-terms last week), please pray for perseverance. Senioritis has kicked in, but we want to finish well. Our subjects are interesting and important and we need some "room in our brains" to fit it all in. I (Rob) am in my last semester of homiletics and looking forward to preaching next week from Ezekial 34. It is not only a powerful passage and warning to leaders of the church, but also a powerful reminder of God's character and provision. Claudia is being stretched in several classes. She has Richard Pratt for Prophetical books and is learning a lot about current application of the prophets. She is also working on an independent study in worship and is writing a thematically structured liturgical resource book of confessions and calls to worship. Please pray that God would continue to grow us through our studies.

Our children are doing well. God has been faithful to them. Abi is doing well in school- an answer to prayer. Her ADHD seems to be responding to medication and enables her to focus, grow, and mature. Nate learned how to ride his bike this fall and spends every waking moment (even asking this morning at 6:45) outside playing with friends. Please pray for them that God would be preparing them now for a huge transition from life at seminary to our future city.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us through prayer. If you want more stories from our daily lives, please check our blog. We try to update it regularly.

We want to to hear from you about what is happening in your lives so that we can rejoice, cry, and pray for you.

Grace and Peace,
Rob

Private Practice

2007-10-18T15:27:00.000-06:00

I hate to admit all the TV I watch, but does anyone watch Private Practice? It's the Grey's spinoff that airs Wed. nights on ABC.

Last night was rather painful to watch and I will not detail all of the reasons why, but I was struck that a therapist would encourage divorce without ever having met with the spouse or done couples therapy. Furthermore, when the husband decided to stay with his wife, the therapist considered it a failure- "that he had not used the backbone he had paid thousands for" in therapy.

I don't know about you, but marriage is hard and I need people around me that will help me fight for my marriage and help me fight against my unfaithful nature. Don't hear what I am not saying. There are some horrific things that happen in marriage and some end because of the consequence of deep sin, but if I only gauged my marriage on my current happiness, enjoyment of, and wants, it would become no more important than a Snickers bar.

As I write this, my marriage happens to be in a good place- actually better than ever, but I see plenty of struggling marriages and fearful fiancé's and I know that mine might be there again some day. I won't throw away my boxing gloves just yet.

Meditation

2007-10-14T15:19:00.000-06:00

Which is better: under correction or over correction, license or legalism, laziness or busyness, sins of omission or sins of commission?

What the Wootton household sings...

2007-10-03T16:38:00.001-06:00

Pride

2007-09-30T23:20:00.000-06:00

smells like a cheap perfume
seeping from my pores
leaves a foul smell that lingers
on others
who smell it easily

i think it a stride,
but it causes a limp,
my pride

ever waiting to show itself
ever wanting to grow itself
ever hoping to know itself
fully,
but yet empty

unsatisfied
unsatiated
unsanctified
unglorified.

humility returns at the end of the day
masked by loneliness
anchored in fear and
rooted in shame

Genetic Predispostion Toward Heights?

2007-09-24T14:05:00.000-06:00

Is it possible that the desire to stand on the heights runs in the family? If you know my story and particularly my father's story then this becomes quite striking.

"Wootton stood quite upright on the pinnacle of the steeple."

[Pg 74]
STEEPLE-CLIMBERS.

Cleverness or skill in doing some particular thing has been noticed to recur in families, and steeple-climbing is one example, we are told. At Nottingham there was a family named Wootton, members of which had for centuries the reputation of being daring steeple-climbers, not for adventure, but in the way of business. Such persons were also called steeplejacks, and they were paid liberally for their exploits, as they deserved to be.

Robert Wootton, who lived in the time of King George III., was famous for repairing steeples and spires without using a scaffold; he did his work by the help of ladders, hooks, and ropes. When he repaired St. Peter's spire, Nottingham, in 1789, having finished his work, he beat a drum at its top, thousands of people looking on. Another of the Woottons undertook the perilous task of ascending the spire of St. Mary's, Manchester, which was very lofty. By a tremendous wind the ball and cross had been bent down, and looked dangerous. This steeple-climber raised ladders one after the other, assisted by blocks and ropes, and secured each in succession to the stonework with clamps. When he got near the top of the spire the work became more difficult, and the spectators anxiously watched him as he fixed the last ladder. Having accomplished this feat, Wootton stepped from the ladder on to the crown or pinnacle of the steeple, and stood quite upright, with his hands free. Then he raised a cheer, which was responded to by the crowds below. More extraordinary still, one of these steeple-climbers is said to have performed the feat of standing upon his head on a steeple's top; but there is some doubt about the story.

it's from here

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20117/20117-h/20117-h.htm#Wootton_stood_quite_upright

Zebra Question, by Shel Silverstein

2007-09-23T18:56:00.000-06:00

I asked the Zebra, are you black with white stripes? Or white with black stripes? And the zebra asked me, Are you good with bad habits? Or are you bad with good habits? Are you noisy with quiet times? Or are you quiet with noisy times? Are you happy with some sad days? Or are you sad with some happy days? Are you neat with some sloppy ways? Or are you sloppy with some neat ways? And on and on and on and on and on and on he went. (LP) I’ll never ask a zebra about stripes...again.

Today, Jay Simmons, pastor of South City Church, read this quote and then asked us, "are you an old man with some new ways or a new man with some old man ways?"

I thought that was a good question.

A Beautiful Morning

2007-09-21T13:33:00.001-06:00

This morning our pastor from Virgina, Jack Howell, preached in chapel. I led the music and Rob led the worship. Charlie and Rae sat up front and we all had a good cry. It was like old times. We miss you guys at Trinity.

Assessed!

2007-09-13T14:48:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

We'll try to get more info out soon, but wanted to give you a relatively brief update on our week at Church Planting Assessment. Thank you for your prayers and kind words this week.

We have been Provisionally Recommended for the work of church planting. What does this mean?

It means that we are a year or so away from being ready to be off on our own planting a church based on our experience and areas that need some growth. We'll fill you in on what those areas are in future blogs.

What does this mean for our future?

The great part of this recommendation is that we don't want to be off on our own at this point and the opportunity in Seattle doesn't put us on our own. We'll be talking over the next month with Mike Kelly, the senior pastor of CrossPoint Church - http://www.greenlakepc.org/, about the prospect of going to Seattle to start the 3rd site of their multi-site church. This prospect fits well with someone who has been provisionally recommended and more importantly it could fit very well for us. Please pray that starting a ministry in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle would be the best place for us. It's what we want and we want that to be God's desire as well.

Please call or e-mail if you have any questions, thanks again for your prayers and support.

In Him Whom We Believe,

Rob & Claudia

New Update

2007-09-08T15:55:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends and Family,

In our last update we were about to leave for Rob’s summer internship with Crosspoint Churches in Seattle. We are back now in St. Louis and have just started our last year of seminary looking towards graduation this coming May. There is much to report concerning our summer and coming year and not enough space here to cover it all. Please check out earlier posts where you’ll find some amusing thoughts and serious ones as well.

Rob spent most of his time in and evaluating the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. He did demographic studies and sat in coffee shops meeting people and asking them about their neighborhood and city. Mike Kelly, senior pastor of Crosspoint Churches, oversaw Rob’s work and they began a friendship that we hope will continue. I saw him grow in excitement for what God created him to do and develop a love for Seattle but that made it hard coming back for another year of studies. Please pray that we would finish seminary well, continuing to rely of Jesus, knowing him even more through his studies.

The kids and I had a harder time feeling connected to the church and struggled with loneliness and impatience with each other, but the Lord, in his mercy, was exposing our need to move from a couple in ministry to a family in ministry by choosing to nurture our kids through change, difficulty, and insecurity. In the movie Evan Almighty, which was a turnaround point for me, "God" asked Evan's wife, "when you pray for patience, do you think I just give you patience or the opportunity to be patient?" This small bit of encouragement helped me stop looking at my own issues and notice the ways that my children needed me. Please pray that I would continue to rely on Jesus for my acceptance and validation, freeing me up to be joyful and faithful to the things that he has called me. Pray that Abi and Nate would see a growing need for the work of Jesus in their lives and a deeper reliance on him.

In our last month at Crosspoint, the Lord granted us some good relationships with the men on the session and their wives. We have decided to pursue an opportunity to plant a church in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle unless the Lord says otherwise. We feel great peace in pursuing one call instead of pinning calls and cities against each other. Please pray that God would grant us clarification in regards to our calling, specifically to the Pacific Northwest, and that he might use others to affirm or deny this calling. Pray also that God would begin to show how he will provide for the needs of church planting in the city.

The first part of discerning the calling to Seattle begins this Monday, 9/10. We are headed to the denomination’s church planting assessment center where we will receive a spiritual "physical." The assessment is thorough and intense. We will be watched and graded in many areas that relate to church planting - not just so we can be qualified church planters, but so we can know our strengths and weaknesses in relationship to church planting. We are looking forward to an exciting and exhausting week. Please pray that God would give us the freedom to be who he has made us to be, without shame, and that we might do what he has created us to do. Please pray for my Dad as he has so graciously agreed to come to St. Louis to care for our kids while we are away.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in the Gospel. It is exciting to see what the Lord might have in store for us. We hope that you are excited as well, as you have a very real part in this work of the kingdom. May we all see the Gospel spread around the world one neighborhood at a time.

Yours & His,

Claudia (for the Woottons)

P.S. If you are not on our prayer letter list and you would like to be please email us at rcwootton@sbcglobal.net with your address. We send e-mail updates every 3 or 4 months and letters through the mail twice a year.

What are we teaching our kids?

2007-09-06T07:25:00.000-06:00

This is about school lunches. I am grateful that like many other seminarians, our kids get "free" lunch. This usually consists of a hot dog for Nate and a myriad of strange choices for Abi, including yesterday's cheese and bacon bit pie. This school has more money than any other school I have been apart of (even private) and it seems that the only thing they do not spend money on is the lunches. Maybe everyone else brings their lunch....

My issue is not only about the food options, but the lunch time. My kids have 30 minutes for lunch and recess. So, the longer they take to eat, the less recess they get. Does this seem right? We are teaching our kids to scarf down their food as fast as they can so they can play. My kids have to choose between food and play. I long for my kids to learn to enjoy food and conversation, taste and smells, and how this is a glimpse of something amazing to come.

My kids are learning that life is scheduled and fast and sacrifices must be made to keep up. It breaks my heart.

The Price of Privilege....

2007-09-02T19:26:00.000-06:00

I am about to read this book for a class. It talks about the suburban teenager as being the most "high risk" group for depression, suicide, and drugs- higher than the urban poor.

So, tonight we were going to a party and my 6 year old says, "Ahhhhh (note sad tone), they don't have a satellite dish."

I better get reading.

First Day of School

2007-08-30T15:18:00.000-06:00

Today was the first day of our last year in seminary. I was thinking about how stressed and exciting "first days of school" have been for me. Even my children know the feeling. They plan out what they will wear weeks in advance, arrange their school supplies and organize their backpacks.

This morning I was anxious- like it was the first day of high school, but I hadn't thought at all about what I would wear, realized I hadn't even bothered to go to the bookstore to get my syllabus, AND I didn't have a notebook or paper. I found it funny that maybe a little bit of stress (excitement) and consequent planning isn't a bad thing. I was also anxious about new professors and whether we could pull it all off one more time.

So, at 8:30 am, Rob and I went to our classes-"Psalms and Wisdom" and "Spirit, Church, and Last Things." Very quickly, I was reminded that I love the academic world. I like learning and thinking, growing and exchanging ideas with a myriad of folk. Rob and I are excited about this semester's classes, even if we didn't have a new outfit to show it.

IF we go to Seattle

2007-08-25T13:13:00.000-06:00

(View of downtown Seattle from Queen Anne, landmarks of note; the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier.)

This is kind of a long read but if we go to Seattle this is the neighborhood that we would plant a church in. Let us know if you think it's a good fit or not. I'll send out an update letter soon that describes what our last year of seminary may look like.

Church Planting in Queen Anne, Seattle, WA

Seattle’s 2004 population estimate was 572,600 with another 160,000 commuting into the city each day making for the 3rd highest percentage of daytime population change in the country behind Washington D.C. and Boston and the 7th most in total number of commuters. The metropolitan area including Tacoma and Bremerton is over 3,500,000 making it the 13th largest in the country with a 20% population growth between 1990-2000. Because of the growing population and the difficulties of commuting, more and more people are choosing to live within the city, demonstrated by rental vacancies under 2% and a real estate market that continues to grow despite national decline.

The city of Seattle is made up of about 20 different distinct named neighborhoods many of which have their own urban center. There are currently only 2 neighborhoods in the city with a PCA church, Greenlake (Crosspoint) and Capitol Hill (Grace). It also seems that not one neighborhood in the city, including Greenlake and Capitol Hill, is served by enough evangelical churches. It seems reasonable that in the next 10 years PCA churches could be planted in Ballard, the Central District, Magnolia, Queen Anne, Wallingford/University City, and West Seattle. Churches planted in these areas could open up further possibilities of planting churches further south and north of Seattle and eventually east as well. (Growth east and west is complicated by the Puget Sound to the west of the city and Lake Washington to the east.)

Queen Anne is a residential neighborhood that is closely connected to the downtown area. Depending on how you define the neighborhood boundary markers, there are around 40,000 residents. The proximity to downtown, coupled with the ability for most residents (within 10 blocks) to walk to coffee shops, restaurants, and grocery stores, makes it a very desirable place to live. Nearly all of Queen Anne residents work in the metropolitan area of Seattle and about 80% work in the city itself. Many of the residents in the neighborhood commute the few minutes south to downtown. It is a short drive, bus or bike ride downtown and not a long walk either, less than 2 miles, but since the neighborhood sits atop one of Seattle’s highest hills, (456 feet) , the walk or bike ride back from downtown or any other part of the city can be difficult. With a current median home price of just over $500,000 it is one of the more expensive places in the city to purchase a home. For example, one 3 bd. 2 ba. house in decent shape with 1700 sq.ft. is listed $559,000 and another 3 bd. 1 ba. place with 2,200 sq.ft. is listed $600,000. However with approximately 20,000 housing units, (both owner occupied and rentals, houses and apartments), nearly 12,000 are rental units . These rental units are typically more expensive than all but a couple of other places in the city due to some of the factors listed above.

Queen Anne is 85% white, 5% other non-Hispanic, 5% Asian, 4% Hispanic and 2% African American. 55% of residents were born outside of the state of Washington, 20% of residents are from the West, 15% from the Midwest, 12% from the Northeast, and 8% from the South, with another 10% born outside of the country. The median age in the neighborhood is 33 years old with the largest age segment being 25-34, which nearly doubles the next closest segments of 35-44, 18-24, and 45-54 respectively. The median yearly household income in 2000 was around $50,000. For the largest demographic, the 25-34 year old range, more than 50%, are making above the median. As one might expect the next 2 age brackets, 35-44 and 45-54, are earning more. “I don’t think somebody’s making it unless they’re making over $100,000.” This sentiment was expressed at a local coffee shop from a couple of women in the 25-34 age bracket that seems to demonstrate what the figures show. Over 60% of Queen Anne residents have a college degree, the national average is less than 30% and in the city of Seattle 53%. More than 20% of Queen Anne residents have advanced degrees.

Given the desire to be a part of the cultural center of the city with the affluence needed to live in the neighborhood, the Bourgeois Bohemians coined by David Brooks in "BoBo’s In Paradise" make up the general population of Queen Anne. In part form this Bourgeois Bohemian make up and the nature of the Northwest/Seattle culture there is little of the countercultural tensions one might find in cities in the South, Midwest, or even some parts of the Northeast. Countercultural is the culture and this extends to most of the residents in Queen Anne even those making more than six figures. Tattoos and piercings are the norm as one walks down Queen Anne Ave. (Urban Center) and this is the environment in which residents live and breath and raise their family.

The majority of residents are single but married couples and families make up more than a third of Queen Anne’s population. The majority of families here are of children 10 and under and the highest percentage is 3 and under. Dominant cultural idols seem to be, in no particular order, recreation, materialism, affluence, the environment, and family. Few in the area seem to live to work, the majority are working so as to support the other aspects of their life. The outdoors is an important draw for residents with hiking, camping, snow skiing, rock climbing, alpine climbing, mountain biking, cycling, sailing, water skiing, and others readily available.

Residents of Queen Anne follow the general percentage of religious affiliation found in the Northwest, two thirds claim no religious affiliation with less than one tenth claiming evangelical protestant. Killen and Silk in "Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone write", “When asked their religious identification, more people answer none in the Pacific Northwest than in any other region of the United States.” There are few places in the world where there is not a need for more evangelical churches but this highlights the need here in Seattle and specifically Queen Anne.

There are three or four evangelical churches in Queen Anne, two of note are Bethany Presbyterian (PCUSA) with a average Sunday attendance of 800 and All Saints a non-denominational church with Acts 29 affiliations and less than 200 on a Sunday. With Lower Queen Anne/Uptown/Belltown directly to the south, Magnolia to the west, Ballard to the northwest, and Freemont directly to the north a church in Queen Anne has the opportunity to reach beyond its neighborhood bounds and plant more churches.

Queen Anne could support a church that reached both the young urban family and the young singles working in the urban core. A church built on small groups is likely to meet these residents who long to be connected and are generally mistrustful of large organizations and slick programs. This church would need to show its authenticity through a commitment to the city and its needs through appreciation and support of the arts and a heart for mercy and justice. In a community that prides itself on the ability to walk to places to meet their needs it would makes sense that a church in their backyard is the best way to meet their real need, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I Can't Drive 55

2007-08-13T19:52:00.000-06:00

days in Seattle without my family - 10
miles from Seattle to St. Louis - 2,164
hours from departure to arrival - 37
hours spent not driving (getting gas/at hotel) - 8
average miles per hour while driving - 74
tanks of gas - 8
total cost of gas - too much to even think about
Mountain Dews - 4, cups of coffee - 4, Diet Coke - 3, Red Bull - 1, recovering from caffeine OD - another 36 hours
1 bag of beef jerky, 1 bag of honey mustard and onion pretzel pieces, 1 bag of peanut M&Ms, 1 bag of jalapeno potato chips, 1 chicken salad sandwich from a gas station (didn't finish it, don't know what I was thinking, won't happen again), 1 burger w/ fries, 1 blueberry scone, 1 bowl of frosted flakes

it was worth it all to get back to my family, family and marriage is hard but being alone is harder, i have a new appreciation for the difficulties of my single friends

What city do you belong?

2007-08-09T23:09:00.000-06:00

I have been thinking a lot about cities and where God might be calling Rob and I to live. This quiz did not help....

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris.
The art, the fashion, the wine!
Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park...
You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

Ready or Not, Here I Come

2007-08-06T12:09:00.001-06:00

I have been thinking a lot about hiding. It is always my knee jerk reaction to hide when I am struggling. I want to hide from others, from God, from myself, my guilt, and my shame. This summer, when I was lonely and insecure, I hid.

I think that many of us hide and some are better hiders than others.

I was reading in Gen. 3 last night about hiding. When Adam and Eve had sinned- they hid. First behind uncomfortable, inadequate leaves and then behind trees. Trees and leaves move from representing God's creational goodness and provision to tools for hiding.

But, this is not what I wanted to read about. I needed to be reminded of how Adam came out of hiding. "But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”" God didn't need to ask this question. He knew where Adam was, but he did so because he condescends to woo us and draw us out of hiding with his love.

I am like Adam. I stand in the middle of the room, put my hands over my eyes and think that no one can see me. I am not a good hider and I don't want to be. Do you remember playing hide and seek as a child and doing such a good job at hiding that no one found you AND they stopped looking? I remember that being a deep, lonely and painful ending to the game.

God, who is gracious and merciful and eternally IT in this game I play, walks into the room and like the voice of a gentle mother of a toddler says,"Claudia, where are you?" I am glad to sheepishly say, "Here Lord."

Into Thinish Air

2007-08-04T00:51:00.000-06:00

... The inspiring, ... no, the heroic, ... no, the true tale of survival, ... well not really survival, the true tale of endurance, ... ok it's true but really it's more amusing than anything else. ...

As he put one foot in front of the other Rob said to himself, "I can't make it I can make it." As he watched his new friends trudge on in front of him, increasing their distance from him, he silently pleaded for help. Help that wasn't to come. "They could come back and carry my pack and I could go on unencumbered," he said to himself but he knew that wouldn't happen. As the shadows grew longer and the setting sun's light fell behind the broad peak of Mt. Rainier, Rob knew that there wasn't much time left. The wind was beginning to howl and his toes were numb, the only way he could make it was to focus on one foot in front of the other. He would count his steps, hoping to get up to 15 before he had to break and catch his breath. It was only 9800 feet but it may as well have been 29,000 and the summit of Everest. Sometimes he only got to 4 or 5 steps before a break was needed. The camp was right above him. He had seen it for the past hour and there was only 300 yards left to go; 300 yards that took almost another hour. Finally, as he left the Muir Snowfield and climbed the steps to the camp, he collapsed on a rock at the top of the stairs that seemed to be there for that very purpose. It not only provided rest for the weary climber, but also gave a stunning view of from where one had just come. The miles of steep snow below and off in the distance: Mt. Adams, Mt. Saint Helens, and Mt. Hood. For Rob, his view was of the red orange glow of the sun setting on these mountains. It was a beautiful sight but his labor wasn't over. He needed water, having finished his last at around 9000 feet. He needed to set up his tent, change his clothes, and get some food in him to replace the thousands of calories burned on the climb. The tent wouldn't cooperate as the wind's velocity increased and its icy fingers tore into exposed skin. But finally after another hour of labor and complete darkness, Rob was in his tent warm in dry clothes and enjoying a hot meal. Sleep came quickly but was often interrupted by the growing windstorm and the shouts and preparations of those who were preparing for the summit, (to make the summit you leave in the middle of the night to insure that the snow and ice is firm).

... I'll add more pics and write more about the time later, but one thing I learned is that you can't really take time to think and pray when you're struggling to walk and breathe. I'll steal some time away over the next week to do what I had hoped and had asked prayer for in the previous post. Thanks for your prayers, especially if your prayed for my safety.

Prayer Request

2007-08-01T22:42:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

I leave tomorrow morning for an extended retreat of prayer. I'll be gone Thursday morning through Saturday morning. I'd appreciate your prayers as I examine the issues of the where of our calling in particular, and other issues of faith such as prayer, marriage, parenting, friendships, studies etc. Even if you're reading this after the fact, I'd still love you to pray about this time I'm setting aside.

And this is where I'm going to do it, which I'm excited about as well. The picture is a view from Camp Muir on Mount Rainier, the camp is at 10,000 feet, the highest you can go without a climbing permit. It's supposed to be a strenuous, but easy 5 mile hike. I'll post my own pictures when I get back.

Thanks for your prayers,

Rob

Accio Origen

2007-07-23T18:33:00.001-06:00

Well, after reading furiously, Rob and I finished Harry Potter 7 today. The last book was about seeing the stories that I have read for the last 10 years come to a conclusion and I was satisfied with the ending. There were many tears shed through these last books- mostly because of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, and I am sad it is over. I guess it's time to put Harry aside and work on my Access class instead. Church fathers will now take precedent over wizards.

Writing Again

2007-07-19T19:02:00.000-06:00

One of my goals this summer was to write music again. In seminary, I have found my mind to be too full for creativity outside of getting my school work done. In Seattle, I have spent one morning a week working on songs and it has been interesting, to say the least. It has felt as though this part of my brain needed a good dose of liquid plumber- my times of writing felt forced and out of shape.

To hold me accountable to my efforts, I was given this Sunday as a deadline for a new piece to be sung during the offering and I knew two things: I hadn't written anything I loved and I wanted to pen a conclusion of what I have been thinking about here in Seattle.

It seems understandable that I have been thinking mostly about the church. As Rob and I face the thought of one day plating a church in some unknown city, I am brought to tears both from joy and fear because I know that like me, the church is not yet glorified and will mean a life of high highs and low lows. Early this week, I opened up the blue Trinity hymnal and came accross these lyrics, and as it usually happened, the lyrics moved me and the song almost happened on its own. Maybe someday you will hear the melody of this prayer:

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the Head and Cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the church in one.

Chorus: In Your mercy, Lord unite us.
Spread Your Kingdom far and wide.
Heal our wounds and sanctify us,
For Your glory, God on high.

Alleluia, Lord, we praise Thee.
Come, O Lord, of hosts today.
With Thy wonted loving kindness,
Hear Your people as they pray. (Chorus)

Laud and honor to the Father.
Laud and honor to the Son.
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
God almighty, Three in One.

Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.
Blessed Bridegroom will You call her,
To Yourself and to her home.

Lyrics: Anon, 7th C. & Claudia Wootton

The Long Awaited Movie....

2007-07-11T21:45:00.000-06:00

A good poster....

But, not the oil painting. I enjoyed seeing the movie with the 100 12 year olds, but the books are so much better. To be expected.

The Trials of the Bicycle Commute

2007-07-10T18:45:00.000-06:00

Summer Movies

2007-07-09T23:08:00.000-06:00

I wonder, what have you thought of the summer movies? Here are our ratings:

**** Ratatouille

Great movie with a unique story! Made me hungry for good food and good wine- highlighted the artistry of cooking and kept my kids entertained.

***1/2 Evan Almighty

Good to see a film with my kids where faith issues are addressed in a non-cheesy way. Interesting discussion about calling. Encouraged from a scene about prayer and how it is answered- although not totally Christian and Jesus-less. Feel good family movie.

** Pirates of the Caribbean

Tried too hard. Tried to wrap up too many loose ends. Lacked fun and winsomeness. The save of the day? It lacked a true cheesy Hollywood ending-only slightly cheesy- like Velveeta.

THE MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIE OF THE YEAR FOR US?
Harry Potter 5: The Order of the Phoenix

I have read through the series again- books 5 and 6 twice in the last month, and watched all of the movies this week, one each night. I am already feeling sad that the last book is coming and my time at Hogwarts is ending. I am wondering what will captivate and distract me next? Should I go back to Lord of the Rings? C.S. Lewis? Would love some suggestions.....

enjoy the movies,
Claudia for the Woottons

Greenlake & the Great Outdoors

2007-07-01T21:38:00.000-06:00

At a family meeting on Saturday, we all agreed that the outdoors and the many beautiful parks in Seattle have been the highlight of our time here. (Abi had one exception- the two-story Target with the cart escalator.)

So, on Saturday, we took the kids to Greenlake where they played on the playground while I ran. We also rented a paddle-boat and toured the lake seeing the ducks and their babies and remembering that paddle-boats make your leg muscles burn.

We noticed that there are two beaches where you can swim in the lake, equipped with lifeguards and a high dive! There is a sign near the beach that reads the following:

* Children under the age of 10 must have a responsible adult supervising them at all times.
* No "bare buns" please! We require bathing suits, and babies must wear tight plastic pants or diapers designed for swimming.
* Please don't bring food, drinks, or glass containers to the beach.
* No spots: if you have a contagious disease, please stay home from the beach.
* Please leave Fido at home; dogs aren't allowed on beaches.
* Please shower and towel dry right after swimming to help prevent swimmer's itch.

Do you think we should swim????? Gross.

New Entrance Exam for Covenant?

2007-06-27T22:24:00.000-06:00

How about instead of the Bible Content Exam, Covenant gives this ...

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

Should I be concerned that I scored 60% for in line with Hinduism?

Life in the (almost*) Big City

2007-06-27T20:07:00.000-06:00

*(Seattle Metro area ranked in 2000 census as 13th most populated in the U.S. - 3,554,760)

This morning I rode my bike to the church office in Greenlake for a meeting, (an easier ride than up to Queen Anne although 3x the distance). I then had a meeting on Bainbridge Island that required a bus ride downtown, and then 1/2 a mile or so ride to the ferry. I stowed the bike on the rack on the front of the bus and was looking forward to the experience of city life and public transportation. I noticed that there was more socio-economic diversity than I had experienced on busses in the South and Midwest: due I think to a higher concern for the environment and the cost of living in the city. My experience of city life had just begun...

I was on the phone with Claudia while on the bus and when the seat beside me cleared this woman, who appeared to look like a late 20-something hipster, switched to the seat beside me. She said something, which I wasn't sure was directed at me or not, and I wasn't sure what she said since I'm mostly deaf in one ear and the other was pressed to the phone. I thought she seemed kind of angry but I just went about my conversation with Claudia. A few minuets later she rammed her shoulder into my side and started to berate me and accused me of assaulting her and other angry rants that were hard to make sense of. I immediately moved to the other side of the bus and told Claudia I'd call her back. The other bus passengers came to my defense and told the driver that the woman was the one making the trouble, and she then starting yelling at him and me. He immediately stopped the bus and demanded her to get off. I have to admit that, although all I did was move to the other side of the bus, my adrenaline was pumping and I shared some nervous laughter with the other passengers after she got off.

I thought I'd get more of a taste of city life by riding the bus, but I didn't realize what flavor I was in for.

The Parable of the Lost Shoes, the Lost Keys, and the Lost Sunglasses

2007-06-26T16:38:00.000-06:00

In the last week, we have lost Abi's new sandals, my keys, and Rob's pair of maui jim's.

Don't you hate to lose things? Doesn't it drive you mad? I actually went to the beach today where Abi's shoes were left a week ago thinking they could be there. The shoes had been left on the sand of the Puget Sound and yet, I still had hope. I have turned my apartment upside-down for my keys with no luck. The club where the rehearsal dinner was held had not "had any sunglasses turned in." I thought that was the bleakest- who would turn those in?

Things get lost and are never recovered.

Forgiveness

2007-06-20T19:14:00.000-06:00

I have parented 22 days straight without a break from my kids. For those of you who know me, you know that's not easy. For those of you who don't, that's not easy.....the past few days have been difficult. I realize that whatever I am feeling- lonely, misplaced, cooped up, my kids are feeling the same with 10x the intensity and without the words to communicate. You are probably wondering, didn't you realize that when you decided to move to the far edge of the country for two months that you would be lonely and misplaced- a soujourner, as Rob put it? Of course, and in some ways, that is why I wanted to come. In my spiritual masochism, that is exactly want I wanted. It gives me the opportunity to struggle, to rely, and to deal with my family in ways that I ignore, deny, and escape from amoungst work and friends. It gives me a chance to grow.

So yesterday I spent the day disciplining my child and having to see the relentlessness of pride and the difficulty of repentance. This becomes more difficult when I realize and struggle with the inability to reason with a 9 yr. old about her heart and that the same Gospel that frees me up to repent is difficult for her to grasp- too existential for her mind and heart. Many adults feel that way too! But then, in a moment, a moment of gentleness, a moment of grace, something happened. Her dad invited her to repent and she prayed. I don't know how it happened, but hearing these words from her mouth brought me to tears. "Father, forgive me for my sin, for yelling at my mom, for telling her that I didn't love her. But, I need you to forgive me for my sin in the future too because when I am mad, I say things I don't mean and I know it will happen again. Thank you that you died for me."

What I failed to know when coming here was that God wanted to grow not just Rob, not just me, but my kids as well.

On a lighter note

2007-06-19T12:16:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my first day as a bicycle commuter here in Seattle. The plan was that I would find a relatively inexpensive bike (under $100) on craigslist once we got here so Claudia and the kids could have the car most of the time. It took 2 weeks to accomplish that task and yesterday I rode up to Queen Anne. And I mean up. If you've never been to Seattle you may not realize how hilly it is. Queen Anne is on one of the seven hills of the city, (I don't really know if there are seven hills but I'm reading a history of Rome right now and thought I'd throw that in there). If you're a student of ancient Rome, then Queen Ann would be the plebeian hill during the 1st c. BC. For the rest of us, that means its the modest neighborhood that has quickly become a very desirable place to live. I'll write more about the neighborhoods in a future post.

Back to my bike ride. I know I'm out of shape but these hills are tough. There's no shame in getting off the bike to walk up the hill right? Well if there is I'm doubly shammed, maybe even triply, I can't remember. When I got to the top I really thought I might throw up and I was sweating profusely. And it's not like it was hot: 58 degrees and mostly cloudy. Well if I keep this up I'll be in much better shape come time to move back to the flat lands of the Midwest.

Why am I here?

2007-06-15T11:41:00.000-06:00

I've been asking myself this question a lot lately. Not the broad question of what's the purpose of life but for me more specifically why am I here in Seattle? In updates and in previous blogs to answer this question I've written this, "to discern where we might be called to plant a church" and "we hope by spending three months in Seattle this summer we can begin to discern if we can minister in a place thousands of miles from where we were born." A part of these things would also be to learn more about church-planting and ministry on the West Coast.

These answers are true and right but they don't seem sufficient. I could appropriately add seeing if my heart would break for the lost of Seattle. This is important, but I think there's more. In a very real way this is a wonderful opportunity to "try out" a city. Not often are people paid to come out for a couple of months and see if the city and the job are good fits. The reality is that it's just not practical for the employer and the employee. There are certainly costs beyond even money. This place isn't my hometown. I'm not coming back to a place I know like the other interns here. So there are many of the pains of moving to a new city without the commitment to settling. Two months of being unsettled for my family. That's hard to write. Costly indeed.

All the transition for my family in the last couple of years since leaving for seminary: would it have been better for them if I had stayed in Norfolk, teaching and serving at our church? Long term friends, a vibrant worshiping community that we loved, these are just some of the things we've left behind. We began to develop these things at seminary, but seminary is transient by nature. A couple who lived across the hall from us and who quickly became close friends graduated last month and have now moved.

And now we're here in Seattle. An amazingly beautiful city, but what good is that without close friends to share it with? The good news is that Claudia and I are better friends than we've ever been. Our family is close and loves each other well despite the normal pains of raising two children. But still, why are we here? What is it that I'm looking for? Is there something more than just discerning calling? What is my calling? I know I'm called to full time Gospel ministry as a pastor and preacher and probably a church planter. And I don't take this for granted, I'm so grateful to know my calling after many years of wondering. But the question of calling doesn't seem to end. I'm still searching. Now it's a matter of where will I be a pastor and preacher for the next 10 years are so (the commitment I'd like to make to wherever we go).

I think the reality I have to cling to is that this place isn’t my home. Sure Seattle isn’t home, but neither is St. Louis or even Norfolk. I’m truly just a sojourner here. I live in a heavenly city, even now as I walk and live in this earthly one. There are costs that come with this reality, it costs my personal peace and happiness and my family's as well, but the reward is living in the reality of the Gospel. Oh that I would believe that more and more deeply. Please pray that Claudia I would believe this and pray for my children that even though they can’t understand they would find all the security and peace that they need in their parents as they learn to trust God.

Discovery Park's Beach

2007-06-14T18:18:00.000-06:00

This beach is in our neighborhood.

One week in...

2007-06-14T13:29:00.000-06:00

We have been here for one week. It has been filled with meetings and meetings over food. Rob preaches this Sunday and since Crosspoint has two sites- he will preach back to back sermons....a first.
Each Friday night, we are having a church planting round table where we eat and hear from a church planter. Last week, Andre Lewis talked about networking. Networking is what we came here to practice- meeting people in and out of the church.
The pace has been slow this week- much slower than at home. I am inhaling and breathing deeply the space.

Meanwhile, I am observing some things about what it means to be a family in the city & to live in the city:
My kids will have to go to the park everyday to play and run.
The park is a great place to talk with people.
People in the city are lonely.
People love their city and will talk about it endlessly-in a good way.
The city is expensive.
Being able to walk to the grocery is exhilarating.
In this city, you must drink coffee.
There is always something to do: check out where most people (not us- we do have kids) will be this weekend.... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2003746006_nwwfestivalfocus14.html

Have a good solstice,
Claudia