Welcome to the Family!

I just can't let October go by without posting about a very exciting happening from this month!Jon & Laura's sweet Jonathan Randall McKay, Jr. was born on October 22nd, and we are all of course smitten over him! Welcome baby Jonathan!

Happiness...

"My Kind of Town, Chicago is..."

My first trip to "The Windy City" (which is called windy not because of the wind, but because of the politics - my smart friend Hannah informed me) was a blast! Our friend, Hannah, graduated college there and is now a 5th grade ESL teacher - and one of the best! I would just love to have Hannah as my teacher when I was in school, and we had a great time catching up with her. :)

Yes, I AM wearing a Cubs hat and jersey in the pics, but I only did it so I wouldn't get called names or beat up by the Cubs players when the Cardinals beat them (Cards won 7-1! Yay!) Will was right, the atmosphere at Wrigley is totally different from St. Louis; much smaller, but the fans are long-time patrons, and they all just seem to get along and have a great time (unless you are from the opposing team, then watch out!). Being the serious baseball fans that we are, we got to the stadium just before 10am (the game started at 1:20pm), watched batting practice, and my fav part was the interaction and conversations back and forth with us and the Cardinals outfield during batting practice. Good times!

We stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the park, and with the perfect weather (a cool 65-75) it made for a great experience! We made this a weekend trip, so we got in around 1 am Friday morning, were quite hungry and ordered a pizza (Will is showing the time on his phone below)- fun times.

I also had another 1st - my 1st time in IKEA! I had seen a catalog, but was unprepared as to how incredible the store is! Got a few (very inexpensive) goodies, and I'll post about those later. Can't wait to go back.

Silence & Solitude

A great reminder for all of us (not just those in full-time ministry) of the importance of retreating often with our Abba...Jesus retreated often (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16) - and so should I! This article from Fuller Youth Institute explains better than I can - share.

Mark 1:35 "And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there."

Psalm 119:97 "O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day."

29!

No, that's not my age (a couple more years 'till then)...it is the number of days until FALL! 29!

There are so many reasons I love Fall (besides the fact that I am incredibly hot-natured and need cooler climates):

1. Vibrant hues of the changing leaves and plants.

2. Cooler temps = fun fall clothes!

3. Football season and friday nights at the fields are back!

4. Chili, soups, coffee, and sweet potato casserole.

5. Thanksgiving

6. The annual McKay bonfire!

7. Our engagment was in Fall: Oct 9th, 2003

8. Our wedding was in Fall: Oct 9th, 2004

9. My fav job ever began in Fall: Oct 9th, 2006

* (Yes, the last 3 all happened on Oct 9th!)

What are your fav things about Fall?

Summer Blogging...what?

Summer in the McKay house has been exciting, full, and blessed with great experiences with the Lord and students. I am so thankful for this time in our lives and the opportunities He has given us to serve. Although blogging has been pretty non-existent for me lately, there is still so much to share! Here is a glimpse to where I am this week...now I must go to bed - a full schedule awaits tomorrow morning!

Good night!

The Gospel in 4 Minutes

A quick and straight-forward look into "What Is the Gospel" by Southern Seminary:

What is the Gospel? from Southern Seminary on Vimeo.