KP: Family

Kristian writes:

Wow, I cannot believe that we have been in Kansas City for 3 weeks!! Time is going by so quickly. I read my children's blog entries and see where they write, "now that life is slowing down" and wonder where they are living?! Then I read as they describe accurately all that we are doing/learning and know that we may not be in the car as much as we were in Marietta, but that life has by no means 'slowed' down. It has just shifted, and it is good.

There are so many things on my heart to share but time restrictions demand that I must choose. I title this entry as 'Family'. Each of you know that if there is one thing that we are known for it is family. Both Jeff and I were raised with a significant priority being placed both on our immediate and extended family. We were raised in the wisdom that life is 'done' in the context of family. Good times, bad times, happy times, sad times, accomplishments, poor choices, holidays, vacations, church, and 'regular days' all are lived as a family. Since having our own children we have continued in that vein.

In His great wisdom, God has placed us in families. Over the years, these relationships lead us and draw us to Him. He loves us, we learn to love Him back and then we spill that love over to those we are in relationship with. What a great set up. And as we grow, He expands our family. We grow from our immediate and extended families to deepening relationship with our church family, to our cell group family, to our intercessor family, to the cell group family we shepherd (like Jeff and the 11th grade guys), to both the Middle School cell group family (for Mallory) and High School cell group family (for Ashton), and our dance family. We grow, and then...

He calls us out. Our calling is not really changed. Jeff and I have always been called to minister to families-whether to young children, youth, or couples in the context of their marriages, or even just as a way of how one family raises children just a little differently than the norm of our society. So, we have been called out. Our location and the members of some of our peripheral families are changed. But one facet of our calling is the same. Jeff and I, along with our 2 precious children, have been called to IHOP in part to minister as a family in the context of family. Jeff and I knew that part of our 'job' from the Lord as Intercessory Missionaries at IHOP would be to disciple, raise up and support in the context of family some of the students in the schools, internships, and even some of younger ones on staff. What a privilege to pour into future evangelists, preachers, worship leaders, forerunners....These young men and women are being trained in a lifestyle of night and day prayer and fasting and we have been allowed to be in this place at this time praying for them, with them, praying for the nations that will be impacted by each one. "But Lord", we cried, "how? So many of them are light years ahead of us in their theology. They are so passionate. They are truely in love with the Man Jesus, our bridegroom". We felt so inferior, so incapable. Then the compassionate words from the Lord came...when you are weak, I am strong (IICor 12:10), those I have called, I will equip (Heb 13:21)

So, we said yes, full well thinking that we would be ministering to the 18-22 year
old group. That would be logical. Our children are approaching that age range. We have found ourselves pouring out on their peers in the past. But no, that hasn't really been the case since we have been here. God is currently using us with the single 28-32 year olds. Wow! Who would have thought? Well, obviously God did. And do you know what is opening the doors to relationship? FAMILY!! These are great 'young people' from great families and God has called them out, to IHOP-KC, for this season of concecration and prepartion. They miss their families, their moms, dads, siblings, their church families. (Just like us) But we represent what they are missing because God in his infinite wisdom has called the Price FAMILY to IHOP Kansas City. Wow! They want to come over and hang out with the "old people". (Hey for a 28 year old, Jeff and I are kind of old to choose to hang out with on your evening off from the prayer room!) They want to ride in our van, with the family. (Even sitting in the backseat!) They want to come over and chop onions and make dinner with us. They want to eat at the table with family. They want to come over and play Uno. They want to hear stories about how the 4 of us all pile on top of the bed in the evening for family review of the day and what teaching struck each one or what the Lord revealed that day. They want to bounce ideas off of Jeff and I. They want to share how the Lord is teaching them. They want to ask questions of us about issues we have faced since being called as missionaries. Our experiences, our setbacks, our joys, our heartaches. Many of the guys and girls are from our Intro class but they did not necessarily come here expecting to stay for the longterm. They are seeking what they Lord has as the next thing and wondering what we have encountered in our journey.

Yes Lord, use me. May I be faithful in all that I do. I pray that I will be a blessing to others. To whom much is given, much is required. The Price family has been given much. I pray we give much and that the Lord is glorified.

On a flip side of the coin, the Price family also misses the families that we left in Marietta. But God knew. And, He is so good. So many of you have called, emailed, written. Thank you! You will never know what a blessing you are. And, God in his infinite mercy has put us into some new families as well. Our Intro class is like a big family of 50, but we care about what each one has on their hearts. Within the class we are in 4 groups and from here we break out for discussion and have our home groups. Our leaders are a wonderful couple with 2 amazing young sons! (You better study your Bible because this next generation of 5-8 year olds will put you to shame.) The girls have begun attending their Jr and Sr. high youth groups. Mallory met a sweet friend the first night who has helped to acclimate, and Ashton met a 16 year old dancer who takes class at a nearby Christian dance studio. We have even been taken in by some of the KC friends of our friends back home (Thanks Jules). Ashton has become reaquainted with some of her leaders from when she came to Awakening Teen Camp last summer. One precious lady whom we met when we were here for a week in April has adopted our family. She is always giving out much missed hugs and even brought dinner to the 6 of us when we were moving in. (4 Prices and my mom and dad) Then she took my parents to the airport on Monday morning when we had to be in class. What a blessing. Then there is precious Ashley G. I love that girl!! She gives the best hugs and always searches us out to say hi with that big beautiful Georgia grin!!! And, I have to brag...Moma Sandy you should be so proud of your Ashley. She selflessly texted Ashton and Mallory on our 3rd weekend inviting them to the movies. That was exactly what they needed! She picked them up from the prayer room, took them to see her home, took them to eat, and then went back to our house to watch a movie. God is so good.

We miss you all dearly. In the same breath we are at rest that we are right where we are supposed to be. God is good and we are so blessed.

We love you much!
Kristian