June 2012

News From Ryan and Noleen Thurman

Dear Ryan, Hello FRIENDS...it's me Noleen! I am making Ryan do the dishes so I can write to say a quick hello to all you lovely people, oh wait, he usually does the dishes anyways.   :)   We are all doing very well these days. Summer has been in full swing for almost a month now. Having all 4 little people at home full time is always a challenge, but God has been good to us. We have entered into a slower season as a family which has been WONDERFUL and much needed. A2J is in its slower Summer rhythm, as well as the youth at church, so Ryan is preparing to enter a short sabbatical break after almost 10 years of full time ministry.  We have been blessed to spend time up in Payson already in June, and will have more extended time in July to really "unplug" from our fast pace life and enjoy being together as a family.   I am in a season that has been ebbing and flowing for me personally. Being  a full time mother of 4 young children, with a husband who has been trying to balance three different ministry jobs, and living in an intentional community where we are 'on' all the time, all the while desiring to be more involved in our ministry, but not always having the capacity...Don't get me wrong it is amazing but it has its challenges. I too am looking forward to more time of rest coming in July to just be. Be still. Be energized in the outdoors. Be playful. Be more intentional with our children and marriage. Be quiet. Be joyful. Be a family. Be with God. And I am sure I could sit here longer and write much more, but I won't take up too much of your precious time.   We love each and everyone of you dearly, and are beyond grateful for you in our lives! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules to love and support us.   Love,  Noleen A2J Prayer House & Community Garden  in the heart of downtown Phoenix   The Vision   A Movement & Way of Life with Jesus:  Calling people to a life of discipleship & mission  Our Mission     is to  start and support intentional discipleship  communities networked here locally  and around the world A2J Memorial Retreat click here to see more photos We had a powerful time connecting; there were about 75 of us who came to seek the Lord together celebrating all He has done the past 4 years and also dream our futures together. It was a reunion for some who are now living out of state and it was also a time where new friends connected.  We believe this will become a yearly event for us as we continue to grow as a community, network, and movement.   click here to see another album A2J City-Wide Week of Prayer -July 15-21 Next month the A2J interns and a team they have built are facilitating a week of prayer for the city.  To offer up your own prayer for our city please click here. Click below to watch a short video explaining the vision for the week