Park
About to go to my last service at Park as a citizen of Chicago in this single season of my life. I say all those qualifiers in the event God brings me and Shane back to this city, in another time.
I remember more than 5 years ago going to a 5:30 p.m. service at Francis Parker’s auditorium, and for months I came and I went - without talking to a soul. I prayed for a church home. And once I finally stayed after one service and talked to people, God gave it to me tenfold. More than a church home, God showed me more of Himself, the Bible as a story not of self-help tips but as THE story of redemption and hope…for all nations. I have gone to Turkey and South Africa with this church. I have led a small group and been a part of one. I have grown through studies from Brooklyn Tabernacle to Beth Moore to John Stott to a relationship study Jess and I put together. I have seen a small Saturday prayer gathering turn into a big one. I have prayed with my small group girls on the busy intersection of state and randolph. Many laughs and prayers over brunches and Potbelly’s lunches with dear women in my life. God brought me up to Albany Park and showed me deep friendship with two women who were starting over in the U.S. from the Middle East. I have seen the faithful move of a couple people turn into something more in this neighborhood. And then I met a man in Tennessee.
I am hopeful for what this next part of life brings. I can’t wait to start it with my almost husband. As I look back on what brought me to this point, I beyond grateful for last five years. God is doing great things through Park, and I will forever love this church.
