Lyndseycornell’s Weblog

This image of the circular, red blob barreling it’s way into the coast makes me particularly uneasy. Seeing Gustav strengthen and target its prey gives me that nerve-racking feeling in the pit of my stomach. So many lives. So many homes. So many families torn apart. I just don’t want to see it happen.

But this isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way. 3 years ago I remember asking God why in the world He wouldn’t just turn Katrina around. I was scared and confused. And 3 years ago I opened my Bible and the first place my eyes fell was to this very passage in Job Chapter 37.

“At this also my heart trembles, and leaps from its place. Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that goes out form His mouth. Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth.” After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. God thunders with His voice wondrously, doing great things which we cannot comprehend. For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth, and to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’ He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. Then the beast goes into its lair and remains in its den. Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold. From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen. Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.“

It was one of those moment in my life where there was no doubt that God had spoken to me. I realized He is in control and His ways truly are higher than my own. I believe that He is sovereign and I believe that He is good. That is all I need to know.

So today was the first day in our new facility… and yes, I finally have some pictures for you. We had over a 1,000 people today come to church. What a cool thing! We had around 750 adults and 300 kids for both services. It was so neat to feel the excitement and gratefulness today. There was just an awesome feeling in the air. I feel truly blessed to be able to be part of this church.

August 24th is a big day. For a couple of reasons.

It was the day back in 1997 that Calvary Jupiter had their first service.

11 years later (to the day) it was the first service in our new building. We didn’t even plan it like that. Only God can make sure something like that happens. (more to come on this)

And then of course it’s my brother’s birthday. 27 years ago was a very special day.

Since we had that slight little flood in our house, the scrapbook my mom made me got all wet. In my attempt to dry it out I’ve been looking through it a lot lately. On one of the pages is a letter I wrote to my brother in the first grade (my first grade spelling and grammatical errors included):

Dear, Justin. I love for a brother. I don’t want a nother brother. I like you very very very munch for a brother, your the best brother in the world. Your realy fun. And will you forgive me for the bad things Iv done to you. let’s make a deal if I be nice to you you be nice to me. Shake on it. (

So 17 years later, I still love you for a brother and don’t want another brother. I still like you very very very much and you truly are the best brother in the world. I’m pretty nice to you now and you’re pretty nice to me. But let’s make sure we make a deal and shake on it if things ever start to change.

I love you! Happy Birthday!

What a great day

Yay! After much work and long, long hours by our General Contractor (the man doesn’t sleep)… we got our Certificate of Occupancy!!!

Thank you for your prayers. We are beyond excited and are so blessed to be able to have our first Sunday in the new building on the exact date of our 11th anniversary as a church. How cool is that!???

We are so close to getting into our new building. After starting construction over a year and half ago, we are praying that our Certificate of Occupancy comes by tomorrow!

Our general contractor is going to Beijing because his sister is in the Olympics for triathlon (they are pretty much an incredible family). He leaves on Saturday so we are really praying our CO comes by Friday.

It has definitely been a journey of faith but we know that God has called us to build this new facility so we are trusting in His timing.

We are excited about the opportunity this facility will provide to reach this community. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. We just want to take the next step of faith. And faith really is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. We are hoping for that CO and we don’t see it just yet. But we do trust in God’s goodness and know He is completely under control.

Can you join us in praying for this CO? And more importantly, join us in praying for the hearts of those who need Jesus in this community.

I was thinking back today to Harrodsburg Road.

It’s one of my favorite places in the whole world.

Past the stores and shopping centers. Past the busy streets. Past the city.

And into the country.

As soon as we we would pass the last city street, I always breathed a little deeper.

I remember driving home from basketball practice many nights with my dad. Sun setting, windows down. The smell would even change once we were on that road. It smelled like open spaces. I always felt so peaceful on that part of the drive. Rolling hills and beautiful grass coupled with a sky that seemed never ending. Everything was golden. We’d talk about school or basketball. We’d listen to our favorite songs. It was my time with dad.

Or I remember riding shotgun with Justin. He’d show me all the spots him and his friends would off-road. We’d blare Dave Matthews and play air-instruments. I always felt so special that my brother wanted to spend time with me. Being four years older than me never seemed to be an issue for him. It was my time with my brother.

And of course I remember the moments with mom. Whether we were going shopping together or she was picking me up from a friend’s house, I loved the talks we had on Harrodsburg Road. Mom always knew what to say, or better yet, what not to say. It was my time with mom.

I don’t even know if the rest of my family feels the same way I do about that road. But when I think of that stretch of pavement, I am content. At peace. Fulfilled with the love of my family.

We’ve been out of town for pretty much the month of July. I can’t wrap my mind around it being August already. We arrived back from our latest excursion Wednesday night and feel like we’ve just now recovered. But that trip was pure vacation so I can’t complain.

Each year we’re going to try and reunite with three of my best friends from college and their husbands. This was our first trip. Lauren and Ryan live in Philadelphia and her mom has an awesome house at the Jersey shore. My friend Julie and her husband, John, live in the upper west side of Manhattan. So we hit all three stops in a matter of a week. My best friend, Shelley and her husband, drove down from Orlando and flew with us to NYC where we took a bus to Philly, then drove over to the shore, took a bus back to NYC from Atlantic City and spent the last 2 1/2 days in the Big Apple.

It was so great to catch up with some of my closest friends. Good friends are hard to come by. I realize that now that we’re all spread across the country.

And… I kind of hate to say it but… all of my preconceived notions of Yankees were thrown out the window. New Yorkers are so nice. Fast Pace? Yes. But so very nice! And Jersey wasn’t so bad either. It’s not Kentucky and there’s certainly nothin like that Southern charm, but it really was a great place to visit.

My paparazzi ways have not stopped so here are some pictures for your enjoyment…

3 of us girls in Philly…

This is Andrew and I on the streets of Philly…

This is the Jersey shore…

The boys…

A New York flower…

At the 9/11 memorial

The group…

On top of the Rockefeller Center…

Times Square…

Central Park…

New York Public Library