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REST

Rest.  What a seemingly simple word.  It is only four letters.  But, oh, the implications it can have on a life that actually does it!
My husband, Russell, will often say to me, “Sit down…rest.”  There’s that word again.  It’s sometimes, (I’m being a little too easy on myself), it’s often difficult for me to sit down and rest.  We homeschool our children, Will and Sidney, and this year is the first of many years to come of a lot more to do.  Me and our 2 amazing kidsWill is in eighth grade and Sidney is in third grade.  Their workloads are only increasing from here.  So, as I write this, I am looking back on yesterday – a Saturday that we were actually home and not out on the road doing ministry.  I had a terrible day because I couldn’t seem to rest. There’s that word again!
Saturdays, in my mind, were meant for catching up on the things you couldn’t get done during the week.  Well, because I homeschool, I had laundry, tons of emails to go through and send, and just the normal cleaning.  What I needed more than anything, though, was to rest.  There’s that…you get the picture.
Jesus had a few things to say about resting.  He tells us to come to Him, all who are weary and burdened and He will give us rest.  He says our souls will find rest.  He told His apostles to come away to a quiet and desolate place and rest a while because there were so many people needing them that they hadn’t even had a chance to eat!  We are to “be still and know that He is God.”  We are to rest.
I have to realize…it’s okay to rest.  Our bodies are designed to rest.  We can’t function properly without it.  Sometimes we just need a day, or even a few hours, doing things that instill joy into our lives:  playing games with our kids, watching a movie, or just napping or taking a long bath.  Maybe you haven’t just sat quietly and waited for the Lord to speak.  Tell yourself, “It’s okay to rest!”  Say it with me, “It’s okay to rest!”  One more time, “It’s okay to rest!”
Now, I wonder if your family will notice?  I think they will.  I think mine will.  When we’re rested, we can hear The Holy Spirit’s voice louder, easier. We can feel the joy that He intended for us.  I think our Heavenly Father will smile as we take time rest.
Now, can you count how many times I used the word REST?  Oh stop it…go rest!!
Kristi 🙂 

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The End or the Beginning?

I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the school year.  As a homeschool family, school is just a part of our lives…everyday, all day, we’re thinking of ways this or that can be educational.  When you think of it, everything can somehow turn into a learning experience. That’s one of the cool things about traveling like we do with our music ministry.  We can take the kids with us on a lot of the trips and they get to learn on the go…

Ft. Caswell Conference Center - Oak Island, NC

More than a chance to learn on the go is the opportunity to spend so much time with our kids.  They grow up so fast – we all know.  Homeschooling has given us a chance to connect on a different level.  As parents, we are their first teachers.  We teach them how to walk, talk, and be with others.  We hope they see in us Christ’s love.  We teach them how to show that love to each other and hopefully, as they grow, they will show it to those around them, even those who are much different than they are.
As I said earlier, I can’t believe the end of this year is almost here.  I’ll have an eighth grader and a third grader!  How did that happen!!  I’ll be glad it’s over but also, I’ll be a little sad.  I really enjoy schooling our children – as aggravating as it can get sometimes.  I enjoy seeing them learn and ‘get it’ for the first time.  I enjoy seeing Will, our oldest, teach Sidney, his younger sister – being so patient with her.  There are many things I love that I’ll miss for a while.  But the good thing is…we’re always learning and we’re always teaching.
So even though the school year is coming to an end and summer’s getting ready to begin, school – or learning – will continue, hopefully, for a lifetime!

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I recently received an email that took me by surprise in a very good way…IMG_0058

“Greetings from Canada. Last spring, my wife and kids were vacationing in Myrtle Beach and arrived very late, and somewhat dejected, one Sunday morning just in time to hear the sermon and your singing of “Hope Now” at Beach Church.

We had just left another church across town where we were turned away at the door because our kids did not want to go to the kids’ ministry. Weird experience. In any case, your singing that day was a welcome healing balm for my family. And I just soaked in the presence of our God as you sang. Thank-you for being His instrument.

I’ve had other such spiritual experiences at churches far away, often without giving thanks to the people involved. I want to change that. To our God all our praise is due, but his hands and feet need a pat on the back every now and then too, for being open to his moving.

So thank-you, and God Bless. We serve such a great God.

Barry – from Canada”

You never know what people are going through. So whatever you do, however you serve, remember that God can use you as a tool in His hands – to breathe hope, peace, love, and healing into someone’s life. People everywhere need to know the Hope that is Christ. Today, let Him use you in His most capable hands to do what only He can do in the lives of others. Who knows, someone from another country, or from the next cubicle, just might need His touch through you.

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Russell and Kristi unleash their sixth studio album, No Other Name, today – April 30th 2013!thumb

For their sixth studio album, Russell and Kristi have invested more of themselves into this project than any one preceding – and it shows. Described as “the best album yet,” No Other Name has a feel of definite worship and awe of our Creator.  Each song in the collection was carefully crafted or selected around the central theme of worship for the creator God of the universe. From beginning to end, the album examines our purpose for living – to worship God – and the many facets of God and his unending love.

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This highly anticipated album was sparked by the popularity of the previously recorded song ‘No Other Name’. A last minute addition to the 2009 release, ‘Heart Revolution’, ‘No Other Name’ quickly became a favorite at every event where Russell and Kristi led worship.

IMG_0709The entire project was recorded in the couple’s home studio, warmly nicknamed “The Swamp,” and was produced and engineered by Russell.The duo enlisted the support of their band – Mark Stanley (guitars), Doug Sturgill (bass) and James Poindexter (drums).

Russell and Kristi continue to travel sharing their music and the Hope of Christ as they lead people in worship. Their goal is to encourage the Church (God’s vehicle for redemption through Jesus Christ) and to make Him known. They have shared the stage with dozens of today’s top Christian artists and they share the conviction that God has put them together to share Christ with others through music. Russell and Kristi have also recently founded Adore Marriage, a non-profit organization to strengthen and encourage marriages and families. Get to know them for yourself and you will see that they are a match made in heaven, through their music, their marriage and their ministry.

You can find R&K’s new CD at any of the following:
www.russellandkristi.com
iTunes
GooglePlay
Amazon
CdBaby

 

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A Look At 2012 and Beyond!
We are very excited about what God has been up to! We have had a busy year in 2012, one that has been very memorable for us as a couple in ministry together and as a family. Some highlights of the year… 

In February…

We had the opportunity to go to South Korea to an international school, enabling us to minister to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders for an entire week. We had some super, one-on-one moments with students from all over the world.

 

In March…

We held our second Adore Marriage Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC, with couples from five different states in attendance. The conference tripled from our first year in 2011. We have had many wonderful comments about this weekend and are excited to see how God grows this weekend getaway for married couples.

 In June…

We traveled to New Orleans, LA to the Southern Baptist Convention. We had an opportunity to lead worship for a worship service on Sunday morning and reconnect with fellow ministers while we were there. Our son, Will, wasn’t with us this time. He got a chance to go to France and Spain with his grandparents so he chose that instead!

This year…

We decided to completely homeschool

Will and Sidney. We have been very pleased with this decision and keep reminding them

both how blessed we all are to

be able to travel together.

In October…

We held our very first Adore Marriage Cruise to the Bahamas! We had 22 couples in attendance from seven different states. We had a super time and are looking forward to next year!

 This Christmas…

We kicked off our first ever Christmas Concert Tour, making stops in South Carolina and Tennessee. One of the best parts was that Will and Sidney were a part of it! We all enjoyed ministering together as a family.

Looking Ahead…

2013 starts our 15th year of ministry together. Many of you may not know that in 2010 we started Adore Marriage. We noticed that so many marriages around us, from 2 years to 30+ years, were ending in divorce.

Was there something we

could do to help?

God began to give us a vision for a ministry that focused on creating memorable getaways for couples at economical prices. We have already had couples from 9 different states impacted by an Adore Marriage getaway! One of our goals is to pack as much value as we can into these experiences so that marriages can be strengthened and encouraged. These events include…

– Great Biblical teaching

– Worship

– Space for couples to relax, reconnect and renew

In our world today, there seems to be an all-out assault on both marriage and family. We are committed to helping couples and families fight back. By offering experiences, resources, and time away from the normal routine, we believe that couples will be more able to hear God speak and that lives, marriages, and families will be transformed.

We know that God values marriage – He created it!

The area of finances is one of the biggest issues married couples face today. We never want the cost of an Adore Ministries event to be yet another financial burden. In order to continue to see this ministry help marriages and families,

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us?

 Your gifts to Adore Marriage will help us provide the following:

– Low-cost, high-impact getaways for couples

– Scholarships for couples who would like to come but might not be able to afford it

– Resources, like emails and devotionals

– Help finding Christian counselors when needed

– Low-cost, high-impact family events

Where there are strong marriages,

there are strong families…

 Where there are strong families,

there are strong churches!

We ask for your prayers as we continue to plan and equip marriages and families. There are several ways to partner with us…

 -Prayer Support

-One-Time Gift

-Monthly Gift

-Weekly Gift

-Bi-Weekly Gift

 Please visit our website, www.adoremarriage.com and click on the donations link to find out

how you can help strengthen and encourage marriages and families across the globe with God’s love and wisdom.

We pray for God’s blessings in your life in 2013!!! Thank you for your encouragement and support as we continue to share the hope of Jesus Christ!

Russell and Kristi