Last Updated August 31, 2010Staff Blogs

Signed P&S - one step closer...

Praise God! Today, we signed our Purchase and Sale agreement, which locks us and the sellers into the purchase of the house. Next steps include applying for our loan, getting the house appraised, securing home insurance, and closing. The closing date is currently set for June 15th.

Also, one additional prayer request: Please pray for the family who currently is renting the apartment we are moving into. They have found another (even better) apartment (praise God!), and are hoping to move in the next month. Please pray for a smooth transition for their family as they move. Also pray for peace in the relationships between them and the current owners, as they are relatives.

Offer Accepted, Keep Praying!

We are farther in the house-buying process than we've ever been! Last week, we put an offer on a house and it was accepted! It's 3-family house in good condition and close to The Boston Project's neighborhood. Now we are on vacation in South Carolina, and hope to continue the homebuying process when we get back and complete the purchase by the end of June.

The House
The house is a large 3-family house in the best condition of almost any house that we've seen in the past 15 months! Our family would live in the first floor apartment, which has 4 bedrooms, a large living/dining room area, and a kitchen that Sarah approves of :). It's a Philadelphia-style, so two of the bedrooms are on second floor, which is perfect for the boys. The other two apartments have two bedrooms each. Because of the size and layout of the house, there are many possibilities for different types of ministry and outreach that could happen in the space. The family who owned the house for the past 40 years was a foundation of the neighborhood, and we hope to continue a positive presence if we are blessed to live in this house.

The only drawback to the property is the very small yard, which is about the width of the house and extends about 25 feet in front and in back. This is a typical city yard for our area, but will be quite a change from the half-acre tree-lined yard we have had for the past seven years. The good news is that it is literally around the corner from a vacant lot that neighbors are interested in transforming into a park space, which brings us to...

The Neighborhood
This house is in a neighborhood that is "next-door" to the neighborhood where The Boston Project's original home is located on Elmhurst Street. It's just across a major boundary street, which puts it in a nearby, but different neighborhood than BP's current ministry house. However, in a way The Boston Project already has a presence in this neighborhood through the ministry of two of our board members, one of which lives across the street from the house we are hoping to buy. These two board members have been actively reaching out to young men in this neighborhood for many years, and we are excited to join them in these efforts and explore other ways we can join and expand God's work in this specific neighborhood.

The Process
This sale is a "short sale," which usually means that it's anything but short (everyone we've talked to has told us that short sales are usually long and tedious). The home is going into foreclosure, but is not yet owned by the bank. Rather than going into foreclosure and seizing the property, the bank will sometimes approve a "short sale," which means they will take less money than is owed on the house rather than get nothing at all.

Right now, we have a signed offer from the owners, an approval from the seller's bank that they will take our offer, and are hoping to sign the Purchase and Sale agreement when we return to Boston on April 12. After this, we will apply for a loan, get an appraisal done, and then try to get to the closing as quick as possible! There are several factors that still need to be worked out (see below), so we ask for your continued prayers.

How you can pray:

• Pray for the funding. We need additional money to buy this house. We are hoping to receive up to $10,000 from the City of Boston's homebuying program and the federal tax credit of $8,000. For these to happen, we need to meet certain qualifications (for city funds) and close by June 30 (for the tax credit).


• Pray for our future ministry. We already know several people on the street, including a board member of The Boston Project who is already doing outreach with young men in the neighborhood. Pray that we would be open to how God wants to use our presence to continue and expand His work in the neighborhood.


• Pray for our family. We are in for a busy few months. Ask God for a smooth transition for our boys to a new home, and that we are able to balance life in general. Joseph and Tim have been praying with us for God to provide the right house for a long time, so they are excited, too.

Family Update

Aaron is now 6 weeks old! He is doing very well, and we are thankful that he is a really happy and pretty relaxed baby. He doesn't seem to mind all the (loud) activity that usually characterizes our house - in fact, he gets more upset when it's quiet and there's nothing to look at or listen to! He loves watching Joseph and Tim play, and can now keep his eyes on them at least most of the time. He has also started to smile this week, but we haven't been able to capture one of those in a picture yet.

Joseph and Tim are doing so great with adjusting to life with Aaron. Our fears that Tim (our "mama's boy") might react to having some competition for mommy time were not fulfilled. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that all his love (which he expresses very physically with lots of hugs and kisses) can now be directed at Aaron. So usually, we're pulling him and Joseph off of Aaron so that he is not suffocated with affection (literally).

Joseph is being a great big brother, and he is such a boy now. His personality is coming through, and it's exciting to watch him start to discover and really think through new things. He is very excited about going to school, but we are still waiting to hear back from Boston Public about where he will be placed.

Sarah and I are doing well, too. Aaron's sleep schedule helps - he usually does 4-5 hour stretches at night. Sarah is also enjoying having her body back to herself, as she says, and amazes me with how much she can do in one day with three (or four) boys at her side.

Welcome, Aaron!

Aaron Coppley Riddle
February 3, 2010

We are excited to welcome Aaron into our family! He was born on February 3, 2010 at 1:03 in the afternoon. A healthy and beautiful baby, he weighs in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches long.

Aaron joins his two (very excited) big brothers, Joseph (5) and Timothy (3).

Sarah said this was the best delivery she has had, and is doing very well.

The Riddle Boys - Keith, Joseph, Aaron, and Timothy

Sarah and Aaron

Big brother Joseph and Tim are so excited!

Reflections on 2009 - Wondering...

There have been times over the past year, and especially now, where we just wonder. And not always in a good way - not the kind of wonder that says, "Wow, God is awesome, let's just sit back and watch what he does." More the kind that wonders, "What is really going on?" As I think back over the past year, I'm not sure that we've learned all that we need to yet, or that we can see how God was working. I trust that someday in the future, we will be able to look back with clear eyes and point to ways that God was leading us.

But we can't see that now. All we can see is a jumble of events that don't seem to draw any coherent picture. It's like we started doing a connect-the-dots, and instead of coming out a bunny rabbit (or house), it looks like a mess. So then I start to wonder if I have forgotten how to count, or somehow we connected the dots in the wrong order.

Doubt - in ourselves and of God - has reared its head several times in the past year, and while we fight against it with the knowledge that our God is in control, it seems that we're now just in the place of waiting on God to make the next move because we're tired of stepping out and not getting anywhere, ultimately feeling like we're making a mess of what should be a beautiful picture.

Signposts along the way
While this sounds at least a bit hopeless, I don't believe this past year has been meaningless or empty of joy. We started the year with a resounding confirmation of our calling and ministry with The Boston Project. The four-week period that spanned last new year (08-09) was signpost along our journey that provides reassurance, context, and remembrance. I still look back in amazement at the way our brothers and sisters in Christ held us up when we were immobilized.

We truly felt like the paralytic man whose friends carried him to Jesus (Matthew 9:1-7). Just when we felt God confirming that we needed to walk in a new vision of buying a house to use for ministry, we were crippled by a deficit in our support of over $4,000. We shared this with our friends, and within four weeks, were carried into the new year with not only sufficient funds, but abundance. Dozens of individuals and families gave special gifts that amounted to over $10,000.

God confirmed a calling, provided the means to make it happen, and we were jumping for joy ready to spring out of the gate. Feeling energized and inspired, we pressed hard into following this vision, looking at over 50 houses between January and May.

Not What We Expected
Then somewhere in those months, things began to change. We put in offers on three houses, all of which were turned down. By the end of the summer, the market had turned and houses were more expensive. In the fall, we put offers on three more houses, and they were all bought out from under us by cash buyers.

Our house-hunt was not going as planned, and it was starting to tire us. Looking at so many houses helped us see what was really important in a house, so we didn't look at quite as many, but still the process was wearing. I don't know too many people who have been in the buying process for over a year.

Then around Thanksgiving, several options for a ministry house seemed to open up, and we were encouraged that they were based in relationships with people in our community. It seemed more natural - maybe like something that only God could make happen. We started to think, yes, this could be it. Only in the last few weeks all of those door have been closed. We are thankful that God provides direction even through closed doors.

Not "Where", But "Who"
I think we tend to approach our faith in terms of what we accomplish with God, or how closely we follow his will (which we define as what he tells us to do). But what if it's more about how closely we walk with God, rather than where, how far, how fast, or how well we walk?

This past year, when I tried to live my faith by doing everything exactly right, I got discouraged with my progress (or lack of) and frustrated with God. Unintentionally, I've viewed God standing on a platform looking down at me, shouting directions through a bullhorn.

But that's not the picture we find in the Bible - like Micah 6:8 - "Walk humbly with your God." (emphasis mine) When I focus on simply walking with God, all the other questions and problems seem to diminish, and I can live with joy. Have you ever walked beside someone who knew where they were going, and could guide you just a slight change in direction or pace, without ever saying a word? Even though it's taken a hard year to learn this lesson (probably again), I believe God is drawing us back to this place of walking with Him, side-by-side.

How you can pray
As you pray for us, I encourage you to pray for patience, perseverance, that God would fulfill his promise in James 1:4 that "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

30 Reasons Why 30 is AWESOME!

In honor of Sarah's 30th birthday, here are 30 reasons why being 30 is awesome! Here you are, Sarah:

1. You get to check a new age group box on forms.
2. You get to say, "I remember when I was in my 20s".
3. It's a nice round easy number to remember, and you know how you are with numbers.
4. You can celebrate BIG for this birthday. I know, let's have another kid!
5. Three is the magic number. Yes it is, it's the magic number. 3 kids, 3 decades, 3 parties!
6. You're the same age as your husband, who is awesome.
7. You can join a children's book club (for your kids, of course) and order books that you really want.
8. You've almost got the toddler years behind you. Now you get to have fun watching all your friends try to keep up with their toddlers.
9. You may be turning 30, but you'll always be younger than your husband.
10. When you get carded it's a compliment instead of someone thinking you're not old enough.
11. You get to become an aunt in your 30's!
12. You get to smile when people can not believe you are 30 (like your nurse).
13. You don't have to spend more time finding out "who you are." You can now create who you want to be.
14. 5 more years and you can be President.
15. Your kids will remember what you were like in your thirties.
16. A major birthday like 30 means better presents!
17. You've known your husband for over half your life. (And he loves you twice as much as his own.)
18. You're old enough to know what's fun, and young enough to do it.
19. According to your new musical tastes, you're actually getting younger. Say, three to eight years old.
20. You have enough practice, and can now follow your dreams (with a little direction).
21. The average age for buying your first home is 34 (and you've always been above average).
22. When you were younger 30 was OLD, now 30 is young.
23. You don't have to wait for Santa to bring the gifts you want, now you can go get your own.
24. Since your husband loves you more with each passing day, logically speaking he loves you more now that you are 30 than when you were 29.
25. It's said that a woman's (ahem) drive peaks in her thirties. ;)
26. People naturally take you more seriously when you are in your 30's.
27. You get 10 more years to prepare for turning 40.
28. You no longer have to struggle to be an adult because you have years of practice.
29. Just like you do with early 20-somethings stressing about life direction, you can now be a life coach for late 20-somethings who are stressing out about getting old.
30. You are a beautiful woman with three kids who adore you, a husband that cherishes you, and are following a God that is a loving Father, just like when you were 29. Well, except for the three kids part, but you get the idea...

Potty Performance

Today was a big day in the Riddle house. I usually think it's annoying when parents share about all the little stuff that happens with their kids, but this is just funny...

Tim decided after naptime that he wanted to go to the bathroom by himself, so Sarah encouraged him and he actually did it - awesome.

Since of course you have to encourage this a lot, Sarah and Joseph cheered and clapped for him as he walked out of the bathroom. So Tim stops in the doorway, puts one hand on his stomach and one on his back, closes his eyes, and bowing low says, "Thank you, thank you."

So, you want to use your gifts?

This is the verse that hit me in the head like a 2X4 this afternoon as I reflected on the craziness of yesterday. This is a little long, but bear with me, and I promise, the end is good. :) Many of you are aware that Keith and I are on the path of purchasing a house that we believe God wants to use for ministry here in Boston. Recently Keith shared with me that he felt God leading us to more specifically solidify the purpose of this house. Immediately I wanted to run. I trusted that God would show us how to use the house when we found it, expecting the layout and location of the house would determine at least some of what our ministry would look like there. But I felt like I was stumbling in the dark as far as "formulating" a ministry purpose with no specific house in mind.

During the last two Sundays our pastor Bruce Wall has passionately spoken of the importance of knowing and understanding our spiritual gifts in order to fully step into the ministry that God has prepared for us. Now, spiritual gifts is not a new topic for us - we do gift inventories with our staff every summer to help them understand how God has equipped them, but we had never considered that our ministry purpose would be based directly upon the spiritual gifts that God has given us. It seems so simple now! So...full of excitement and ready to start forming a plan, both Keith and I re-took our spiritual gifts inventory tests (it has been several years since we have taken the test and both of us have grown up a bit, we hope :) ).

Also, yesterday we looked at another house here in our neighborhood, which we are very excited about. We were planning on discussing whether or not to make an offer after we finished the tests.

I had just completed my inventory and was printing out the gift descriptions at 10:40p.m. when our doorbell began to ring repeatedly. We weren't too worried, since we have residents upstairs who often stop by at odd hours, but I was surprised when Keith came back in with a youth that I had never met before who was very upset. We soon found out that he is one of four foster teens that live with a Christian couple across the street from us. He had run to our house in a panic after one of the other teens had stolen his new phone and threatened to kill him.

So here is the kick of my story...if you are REALLY ready to discover your gifts and use them for God, he is going to give you some practice, and often, it may not be comfortable.

As we spent over two and a half hours with this teen loving him, and trying to help him find reconciliation in this situation, the gifts that we had just been reading about took flesh. Hospitality, mercy, faith, helps, and wisdom...God used them all, and like any athlete in training, our work out left our spiritual muscles sore.

In the end, after repeated creative tries to reach the foster parents who where asleep on the third floor of their house, the police had to be called to rectify the situation. This was not our first choice, but ended up being the only option. In the process, Keith and I were in the presence of the other teen that was screaming threats, which made us uneasy. The reality is that our family has to live across the street from this boy. For me, my gift of faith kicked in. I know that the protection of my family from the world comes only from the Creator who loves the world so much that He sent His son Jesus to die for it, and He loves both of these boys just as much as me. I also believe that the safest place for my family is in the middle of God's will and purpose, even if by many people's standards, it is not "safe."

We went to bed both glad to be available to be used by God but also uncertain if any clear or happy resolution. If anything, it's more complicated and messy than before. We don't know what the future holds for either of the teenagers involved, and also are not sure how the situation will affect our friendship with our neighbors, the foster parents.

We are humbled, and count it a privilege that the awesome God of this universe would ever choose to use these "earthen vessels" for his great kingdom purposes. But it is in the moments that are scary and sometimes uncomfortable that he reminds us that the power of our gifts and our ministry is from HIM and not from us.

Keith and I ask that you continue to pray for us as we wrestle through our gifts, and seek wisdom from God about the ministry purpose of the home we believe He will give us. And also pray for us as we do prepare an offer on the house we saw last night. We are committed to following God wherever he leads. Just like the children of Israel, we will follow the cloud and the fire even if it does not take us the shortest, easiest, most scenic or comfortable route to His promise.

First Steps

Last night, Sarah and I attended an open house for Parkside Christian Academy. My favorite moment was when we visited the Kindergarten teacher, and she asked us what questions we had. As we both stared blankly back at her, I nudged Sarah and said, "You're the teacher." Her response summed up our evening with, "Well, it's very different when you're a mom!"

Joseph will start kindergarten next year (K2 in Boston), and so we have already begun the looooooooong process of looking at schools to choose from, both public and private. Yes, "choose", because in Boston, kids don't automatically go to the public school in their neighborhood, or down the street, or at their town center, like most places in America.

To go to public school, we submit an application with our first 5-10 choices. If there are more kids that want to get into a school than they can seat, we are entered into a lottery. Our chances are weighted based on your distance to the school and if there is a sibling already going there. But basically, it's the luck of the draw. Only 50% of kids get into their first choice school.

So last night, we made what will be the first of many school visits. Parkside is where Sarah taught for two years when we were first married and moved to Boston, which made it a good transition to looking at schools for our own children (a little less scary that walking into a completely new place). A lot has changed in the 5 years since she was there, but we still see the Christian community and care of the staff, and appreciate some of the new academic vision.

Please pray for us as we continue to look at schools. If we apply for Boston Public, we do so in January, so we will be busy this fall. A lot seems to be looming as we think about buying a house, enrolling Joseph, and having a third kid. I'm not sure if we've gone through a year like this yet in our marriage, so we are thankful for your prayers and encouragement.

Click here to see older posts.