My front door.

Sunnie Leigh and Pierce came to visit us this summer.
We had the best time and Pierce loved to swim!

My precious grand baby, Ridge Daley Swafford. He turns one on Sept. 30, 2011.

The weather in Austin this summer was record breaking heat and drought! On this particular day it was 108 degrees. We still need rain. We have lost over 1600 homes due to wildfires in our area. Would you pray for God to have mercy on us and send rain?

Nathan Emert
Executive Director of One Chapel College

My Connect group took a mission trip to
Joplin after the devastating tornado that
struck the eastern part of the US

Jenny, a disciple of Jesus,
is a young woman in
my connect group (Bible Study)
and is now a trained Precept Leader!

It's been 9 months since we moved to Austin Texas to help with the church plant ONE Chapel. Life has been one adventure after another and we have seen the Hand of God guiding us every step of the way. Many times I would try to write about the adventure here but something would hinder me. This adventure in God has been both exciting and extremely trying. However, today I feel the freedom to briefly write about all we have seen the Lord do.

When we arrived, we lived in a campground in a refurbished 1973 camper. It happened to be one of the coldest winters on record. God does have a way of testing our obedience!

About 2 months after we camped in BEE CAVE, the Lord provided a house in a neighborhood called Plum Creek, 30 minutes south of the church office in a town called Kyle. We liked this neighborhood because they had trees and picket fences, and it was in our price range. This is where we are today.

When we arrived our Pastor, Ross Parsley, told us to take our time getting settled. First order of business was to meet our new church family and assess where the Lord would have us serve. The people of One Chapel welcomed us with open arms and the adventure began.

One of the first test we faced was the difficulty of Dale getting a job. Somehow, someway the Lord continued to provide for all of our needs. He still does! We walk by faith and not by sight! We know that God is with us and He will never forsake us or leave us . . .including providing for our every need. However, as of this month, Dale has a job! AND not your ordinary job--he is now working part time at an inner city mission in Austin called Mission Possible. What a joy to know that God has honored his desired (that God put within) and has provided something that he loves to do. We continue to depend on God for our provision--as you know, gas it expensive!

I continue to minister in pastoral care (counsel, disciple, etc), lead a connect group, and teach at One Chapel college. Our church plant of one year has grown to 660 (attendance last Sunday-- 9-18-2011)! We are amazed at what God is doing and want to make sure that the church goers are discipled and become spirit-filled followers of Jesus. Recently, the movie theater where we meet for services has become too small, so we are moving out to a new place. Grass doesn't grow under our feet yet.

My role at the college is Academic Director, however, I have made sure that the students are involved in outreach. The guys are volunteering one day a week at Mission Possible, and the girls are volunteering with me at the South Austin Pregnancy Resource Center. We are also taking an afternoon every week and prayer walking in key places in Austin. We call it Treasure Hunt, asking the Lord to lead us to the places that He desires. These students are a wonderful group of young adults and I am excited and blessed to see them grow in Christ, in His word, and in boldness for His glory. I am blessed to be able to walk along side them. Would you pray for them? They have a rigorous schedule and much to learn.

Jesus is moving in and among us. We are amazed at the work He is doing among the people here. Many times I feel like I am hanging on to the back of a truck flying down the road--flapping in the wind :). I remind myself everyday--One day at a time and Jesus is alive in me through His Spirit. His word is true and there is no better place to live than where He leads . . .this is true stewardship! And that it the Point!!