The Cox Chronicles - Spring 2010
Changes…..Changes…..Changes
Roadside Rest
This winter has been an emotional and spiritual rollercoaster for our family. Sometimes the greatest threat to our perceived stability is not the change itself, but the potential of it. We were constantly reminded to evaluate the foundation that we stand on daily. It’s during the storms or changes of life that we are reminded about how well we have invested in this foundation. Many changes have happened in the staff here at MMR. Staff changes are a common event in ministries, but we were reminded of the dynamic of our staff, who have become more like family over the years. Each individual contributes so uniquely to the ministry that it is humbling to see how the Body of Christ functions when you stop to notice. Strengths and weaknesses balance out each other. Temperaments and gifts bless each other through encouragement and also accountability. What a blessing it is to know that should we stumble, there are those who love us enough to confront us, even when risking rejection. We can truly say that we have felt the love and challenge from those around us as we forge ahead into what seems like a great unknown. In March of this year, our Executive Director, Lew Sterrett, resigned his position after 32 years in leadership. Lew and Melodie will continue with their Sermon on the Mount ministry as well as Leaders by Heart and Coaching for Life from their base in
SPRING IS HERE!
The coming of spring at the Ranch can always be characterized by one word; mud! Our home is surrounded by dirt as an unfinished part of having a construction project. One of our neighbor kids even lost her boot in our driveway. In that same week, Emily, our 6 year old, got herself stuck so firmly that when Hannah pulled her from the mud, she came out barefoot. Mud boots take on a whole new level of responsibility here. There is something to be said however about the appreciation for the smell of dirt after a long and cold winter. We find gratefulness in even the smallest (and messiest) signs of spring when it has been long in coming. Our students are currently on spring break, and their return will signify the wrapping up of the last classes, the final round of monthly grading projects, and their transitioning into their summer positions of responsibility. For the staff, it is an interesting time of preparing them for a season that many have never witnessed before. Summer is the testing ground for all that they have been learning throughout the year. It’s that time of year when we remind them that they are asked to give everything of themselves for His glory. How often I am reminded of this very thing myself. I go through seasons in my life of handing everything over to God, but then quietly, one piece at a time, I sneak things back from Him. When crisis hits, I am exposed in my thievery. I have dedicated my children and husband into the hands of the Lord many times. He can certainly take far better care of them than I can. Yesterday, Jonathan snuck past us, worked the basement door open, then got on his John Deere four-wheeler and went for the ride of his life. (It was very calculated.) You can only imagine what went through my head as I heard the noise of plastic crashing down the stairs and seeing my little man at the bottom crying. He bounced back within minutes with barely a scratch on him, but that night we kept vigil over him, waking him hourly, and worrying about an unseen head injury. The Lord saw fit in His mercy to spare him much injury. (He attempted to repeat the stunt the next morning, only we had locked the door.) But as I lay there all night worrying about him, I was reminded that I had taken him back off that altar that I had placed him on. He is our gift from the Lord, for how long I know not, and if this is any indication to his dare devil temperament, we will have many more opportunities to be reminded that He is ultimately God’s child.
As the weather grows warmer I am encouraged to get outdoors and focus on yard work, but am occasionally thwarted by the rain (or even snow this last weekend). But I am reminded that even the showers serve a purpose. Here are just a few drops of our showers of blessings. Praise God for His goodness!
- Recovery from cold and flu season.
- A gentleman who repaired my washer twice and I only had to pay for 1 part, no labor.
- Safety through multiple travels.
- Experiencing the unity of believers here through times of crisis.
- A warm house through the cold winter.
- Foals being born in the field right outside our home.
- Students hanging out at the house fellowshipping.
- A safe trip to my brother’s for Easter (in
- An unexpected visit from an old friend.
- The opportunity to teach classes to the students and share our heart with them.
- Donations of clothes for the girls and Jonathan.
- Donation of a new dishwasher. It was a Surprise!
- Our Suburban getting us through another winter.
Hannah: Spring finds Hannah working part time as a babysitter for a couple who prepare taxes for others. This, along with school, keeps her hopping. She’s 15 years old now and hopes to help out in multiple departments this summer, especially the horse barns and critter corral.
Megan: Busy with friends, drawing, and finishing school for the year, Megan looks forward to hopefully volunteering with the Buckboard store this summer as well as attending the new Wilderness Camp for girls. She’s 13 now and loved being a part of the teen snow retreats this past winter. It’s hard to believe I now have 2 teenagers in the house.
Emily: Emily is 6 years old and completing 1st grade this year. She is usually found playing with her brother and keeping him out of trouble. (Or getting into trouble with him). She’ll be 7 this summer and is looking forward to another opportunity to attend Buckaroo Camp and swim in the camp pool.
Jonathan: Besides the normal shenanigans that we find Jonathan getting into, he brings our family much laughter and snuggles. He is great at giving hugs and sloppy kisses. He’s a real entertainer for his sisters and they are teaching him lots of tricks in turn. Jonathan will turn 2 on May 27th. He is looking forward to long days of being outdoors and many opportunities for exploration this summer. (I think I’m going to need a tracking device).
Matt & Jenni: This next week will see us ending teaching our classes for the spring semester. We greatly enjoy this opportunity to get to know the students better through the discussions that happen both in and out of class. Our home stays busy with students popping in and out for counsel, or just a place to relax. Hoping to have a dull summer lacking physical calamity, Matt’s calendar is rapidly filling with speaking engagements and meetings. As we walk through this time of transition, pray for wisdom and guidance for all the staff. We look forward to many opportunities to minister through conventions, parades, and other local (and not so local) outreaches. Please pray for our family as well as we transition into this new position and the responsibilities that it holds. May God equip us for all that He has called us to, and may we humbly walk daily in obedience to Him.
“Thank You” seems like an insufficient way to express our gratitude toward all who have supported us through prayers and support. During many times of struggle through the winter, we were so blessed to receive short emails or notes saying that God had laid our family on the hearts of others. It is so humbling to know that God placed us in their thoughts even when we weren’t sure how to pray ourselves. The ministry here is truly a picture of the body of Christ at work, not merely in the staff, but in those who hold up each of the staff in support, who have invested in our buildings, or have made it possible to send a child to camp that couldn’t afford it. Not a single detail happens that hasn’t been caused by or affected by the contributions of so many unseen individuals, and of course, the steady and faithful hand of God. We praise God for His goodness and thank you for your sacrifice and encouragement to help make this ministry possible.
–In His care, Matt, Jenni, Hannah,
Prayer and Other Needs:
- A Horse Trailer for the Ranch
- A sermon horse for Matt
- Laptop for personal use for meetings and traveling.
- Personal Truck with towing capabilities to do sermons with horses at other facilities.
- Financial support
- Money for glasses and dental work
- Safety in travel through the spring and summer.
- For Matt’s foot as he has a bone spur on his heel that may require surgery.
- For wisdom and discernment in ministering to others, raising our children, and walking daily with the Lord.
Matt and Jenni Cox
(814) 664-7673
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