Welcome to our series, Stories: Evidences of God’s Grace During Quarantine.

Throughout this season, we’ll be featuring some our covenant members and hearing their perspectives on what the Lord is teaching them during this unique time in our history. You can find each of these stories on all of our social media platforms as well as this blog post, so stay tuned.

7.23.20 | Mr. & Mrs. Espinoza

Today, we’re highlighting covenant member Daniela Láncara Espinoza. Daniela is a newlywed and we are sad to say she’s recently moved from Norman to a city down south on I-35… Here is what she had to say about her time in quarantine:

“I rejoice I married the love of my life on Easter Sunday! I mourn that after six years of serving Christ in Oklahoma, my transition had to be so sudden.
Through it all, Frank and I are learning to hold abundant joy in one hand and tremendous lament in the other. We’re reminded that to follow Jesus means to hold these in tandem - joy with sorrow, fulfillment with loss, celebration with mourning, hope for what will be and grief for what is not.
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Romans 8:28
Also, I’m thankful for pursuing the kingdom work of longhorn-sooner reconciliation! Pray for us as we settle in Austin. ☺️”

7.13.20 | The Elliott Family

We’re continuing on with our series, Stories: Evidences of God’s Grace During Quarantine. Today, we’re featuring covenant members Jade & Micaiah Elliott and their kids, George and Renee. Here’s what they had to say about their time as a family in quarantine:

“God has been so good to us during this season. Jade has been working reduced hours and Micaiah has been working from home. With many other activities cancelled, the extra time to take care of things around the house has been relaxing. This came at a time when we were getting used to being the parents of two. Having us both around the house all the time has made the transition a lot easier. We feel like the Lord has given us an extended Sabbath to help refocus on Him. Matthew 6:26 ‘Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?’”

5.29.20 | Mr. & Mrs. Massey

This week, we’re highlighting covenant members and newlyweds Andrew & Katherine Massey. They were married less than two weeks ago! Here’s what they had to say about their wedding during this global pandemic:

“Not very many people get married during a pandemic! Our wedding looked so different from what we planned and prayed for. We wanted a large celebration with all of our family and friends, but instead we had a wedding with 15 attendees. It was very hard when we realized that not all of our family could make it, that months of planning meant nothing, and that there was nothing we could do about it. However, God was faithful in providing many blessings during this time, from a ceremony that we cherish in our hearts to a new honeymoon plan. This time has been a reminder that God is good even through the heartbreak of deferred hopes and cancelled plans. On the bright side, we are arguably experiencing the longest honeymoon ever by ourselves in Norman!“

5.22.20 | The Bellah Family

We’re continuing on with our series, Stories: Evidences of God’s Grace During Quarantine. Today, we’re featuring covenant members Jennifer & Jeremy Bellah and their kids, James, Jude, and Jake. Here’s what they had to say about their time as a family in quarantine:

“It feels like God has us in a pressure cooker. I don’t actually know how a pressure cooker works but it seems like an appropriate analogy. The last nine weeks of being homebound and homeschooling has been hands-on hard. Physically, it’s like nothing I have experienced before. Emotionally, it’s a roller coaster. Spiritually, it’s painful… as idols in my heart keep getting gutted out.
From this time however, I have seen some diamonds in the rough. Our boys do well on a schedule. They love having mom’s undivided attention. Dad is working from home and is able to take them exploring and scootering during the day when he has a break from work. We actually CAN do date nights in and connect in a meaningful way. We are way more active now. Taking walks as a family almost everyday. We talk to our neighbors who are mostly seniors living alone, and are delighted to see our kids (from a safe distance of course).
We discovered Veterans Lake, in Sulphur, Oklahoma that has been a true hidden gem for us to walk around every weekend (see picture). We are now rooted to our church, Norman, and Oklahoma more than ever before. But the most meaningful thing God is teaching me is that reliance on Him is a 24/7 thing not just when times are hard or when I am caught up in sin and need His forgiveness. The new normal is challenging in many ways but I think God is doing something in our family that could not have been done in another way.”

5.13.20 | KT Kennedy

Today, we’re highlighting covenant member and recent OU grad, KT Kennedy. Here is what she had to say about her time in quarantine:

“God has been teaching me gratitude in this far-from-normal season. I have been able to step back and recognize things I take for granted daily, like spending time with family, friends, and most importantly Him. It has also been a season of growth where I have realigned my acknowledgement of the Lord’s sovereignty and power through me! Acknowledging God as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord as my banner, has helped me overcome any trouble online school, delay of graduation, or working from home can bring!”

5.6.20 | The McMannis Family

This week the McMannis family is sharing what God is teaching each of them during their time in quarantine:

Wesley: coloring and cleaning
Carly: not to give up when things get hard
Ellie: to be patient
Raeanna: savor this time, seek the Lord’s strength and not my own
(Hebrews 12 has been good to reflect on)
Sean: as much as I try or think I am in control, ultimately the Lord is in control, also I pray that families see the good it brought them and are able to see clearer what is needed in the lives of each other once things get back to normal
"Yet, the soul, stayed on God, may sing bravely its psalm,
For the heart of the storm is the center of calm."

5.1.20 | The Price Family

This week, we’re featuring Missional Community leaders Brad and Suzie Price. Here’s what they had to say about their time as a family in quarantine:

“In our MC this week, we looked at 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 which talks about God comforting us with the comfort that we can give to others. Sometimes we feel that God brings us comfort only for our own wellbeing, but He actually wants us to become comforters of other people. During this “stay at home” time, we have tried to reach out to others. In the beginning, our focus was inward, but as time has passed, we have felt the freedom to look beyond our fear and connect with people more. We have been made more aware of those around us who may need a human contact. We’ve connected with others through phone calls, chatting with others (from a distance), sending cards, checking on neighbors, volunteering with the food bank and zooming with groups. We thank God for our health, our family, our friends and our church.”

4.27.20 | The Kunkel Family

Today, we’re highlighting covenant members and newlyweds Bryce & Shannon Kunkel. Here’s what they had to say about their time together in quarantine:

“God is teaching us so much in this unique season of life! He is showing us His provision through Bryce’s continued, steady employment, although we are having to also trust in Him as I am losing hours of work at the hospital. As newlyweds, we are continuing to adjust to living together, but in this quarantine season we’ve lost the chance to have ‘personal space,’ whether that’s through work or socializing with friends outside of the home. God has blessed us with neighbors that we can see (maintaining a social distance) and newly adopted pets that test our patience but also bring us lots of laughter throughout the day. It’s been a unique but sweet season for us.“

4.24.20 | The Robertson Family

We’re continuing on with our new series, Stories: Evidences of God’s Grace During Quarantine. Today, we’re featuring covenant members Tim & Beth Robertson and their kids, Isabella, Sophia, and Elisha. Here’s what they had to say about their time as a family in quarantine:

“2020 had a dramatic entrance for our family. Within a couple of months, my children nearly lost their father, then my husband lost his. By the time COVID came around, we were trying to find the line between re-entering “normal” life whole processing trauma. Our time in quarantine has allowed us to slow down and savor this life we have been blessed with. We have been able to map out small details that have proved to us that God is our keeper and has not left our side (Psalm 121:5). Each day is not easy, but we have learned that each day is a gift.”

4.20.20 | The Perry Family

This week, we’re featuring Missional Community leaders Sam and Jill Perry and their kids, Ryan, Beau, and Whit. Here’s what they had to say about their time as a family in quarantine:

“Some aspects of this COVID-19 season feel a bit familiar to our family already. We are no strangers to isolation, loss, grief, and all the feels that the uncertainty of cancer brings. But we also have experienced those tender waves of grace and peace that sweep over us in the quiet space of suffering/trauma. We are doing now exactly what we did then - fighting to stay present. This time our babies are a bit older and our home is buzzing with much more activity. Our introverts are needing space, our extroverts are needing zoom - it's messy and loud. But each day of quarantine, we light a candle in our home (John 8:12) to pause for just a moment - a tiny moment for a 3 year old Whit and his distracted busy family - to posture our hearts in reverence to a sovereign God and ask for his help to be a light in a dark time and to help us as we fight to stay present today!”

Stories: Evidences of God’s Grace During Quarantine