SETTLING INTO ADVENTURE

Rachel has always had a bit of a restless soul. Growing up, her family moved around a lot and each new place brought its own set of adventures. This “on to the next thing” mentality has carried itself full-force through to her adult years. Since graduating high school she’s moved a total of 5 times: 

College Station to Bloomington to Nashville to Bloomington to Dallas to Bloomington.

Do you see the common thread there? No matter where she ran off to, she found herself forever retuning to the place she swore she would never live. Feeling embarrassed that her ever-present need for adventure couldn’t be satiated by even the most extraordinary of cities, and bracing herself for the barrage of “back again, huh?” questions from curious onlookers. The default answer to these questions has always been a noncommittal “for now,” acknowledging that while yes, she was back, she had no intention of staying. 
This past March, Rachel was offered a job that if accepted, meant committing to life in Bloomington for a while longer. After a lot of wrestling with God, and with herself, she pushed back against restlessness and fear of staying and accepted the job. 
This was an especially difficult decision for a couple of reasons. Part of her has always felt like she was meant to live a life marked by adventure, and that part did not equate adventure to life in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. There was this overwhelming feeling that if this was the place she chose to put down roots, she’d be choosing to live a lesser version of the life she wanted for herself. She felt that in some way, she’d be settling, that God couldn’t do the things here that He could do elsewhere. 

But then,

Our perfect Creator began lovingly and patiently showing Rachel that the only person limiting the work He can do here, is her. He showed her that He is not bound by location and that she allowed herself to live vulnerably, there is so much goodness that comes with being all in somewhere. He showed her that there is so much sweetness to life in this town.
For Rachel, this has been a year of saying yes more and waiting well. It turns out this is also the year for her to put down roots. This is the year that she commits to being all in, in the place she said she would never life. A year that, perhaps, will be the start of her greatest adventure.
HEAR MORE

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE TOILET

Andrew Mueller

Construction sites are no place for soft hands, or soft speech.

Most people don’t possess the skills or tools to be their own handymen. Over the years, the trades have become a lucrative career as less and less people know electricity, heating/cooling, and plumbing. It appears that there will always be a job market for those skilled with their hands.

READ MORE

A SCHOOL YOU CAN TRUST

David LaFrance

Build relationships. Make a difference.

This is what Oakland Elementary School is doing.  This public school in Bloomington is setting the pace when it comes to relationship building in education.  They know that they are entrusted with a huge privilege and responsibility.

READ MORE

THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

Joni Parker

Joni did not want to be one of our “extraordinary” stories. She is convinced that she is just an ordinary person who does an ordinary job. But Joni is extremely faithful.

READ MORE

CREATING A LEGACY

Casey Heimer

When Coach Heimer steps onto the football field, the linebackers of Normal Community’s Varsity team know the rumors.  Coach Heimer is one of the most fun and fiery coaches on the staff.  Coach Heimer loves to strategize and compete.  Coach Heimer is serious about teamwork and integrity. Coach Heimer is creating a legacy...

READ MORE

WHEN DEVIATIONS LEAD TO DESTINY

Rachel Dalton

There is not a specific moment Rachel can look back to and pinpoint the moment she came to know Jesus. Her faith was simply there, an ever present anchor that she could turn to from even her earliest days. She grew up in a Christian home, and as a little girl she thought she’d wind up on the mission field or as a teacher like her parents, and set out to work towards those goals. She learned that the best opportunity for missions is to be a doctor....

READ MORE

ALL IN

Mike Somers

Mike Somers is the son of a hardworking entrepreneur, who was a constant example of what it looked like to chase hard after your goals and make your own way. When Mike was around 12 years old there was a shift in the home when his dad came to know the Lord. He began to exemplify what it looked like to be intentional with your faith in all areas of life – work included, he was all in...

READ MORE

FAITH IN EVERY SEASON

Kristin Moore

If you asked anyone who knew Kristin 10 years ago what she would be doing today, there is no doubt that the answer would involve singing. She has a God-given gift when it comes to vocals, and from the moment she graduated high school and moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University, pursuing a career in the music industry was a no brainer.

READ MORE

WORKING TOWARDS THE END GOAL

Chase Simpsen

There was never a time when Chase had to question what hard work looked like. Some of his earliest memories are of watching his dad and grandpa not only working, but enjoying it. That love of work was ingrained in him and is something he has carried through to his own career. From watching them, he learned that if you want something, you set goals and...

READ MORE

SETTLING INTO ADVENTURE

Rachel Lovejoy

Rachel has always had a bit of a restless soul. Growing up, her family moved around a lot and each new place brought its own set of adventures. This “on to the next thing” mentality has carried itself full-force through to her adult years. Since graduating high school she’s moved a total of 5 times...

READ MORE