New Night, New Location

It is truly amazing how fast time flies, how many people come in and out of our lives, and the change that comes upon us (and within us). After 5 years of meeting at David & Debbie's wonderful home in Newport Beach (who are some of the most incredibly loving, Christ-like hosts one will ever come upon), a new chapter of the Miller Life Group has come about. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the 5 years of Monday nights we have had at the Miller's.

When we first started the MLG, the OG (original "groupies") where the Regehrs, Millers (ALL the Millers, lil David, Hayley and Murf) and Esperos. Then we had the Norlands (pre-Bria & pre-Casi), Hogues, Bruce Erickson, Michael Gomsi, the Winnekes (Byron & Diane), Denise (I can't remember her last name) and another Dave (can't remember his name either-- I'm losin' it). There are some names I may have overlooked and I apologize-- I'm emotionally reflecting. How funny is this-- Tracey and I have seen all the Miller kids off to college! Murf to Cal Poly, Hayley to Pt. Loma, and now Lil David to Wagner in NY.

One of the memories I recall is that of Sara Baker & Josh Peary (now the Peary's) in their engagement period and preparing for their wedding and being at their lovely wedding day. They were both so incredibly beautiful on their wedding day. Josh and his mesmerizing Kiwi accent and Sara and her beautiful smile-- what a couple. I rememember seeing Sara & Josh driving away in that classic convertible from Old Hansen's Beach Club in San Clemente knowing that their lives would take them back to New Zealand (FYI, Josh, for a brother with whom I've spent only a breath of time with, you are one of my closest mates-- my Kiwi soul brother). This lovely couple radiates Christ wherever they go and they have hearts that love large.

Let's not forget Jason & Trisha Regehr before little JJ was born and going through their first pregnancy. I could see Jason trying to figure out the whole fatherhood thing while Trish was "filling out." Now they not only have JJ, but they also have James Patton!

We also were blessed to have had a young, single man named Jason Piel be a part of the MLG community. In our time with him, we discovered a deep and intimate relationship with God. He had a soul that wanted to serve Him more and surrender everything he had for the King. Jason left Orange County to move to Los Angeles and serve at the Los Angeles Dream Center, to witness to members of LA Street Gangs and prostitutes (check out http://www.dreamcenter.org/).

Then there was another young couple, Jason Cronin and Amber Stout (now the Cronin's) who had incredible music and vocal talents. Who knew that Amber's soft, conversational voice could sing as powerfully and beautiful as waves hitting an ocean shore? The MLG got to share in their wedding day at the Japanese Gardens in Long Beach and hear them perform an opera together for the first time as a married couple.

Then we had this loving young couple named Mindy and Cory. This couple embodies joyful, playful love as God intended. Their hearts are of pure gold and deeply missed. One of the most spirit-filled nights involved ministering to the Nacke's not only because we had all had the opportunity to act as Jesus' hands, but also because we did it as a community of Christ followers. Tracey and I got to spend a few nights with them before the RH Easter 2005 Celebration (you know the one when the power went out) because Dance Team rehearsals. It was cold in that big, white tent at night that's for sure. You would see Cory, Mindy and their lil pup, Samwell hanging out in the chairs during rehearsals.

But even as these people left more wonderful people filled their places. The Womacks (now up in NorCal), the Kennedys, the Greenhills, the Harvilles and the Simmons, and they have been all an immeasurable blessing to the MLG.

Why do I share all this with you? Because I want everyone to see that we, as a community of followers of Jesus have done what Dietrich Bonhoeffer (one of my favorite Christian authors) calls "Life Together." We've been through peaks and valleys, celebrations and sadness-- all under the banner of Christian fellowship. At times I wondered how God would make us all "fit", but as I reflect He did a wonderful work in doing so. Was it according to my plan? No way! If it was there would be a bunch of self-centered, Robert-clones saying what I would want them to say to make me feel like I could do this life alone, but of course, God did have something to say because He brought us all together to work out our "edges", encourage each other, love one another and to in essence, live out "Life Together."

I want to thank the Millers for their gift of hospitality, leadership and servanthood this last 5 years. They graciously opened up their home for one purpose-- that all of us could experience Jesus in community-- to do LIFE TOGETHER. Now let us continue this on Thursday nights in Costa Mesa @ the Espero's!

Seeking the heavenly country (Heb 11:16),
Robert Espero

P.S. Please feel free to add your memories to this blog or email me and I'll post them for you!