About half of our community is on Spring Break this week, with two teams heading to Destin, FL and one team heading to the Outer Banks. Which brings me to a sobering truth: life isn't fair.

I'm assuming that if you are checking your email this week, you probably aren't on Spring Break. Alas. Do you remember the good old days when that was still a thing? Whether you are fan of winter or not, I don't know too many people who like it muddy, wet, and in the 30s. It sure wouldn't be a bad time to be on the beach. But some times in life, we aren't at the beach. Whether you're navigating paperwork, office politics, a factory floor, mounds of homework, job searching, or the inside of a patient's mouth, know that the Lord sees you. Your needs matter to Him and He invites you to trust Him with what you need. He also offers us help in the form of a community to support us. So maybe you can't get away to somewhere warm and sunny this month, but perhaps you can be warmth to a friend over a cup of coffee, and they can do the same for you.

Even though it's not fair, would you please be in prayer for our Spring Break trips this week? This is a set of moments that we've seen God use in powerful ways, so we are asking Him for great things right now.

Also, if you do want Spring Break trips to stay part of your working reality, consider an internship or a residency with New Life Church. Seriously, you get paid to go on Spring Break and see God do amazing things. I just had to say it.

God bless you, friends,

Joel VanderSchel, on Behalf of the Elder & Minister Team