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Rhodes To Anywhere

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Rhodes to Anywhere – Here We Go!

03 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by kimrhodes in Family, life, mission

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Atlanta, Grace Fellowship, Pawley’s Island

Dear Family and Friends,

A while back we decided to change the name of our family blog from “Fingerprints on My Walls” to “Rhodes to Anywhere.” We did this because we wanted to talk more about being a Family on Mission and what being a Family on Mission might look like—using both our family’s successes and failures to share our journey and encourage others. While Kim had used “Fingerprints on My Walls” as a site to communicate her personal place of expression for our family’s experiences (and she was amazing at articulating that), we wanted the site to evolve into a place that began to express the family journey for both of us and our kids.  (Let’s just say that getting that dream to move from pen to paper is still a work in progress as you might be able to tell from the lack of posts.)

What we had no idea of though, at the time, is that this change of name would be accompanied by a change of physical location of where we lived. While we sensed that an ongoing shift or evolution for our family communication and mission was happening, our physical home in Pawley’s Island was to a large degree an assumed staple of life. For three years now Pawley’s Island has functioned as both a learning and sending center and (quite honestly) a heart home of family and friends. God has provided so many friendships, partnerships and so much opportunity that even though we knew we would travel to many places serving others, we believed Pawley’s Island would be the place that we would orbit from.

That is why in some sense we are surprised, excited and a bit sad to announce that we are MOVING TO ATLANTA!

Every day seems to unlock a variety of emotions in us. And often we still struggle to find the right words to adequately describe what is happening in our hearts. So, with that said we would like to do our best to let you in on a little bit of this journey. In doing so, we thought it might be easiest to talk about this journey in three ways. We want to share about where we are going, where we are leaving, and the journey between the two along the way.

Where are we going? We are Moving To Atlanta GA, Snellville to be exact:

map_of_snellville_ga
Living as a Family on Mission for so much of our life has created a certain lens by which our family looks to the future. We ask first, “Who should we do life with?” and then “What Kingdom opportunity is a part of that?” 

With that said, the city of Atlanta and the surrounding area, has long been a location for some of the people that are part of our missional family. Central to that group of people has been a church family named Grace Fellowship. Many of you, have heard of Grace Fellowship and some of the incredible things that God is doing here. 

We have long been a fan of Grace–both investing in some of their incredible group of leaders from afar and doing our best to champion this vibrant community of faith in letting others know what God has been doing through them. Specifically, Grace Fellowship has been a place that is leading their community to reach and disciple the NEXT GENERATION, to create a CULTURE OF WORSHIP LEADERS, and to forge a local and global MISSION IN REACHING NEIGHBORHOODS and NATIONS, especially among Muslims.

In short, Grace Fellowship is a community that we have been impacted by and have had the honor to invest in for many years.

That is why our family is incredibly excited and honored to join this team as a continued evolution to this ongoing conversation. With a growing number of campuses that have discipled into the City, the Suburbs, Small Towns and College Campuses, we believe Grace is strategically positioned to continue to be both a formidable force for the Kingdom of God in the Atlanta area as well as a training center for leaders from all over the country.

Our role and responsibilities will revolve around these two things. As Pastor of Discipleship and Movement Initiatives both Kim and I look forward to investing in the Grace Community to help make more disciples that become missional leaders. But just as much, we will also be committed to helping lead teams from Grace to teach and train other leaders in other churches and organizations globally in what we all have learned and are discovering on the ground together.

Where we are Leaving?  Leaving Pawley’s Island 
Like we said earlier, the past few years in Pawley’s Island have provided us both an opportunity to partner with many US and global leaders as well as a local missional family to do life and faith with. The principle agent of this missional gathering of leaders was 3DM. But joining 3DM was not our first venture into this kind of life. As co-founders of Wayfarer, creating missional family has long been a central part of our DNA. It’s a way of life that we have learned from many and no doubt have learned a whole lot more about these past three years. 

Three years ago, our family along with the Reichley family (long-time partners in missional family life) loaded up everything we owned and merged Wayfarer with 3DM. The Berg family followed shortly there after. During our time here, these two missional families (3DM and Wayfarer) have become one. Together we have had the privilege of not just seeing God do an amazing work of the Kingdom but also shared in the every day covenantal life and laughter of becoming one team. Wayfarer took on the 3DM family name and the Reichleys, Bergs and Rhodes became part of the larger 3DM team.

For our part, invited in as partners in this 3DM work, we first joined the team as Director of Learning Communities and then later took on the responsibility of becoming the US Team Leaders. So much of our everyday life has been devoted to creating content, training leaders, and transforming culture through joined mission—long time life callings that we have and will continue to enjoy. 

In the process we were also introduced to a vibrant larger community of people that called Pawleys Island home. Pawley’s Island Community Church, Heritage Plantation (our neighborhood) and so many new friendships created a heart home for our family that we have treasured and will always hold close. So many great people and memories will hang in the forefronts of our heart and minds. That is why our departure makes us sad.

We will always be thankful for the family we found here:

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The Journey Between the Two:  From Pawley’s to Atlanta
The journey from Pawleys to Atlanta brings some shifts, both in our day to day life and our relationships. First, as you can imagine, Atlanta will become our new center of training. Joined with some incredible leaders already on the ground (and more to follow we are sure), Grace Fellowship will provide a local context of ministry that we look forward to serving at and engaging in. Getting the chance to focus our energy in a local church setting we believe will only help us be more effective in discipling leaders in other contexts from all walks of life.

Second, both us, the Reichleys and other team will be using this next season to invest further in Wayfarer. We hope to continue to establish the Wayfarer family and the ministries on-going investment in the next generation of students and families beyond it’s current reach.

Finally, we will also be taking this next season to partner with other leaders and initiatives in the things we have helped develop and learned as part of the 3DM team. New opportunities of partnership with people like Aaron Keyes and his team at 10,000 Fathers and Will Mancini and the team at Auxano among others, we believe will help us further invest in the broad kingdom of God initiatives that serve the church and it’s leaders in fantastic ways. We look forward to this next season of blossoming partnership!

Staying Connected
If you are reading this blog it is most likely because you are part of our biological or missional family, are a family friend, are part of the future work we are called to or because you have been a partner in the work that we have been a part of in the past.  As with all transitions, the hardest part will be staying connected. And that is why we wanted to put this post out now. Know that we want to stay connected to you in this transition. We want to serve you, host you, walk beside you, partner with you and imagine the future together. We believe that the best days of life and ministry are in front of us. And we honestly know if that is the case that it is because your presence has been and we hope will be a signpost to the presence of God in our lives.

You can find us both here on our Family blog at rhodestoanywhere.com and by emailing us at these new email addresses:
Dave: dave@gfc.tv
Kim: kim@gfc.tv

Specific Prayer Requests for our Family:

  • That our house would sell quickly and we would be able to fully transition to Atlanta.
  • For our kids in this move and all that means for them leaving Pawleys Island and establishing in Atlanta.
  • That our family would continue to honor our past while engaging our future and we would do this well.

Once again, thank you so much for believing in us through the years, for championing the call of God in our lives, for calling us your friend and family and mostly for just being present with us. We can’t wait to discover the future with you! 

In Christ,
Dave, Kim, Emma, Izzie and Frankie

Rhodes Family Picture

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What you’ve missed

14 Monday Jun 2010

Posted by kimrhodes in Adoption, Dave, Emma, Family, Frankie, Friends, haiti, Journey, life, mission, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Camp, Haiti, life, Ministry, Parenting

Oh my.  Yes it has been that long.  So instead of taking a month to blog about it, here is what you have missed…

  • We are full on in camp.  Dave is with Student Life this week and Rush of Fools at Wake Forest University.  I’m wishing I was there.  Emma’s with him.  I don’t think she slept last night dreaming of camp.
  • Wayfarer camp.  Week one was a great success.  It’s amazing what a group of people and can accomplish when you work together.  Loved being a team. Met some great new people.
  • Talking about camp.  I thought I’d figured out a way to never do housing or connect groups again.  No such luck.  Housing was fun and I’m busy into housing this week for our next Wayfarer Camp next week at Anderson University.
  • Loved knowing Dave and Reichley were able to catch up with 3DM.  I was sad I missed them.  We are always blown away after having any conversation with them.
  • Emma lost her front tooth last night.  She looks hilarious!  I’m happy but sad at the same time.  They are growing up way to fast.
  • Talking about growing up and making some major decisions…  we heard Sam Norris was baptised Sunday.  So proud of that little man and his life.  Brings much joy to my heart.
  • Trying to figure out a way that our family can start hosting people in our home.  No clear pictures yet on how that will happen but it’s exciting.  Just need a few more bedrooms.
  • Frankie is IN LOVE with his daddy.  A wonderful but not so good thing when daddy is gone all summer.  He had a 1 hr cry fest on his way home from camp missing him.
  • Talking about camp, Frankie seemed to enjoy his first experience.  Not too sure of the  loud music or why daddy was on a stage but hey… he’ll figure it out sooner than later.
  • Izzie won’t stop talking.  She wakes up talking and goes to bed talking.  She is having a hard time with her “r” sounds so she is constantly cracking me up.
  • Playing tennis in 95 degree heat is probably not a smart thing to do in the heat of the day. But I’m still so in love with the game.  It keeps getting better.
  • Hot Hot Hot.  If you live in the South then you know what I’m talking about.
  • Pool time is a regular for us.  The kids would spend hours there if I would let them.
  • Excited about some new adventures with this company.  Can’t wait to share more soon.
  • I know a celebrity!  Kristen from Rage Against the Mini Van and adoptive mom and friend is heading to NY Tuesday  to be on the View this Friday I think.  She’ll be talking about blogging and adoption some of my favorite things.
  • Blogging, oh how I love you.  Check out my new blog title in case you missed it.  So long Chapter Two.  Hoping for good things in store for Fingerprints on my Walls.  There is a purpose for the title as the next few years unfold.
  • I’m missing Haiti.  My heart thinks of it everyday.
  • I miss my Haiti connection friends in Houston, Tampa, Austin,  Little Rock and PA and CA and MI.  Why can’t we all live in the same town!  I guess I’m really thankful for blogging and facebook.
  • Some people in the Wayfarer Family are expecting…  Finally!  Will be good to have more babies running around soon.
  • Tried the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and well, it was too spicy for me.  Dave Loves it.
  • Thankful to DVR Toy Story for the kids.  Finally some “boy” themes instead of princess around here.
  • Everyone keeps talking about their beach trips. Would give anything to take off my shoes and go for a stroll.
  • I’m making rice crispy treats for a shower tomorrow night… I’ve never made them before.  Lame I know.  I’m thinking I’ll just buy them!

Blessings Friends.  I’m back at it once again.

What are you doing today?

02 Monday Mar 2009

Posted by kimrhodes in Family

≈ 2 Comments

It snowed here last night.  I grew up in the North so I really forget the impact it has on the little ones.  7am this morning and they were begging to get outside.  Emma is still out there.  We have not had a snow like this in SC for a long time.  It’s going to be a fun day.  Dave made it in from TX late last night.  His car is still at the airport since it was covered in ice and snow.  But we are glad daddy is home for today to enjoy a great SNOW DAY!

Someone’s Missing

21 Saturday Feb 2009

Posted by kimrhodes in Adoption, Family, Frankie

≈ Leave a comment

girls-night-out

We had a fun night last night.  The girls and I went with G-ma and Kayleigh to walk around the mall.  It’s been a LONG time since I’ve stepped foot inside a mall with girls in tote.  They were wonderful and the best thing is that we walked out with nothing and everyone was happy.   But the whole evening I kept thinking to myself…. someone is missing… I was often thinking about Frankie.  I think about him all the time but some days more than others.  Last night just was one of those nights.  We’ll have a fun family night and there is a space in our lives where it’s just not complete.

I follow A LOT of adoption blogs.  I have found such wonderful blog community with other families who are in an adoption proceess through Haiti and are as like we are, in the waiting…  I thought it was interesting as I looked at the titles of their latest posts this morning….. It’s just good to know that we are not alone.  That we are all in this together.

  • I could not resist
  • I want to cry and scream
  • Adoption Update
  • Journey of love makes my day
  • What people see but often miss
  • Attempting to be proactive
  • Haitian Carnival
  • Grace
  • Breath of Life
  • This is Hard
  • Friends to Journey with

Needless to say I find much comfort and rest in the story’s of others journey’s.  It really brings out a range of emotions for people.  I’m waiting for an update this week on where our files are at and what is currenlty happening.  No news is always good news.  In three months it will be May and May is the month that ignited this adoption process for us.  I really can’t believe it’s coming up on a year of the beginning of this journey in our lives.

I miss you dearly Frankie….  Wish I could be in the same room with you right now and tell you for the millionth time that Mamma loves you.  And in our waiting to do life together I pray for you that your days would be filled with so much happiness and love and that our hearts would be given daily peace as we wait for the unknown process that we walk day to day.

Happy Valentines Day

14 Saturday Feb 2009

Posted by kimrhodes in Family

≈ 1 Comment

valentine-blog-post

Happy Valentines Day!  We had a great time celebrating this past Thursday.  Dave left us notes inviting us for a night out.  He greeted us home from work with a rose for everyone.  He took us to Chucky Cheese for dinner and family fun and then got the girls their own putters for a family fun night of putting in the house.  And he got this mom a big surprise.  It was a piece of furniture to put our TV on.  It replaced our one from K-mart that well, was falling apart. I’m a deal person just so happens we got the last one left and it was used as the display so needless to say we got them to majorly mark it down walked away with a steal and a major blessing. 

So, what did or are you doing for valentines?  I hope everyone has a wonderful day today.

Girls Weekend

08 Sunday Feb 2009

Posted by kimrhodes in Family, Girl Time

≈ 3 Comments

We have had a lot of them and have many more to come these next few months.  Sure it’s not the same when dad is gone and we would give anything to have family weekends but I’m realizing the joy of a girls only weekend.  These past two weekends the girls and I have had such fun together.  Things that if dad were here… well he may not let us have gone on long with any of our plans…..

  • Driving in the car with the windows down screaming and singing along to the HS Musical latest soundtrack.
  • Shopping with fluffy and bunny in tote
  • Free dinner walking around Costco
  • Girl Movie Nights… For Izzie, she picks Barnie or Strawberry Shortcake.  Emma, she picks the latest American Girl Movie, and mom get’s in her chick flick viewing for the weekend.
  • Trips to the park
  • Waking up in the morning with our crazy hair.

We do miss you daddy.  Can’t wait to see you tonight!

girls

girls-001

And yes to remain true to my girls weekend, here is a picture of me as well.  I never said it was not rough on the single mom!  I look like this most weekends Dave is gone!  No comments please.

girls-003

Farmer Izzie’s Party

15 Saturday Nov 2008

Posted by kimrhodes in Family, Izzie

≈ 3 Comments

We celebrated Izzie’s b-day today with all here “little” friends.  She’s really into any type of animal so we had a farm theme going on.  We had a great time.  Here are some moments from today.  Happy birthday sweet Izzie.  I can’t believe you are 2! 

invite2

family

izzie-b-day

group-shot

02 Sunday Nov 2008

Posted by kimrhodes in Family

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I have a lot to catch up on. Here are a few bullets that all deserve a post here soon.

 – We have been in Florida this weekend. Dave’s parents are moving to Spartanburg, SC.  Yes that is correct.  His dad is coming on staff at Spartanburg Community Church.  Today was his last Sunday in FL and at his church here.  (Some blogs coming on that soon)

 – That means that yesterday was our farewell visit to Disney.  They have season passes and family who works for Disney so each time we come to FL we always go to Disney for free for the Day.  (Thanks John) Emma has been there too many times to count.  She is Disney obsessed.  Izzie, well poor Izzie.. she’ll never know what she missed.  Yesterday was stellar.  Emma rode tower of terror and then we took Disney my storm.  We did it all and ended it with the famous fireworks.  We are exhausted.  But glad for the one last hurrah.

Izzie HATED the characters.  She’s not truly a Disney fan yet.  Here is Emma and my sister in law Kayleigh.

And here we all are with sweet little Minnie!

We Could Use Your Help

05 Sunday Oct 2008

Posted by kimrhodes in Adoption, Family, mission

≈ 2 Comments

Many of you have been following our adoption journey on my blog or on Frankies site and know that we are about to be sending our dossier to Haiti in the next week.  Sending that dossier is the first major step in our financial commitment to bring Frankie to our home.  In trying to meet that step we are applying for grants, interest free loans, making personal sacrifice as a family and now also asking for your help.  To be honest this is tough for us.  Both Dave and I are somewhat private people and we don’t like to impose our private needs on other people’s lives. And yet we are also largely community people who believe in investing in the lives of others and inviting others invest in our lives. 

With that said, many of you that are reading this blog are part of that community.  Some are more intimately connected to that journey than others but all still helping us write our story with our lives.  And so we want to let you know as authentically as possible that we could use your help.   We know there is more than one way that you have and will contribute to this journey.  Many of you have been such a huge encouragement already with your words.  Many of you have been praying for us since we started this process.  Already many of you have told us how you would like to help financially and now we feel we need to open that opportunity up to you.  So from two indirect people this is our indirectly direct way of saying that honestly we could really use your financial help.

Again, this is not something that we want you to feel any pressure or obligation to do. We know that times economically are tight and even a little scary right now. We understand that every dollar is a precious decision of how it is best used. And we know that many of you have your own needs in the journey that God has called you to. However,  this is simply one way that we are continuing to invite you in to our journey.  So, Dave and I are very humbly asking if you would consider partnering with us financially in our journey to bring Frankie to be a part of our family. We estimate the total journey to be between $13-16,000.00. This first step is roughly half of that investment. Because both of us work for Wayfarer, Wayfarer has generously allowed our family to set up an account through them so that anyone who wants to give to this journey will be able to receive a tax write off for your contribution.

Two Ways to Give:
1. Donate on line through Paypal


2. Send a Check to Wayfarer.
Make Check out to Wayfarer and note that it is for the Rhodes Family Adoption Fund.
Mail to:
Wayfarer
Attn: Rhodes Family Adoption Fund.
116 Hidden Hill Rd
Spartanburg, SC 29301

Thanks for letting us share with you.  Please keep coming back to my blog or Frankies for updates.  We appreciate each and everyone of you.

Kim and Dave

Adoption Process Update

28 Thursday Aug 2008

Posted by kimrhodes in Adoption, Family, haiti

≈ 1 Comment

With being excited about our family vacation there are other things going on around our home that are exciting as well.  I am hoping to finish up some things on our end so we can make some really wonderful announcements concerning our adoption process.   We do have a referral on a little boy and I can’t wait to tell you all about him and the wonderful way our lives have intersected.   We’ve known about him for a while now but have been waiting on getting all of his information in hand.  So that official announcement is coming soon with all the details and even a blog where you’ll be able to follow our adoption journey.  We are thrilled and excited and love being on this journey.  Thanks for all of your support.  We are in the final stages of our dossier as well and I should be able to send it to Haiti in the next 4 weeks.

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