Author Archives: Carissa Kerstetter

Kerstetter Chronicles: October

     It’s a damp, chilly night in the Windy City, but we’re keeping warm inside with steaming mugs of spiced apple cider. As I contemplate the high points of the past month, BJ is digging into his notes from our Modern Israel class to prepare for the midterm. It is an understatement to say that we are learning a lot, and that God is growing us immensely. Time is passing quickly here, so that it’s hard to believe it has already been a month since our last letter to you. But so much has happened that I am hard pressed to sum it all up. So, here’s the important stuff. 

Over the last month,

  • We celebrated the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jared & Danika Delello! October 11 was a blessed and joyful day, and we could not have been more happy to be a part of it. We are so excited for Jared & Danika, and can’t wait to see how the Lord will use their life together for His glory.
  • Wedding weekend in Wisconsin was immediately followed by Moody Missions Conference. It was a busy and really exciting week for us, because we had the privilege of spending time with our friends Shmueli and Robynne, staff with Chosen People Ministries, who both work in different ways with the Israeli backpacker community. We got the chance to learn more about Chosen People Ministries at large, as well as get a better idea of Shmueli’s plans for hostel ministry with Israeli backpackers in Brazil. We are extremely excited about this ministry, and would love to be a part of it. Please be praying with us as we continue to seek God’s direction for us in Jewish ministry.
  • In an effort to become more familiar with Chosen People Ministries (CPM), and gain valuable cultural and practical ministry experience, we have applied to go with CPM on their Outreach Israel trip this summer. The trip would also qualify as BJ’s internship, required for graduation from Moody. Total costs for both of us to go amount to about $9,000. For us it seems like an impossible sum, but our God does the impossible every day, so we know He can provide!
  • Following Missions Conference, we returned to Wisconsin for family time, doctor appointments, and a visit to our home assembly, Wauwatosa Bible Chapel. It was such a blessing to spend time with family, and our family in Wauwatosa!
  • Praise! God provided the rest of the money for us to go to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in January for a new and promising treatment for Carissa’s Lyme’s Disease. Several of our friends have seen radical improvement after this treatment, so we are hopeful. Although we know that no treatment works for everyone, and God has not promised physical healing in this life, it is so encouraging to see that He definitely has a plan and this treatment is clearly part of it.
  • Prayer Request – While we were last in Wisconsin, Carissa had some new tests run to check for heavy metal toxicity and detox related issues. The results could possibly affect our plans for treatment in January. Please pray that we will be able to go ahead with the Lyme treatment as planned, and that Carissa’s body will be fully prepared to handle the intense detox that follows.
  • Praise! The Lord has graciously provided for each school payment thus far, according to His perfect timing. Our remaining bill for this semester is $2,100.

Thank you so very much for your continued prayer and support. It is incredible to walk with God and watch Him provide, teach, mold and direct us, day after day. We are honored to be able to share this journey with you. May you have a blessed month – keep looking unto Jesus!

Love,

BJ and Carissa Kerstetter

*Featured Image: Visit to Filter Cafe for coffee, praying, dreaming & planning with Shmueli (right), of Chosen People Ministries, Vlad and Rachel (left), friends from Devar Emet Messianic Synagogue

CALLED TO BE WATCHMEN

 

     Last month, Moody Bible Institute had the great privilege of a visit from Joel C. Rosenberg, (www.joelrosenberg.com), New York Times best-selling author of novels and non-fiction books which address current events, Israel and the Middle East, and the threats that our world faces today.

     While I have yet to delve into any of his best-selling non-fiction books, I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a number of his fiction works. Rosenberg’s novels are not only a thrilling read; they are also incredibly informative and educational looks at real life current events. Sean Hannity said of Rosenberg’s novel The Last Jihad that it “Feels ripped from tomorrow’s headlines.” And I couldn’t agree more. But Rosenberg also offers something that you won’t find in the headlines: a solid biblical perspective on the very bleak picture of our world.

     So, it was with eager anticipation that BJ and I listened to Joel C. Rosenberg address our student body, and warn us of three threats to America, Israel & the Church in the Mideast. Citing Ezekiel 33, Joel pointed “some 1,600 future Christian leaders,” to the example of the prophet Ezekiel, whom God raised up to be a watchman over His people Israel, to warn them of impending threats and call them to repent of their sin. With this sobering text as his platform, Joel urged us to take seriously the responsibility we have been given by the privilege of our training here at Moody, and called us to action as watchmen for God’s people – Israel and the Church.

According to his assessment, there are three grave threats of which we, as watchmen, should be aware. They are as follows.

  1. “America is not simply in decline. We are heading for collapse, for implosion.”

     This is a bold statement, and it may startle you. But it is not the unfounded claim of a doomsday radical or crazed date-setting cult leader. It it is the well considered assessment of a Biblical scholar and well informed former aide to Israel’s current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky.

     I doubt, however, many would disagree that our nation is in trouble. As Joel pointed out, (and discusses in depth in his book Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic & Spiritual Challenges In Time? – purchase here) our nation has committed many grievous sins from which we may never recover. The gravity of the situation is clear, if we consider our ever growing national debt, brokenness of the American family, divorce rates, children born to single parents, increasing violent crime, drug and pornography use, etc. But according to Rosenberg, the greater tragedy is the death of more than 55 million children whom our nation has legally murdered since 1973. In his own words, Joel said, “America faces the implosion because we face divine judgment for murdering so many unborn children.”

     Perhaps it is not too late, but there is little time left. There must be national repentance – a third Great Awakening – Joel urged us. Perhaps God will have mercy on our nation, but we must turn back now.

  1. “What happens if — on top of all our nation’s challenges and sins — America abandons or turns against Israel?”

     Before Israel had even been birthed as a nation, God made a promise to Abraham to bless his descendants and those who bless them. Furthermore, He states clearly that those who curse Israel will be cursed, (Genesis 12:3). God’s blessing of Israel is affirmed in Psalm 122:6-9, in the psalmist’s entreaty,

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”

     Our responsibility could not be more clear. We must pray for, love, serve, and advocate for the nation that God has chosen and treasured – His People, Israel. To do so will mean blessing. By failing to do so, we bring a curse upon our nation. Rosenberg laid it out simply,

“Clearly, people all over the world, including in America, need to:

  • pray for peace in Jerusalem, Israel and the broader Middle East

  • pray for Jews and Arabs in the epicenter

  • love Jews and Arabs in the epicenter

  • seek the good of Jews and Arabs in the epicenter”

On that persuasive note, I urge you to consider the following.

  1. “Followers of Jesus Christ who love Israel and understand God’s Biblical plan for Israel must not be blind to the suffering in the Arab, Iranian, and Muslim world, nor deaf to their cries for help, nor dull to the terror and tyranny they face.”

     We cannot pray for the peace of Israel without interceding on behalf of her neighbors. And we cannot pray for the Middle East – the Epicenter, as Rosenberg calls it – without being brokenhearted for the suffering our fellow Christians are facing there. The world may be slow to act, or even turn blind eyes to the suffering our Arab brothers and sisters face, but we, the Church, are called to actively love one another, so that all the world can see our love (John 13:35). We cannot stand by and watch as the Body of Christ suffers. Joel said it so well,

“We need to PRAY for peace and healing and stability and calm in the region, and for open doors for the Gospel.

We need to GIVE to ministries that are doing effective work in the region, ministries like The Joshua Fund.

We also need to be willing to GO to the region if God sends us there to serve Him and serve the people in the name of Jesus.

Is this hard? Yes.

Is this dangerous? Sometimes.

But Jesus laid down His life in love to save us. Will you and I lay down our lives in love to serve Him?

When people and nations are in danger, will you and I blow the trumpet and sound the warning?

May the Lord use you as a faithful watchmen on the wall.”

 

     How will you respond to Rosenberg’s challenges? As believers in Jesus, we have been given light – through God’s Word and through the Holy Spirit who illumines it to us. As light-bearers, all believers are called to be watchmen. And we will be held accountable for what we do with the Light we have been given.

 

Will you sound the alarm?

 

Let us be your representatives to the nation of Israel by partnering with us through prayer and financial donations to our training and ministry. Check out our website for more information. 

 

*Video of Joel C. Rosenberg’s message at Moody is available here and you can read his notes on his blog here.

 

**You can learn more about Joel C. Rosenberg and order his books here on his website.(His upcoming novel about ISIS, “The Third Target,” is now available for pre-order.)

 

Kerstetter Chronicles: September

     Crisp autumn air has come again to Chicago, and with it has come more change and opportunity for growth in our lives. Since our letter at the end of August,

  • We have begun weekly Jewish evangelism outreach at a Starbucks in Skokie (a suburb of Chicago with a large Jewish population). Please be praying for our new friends, Carol (Starbucks barista), Elon, Danny and Freddie, (Starbucks regulars), with whom we have been building friendships as we discuss Judaism, Israeli & American politics, and most excitingly – the identity of Yeshua and faith in Him as the Jewish Messiah.

  • We had the honor of meeting Joel C. Rosenberg and hearing him speak about three imminent threats to America, Israel and the Church in the Middle East, as well as address the Arab-Israeli conflict. You can read about his visit to Moody in an upcoming Coffee Talk blog post here.

  • We have been attending Devar Emet Messianic Synagogue. The family of believers at Devar Emet, and in the greater Messianic community of Chicago, have already been a wonderful blessing to us and we are thankful to have a “home away from home” among them.

  • L’shana tovah! We just celebrated Rosh Hashanah – the Feast of Trumpets. According to the Jewish calendar, this Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the year 5775. It also begins the Jewish High Holiday season, and we have been learning about each Jewish holiday in weekly studies at Devar Emet. What a blessing it is to look into God’s Word and read about the holidays that He ordained for Israel, to see what truths and blessings He has given in them. Our studies into these holidays have begun to open to us the rich depths of the history and culture that Jesus himself embraced and celebrated. Watch for new blog posts about the holidays at kerstetterconnection.com/category/coffee-talk, and take a look at our calendar to see what’s coming up next!

  • God has led us to decide that I (Carissa) will not be taking classes for credit at this time. This was a difficult decision in many ways, but we have peace that it is the right one. I am excited to continue learning alongside BJ in our class, History and Thought of Modern Israel, with Dr. Michael Rydelnik. We have already found this to be an incredibly valuable course!

  • We have received 80% of the funds necessary to pursue a new treatment for my (Carissa) Lyme’s Disease. At this time, we only lack the money to fly to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for the treatments scheduled January 5 – 8, during our winter break from school.

  • Praise the Lord! We have received donations totaling 67% of the school payment due October 1. We still need $551 to make this month’s payment, and our total remaining school bill for this semester is $3,551.

We are so thankful for your continued prayers and encouragement for us. God is truly teaching and stretching us here in Chicago, and we are excited to see what this next month will bring. L’shana Tovah – to a good new year!

 

Kerstetter Chronicles: August

Shalom from Chicago!

family photo

Family photo in our new place!

Thanks to all of the friends and family who helped us, we have made the move, and we’re now settled in at Moody Bible Institute.

MK Orientation

MK and International Students gathered for Orientation (Picture taken by Pavel Adamek)

Things started out light and easy for us with a special MK (Missionary Kid) & International Student Orientation.

 In addition to completing some required Orientation sessions early, we got to meet other students from all over the world and enjoy some events hosted by the MuKappa group here at Moody. Now the rest of the student body has joined us and Monday was our first day of classes! We’re so excited as we get started learning more about the ministry and the People to whom God has called us.

Jewish Studies fellowship

A few Jewish Studies students gathered at our place for fellowship

Already in our first Jewish Studies class, History and Thought of Modern Israel, our passion has been rekindled for the great need of the Jewish people for the truth of Messiah. It is such a privilege to be here and our hearts are overwhelmed with excitement for all that God has for us here! It is our excitement that motivates us to come to you even more eagerly for your prayer and support. I must confess that we are just beginning to learn what it means to be transparent with you, our family in the Lord, and understand what things are important for you to know about our lives, needs and ministry. Recently, we have been convicted and challenged in this area. So it is out of our sincere desire to be open with you and to better allow you the opportunity to partner with us in ministry, that we are writing this letter.

As you know, BJ and I both come from missionary homes, and have been blessed by the testimony of our amazing parents who have made countless sacrifices through the years for the sake of the Gospel. As a result of their sacrifices, and the high financial costs of my (Carissa) healthcare over the past three years, we have very little savings set aside for school. While most students in such a position may consider student loans, such a choice would prohibit us from continuing into ministry after graduation. Instead, we would need to postpone missions work and work instead to pay off our school bills. For these reasons, Moody strongly discourages students from taking out student loans and only permits this option as a last resort in certain approved circumstances.

As of September 1, we will have already paid to Moody all of our savings for school. BJ will continue to work and be able to pay a portion of our school bills, but this will not be enough. If we have not paid our first semester bills in full before the Spring semester, we will not be able to return to classes, and will need to move off campus. I imagine, as you read this, you may begin to wonder what I have frequently wondered myself – what sort of crazy thinking made them decide it was a good idea to move to Chicago and start school with no money and no idea how they are going to pay for it? So, I will explain.

afghani lunch

Lunch with friends, Vlad and Rachel from Devar Emet Messianic Synagogue, and our new friend, Isabel, who runs a guest house ministry for the Israeli backpacking community

We firmly believe that God has called us into Jewish Ministry. We know of no better way to thoroughly equip ourselves for this work than the Jewish Studies program here at MBI. Furthermore, we have seen the Lord clearly direct our steps to bring us here. We are trusting that the Lord will provide all of the funds necessary for us to continue our studies here, and we ask that you would prayerfully consider whether God may have a plan for you to partner with us in His work. Please also consider bringing this opportunity before your friends, church, elders or pastor who may be burdened for the Jewish people. Above all, please pray for us as we seek to follow the Lord, wherever He leads us, and learn to trust Him more deeply in these uncharted waters.

Here is a summary of our financial needs, so that you can pray specifically for us, and consider how you may be a part of God’s plan of restoration for the Jewish people.

  • Our total remaining school bill for Fall 2014 is $6,000
  • This is broken down to a payment plan of $1,500/month
  • Our estimated budget for living expenses (excluding medical bills) is $1000/month
  • Total expenses for Carissa’s Lyme treatment $4300 – Praise the Lord, He has provided 80% already!

To make a contribution directly to our school bill, call Moody’s Student Accounts at (312) 329-4223. Donations can also be made online  at https://portal.moody.edu/prt_mainpage.aspx?id=134337. (For online payments you will need to enter BJ’s student ID # 4132121.)

To donate directly to us, mail checks to BJ and Carissa Kerstetter CPO 2163 820 N. LaSalle Blvd. Chicago, IL 60610. Donations may also be made through our website at kerstetterconnection.com/donate.

THANKS again for all of your prayers & support. We appreciate you so very much. If you’d like to receive more detailed updates about what we’re doing in Chicago and what we’re learning in Jewish Studies, please let us know and we’ll sign you up to get all of our blog posts sent to your inbox! To read Carissa’s latest blog post, “Strategic Relocation,” visit our website at kerstetterconnection.com.

In His Love & Peace,

BJ and Carissa Kerstetter

Strategic Relocation

 

Big new city. Here we are at last. After a couple years of dreaming, months of planning and a few detours along the way, we’re here and we’re settling in to Chicago. Most of our boxes are unpacked, and order has begun to be restored after our go-with-the-flow nomadic summer. The last boxes left to unpack are the books. From where I sit, I can see my disorganized bookshelf and a couple still unopened boxes in front of it, next to more books scattered on the floor. But among the books already gracing our disheveled shelves, is a book whose title not only gave us a good chuckle recently, but also prompted a thought-provoking question, whose answer could change your life.

 

The title? “Strategic Relocation.”

 

This book, which we happened across a couple years ago, was written, by a Joel M. Skousen, with the purpose of providing the reader with a summary of all the primary factors which make a place strategic for safety and quality of life. He also provides a very informative “North American Guide to Safe Places.” In case you were wondering, Chicago – while it’s not the worst – is not very high on the list. And to be frank – it’s never been high on my list either. While the big city may have its charms, I’d take a cabin on a lake in the north woods over city bustle any day.

 

Besides personal preference, though, factors considered in determining Skousen’s overall rating of a place include – geography, climate, freedoms, politics, crime, standard of living, prospects of war, invasion and terrorism… you get the idea. While his analysis of the world at large leaves the United States at the top of the list of strategic countries, the state of Illinois rates only 1 ½ stars on Skousen’s five-star system. With Chicago – still ranked as one of the organized crime capitols of the nation and #9 of our nation’s worst traffic cities; a state-wide personal liberty rating of 1 out of 5; with corrupt politicians, judges and police, highly restrictive gun laws, several prime military targets and more than a couple nuclear power plants, Illinois is not exactly ideal for anyone seeking a strategic safe place. But I cannot think of a safer or more strategic place for us to be than right in the heart of Chicago… because God has moved us here. With such limited time here on earth, existing for the sole purpose of knowing God and making Him known to the world, what other factors matter?

 

Abraham. Moses. Jonah. Esther. Elijah. David. Daniel. Our Lord Yeshua. These are just a few examples from God’s Word of people who seemed to the world to be in terrible job positions, making utterly foolish life choices, or facing terrifying danger, but were actually strategically placed to be overwhelmingly blessed by God’s specific plan to use their lives for His purpose and glory.

 

So the question I have to ask is this – How will you determine your strategic location – for your home, your work, your direction as an individual or as a family? Maybe you haven’t really considered much of Joel Skousen’s lengthy criteria in your decision of where to make your home, but we all live by some kind of strategy – whether consciously or not. What is yours?

 

I believe that, while the world around us points to countless other factors to consider in the big and small decisions of our lives, the most strategic path is the one which God has clearly marked out just for us, even if that path is one of wandering through a dry Middle Eastern wilderness; leads us into the flames of an ancient Babylonian furnace, brings us face to face with the rage of a power-crazed, anti-Semitic world leader, or perhaps even takes us to the streets of downtown Chicago.

 

BJ has a t-shirt that reads: “Obey… or Get Swallowed.” I think the message of Jonah’s story is clear. God can accomplish His purpose with or without us, but He wants to give us the incredible opportunity to be a part of the process. And I don’t know about you, but I think in the end, whatever the “strategic” ratings say, Nineveh looks better than the belly of a fish.

 

5 Ways I’m Dealing with Anxiety

 

Lately, with the preparations for school, decisions about my health care, family crises and ever more disturbing news headlines, I have found myself really struggling with anxiety. The anxiety worsens my pain, keeps me from sleeping well and makes it harder to make good, clear-headed decisions! So, I get more anxious! I’ve heard I’m not the only one who feels this way, so I thought I’d share with you some of the ways I’m dealing with anxiety. I’d love to know what works for you! Give me your advice in the comments.

  1. Breathe deeply. When I’m feeling anxious, I tend to hold my breath and tense up my whole body. I find, I need to stop what I’m doing, take deep, full breaths from my diaphragm and release my uptight shoulders.

  2. Give yourself permission to rest. Work hard, but make time to rest – and then let yourself enjoy it.

  3. Sleep well. I’m using doTERRA’s Lavender, Cedarwood and Frankincense essential oils to help me relax and sleep. They actually work! If you’re interested, you can now buy doTERRA essential oils through our website to support our ministry! Just click HERE to get started.

  4. Walk it off. Especially now that we’re enjoying such gorgeous weather here in the Midwest, I love walking with my husband and our dog. Breathe in the fresh air. Revel in the beauty of God’s creation. Walk off the stress. Enjoy life.

  5. Take it to the Lord. Every. Little. Thing. He cares about all of it and He’s got it all under control. So I’m trying to learn to take it to Him and then leave it there (Read: STOP worrying)! The last bit is the hard part.

 

“Be careful (WORRY) for NOTHING; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on THESE things.”

>> Philippians 4:6-8 <<

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

>> Romans 8:18 <<

 

“Thou wilt keep Him in Perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

>> Isaiah 26:3 <<

 

Judaism Q & A

 

Shalom! I have a homework assignment for you. Yes, I know, I’m the one starting school in a few weeks. But we’re in this together, right? 😉 Actually, this is your chance to put me to work! I have put together a list of some of the words, questions and topics that I want to learn more about in school. Sort of like my “to-do” list of things to learn. If you’d like, you can send me your questions and I’ll add them to my list. As I study through the list, I’ll report back here with a post about my findings. Because it is part of my heritage, and central to God’s Word, Jewish culture has always fascinated and intrigued me. Sadly, I have spent very little time really studying or experiencing Judaism – until now! I’m so excited to get started! So, without further ado, here’s my list. Send me yours via email or leave them in the comments below!

 

 

  • What is the “Mishna?”
  • What is “Succot” all about? And how do you even pronounce that?
  • What is the “Tenach?”
  • Who is the “remnant” referred to in Romans 11?
  • Why do the rabbis say that Jewish lineage is passed down through the mother?
  • What does Scripture say about the Church’s responsibility concerning Israel?
  • Why do Jews & Messianic Jews write “G-d” without the ‘o?’
  • Who assigns the weekly Parsha? How did this tradition start?
  • How can I ask Jewish friends about their beliefs in a non-offensive way?
  • Is there still a Biblical basis for Christians or Messianic Jews to keep kosher?
  • What does God’s Word say about the Palestinians currently living in the land of Israel?
  • Why does the woman of the house pray and “welcome the light” each Shabbat (Sabbath)?
  • Is it traditional or Biblical to light the candles and share bread and share wine at the beginning of Shabbat (Sabbath)?

Check back here if you’d like answers to these questions or some of your own. I’m looking forward to learning together!

Love,

 

Carissa Kerstetter

 

 

Lyme (in the) Light

 

I thank God for Lyme’s Disease. Honestly, it’s miserable. Pain is my way of life. Everyday tasks, that most people don’t think about, are hard for me. Exhaustion is normal. And that’s not the half of it. BUT GOD is teaching me so much, and He has put it on my heart to share some of those things with you. Maybe you can learn something by witnessing my struggles, and be encouraged by God’s faithfulness to me. Even if nobody ever reads these testimonies, I feel compelled to write them – if only to reflect His glory into the silence.

One of the most life-altering, world-upside-down lessons I am still learning, is thankfulness in suffering. I must thank God for Lyme’s Disease. I wouldn’t have chosen it. I still pray for healing. But, although it’s sometimes through tears and always with a heavy heart, often only in a whisper, I thank Him. Now, I’m sure I may sound like I’m trying to be a martyr or a super-spiritual Christian or perhaps I just sound crazy. But I don’t mean to be a martyr, and I certainly don’t think I’m super-spiritual. I may be on the crazy side, but before you decide, let me explain what I mean.

I believe that it is our purpose and incredible privilege to know the Lord personally and deeply, and to testify to His glory. Because God designed us for this specific purpose, we need and crave relationship with Him. In fellowship with Him we can know incomparable joy and peace. In a real and growing relationship with Him we will find identity and purpose, and in living out His plan for us we will find fulfillment and satisfaction. These things can be found nowhere else, but in Jesus. WOW – don’t miss this – take a minute just to think about the mind-blowing words that you just read. We have an all-expense paid, never expires, full access pass to fellowship with the Creator of the Universe. Yeah, go ahead and read it again. It’s ah-mazing.

I don’t think there are many things that cause us to go to the Lord more than suffering. It’s sad but it’s true – in our human foolishness, we often need hardship to remind us just how much we always need God’s strength. I know I have personally learned so very much about His sufficiency in my struggles with illness.

So, think about this with me – if it takes temporary sickness and pain – no matter how miserable it may be – to make us understand more of our need for Jesus… If because of pain we could begin to learn to stop flailing helplessly through life, let go of our failing strength and the facade of any self-sufficiency, and let Him wrap us each in His arms and show us what it means to rest in His strength then isn’t suffering a blessing? Wouldn’t it be better to endure physical pain, and get even a glimpse of the joy and peace that defy comprehension, than to be the picture of health and never get that same chance to experience the loving comfort of our heavenly Father in a way that it can only be experienced through suffering? I believe it’s more than worth the pain. So, I thank God for Lyme’s Disease. And I mean it.

Because of His faithfulness,

Carissa Kerstetter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kerstetter Chronicles: July

 

Hello friends! I hope this letter finds you all well and enjoying the season. Summer is for relaxing and catching up on sleep… or in our case, for buckling down and working really hard to get ready for school! But, don’t worry, we’ve been relaxing too. Between quality family times and World Cup soccer games, we have been scurrying to fill out forms, secure school housing, register for classes and apply for scholarships to be ready in time. Phew! One of the more exciting things we’re working on is the beginning of my very own little blog. And I wanted you to be the first to know! Starting now, in addition to receiving our “Kerstetter Chronicles,” you can subscribe to receive updates from “Coffee Talk!”

Why both? Well, if you just receive our Chronicles, you will have a summary of all you need to know about our progress in school and ministry, as well as highlights of what’s going on with us personally. However, if you also sign up to receive “Coffee Talk” you will get a more personal look at what’s going on in our lives day-to-day and what God is teaching us. Just to give you an idea, we are sending you my very first “official” post for “Coffee Talk,” with this letter. If you’re interested in reading more, be sure to visit our website at kerstetterconnection.com and subscribe! Or you can email me at [email protected] and I will add you to my mailing list.

In addition to launching “Coffee Talk,” we have made lots of other fun changes to our website! For those of you who may like to get to know us better, we have posted our individual testimonies. If you would like to partner with us as we begin our ministry, you can visit the “Get Connected” page on our website to see a list of current prayer requests, learn about our specific needs or contribute financially to our work. We so appreciate each of you who have already been praying for and supporting us! Thank you for your continued interest and support in our lives. Have a blessed and restful summer – ever looking unto Jesus. He is sufficient for all our needs!

Because of His enduring Love,

BJ and Carissa Kerstetter

 

Introducing: Coffee Talk

 

Welcome! Come on in. It’s so good to see you here. There are so many things going on in our every day lives that BJ and I want to share with you. I’d like to think of you pulling up a chair at our kitchen table and cozying up to a steaming cup of coffee while we swap stories about all that God is doing in our lives.

Sadly, you’re not at my kitchen table. But if you’ve got the time, maybe you can pour yourself a hot cup and stay for a bit anyways. Here at “Coffee Talk” you will find bits and pieces of our Bible studies, Jewish culture, our life in – and out of – Chicago and snippets of raw truth about life with Lyme’s Disease. As you might expect, if you know me, this blog of mine is not for the stay-on-the-surface, give-me-the-punchline folks. This is where I’m gonna get personal. I want you to know me, and I want to know you. So I really hope you’ll stick around. Coffee’s ready.

Love,

Carissa Kerstetter