#CoCMidAtlanticII, Day 1

Our first day of the spring break trip was a lot of traveling so it was quite tiring. After a layover flight in Seattle and a red-eye flight, we arrived in North Carolina! We were greeted by an open home and a family (who used to be in Berkeley!) preparing a yummy breakfast with coffee and tea for us. I was touched by the time the family spent to prepare all the food for us. Even though I felt tired and a little disoriented, the Lord definitely supplied me during the Lord’s Table meeting. Today was actually a blending RTP (Research Triangle Park: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill)! It was so encouraging and fresh to see so many new faces gathered together to enjoy and praise the Lord. Even in a completely new state, the enjoyment of the Lord is still so sweet. One song that stood out to me was hymn #1084, and especially the lines “Draw me, we will run after Thee: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” I was cherished by the love of Christ overflowing in the saints as we were just calling on the Lord. I

pray that I can keep opening my heart to the Lord in the rest of this trip.

— Bella H.

We joined the Triangle (RTP) area (three cities: Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh) Sunday Table meeting today. When we stood up to introduce ourselves that we were visiting from Berkeley, I’ll forever remember the smiling faces of the North Carolina brothers and sisters in the room, their gaze one of pure joy concerning our visitation. We had never met most of them before until today, but I could feel their love poured out for us, the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. I really enjoyed the prophesying meeting, in which any brother or sister could stand up and share a tidbit of their enjoyment of Christ throughout the week. Through their sharing, I felt the Lord Jesus gave me a fresh reminder of the importance of His name. Did you know: the name “Jesus” means “Jehovah our Savior?” And “Emmanuel”, the Hebrew name for Jesus means “God with us”.

The Lord’s heart towards us has never been more clear to me than now: He suffered the cross, endured all, to ultimately be the Spirit within me so I could boldly, at any time, say “He is with me”. This is a hymn (in the tune of “Oh Shenandoah”) we sang together at the end, which made me really appreciate that He is truly with us:

“Emmanuel- His name men calleth, God with us- with them He dwelleth; I’m in their midst- where saints assembleth, “Behold, I am with thee”- Till this age hath ended.”

— Jess L.

After surviving off a few meager 10-minute naps over the span of around 30 hours, it was safe to say I was completely out of it. Vision blurred, thoughts incoherent, man you know your brother was cooked.

BUT, the minute I sat down at the dinner table, all of that vanished into thin air.

As I gazed down upon the spread of home-cooked food sprawling across the table, my state of mind was immediately transformed. Some believers opened up their home to Ebbie and I, and what followed was one of those meals that I will remember for years to come. With infectious laughter filling the room, stories bouncing around the table, and the stable peace and comfort of being with those who love the Lord… I was floating on a sea of blessings.

I felt taken care of. Not just by the people in that room, but by the Lord Jesus who supplied them with so much love for us, other believers, that they would open their home to us.

Plus, only He could take someone running on cortisol and refresh them not with a nap, but with the love of the believers! That’s the kind of blessing you can do nothing with but to receive with an immensely grateful heart, knowing that it was all in His wondrous plan for you… and so, it goes without saying that my sleep deprivation was conquered by none other than the Lord Himself :)

Praise the Lord for such a glorious day with the church!

— Joshua C.