November 2018 Branches

How has God used Sout
Jim Hess
When presented the question, "How has
God used Southwood to impact you?" my
mind went immediately to 2009 – a year
of great difficulty and sorrow, and yet a
time when my family and I experienced
God's amazing grace and love through
the Southwood family. It was for us a
season of "severe mercy" culminating in
Caroline's sudden and unexpected passing in November of
that year. My children (by then young adults) and I were
shattered; but Southwood stepped in and loved us, with
hands and feet, in a way that was just overwhelming. I still
marvel all these years later; we would not have gotten
through it without you all. I'm sure I never properly thanked
all who helped, probably don't know who you all are. So,
let me say now – thank you, Southwood, for loving us well.
John & Carol Dunkel
Southwood = Family … Not the distant
kind you only see every third Christmas
in Des Moines but family ... like your sister
who lives in the bed next to you and
sometimes wears your favorite sweater.
Southwood has taught us what it means
to be committed to a family with all the
diversity of characters we find in our own
families ... real families who’ve struggled and rejoiced and
watched God work through both. People we’ve loved with
sweat and tears and prayers and who have loved us back
with all that and more. God made us a family, and we are
bound together to love Him and each other in this place.
David Clark
"The Lord your God is with you. He is
mighty to save. He will take great delight
in you..."I heard Jean give the benediction
every Sunday. I didn't believe it. The
ministry of the Gospel to me and my
family year after year ... I started to believe
it when I expressed my doubts, concerns,
sins and failure to a pastor who didn't
overlook the sin, but pointed me to a loving savior who loves
people like me. I started to believe it when I shared with
a friend sin that had overwhelmed me, and was met with
love, with a powerful sense of the weight of my sin and the
even more extensive love of my Father because of His Son.
I started to believe when an elder and friend listened to my
rants and my back of the napkin charts and pictures, and
he reminded me that the Lord is made strong in weakness. I
started
to believe when I hear a friend
share similar struggles and we wrestle together with what
the Gospel means to people just like us. God isn't surprised
by us. He knew us and knew what it would take to be with
us ... and did just that.
"... He will quiet you with His love. And he will rejoice over
you with singing." I still wrestle. I still fail. I still often feel
overwhelmed and lethargic, but I still come, and hear the
love of the Father for someone like me preached and
taught and hugged into me ... and I start to believe. Thank
you, Southwood Family!
Phillip & Catherine Barrett
During a recent conversation, Catherine
summed it up well when she said she
actually looks forward to going to
church. That hasn’t always been the case
for us. Southwood is our home and our
family. We know the truth will be taught
unapologetically. The desperate need
we all still have for Jesus is always kept
central in Southwood’s teaching and preaching. This has
made all the difference in our marriage, parenting, and our
friendships as we have found greater freedom in Christ’s
finished work. We are so thankful for the love of God that we
constantly see and feel through our family at Southwood.
Mary Mitchell
As part of Southwood's nursery staff, I
am HAPPY to take this as an opportunity
to say a huge THANK YOU to all the
wonderful folks of Southwood ... the dear
folks from the early years, and the dear
folks of today! I have often said that it is
indeed JOY for me to care for the little
ones in the nursery! Each one is God's
precious gift, and I truly cherish all the sweet memories I
hold in my heart! One of my very special memories: A darling
little blond fellow (2) was delivered to the nursery, and he
right away began calling me "Jesus." I smiled broadly of
course, and said ... My name is Mary. He immediately asked
me, "Well, where is Jesus?!" (Mommy and Daddy told him
he was going to Jesus' house.)
Many little ones are frightened of a new nursery experience.
It can be scary at first, but usually with several visits, children
adjust and have FUN. This delights me--every single time!
I understand too, the anxiety parents can feel when their
little one is upset; I want to give parents soothing comfort
and assurance that it will get better … it usually does!