March Update

I want to start by sharing with you a new hobby I’ve picked up recently.  It’s called “juggling.” Maybe you have heard of it?  For my next amazing juggling trick I’m going to need three kids all under the age of 5…

Family

Yes, it has been something like juggling here at the Beebe home this year so far.  I’ve been busy changing diapers and nursing our new beautiful baby daughter, Lucy Marie (born January 27th), while entertaining a thriving four-year-old son Ben (who is learning his numbers above ten, coloring in the lines, and absolutely adores his baby sister) and a mischievous two-year-old daughter Abby (who loves to play with PlayDoh, is currently learning to use the potty, and loves to carry around her doll named Lucas). And it is official - Mark is now a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is just finishing up his second "busy" season as tax day approaches next week.

Recent h2o Events

While we’ve been experiencing a lot of interesting and challenging life changes, God has also been changing lives through h2o Church in Bowling Green. In February, the annual Women’s Weekend and Man Makers events were a huge success - with many students sharing life changing testimonies and a new found freedom in Christ from personal struggles. 

In March, h2o sent two teams of students on mission trips during their spring break week.  One team traveled to the mountains of Tennessee to share the good news of Christ by serving families and ministries in Appalachia with Mountain T.O.P. ministries.  The second team headed down to Panama City, Florida, reaching out to students who were spending their spring breaks engulfed in the Florida party scene.  Junior student Kelly McCullough reports, “The Panama trip was amazing! To be honest, I don’t even know if the word ‘amazing’ is enough to describe it. We had the privilege of loving tons of people and talking with them about the new life that’s available to them in Christ. It was incredible to be used by God, have him stretch and grow us, and draw us closer to himself and to each other.”

Recent Projects

Meanwhile, there have been a variety of creative projects I have been working on – including the most recent h2o teaching series called “The Names of God.” The series explores the Hebrew names assigned to God such as Abba, Yahweh, and Messiah, their meanings, and the impact they have on our lives.  I invite you to check out some of our most recent teachings posted online at www.h2ochurch.com/resources.

I am also participating with a hand-picked team of design-savvy professionals to create a new name and logo for our group of college focused ministries of which h2o is a member.  I will share more about this in my next letter after the official reveal at our staff conference in April. (To be clear, all financial gifts and administrative needs will still be taken care of by the mission sending organization GCM.)

We are slowly finding our new normal after a sea of change. Thank you for your continued support and care - specifically for all of the cards, emails, and well wishes for both the newest edition to our family and for the unexpected loss of my dad at the beginning of February. 

Exciting Announcement and Sad News

Dear friends and family,

This is one of the most difficult notes that we have had the opportunity to write you.  It is with great joy that we announce the birth of Lucy Marie and with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Jill’s father.

Lucy Marie Beebe

Lucy Marie was born last Friday (January 27) at 3:01p – weighing 7lbs 15oz and measuring 19in.  She is a bundle of joy to us and Jill and Lucy are physically doing great.  We were blessed that Mark’s parents were able to meet Lucy the day she was born and took care of Ben and Abby for a few days while Jill was in the hospital.  Jill’s sister Kelly visited us at the hospital right away and Jill’s mom and dad were able to come out on Saturday to spend some time with us.  It was a joyful time with much of our family around.

Jill's Dad with Lucy on Saturday

On Thursday (February 2), Jill’s dad, Bob Pareti, passed away suddenly.  He was working at home and we believe possibly had a heart attack in his office.  We trust that he had a relationship with Jesus and we will rejoice again with him in heaven.  Yet, we have grief and sorrow at the sudden loss.  We have experienced so many emotions in the last few days between the birth of Lucy and the death of Dad.  (For more information, please see www.cookfamilycares.com and look for his obituary.)

Please be in prayer with us through this transition – as we have transitioned to a blessed family of five and as we say goodbye to our dear dad.  We covet your prayers and are honored and blessed to have you in our lives.

With love,

Mark, Jill, Ben, Abby, and Lucy

Encouraging Student Response

Recently on our h2o Church Facebook page, a Freshman student posted a very encouraging comment for our staff & leaders.  I wanted to post it for you as well so that you can also be encouraged that your prayers for our ministry are effective and because it specifically speaks of the work I do behind the scenes for h2o.  It is so encouraging that God is using my design and advertising work for His glory on campus.

"I can't thank God and all of you enough for making the first semester of my freshman year here at BGSU so amazing and memorable! I found out about you guys through a flyer (keep those coming and going!) and came the second week we were all here... h2o church has changed the way I think about worship and God at this stage in my life. h2o is my home church away from my home church! Everyone at h2o is incredibly nice and inviting... I invited three of my friends that go here to the Christmas service (which was AWESOME by the way!) and they want to come back!!! Praise God for allowing me to find you all and for all the blessings that have come this semester! God bless you all and thank you again for making Christianity in college important! God is good! :)" 


Check out the h2o Facebook page for more current events, posts, and announcements.