Southern in the City

Tim Keller says, "Thank YOU!"

2012-02-01T22:15:00.002-05:00

Four Year Old's MLK Speech

2012-01-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

I got this answer when I asked my four year friend Hannah what she had been learning lately.

Poor Martin Luther King, Jr. No playgroups...I almost died on that one.

Galphin Kiddos

2012-01-19T16:51:00.000-05:00

These little ones technically belong to dear, dear friends of mine, Sam & Kristin Galphin.

I have the amazing opportunity to be "Aunt Amy" to them and love it. I hate I don't get to see them more but got in some squeezes over Christmas time. I was at the hospital when Lily was born 5 years ago. I can't believe how big they are all getting. Little Nathan joined us in December. I plan on spoiling him too.

Lily, 5 years old

Lily, 5
Abby, 2

Nathan, just a few weeks old
Welcome to the world little Galphin. We aren't used to boys but I promise I'll get you stuff that isn't pink! We are excited you are here!

Christmas and New Years Eve in North Carolina

2012-01-06T14:06:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful time in North Carolina with family and friends. It was unseasonably warm so we got a lot of time outside playing on the farm. Enjoy the recap through pictures.....

Christmas in New York

2012-01-04T20:26:00.000-05:00

A few pics I took before Christmas while walking around the city....

Cartier wrapped for Christmas

NY Christmas "Yard Art"

Christmas Trees for sale

Tree at work

Decorating in the Bronx

My apartment

My beautiful Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center

Fellowship Group Christmas Party

Nativity in Manhattan. That is a first for me!

Made me think of home....

2011-12-18T16:35:00.000-05:00

Potbelly's opened in Midtown. Nice addition to the neighborhood.

The fruit of the spirit is....

2011-12-14T23:03:00.001-05:00

Margaret Taylor's amazing mama (Sandi) told me about Jesus my freshman year of college and now we get to do bed time reading together all about the fruit that comes from knowing our sweet Jesus.

Psalm 78:4 "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD."

PS I think Margaret was using my iphone as her mirror and trying to fix her hair :).

Panera in Manhattan!! Yes, please!

2011-12-11T16:09:00.000-05:00

I saw a sign today where a new Panera is being constructed.

I found this article from the Spring that confirms they are coming!!!

I LOVE PANERA!!

http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/04/panera.php

Tim Keller at Google in NY

2011-12-10T17:30:00.000-05:00

Redeemer Cape Town Team 2011

2011-11-30T15:20:00.000-05:00

There are so many stories I could share from my time in Cape Town. I think the best way to start is to give you an overview through pictures.

I will ask that if you are looking to make an end of year donation, our team would like to raise another $2000 for the ministries and organizations we worked alongside.

I was on an incredible team of very talented friends. I seriously could not have asked for a better team!

We worked at Arise for two days. They do programming for vulnerable children in the community. They also go into schools in the area and share Jesus. It is amazing to me that the law allows this to happen. What a joy it was to see the children praying and singing to Jesus. I pray this doesn't change. You can support their efforts directly on their website.

We spent one day at Uturn which is an organization that offers support to people on the streets. They give vouchers as people do jobs. The vouchers are redeemable for food, clothes, etc. We sorted through clothes that had been donated from a local church. The director said we did a year's worth of organizing and sorting!

One day we visited Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was in prison for 18 years. Our tour guide was a former prisoner at the same time as Nelson Mandela. That afternoon we visited a nearby township. We met the pastor of Mandela Park Church who gave us a tour and taught us about life there.

We partnered with Point Community Church, a young church plant of Cape Town. Jacques Erasmus is the pastor and was incredible host to us. We packed Christmas boxes for children, helped set up a nursery, told locals about Jesus & the church and also helped run one of the church services.

We shared in a "Thanksgiving" Braai (BBQ) as a team with the congregants. It was an honor to be part of this congregation.

The days were full and I could write about each day with loads of details. I will write more soon about what I learned from my time in South Africa.

The last thing I'll say is that Cape Town is the most beautiful place I've ever been. I'll let you see what I mean....

Cape Town to New York

2011-11-26T16:33:00.000-05:00

This is where I am tonight.

I'll be back here Monday morning.

Good bye, Cape Town. You'll be missed.

Birthday Blessings!

2011-11-14T00:20:00.000-05:00

Between birthday messages in English & French, friends from all over the world, long time friends from down south and my lovely friends here in NY.....I cannot be more loved! I'll share more later but I couldn't resist sharing this pic of my dinner tonight. I never could have imagined what an amazing group of people who love me so well when I moved to this crazy city almost 4 years ago.

Leaving on a jet plane.....

2011-11-13T17:26:00.000-05:00

but I do know when I'll be back again...NOVEMBER 28th.

See y'all then :).

This is where I'll be......suffering for Jesus....well, somebody's got to do it :).

Seriously pray for our team!

Fox News Interview: Tim & Kathy's new book on Marriage

2011-11-10T17:34:00.000-05:00

Tim Keller on Fox News

City to City

2011-11-07T23:52:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago the Redeemer City to City Center hosted an amazing event where we had the opportunity to hear from church planters from around the world. I know from being at Redeemer for several years now that we are participating in these missions and I get so excited about it that often joke that my ear is to the ceiling listening from the 4th floor. I love missions and certainly love church planters! We heard encouraging and challenging stories of life as a church planter.

Here is a glimpse of the night

Tim Keller sharing the vision for church planting.

I met Sammy Foucachon again. We met many years ago at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC. I love France so it was so nice to hear about all God is doing in Bordeaux and the plans for Paris.

Yep, that's right. :)

2011-11-04T13:30:00.002-04:00

Fall Meets Winter

2011-11-02T01:33:00.000-04:00

My first ever snowy October....where fall meets winter in Sheep's Meadow....

Seth Snider: The Presence of Freedom

2011-10-25T17:01:00.000-04:00

You won't be disappointed checking out my friend's music.....

Occupy Wall St. First Hand

2011-10-15T21:52:00.001-04:00

I made my way down to Wall Street as I spent time outside on this gorgeous fall day. I thought I'd share some pics from all the protesting I passed.

Redeemer Newsletter Oct 2011

2011-10-10T17:15:00.000-04:00

What an awesome privilege to get to write in the Redeemer Newsletter! And...the topic was on foreign missions...totally up my alley. Check it out below. For the other articles in this month's newsletter, go here.

MISSIONS MONTH JULY 2011
BY AMY ALEXANDER - More Articles

Half of the people in the world live in severe poverty, surviving on less than $2 per day. Around 340 million people do not have the Bible in their own language. In Mott Haven, a part of the South Bronx, nearly sixty percent of the population is without a high school degree and forty percent of the households earn less than $10,000 a year. These are just some of the facts the children of Redeemer discovered during our “Missions Month.”

Throughout the month of July, the children who attend Redeemer’s Sunday School classes gathered to learn about and pray for people living in other parts of the world. The focus was to further expose the families of Redeemer to God’s purpose and our part in making His name known in New York and internationally. The theme verse was Mark 16:15, said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

The children learned ways they can take part in reaching the world for Christ and how to value other children in New York City and around the world. During July’s Vacation Bible School, they learned about loving and serving THE CITY. On Sundays they heard about many different cities of the world and how missionaries go abroad to tell others about Jesus. They also thought about specific ways they can participate in missions as children. In one class a five year girl was asked, “What is a missionary?” She simply answered, “Someone who goes and tells others about Jesus.”

We were able to partner with Redeemer’s Short Term missions teams to create a tangible and memorable experience. The children had learned for weeks about missionaries and then the missions’ teams came in person to tell about their work in Argentina and South Africa. A highlight one Sunday included an opportunity to speak directly with orphans living in South Africa by video chat. The children previously brought in sports equipment, shoes, school supplies and other needed items for the orphanage which the missions teams delivered earlier in the year. It was a wonderful experience for the children at Redeemer to connect and chat with the children in Africa. We hope to continue this partnership year after year.

Another way the children learned how to engage in foreign missions was through prayer. We prayed with the children for all parts of the world, that Jesus would make himself and his love known to the children and adults living there.

Lastly, the children raised funds and donated sports equipment for an afterschool program for children in the South Bronx. The children raised over $1000 in one week. A parent told of her kindergartener who had been saving for a long while but then donated his entire savings when he heard about the situation and need in the South Bronx.

It is such a joy to see the children of Redeemer fall in love with Jesus, gain a vision for world missions and give sacrificially. Our long term prayer is that these children will become the next generation of New Yorkers influencing our city and the cities of the world for Christ. We invite you to pray along with us.

Reunions

2011-10-05T12:32:00.001-04:00

It has been a few hectic weeks with work, ministry, birthdays, friends visiting, Redeemer events. Here are some pics from the last three weeks.

Neil came to visit from Texas and Adam is back in the city for his show at Lincoln Center.

CCP 2001 Reunion :). Mike came to the city and went to dinner with Laryssa & I!

Amy, Neil, Bethany....Christian love at its best :).

Dancing for Bethany's bday

More Dancing fun

After a night of dancing

Bethany being serenaded on her bday at Mama Mexico!

I'm going to CAPE TOWN!

2011-09-30T01:56:00.000-04:00

You've maybe heard me say something about this or have been asked to support me....BUT I'M GOING TO CAPE TOWN!!

Seventeen Redeemer folks are headed to partner with Point Community Church in South Africa over Thanksgiving. More details to come.

I stole this amazing pic from Bethany Griffith. She has more details and pics about our trip on her very fun blog.

South African Wine Tasting!!

2011-09-26T16:43:00.000-04:00

Come support Redeemer's first team to Cape Town!! Should be a wonderful time with South African wine and yummy Sweet Revenge Cupcakes!

WINE, DESSERT TASTING & SILENT AUCTION*

Suggested donation: $ 50 / person

join us for a night of south african themed

monday september 26, 2011

7 pm - 11 pm

prince street penthouse; rooftop deck

(between thompson and sullivan)

donation includes wine, dessert

and light hors d’oeuvres

177 prince street, 6 t h floor

*auction winners need not be present when final results announced.

Risking for Deeper Community

2011-09-23T01:19:00.000-04:00

Tuesday night I got the amazing privilege of experiencing community the way we talk about how community should be. During our fellowship group this fall we are doing what we call "hot seat" where one or two ladies will share challenges or concerns with the group. The group then goes around and tells that person their thoughts and encouraging things. After this, the person in the hot seat is prayed for.

I had the privilege of going first. But, I honestly dreaded this. I love the idea of community. I love talking about its value and how & why we should all pursue it but at the end of the day, typing up the concerns & fears of my heart is simply hard to do. That kind of risk and vulnerability has never been easy for me.

I cannot explain the grace I experienced on Tuesday night. These dear friends read scripture to me that they thought of when they think of me. Things like they experience me as the aroma of Christ, a shepherd, refreshing the hearts of saints, full of joy, etc. You see these encouraging words would always be amazing to hear but to hear them after this intensely hard year I've had, it means so much more. It shows me that God is at work in me and through me. These ladies experience these verses in my life simply because GRACE & the GOSPEL changes everything.

Once again I left being convinced of vulnerability and the richness of a deep community that I've begged God for since I moved to this crazy town of mine. He's proven beyond faithful. I love you ladies to pieces and look forward to the rest of fall as you each take a turn in the "hot seat" for yourself.

Under the Table

2011-09-23T00:24:00.000-04:00

My family has a tradition that on your birthday you MUST go under the table. If you choose not to go under the table for a picture, the rest of the family will take that as their cue to put you there against your will. My dad says that on your birthday you can typically get a little prideful thinking the day is all about you & having to get under the table should humble you a bit :).

We have several August birthdays in the Alexander family.

And my mama, Cathy, and Aunt Daisy had big birthdays in September. It was fun to come home as a surprise and also do a surprise party! We got to see so much family that we don't get to see very much.

This beautiful pound cake was as delicious as it looks. Thanks, Kathy, for sharing your amazing talents!