Yikes...it's about time I revive this blog, but for real this time! Too much has happened in the last year that I now fully regret not writing about along the way. Let me give you a crash course in all that's gone on with us and how stinking excited we are for what 2014 has to hold!
A few weeks ago I was looking back through old Facebook posts in search of a recipe that I remember posting back in January of 2013. While on the hunt for this, I stumbled across a picture I had taken of an Oswald Chambers quote. It said, "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading." As I reread this, my heart both sank a little and jumped for joy. That quote couldn't have described the journey Phil and I went on this past year any better. We started out 2013 trying to recover and heal from some difficult times in ministry. We knew God had us exactly where we needed to be and experiencing those struggles was very much a part of His plan, so rather than run from them we hunkered down and focused every bit of ourselves on what He was trying to show us. Little did we know that God not only had restoration for our hearts around the corner, but the launching of a lifetime into a whole new world.
I sit here now as a stay-at-home wife/soon-to-be mom, 30 weeks pregnant, in a brand new home. Yes, you read that right. Life has changed...in major ways for us...and we're beyond excited! You simply can't put adequate words to knowing that you are exactly where God wants you to be at any given moment. Along the road to healing, it became apparent that things were going to change. Actually, "apparent" is the wrong word...it became very obvious! Phil and I were on vacation in June when we found ourselves both sitting on our hotel balcony on the same morning, bibles opened, with the same message pressed on our hearts from God. An unexpected numb feeling had hit us both that morning when we looked at each other and knew that something was different, something major was about to change. At the time we hadn't the slightest clue what it could be, but we knew it was time to really start paying attention to where God was leading us next. Two very awesome things were to follow...
First, shortly thereafter we found out that we were expecting our first sweet little one to join our family this March. As if this wasn't enough of a change for anyone, we knew that there was something else. I had always hoped to be able to stay at home once we chose to expand our family with little ones..something Phil has also been quite supportive of. As we began to explore the very real possibility of me stepping down from my ministry position in the near future, God brought us to a point of seeing where He was leading us next. That place would be Steele Creek, NC. While I looked at stepping out of a paid ministry position to stay at home, God certainly had ministry plans for us moving forward as a move to a new area to help plant a new church was on the horizon for 2014. Around Thanksgiving we started the search for a rental home in Steele Creek. We knew buying wasn't an ideal option for us for the next year (or at least until another property sells), and to be honest..with so many changes at the moment..its a little nice to ultimately have landlords responsible for major upkeep on a property. *As the doorbell rings and the neighbor kindly informs me our irrigation system froze and the back flow pipe broke, sending water down the yard and sidewalk (no joke, just happened...I rest my case)* The day before Christmas Eve movers showed up at the farm to load all of our belongings and move us into our new home.
We've spent the past few weeks in amazement of all that life contains for us right now. We're excited for 2014, not only because of all the joy that is to come ahead as we embark on some very new paths, but because we can truly give praise and thanks for the hard walk God led us through in the last year to get us here. As difficult of a journey as it was, I am so thankful for the molding that happened within my heart to fully rely on His divine plan when I have no clue what tomorrow might look like. We are pumped up to finally be living in this community and getting to know the area more each day...ready to minister to the hearts He brings our way. We're also super eager to welcome our sweet baby girl into this home on (or around) March 18th. God is so good!
If you're interested in knowing more about the church plant that we are a part of, WatersEdge Church, check out our website (www.watersedgecharlotte.com). For anyone interested in helping to get our children's ministry stocked with supplies, we're registered at Babies R Us (first name: WatersEdge, last name: Church) and will be having a drop-in shower on January 25th. Let me know if you'd like more details.
