Thankful

The time is here. Boxes are packed. Truck is reserved. Movers are scheduled. Tonight is our last night at this house. It is bittersweet. Our last 4 years in Athens has been amazing. It has been a place we have thrived and loved. It has been a place where we have experienced many life-changing events. As I think about the significance of what has happened in our lives as we lived here, I know it is part of the reason why I will be crying as we pull out of the driveway for the last time tomorrow. And yet, we feel much anticipation for what the Lord will do as move to Tuscaloosa and trust Him to provide in the same way there.

When we moved here over 4 years ago from a hard 2 years in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, we were in desperate need of encouragement and life-giving community. That is exactly what the Lord provided. The leadership and ministry training we received under Gary Purdy and then David Robbins have just been awesome. But more importantly we have experienced true Gospel-centered community in our staff teams. The Lord has been so sweet to provide such wonderful friends in our co-workers who have loved on us and have prayed for us during so many joys and sorrows.

It was about 3 years ago that we got more involved with our church here and God continued to provide community for us there as well. We have grown so much the last few years and it is in large part due to our church home. I am especially thankful for the friends I made and the ways that they have pointed me to Christ through all the facets of growing our family. Not to mention we just have fun together! I will miss them so so so much!!!

This is the home we brought our first 2 miracles home to. This is the home we lost our 3rd miracle. This is the home we found out about our 4th miracle. Much of the journey to our family has happened here. When I look at the picture above of my precious children, I am overwhelmed anew at the Lord's great mercy to me. Bringing them home in December of 2005 and February of 2007 were some of the biggest joys of my life!

Another great joy of living in Athens has been how close we have been to my family. They have been such a huge help to us in so many areas. Babysitting. Yardwork. Moving Furniture. This is by far the hardest part of leaving Athens...the fact that we will be moving further away from my family.

The decision to leave here was not an easy one. I have struggled with my emotions and trusting the Lord and His calling. If I had my rathers, I wouldn't be moving. However, I know that God has called us to Tuscaloosa. As believers in Christ, and especially as full-time ministers of the gospel, we are called to follow Him wherever He leads. Jeff and I are confident that He has led us to make this move no matter how hard it is. We are excited about what He is going to do in and through us as Jeff becomes the campus director at Alabama.

I am trusting that the Lord is good. That He promises good to me and my family. It is a continual life lesson for me. My friend Lyn shared this very familiar verse with me as I was struggling to trust God's plan is calling us to Bama. She encouraged me to truly claim this promise as we move. It has definitely been something I have meditated on and claimed and will continue to do so in the difficult moments that are sure to come.

Jeremiah 29:11

(The Message)
"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised... I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

(NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."