Today was a very FULL day for me emotionally. Has your heart ever been so full of so many things that you can't begin to even express it....today is one of those days, so if this blog post seems a bit jumbled you will know why.
First thing it hit me that today would of been mom and dads 35th wedding anniversary. Daddy was always up to something and he usually pulled me into helping him plan something. Last year he was in Charleston starting radiation/chemo and they came home on their anniversary weekend so daddy called me and had me get 34 roses and have them on their dining room table when they came in. Lots more sweet memories I could share. I do know that I am thankful that God gave me parents that showed me what it looked like to be married through the thick and thin of life. I see now days that our culture preaches such a different message. Marriage is work, but when you work at it, it is a very rewarding thing!
We went to church today to our next to last service at Grace Church. Let me just say that when we first walked in the doors of Grace Church approximately 11 months ago I had no clue what God would have for us in this past (almost) year. When we stepped away from our position at our former church in complete faith that God was moving us to something different I could not even begin to tell you how scary, yet empowering it was to know we were following God completely! God has taught us so many things through that process and I am thankful everyday that even though some may never understand it, it is the best feeling to know we are in God's perfect will! I have grown so much being under the teaching ministry of Grace. The application to my life personally has challenged me, stretched me and grown me in ways that I could of never thought possible! I saw church in a different light and my life will be forever changed because of it. For once in my life I don't feel pressured to meet someones standard of acceptance, but I am accepted through my faith in the gospel. I don't think the gospel has ever been so true to me in every aspect of my life. I really don't think I have ever come to such reality of how truly broken I am on a daily basis. I mean we all try to talk ourselves into how good we really are (we don't do this or we do do that) right? But seeing things in a different light made me realize that we are all so broken and in need of the gospel not just once when we get saved but everyday that we breathe! There are so many people at Grace Church that welcomed us with loving arms and showed us what practical Christian love and generosity looked like. They have blessed us beyond words.
We had our "going away party" with our small group tonight. When we signed up to join a community group (Grace's technical term) I wasn't really sure what exactly a small group was, but had heard different things. We walked into a group of 13 other people who accepted us with open arms and loved on us at a time when life was a bit difficult. They gave us meals, watched our kids, sent us out on a date night, more meals, more childcare, but best of all encouraged us and cried with us and weren't afraid to meet us where we were. I will forever be changed by their example. When we were first accepted to Harvest Training Center I didn't really think it would be this hard to walk away from our church we have proudly called home...today was a bit emotional for me.
Finally, I am feeling a bit anxious about what it will be like to walk away from what has been our "routine" for the past 11 months to some unknown waters and territory. We are so excited about where God is placing us and how He is going to use us. If I could explain all He has done over the past few months to confirm in our hearts that we are exactly where He wants us it would blow your mind!
We went to church today to our next to last service at Grace Church. Let me just say that when we first walked in the doors of Grace Church approximately 11 months ago I had no clue what God would have for us in this past (almost) year. When we stepped away from our position at our former church in complete faith that God was moving us to something different I could not even begin to tell you how scary, yet empowering it was to know we were following God completely! God has taught us so many things through that process and I am thankful everyday that even though some may never understand it, it is the best feeling to know we are in God's perfect will! I have grown so much being under the teaching ministry of Grace. The application to my life personally has challenged me, stretched me and grown me in ways that I could of never thought possible! I saw church in a different light and my life will be forever changed because of it. For once in my life I don't feel pressured to meet someones standard of acceptance, but I am accepted through my faith in the gospel. I don't think the gospel has ever been so true to me in every aspect of my life. I really don't think I have ever come to such reality of how truly broken I am on a daily basis. I mean we all try to talk ourselves into how good we really are (we don't do this or we do do that) right? But seeing things in a different light made me realize that we are all so broken and in need of the gospel not just once when we get saved but everyday that we breathe! There are so many people at Grace Church that welcomed us with loving arms and showed us what practical Christian love and generosity looked like. They have blessed us beyond words.
We had our "going away party" with our small group tonight. When we signed up to join a community group (Grace's technical term) I wasn't really sure what exactly a small group was, but had heard different things. We walked into a group of 13 other people who accepted us with open arms and loved on us at a time when life was a bit difficult. They gave us meals, watched our kids, sent us out on a date night, more meals, more childcare, but best of all encouraged us and cried with us and weren't afraid to meet us where we were. I will forever be changed by their example. When we were first accepted to Harvest Training Center I didn't really think it would be this hard to walk away from our church we have proudly called home...today was a bit emotional for me.
Finally, I am feeling a bit anxious about what it will be like to walk away from what has been our "routine" for the past 11 months to some unknown waters and territory. We are so excited about where God is placing us and how He is going to use us. If I could explain all He has done over the past few months to confirm in our hearts that we are exactly where He wants us it would blow your mind!
"From the end of the earth will I cry unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalms 61:2
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