I know it has been a long time since I wrote a blog entry, and most people have ceased to even check here anymore, but I do have a couple of items to share, and this seems the appropriate place for it.
First: As we prepare to leave Croswell, after 19 years of ministry here, I want to make it clear to the people of Croswell that we leave with a deep sense of love and accomplishment in our hearts. We love this church, and the people of the Croswell-Lexington community. It is a difficult decision to leave a place where we have celebrated so many great things, wrestled through so many difficult things, and ushered so many of our closest friends into eternity together with you. You will always be like family to us, and we hope to get back to visit once in a while to see how the family is doing. You have all been a blessing to us, and we will miss you greatly.
Second: As we prepare to move to Westview Wesleyan Church in Jonesboro, Indiana, we are anticipating great things from the Lord. We expect to meet lots of new "family", and reunite with friends from years gone by. We have great expectations for the future and believe in the potential to impact the world through the ministry God is preparing for Westview and for us. We have already been greatly blessed by those we have met, and some have already friended us on Facebook. Our kids have made some friendships just from visiting one time that they look forward to building upon as they begin their new journey. The University being so close gives us the capacity to impact the world by investing in the students for the four to five years they will be at IWU! Those students will go on to influence their world wherever God may lead them, so the influence we have on them will have an impact only revealed in Heaven! So much potential, so few days until we are a part of it!
Third: The in between months of waiting on the Lord have been a new experience for me. This is not because we have never sought the Lord's leading, because we have often done so, and have never struggled so mightily to determine what He was doing. I beleive, now, that He was holding off clarity for us to direct the timing of our decision for the best for everyone. What do I mean? I mean that He didn't tell us "too late" or "too soon" to accomplish His will. He told us exactly when He determined for the good of everyone involved. His timing is perfect, and this was HIS timing. Therefore, whatever challenges the apparent "lateness" of clarity for us may have put into motion, God wanted us to go through those challenges to teach us lovingly to depend on Him. I don't know how that will all flesh out, only that it is true!
Finally: How do we feel about everything? We feel like God has led us and that we are being obedient to Him. There is no greater feeling of peace or clarity. It is a good thing to be in His will and to know you are doing what He desires. I wouldn't have it any other way. God is always good.
These are the rambling thoughts of a life in transition. It is exciting, saddening and sometimes scary, but always good! Thank you Lord, for your guidance, your power and your peace. May God's grace rest on all who read this post, on Croswell Wesleyan Church and on Westview Wesleyan Church.
