Hi, friends. I’m taking time today to share a family update. Many of you have read my blog for years, and even though we don’t know each other “in real life,” you have assured me of your prayers for me and my family. So I wanted to give a little life update.
Over the past several years, God has increasingly burdened my husband’s heart with the desire to pastor. Several years ago, when he began work on a Ph.D., we began praying that God would lead us to a church Jonathan could pastor after his degree was completed.
This past May, when Jonathan graduated, we began praying even more earnestly that God would lead us clearly and unmistakably. Some verses I repeatedly prayed to the Lord were Psalm 25:9 and Proverbs 3:5-6:
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
I wrote several posts about finding God’s will because it was just the overflow of what God was teaching us. (How Can I Know God’s Will? & When God Calls You to Something You Didn’t Expect) And over the last few months, God has consistently proved himself faithful to answer our prayers and clearly lead us. (Why am I surprised?)
Get to the News
This past Sunday, Jonathan accepted the call from a church in Concord, NH to be their pastor. We are planning to relocate towards the beginning of October, so our house looks like a pile of boxes at this present moment.
The reality of moving is that it’s often bittersweet.
The Lord gave us a good gift in allowing us to serve with my family here in Richmond, VA. Both Jonathan and I have grown in our dependence on the Lord during this time and we’ve been grateful to see him reveal sinful blind spots in our hearts. We have loved having special times with my family and serving with the body of believers here. Sometimes the Lord brings people in your life who are such an encouragement to bolster up your faith, and he’s certainly done that for us as we’ve served with our church body here in Virginia. It’s bitter to say goodbye to people you love.
But there is a sweetness in obeying the Lord that cannot be matched by any worldly pleasure. I firmly believe that not only because the Bible says it, but because God, in his grace, has allowed me to experience it. We have loved getting to meet our new church family and have already been encouraged by their dependence on the Lord. We are looking forward to getting to know them, love them, and serve with them.
Are You Excited?
A kind friend asked me this question yesterday and I didn’t answer with the typical yes or no reply.
I am excited to know God’s will and follow it with along with my dear husband and children. I’m excited to see my husband do what God has called him to do. And I’m looking forward to getting to know the church body he’s called us to minister to and serve with for the future.
But I am sobered.
And I am desperate.
Desperate for God’s strength as I seek to love and support my husband in this new position. Desperate for God’s wisdom as we seek to shepherd our children through this change and help them through changes of their own (new home, friends, & school). And desperate for God’s grace as I seek to die to myself and surrender my own way through the many upcoming changes. (hello, cold weather that offers the chance to die to myself for several months out of the year)
The More You Trust…
As I was driving my kids to the dentist this week, a song began playing and I was so encouraged with these words:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him,
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,
O for grace to trust him more.
You know when you’re in a relationship with someone and you experience something new and scary with them? When you come out alive on the other side, you often have a closer bond with them. I’m experiencing the same thing in my relationship with Jesus. Over the last few years especially, when he’s brought me through difficult, scary times, (like my water breaking at 20 weeks & Jonathan’s Ph.D. degree) he has drawn me closer to himself, taught me to trust, and as a result I trust him and love him more the next time a difficult circumstance comes around. It’s a good cycle: the more you trust, the more you love, the closer you become.
A Little Break
I’m going to take a few weeks away from publishing on this site as I finish packing, say goodbyes and hellos, unpack, and work to help my family settle into a new routine. I will still send out a Read. Think. Learn. newsletter with some quotes I’ve been chewing on lately, so if you’re not already in on that, you can sign up here.
I’m so grateful for your encouragement. So many of you have been such a help in your prayers for me and kind words to me. The Lord uses all sorts of avenues to bless his children and I’m thankful for the way he has blessed me through you. May the Lord help us each to be faithful wherever he has called us.
Comments
17 responses to “On Moving to New Hampshire”
So very excited that God is moving you and your family to NH! Having moved several times I understand the excitement to follow Gods will but the pain of saying goodbye. I am praying for you!
It was a special treat to be in the service this past Sunday in NH, and then to hear of the God-directed results! Praise the Lord! You will ministering in the midst of some precious saints of God!!
I live in central Maine, so I always get excited when I hear of people coming to serve in New England!! We need more Pastors and Christian workers up here! Welcome to the neighborhood! 😊
The first church my husband pastored was a church that had been closed for years. Our early years of marriage were going well when we were invited to pastor a church in another state. It was very hard for Hubby to think of leaving his first church while I felt it was God’s will. In time we did make the move and left not only our first church but both of our families. We quickly adapted to our new home and ministry which lasted for the rest of the years of our ministry. We became part of the community and were involved in area wide ministries. Yes, there were hard experiences like building projects, cult influence on our people, a split that had issues with the pastor, etc. but the Lord helped us thru each of these things with victory. We also enjoyed a time of revival, a thriving missionary program, a monthly hymnsing and Easter cantatas that involved other churches, etc. We enjoy listening to recordings of some of these things that bring back good memories. None of us know what the future holds for us except that the “steps of a righteous man/woman are established by the Lord”. Ps. 37:23 With the Lord in control of our life we know His plan for us is for good ALL the time. He has been faithful and will continue to be . We are praying for both of you daily.
Wonderful, heartfelt, personal post!
We will miss you all. It has been great to serve the Lord together for nearly 2 years.
We will be praying for each of you, especially as you adjust to your new ministry. So glad that you can fully trust in the Lord Jesus during this time.
We live in Williston Vermont and are in close fellowship with The Wilds of New England and we know a few Pastors from the surrounding area. God is good and doing good. Excited for you all and will pray for sure!
Thank you for sharing your testimony of faith, June. I’m looking forward to learning more from you as we minister together!!
Thank you, Nicole!!
That is such a blessing. We will miss fellowshipping with you and Denise here in Virginia. Thankful to trust God’s amazingly perfect timing. I know you both will be a blessing here!
Rhonae, your prayers and encouragement mean so much. We are looking forward to serving with you all.
Thank you, dear Mom. I am so grateful for the Lord’s perfect plan in bringing us to Richmond and allowing my family to be influenced by Hanover. Thank you for loving and encouraging us with your steady prayers.
That is awesome, Kim. Thanks for your encouragement!!
I have enjoyed reading all your little stories and words of encouragement. May God bless you and your family. Change is never easy, but as you well know God will give you what you need for this time. God is good all the time!.
thanks for your encouragement, Julie!
I didn’t see this when you posted it, but by now I hope you have settled in to one of the most beautiful places on earth! My parents moved to Hampton Beach NH when I was a little girl. They helped plant a church there. Later, we moved back to SC. Some of my fondest memories are of New England and I go back there with my family when we can. I believe you will find that this, too is a good gift from your sweet Savior. I will be praying for you and your family as you begin this journey.
Excited to watch this new path God has led for your family and ministry.
So excited that you and your family have moved to our beautiful state! We have visited Trinity on numerous occasions for special events in the past and are thrilled for them that your hubby will be their pastor.
We live about an hour north of Trinity so we’re not likely to see you often, but maybe we will bump into one another at The Wilds of New England some time!