Exciting Times!

I'm interrupting my catch-up posts for something current. :)


God is so faithful.
I know He is, but every time He provides I find myself in awe and amazed at his goodness.
God has always provided for our family.
We have always had everything we have needed.
Things have been tight from time to time, but we have always been okay.
God has always provided jobs for us in order to provide for our family.


When I quit my job at the jail in May of 2009 (the day I went into labor with Avery), it was a huge leap of faith.  My heart's desire was to stay at home with my baby.  We were a bit nervous, but trusted God and He provided.  When Avery was three months old (August 2009), I started working with my friends at their photography studio (front desk).  I was able to take Avery with me, and was able to bring home a little bit of money.  It was such a blessing.  When I got really sick in my pregnancy with Ezra, I had to quit.  At the same time, I was starting to get more photography jobs on my own... that has picked up, and though it's not consistent and not much, every little bit helps.  I get to stay home with my kids AND do something I love.  It's a win-win. :)


Joe was an associate pastor at a local church but took an opportunity to teach at Sterling College (July 2011) - his Alma Mater.  It was a wonderful school year.  Joe and I love Sterling, and Joe loves teaching.  It has been the perfect workload to carry as Joe works on his doctorate.  During the school year, we realized that if Sterling College was our permanent future, we needed to move there.  We needed to be a part of the community there.  Joe was driving over an hour (one way) multiple times each week.  The cost of gas on top of my concerns for him being on the road so much... well, it just made sense.  It was a hard decision... one we talked and prayed a LOT about.  I was having a harder time than Joe, I'll be honest.  We just moved into our current home in March of 2011 and I had pictured our lives there for a long time.  I not only loved our house, but our neighborhood and the relationships we were building with our neighbors, the school district we were in, and the proximity to our family members.  My photography opportunities had been increasing and it was hard to think of leaving those and "starting over" in Sterling.  When it came down to it, I wanted to support Joe.  He has worked so hard to provide for our family and he has supported my desire to stay home with Avery and Ezra.  I knew God was asking me to let go of my selfish desires and trust Him.


Joe and I continued to pray as we made plans to ready our house for the market.  A few questions that continually came to the surface were "Joe, do you feel called to be a professor?  Will you miss ministry?  When you're done with your doctorate, will you be eager to use that education in a ministry setting?" As much as Joe LOVED being a professor, he could not ignore his calling and his heart's desire.  He has always had a pastor's heart.  He has always longed to lead a community of people as they follow after God - we have longed for that together.  We decided to open our prayers up a bit wider.  We began to ask God to provide a pastoral position for Joe if that's where He was calling us.  Though we were open to moving where God called us, we asked more specifically that God provide something in Wichita.  It didn't seem likely.  Many doors had opened to us in the past, but God had closed each one at some point (we see His sovereignty so clearly now).  We knew we either needed to move to Sterling for Joe to teach or move out of state for Joe to pastor.  You would think by now I would have learned to completely trust God. :)


Seemingly out of the blue, Joe was contacted regarding a pastoral position.  In Wichita.  Near our home.  A church Joe had preached at before... a church we had been a part of for about a year (before we had kids).  Their senior pastor had moved on to focus on house church ministry and they were in need of a pastor.  We prayerfully entered into conversation with the elders and search team.  God literally put every puzzle piece in place.  Quickly.  We were (and are) in awe.


All that to say, Joe has accepted the Lead Pastor position at Faith Community Church!  The church was founded in 1982, so it is the same age as we are (you know how I like numbers). :) The people we have met so far are incredible.  The church is healthy and happy, and they seem as excited about us as we are about them.  God has provided a perfect fit for us.  We also get to stay in our home, which is an added blessing. :) The church is 15 minutes from our house!


Joe and I are thrilled to be entering back into full-time ministry together.  We are excited about the future with Faith Community!  When we get home from vacation and camps, we'll hit the ground running.


Thank you to those of you who have prayed for us and supported us.  We truly appreciate each and every one of you.  To the members of Faith, thank you for welcoming us into your community.  I can't wait to meet you all and begin to share life with you!