Thursday's Thanksgivings

Though my eyes are tired, my mind is swimming with things to write about.  I don't want to take much time, but I do want to make mention of much that I've been thankful for today.

In no particular order, I will try not to leave anything out.  

First of all, I was thankful to be able to attend an Out of the Boat Ministries event at one of our local churches.  It was a beautiful time of worship and fellowship and hearing God's Word taught by the passionate Tollie Meggs.  I was blessed, and the Lord brought much refreshment to my soul.  I am so thankful that David was willing to keep the children for the evening so that I could attend.  And to top it off, I was able to go with my precious mother!  I don't know the last time that we've been able to sit together - undistracted - and enjoy a time such as this.  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of tonight and for meeting with us in such a special way. 

Secondly, I wanted to mention a HUGE cause for thanksgiving in our family.  Pop, my dad's dad, was diagnosed with liver cancer not too long ago.  He has already had to undergo several rounds of chemotherapy for a reoccurring cancer in his mouth that the Lord has graciously healed him of.  Last week, he had to undergo surgery to see what we were dealing with and what could be done.  Not knowing what they'd find, the doctors only detected two spots on his liver that were simply able to be burned away.  THANK YOU, LORD, for your grace working on Pop's behalf.  I talked to Pop today, and he sounded great.  He had gone to drink coffee with his pals this morning and was enjoying a warm, beautiful day down South.  Pop said that he was informed by his doctor to expect "severe pain" for at least 5 or 6 days.  He was thrilled to let me know that he hasn't had to take the first pain pill!!  AND the doctor said that he didn't need to see him again for another YEAR!!  Praise the Lord!!  For this, I'm SO thankful!!

Next, I did want to mention what a wonderful time we had last week with my mom's parents, Grammy and Daddy Jim.  We were able to take a little vacation and spend time at their home on beautiful Lake Santa Fe.  I was so thankful for the time we were able to share with them, as well as all the fun that was had!!  I'll try to document more about the trip soon, but until then, here's a glimpse of some of our activities. . . 

Now on a bit more serious note, I want to thank the Lord for Circlewood Baptist Church.  Providentially, Circlewood (the church my husband grew up in) provided David with a job very quickly after we felt that the Lord's leading us overseas had come to an abrupt halt.  It was during our missionary training that we received John David's autism diagnosis.  At that point - as hard as it was to transition our thinking and planning - we felt the need to return home to seek services and therapy for John David, as well as the support of our family and friends.  We thought it best to not attempt to learn a new language and culture of another people group as we were now beginning to learn the language and culture of autism.  Honestly, we just needed a chance to catch our breath.  

Two weeks prior to the diagnosis, one of David's best friends had just resigned as Circlewood's Student Minister.  So when we felt peace about heading back home, this position was open, and the Lord graciously worked out the details for David to fill it.  Amidst all of this, the family at Circlewood embraced us immediately, supported us with prayers and finances, and showed us grace as we were healing and seeking the Lord's will for our family.  So, if anyone from Circlewood is reading this now:  Thank You.  We are so thankful for the love and patience you've extended to our family.  We praise the Lord for each of you.  Like David said during his resignation last night, you all have blessed and served us far more than we've been able to in return.  

And those of you that may be reading this that are not from the church, please know how thankful we are to the Lord for providing a position for David to serve at a place full of people whom we already loved dearly.  It was truly a blessing of grace.   

Now this leads me to another cause for thanksgiving.  Though David has served the past two years as Student/Education Minister, the Lord has truly gifted him with a pastor's heart.  And I will be the first to attest to the fact that this is exactly the way the Lord has wired my husband.  He is a wonderful preacher and teacher and has a huge burden to shepherd and disciple the body of Christ.  Though we thought that he would be doing this in another country, we now feel that the Lord would have him use these gifts here in the US.  Despite our burden for the nations and our desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled, we have transitioned into more of a mobilizing role.  Thankfully, David has been able to lead several short term mission trips since feeling led to "stay," and I'm sure he'll continue this as long as the Lord allows.  

With David's heart to pastor - along with the beautiful progress we've thankfully seen in John David - our hearts were prompted to begin looking for a position in which David could best use his gifts.  Through much prayer and seeking the Lord, as well as many feelings of inadequacy and humility, God has opened the door for David to serve as senior pastor at a church in North Carolina.  As I said, he has felt inadequate for this high calling, and my feelings have been identical.  But we cannot overlook the providence of God in orchestrating all of the details that have led us to this point.  Therefore, it makes us excited to see God - once again - pour out His all-sufficient grace and to be able to watch His power being made perfect through our (many!) weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).  

So, although it will be hard being away from dear family and friends, we cannot help but express our excitement about this opportunity that the Lord has allowed.  We are so thankful and humbled to be apart of what God is doing at Lake Gaston Baptist Church.  

Thank You, God, that Your timing is perfect;

our lives are in Your hands.

Thank You that You are also perfectly good and kind and wise.

Please give us grace to trust You with each detail, every step of the way.

Thank You that You can be trusted completely 

and that Your grace is indeed sufficient.

Please make us more like Your Son, 

no matter what it takes to do that.

Just be near us, O Lord;

Your nearness is our good.  

Okay, so I did take a lot of time, and my eyes are now burning.  Good night! :)