*Generally, my public posts have been more funny and light-hearted. And my serious posts have been kept private; more like a journal. However, life is changing (again) and this is a good place to fill everyone in on our last year.*
Life has a way of coming full circle.
Today was our first Sunday (back) at Calvary Christian Assembly. We spent our first 8 years in ministry there. (And have been gone almost equally as long… 7 years.) We were married there. Our kids were born there (not literally, but you know what I mean). We loved there. We grew there. We learned a lot there. We’ve learned a lot since “there”.
And now we’re back. I would be lying if I said this was an easy decision; that I knew it was God’s “will”.
It hasn’t been easy. In fact, at first, I refused. Flat out. Not that it was all up to me (but I love to think it is). Both Tim and I weren’t “feeling” it. We were wondering if we wanted to pursue ministry at all. I’ll have to get into all of that in another blog.
But timing is a funny thing. Aside from his stint at Zillow and odd side jobs; nothing, I mean nothing, has opened up for Tim. (Click here for a little more of the story.) And we were beginning to wonder what in the world this meant for us. Would we be able to keep our home? Pay our bills? Was Tim not “called” to ministry?
We’re in our mid thirties and life is not going as planned. At all.
*I need to add at this point that we have the most amazing family and friends. There are so many wonderful people in our lives, and there is not a chance that I would have made it through without them. I’m blessed to have so many good girlfriends, moms, and sisters that have been there for me; unconditionally loving and listening. On top of that support, we had people that anonymously gave money to us during this time. I know it was more than one person as they came in different envelopes with different writing. And we are beyond grateful for their generosity. Every time I carried in an envelope, I was (and still am) overwhelmed that God, through very generous people, had once again provided for us. One in particular stood out as they gave large amounts, numerous times… the pink envelope. It’s hard for me to even put into words how thankful we are for those gifts. They literally kept us in our home. If you are reading this, please know how much you all blessed our family and taught our children wonderful lessons in generosity and God’s provision. The kids are already talking about ways that they can “give back.” Thank you.*
So, as I was saying, we were feeling a bit lost.
But I’m getting tired of typing, so to make a long post a little shorter, here’s the quick version:
We revisited (with the encouragement of Tim’s good friend Larry) the idea of Calvary and decided to pursue the opportunity that was available.
Hindsight is 20/20, or so the saying goes. I can’t wait to look back and see what God was doing.
This morning was good. The kids loved it. Tim loved it. And me?
I felt like we were right where we should be.
Livy, I have been reading your blog this year and praying that God would help you find a good outcome. We have been where you two have been several times in our life, most recently when we left our St Helens ministry in 1992.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It helps those who love you to be able to pray more specifically to God. I am so glad that you did not loose your house. We went through that once and it was wrenching. It was several years before I was healed from that loss. One thing I can say regarding that time in our life is that God showed me where to put my faith. He also gave me a gift of empathy for others I have known since who are going through similar challenges in their life. I have also learned to have joy in my life because God is faithful and not because I have all the material things this world can offer.
In retrospect, I thank God for that difficult time that truly taught me to know that He carries us when we are unable to take one more step on our own. God bless you both in your new ministry.