There's no place like home

I have been wanting to write this post for about a month now, but I also wanted to wait until Rob had announced it to the church. Many of you heard this morning that we will be moving to Kansas and so I have finally felt like I was able to write about it. I didn't want anyone hearing about it on our blog before we had let our church family know.

Rob has taken a position at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. It is right outside of Kansas City and Rob will be serving as the director of video production. I cannot say enough good things about this church. When we flew out for Rob's interview I really didn't know what to expect. It had all come about so quickly and leaving Montgomery and Frazer at this point in time had never entered my mind. But Rob and I were both floored by the people we met, the church itself, Kansas City, and the unique opportunities to follow God's leading in a new place of ministry. We also heard amazing things about the school systems and I loved how much there was to do in Kansas City. I grew up in northern Virginia and I saw many similarities between the two areas and that made me very excited for Bennett and for any future children we may have. Rob loved the church and is excited to be a part of a dynamic team that will challenge him and help him grow his creative abilities.

This was not an easy decision. We love Frazer. We love Montgomery. We love our friends and our family. My entire family is here or very close by. On the plane ride home I prayed over and over for clarification and wisdom. During the week in which we wrestled with this decision I would cry one minute and then be so excited the next. The verse that calmed me and gave me so much peace was James 4:13-16. "Look here, you people who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil."

After reading that verse over and over and spending much time in prayer, we decided to go. I am going to be honest. It's hard. The reactions I have gotten from my friends and family have been difficult. The e-mails, phone calls, and messages of support have almost been enough for me to rip the For Sale sign out of my yard and re-consider. You all have been so kind and it means so much to me to hear how we have been so appreciated and loved. Thinking of taking Bennett so far away from her grandparents and cousins who see her almost every day and adore her is a very hard thing. Leaving the Contemporary Worship service that we have helped shape from day one is almost unbearable.

But, we are so excited about this opportunity and the chance to serve where the Lord is calling us. It came to a point where I felt that we would be in direct disobedience to God if we didn't go. James goes on to say in the very next verse, verse 17, "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."

We will keep everyone posted as we go along. I do humbly ask for you to keep us in your prayers. Please pray that our house will sell. Things couldn't be worse in the economy, but God is bigger than all of that and how can I say that I trust Him if I never attempt to do so? Pray for our final days with my family. Please pray that we will create many memories and that Bennett will be able to soak up the time with her grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousins, and Nana. Please pray for our replacements at Frazer. We know the the Lord is leading some amazing people to that church. I am so excited for the future of Frazer and I can't wait to come back during the holidays and marvel at the progress being made.

Thanks for putting up with such a long post. And thank you for your prayers and well wishes. Although we are sad, we can't wait to see what God has in store.