Sunday, October 12, 2008

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.

12 comments:

Lori Mercer said...

Ohhh nooo!! WOW! Totally didn't see that coming! :) We were in Gulf Shores this weekend when a friend texted us the news! I sure am going to miss your smiling face around Frazer! I can't wait to hear about all your new adventures here - keep blogging and it will be like you never left! :)

Unknown said...

I hate to see you all leave, but I know God has plans for you both. We will miss you all so much. But I am glad we can watch Bennett grow up on pictures from your Blog.

Perri said...

That must have been a difficult decision to make. However, your family sounds so strong and grounded that I'm excited for you all and your new adventure. On a side note, I've only been to Kansas City once but I was really impressed with it too - very clean and beautiful place! I'll be praying for you...

Amanda said...

I'm so sorry I almost exposed you! I didn't know not to mention the house being for sale.

I wish you guys all the luck in the world. I'm sure Kansas will be fabulous and I'm sure Bennett will be the prettiest girl in her school (since she was born in the South...)

PS - The house looks great, I'm sure it'll sell twice as quickly as ours!

Unknown said...

I know that we don't know each other that well, I am so thankful that we have become facebook and blogging friends. I am pretty sure that I associate the Contemporary service with you and your sweet family! We will miss you so much! On the other hand, you are embarking on a new adventure and your new church family will be so blessed to have you!

Mommy S. said...

After checking our frequent flier milage, we have discovered that we have enough milage for two free flights to guess where - yea - and you haven't even moved yet!!! Kansas City here we come!!!!

Abby said...

We are going to miss you all more than you can imagine. The impact that both you and Rob have been on Jerrod's life has forever changed both our lives for the better. Although our own selfish desires wish for all 3 of y'all to stay here, we are so excited for Kansas City to get to experience the Red Webs! But after y'all move I better not see a lot of pics with you and Bennett in blue and white! Roll Tide!
P.S. O yea... I know your not stalking me. I figured with this big post of y'all's move and our names being on the top of the People Y'all Like list, it was inevitable. I love it! The only thing I wish was different was that my guilty pleasures wasn't at the top of my page! Hahaha! You should look at my page again!!

jen said...

awesome...i'm so excited for you guys!! even though my situation wasn't exactly the same, i feel like i've been in a similar place...
leaving frazer, leaving all family behind, leaving familiarity, and embarking on a new adventure--the unknown.
what a testimony to follow the call...wherever it leads, even when it doesn't make 100% sense, and especially when it is tough.
i am cheering for you guys...and yes, it is still possible to follow the tide wherever you go!
love you guys...am praying for the transition!

The Khans said...

Well, I guess I now know why your house is for sale. We definitely need to get together soon so we can catch up more about this amazing opportunity. We will certainly miss you, but like you said you can't ignore God's leading. When will Rob be starting????

Keri A. Ward said...

Although I read this with tears swelled in my eyes and I am so sad to see such awesome Godly people leave this community, I KNOW without a doubt that you are following God. How amazing it that HE works (so easily) for us to see His path that the resonates perfect pieces of scripture for us to trust Him.

Yall are in my prayers! love you!

Elliot said...

Precious cousin Lauren, when we let go and let God, we find that He leads us to places and situations we never knew existed. We love you all dearly, and yes, we will miss you terribly, but we are so excited to see what God has in store for you, Rob and Bennett. He has given you incredible talents and I'm thrilled for y'all to be able to use them to His ultimate glory. I have no doubt that you will fit in and make friends instantly. I love you so much!

Anna said...

ok...so i read this post several days ago, but didn't comment bc i was so sad. of course, we did see it coming but were hoping hoping ya'll would stay around here. BUT...we are THRILLED for you! what a wonderful opportunity, and i'm so thankful that God has given you a peace about it. can we help you do anything? pack? come play with bennett while you pack? we will really miss you, but we're so happy for your sweet family and thankful we've gotten to know you better in the past 9 months! we love you!!!