I have taken a position at Russellville First Baptist as the Director of Women's Ministry and First Impressions that will begin in January. That's pretty much what you need to know about this update, but feel free to keep reading if you would like to hear how the Lord has graciously led us to this decision.
We moved to North Little Rock at the end of May and at the beginning of July a friend called asking if I would be interested in the position. After hearing the description I told her that in another life I would LOVE to do that job, but I didn't think there was any way I could take it given our current situation, but I told her I would pray about it and let her know soon when the Lord confirmed that no.
The problem was, He just never did that.
When I told Clay about the phone call, he had a similar response as I did, but a few days later came back and said he didn't think it was a no. I also felt the same. And if I'm honest, this was the part of the process that was the hardest for me. I will be the first to admit that it is not a cushy comfort zone, but it is my comfort zone. I have been home for seven years, and I love it. I love homeschooling. I love seeing my kids' friendships grow. I love being the first to see all of the milestones. And furthermore, I genuinely felt like I was called to this stay-at-home mom life. Even on the hardest, most isolating days, I have gone to bed thinking, "I wouldn't change it though." I also had to deal with other deeper fears about why God was giving me a way to provide for our family. In short, I had a lot of heart work to go through with Him.
After spending much time praying about it and reaching out to trusted mentors to get their perspective, it seemed like everyone could see God's hand in this and we should keep moving forward until the Lord shut the door.
The entire process with the staff and church has been such a blessing to me. I wish I had time and space to write out every prayer the Lord has answered and every instance of Him working this out in the details and in my own heart. Instead I will tell you two stories.
In the spring before we moved from Russellville, Eli played baseball on a team who happened to have a number of families who went to FBC Russellville and many of the kids attended the new private school in the church. It was the sweetest season with the sweetest people, and honestly, a lot of fun because they were really good. When we were leaving the last game, I told Clay, "I don't know, but if we ever end up back in this area, I want those to be our people!" I had no idea that just 6 months later, we would be moving back and Eli and Lydia would be in class with some of the kids who were on that team. Not only that, but one of my sweetest, life-long friends is the 1st grade teacher, so she has been amazing to send me pictures and videos of what the class is doing, so Eli can watch them and get ready for that transition.
Seeing the way the Lord is giving me a place to work where I will be able to be under the same roof as all of my kids and that they will be with some people they already know genuinely blows be away.
The second story: The interview process began with my van breaking down on the way. Picture me frantically pulling off the interstate in my smoking mini-van telling the kids to pray RIGHT NOW that the Lord would give us someone at the gas station who could help us. And he did! A nice family helped me get a band aid on the situation until I could get it to a shop.
It should be noted that my biggest insecurity in this season of life is that I am a burden to people around me. And the Lord found it fitting to put me in a place where I literally had no idea what I was going to do or should do. I pulled into the parking lot of the church (with a busted radiator, as it turned out) to find about seven men who worked at the church who already had a plan and were adamant about their willingness to help me. I ended up getting to spend the day at the church and meeting far more people than I had planned. Someone lent me a car to get home, and as I got into the car of a complete stranger to drive home, I felt a complete peace that this was exactly where I needed to be.
And at every turn when I have questioned whether or not this will be best move for our family, the Lord answers my prayers so specifically that it is what is best. And I am convinced that God is big enough and good enough that if this is where He is calling our family, then it will be for the good of ALL of us, not just some of us.
Also to be noted, God has already provided a home, full childcare for Judson, a moving truck and people to help move, and a gracious timeline for the kids and I to start work and school on the same day.
There have been many moments when I have been tempted to fear that this will be too much for me and I will fail. And the Lord has been so kind to remind me time and time again that the biblical response when He calls us to something we would have never sought out ourselves is not insecurity, but humility. And I am beyond humbled that in the midst of feeling the absolute weakest I have ever felt, the Lord is displaying His strength in me by calling me to serve at an amazing church body. I am so grateful and eager to begin!
Prayer requests:
-Please pray for a low stress December as we prepare to move the week between Christmas and New Years
-For a smooth transition for the kids as they start a full time school schedule mid-year
-Wisdom for me as I start the new position and learn to balance work and family
-Clay has just recovered from another parotitis infection and a couple weeks of very debilitating pain that caused him to sit out of Thanksgiving gatherings. Please pray that he would feel well enough and have energy to go to our Christmas celebrations.
-He should have another brain scan this month (not scheduled yet). Please pray for a clear result!
Ready, break!
