A few years ago when the housing market "bubble" was at the point where it was just about to blow, we put our home on the market. We wanted to move closer to family. In 6 months we had a grand total of 2 realtors show our house. It was obvious that we were not going anywhere. Mind you, had we sold our house then we would have had a significant amount of money to put down on another one with quite a bit left to pay off debt, decorate a new place, etc.
To be totally truthful, I never felt free to move. But I really really REALLY wanted to. I wanted to be near my sister and my mom. I wanted to have instant access to my nieces and nephews. I wanted to be in on the spur of the moment stuff, like coffees and mani pedis. You know, the important stuff! I, I, I, I ay ay ay!
But God knows my heart. He had something better than leaving here right then - this home of 11 years, our church and friends, the kid's schools and their circle of friends. So we took our house off the market and just settled back in.
Again, I would be a bold faced liar if I tried to pretend that I didn't still want to move "home".
However, I resolved myself to the fact that Chad's call to the pastorate would likely lead us further away, not closer. So instead of stomping my feet I buckled down and prayed for grace to trust in the One who always does what's best for me. Since God is infinitely more creative and endlessly resourceful it was, at times, really exciting thinking about the possibilities of where, when and how. Exciting and terrifying. Very often those thoughts consumed me and after a while I was convinced we'd end up in Scotland or even San Diego. Ha!
Since God rarely does things according to my brilliant ideas -ok, never- it was no surprise that Chad and I were each separately approached by different individuals asking us when/if we were going to church plant just north of here. ON THE SAME DAY!
Just north of here?? Really? Not Stockton or Barstow?
You know, we had this expectation that God would drive a bus through our front door with the name of wherever he had called us emblazoned across the front. He was way more gentle than that. Phew!
So I asked, "yeah Chad, are we? and when?" He said, "let's start praying". We did. Then we started sharing our hearts with some people we trust and they started praying. With every step in that direction we have reminded each other that, "the heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9
The biggest step so far, besides actually beginning the study, which we did.- has been putting our house back on the market. And we did that too. This past Friday. It's now Monday and we have had 4 offers on our home in less than 72 hours. My dear friend said it best, "I love that God doesn't believe in half measures!" And I couldn't agree more. Not only is Chad being called and confirmed in the pastorate but we are actually moving "home". That's where just north of here is.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Coram Deo Pres...
is her name. The church plant's name that is.
My husband has an impeccable memory...sometimes. Once in a while he affectionately reminds me of something I said like 7 million years ago and in perfect detail. Most times its stuff I forgot for good reason. I said some pretty lame things at the ripe old age of 20 and forgetfulness helps me maintain some level of self respect. Ha! So we were talking the other day about the church plant and how he is beginning to realize his dream of being a pastor. And by dream I mean calling and by calling I mean that when we were kids he asked that God make him anything but a pastor and send him anywhere but Africa.
That's right. I was hugely encouraging and supportive of the notion.
By God's grace we've both grown up a bit since then. Chad remembers less (in the best ways) and I am happy to be a pastor's wife. Truly. I realize its not the same as well equipped, but I am happy. In fact, I can't imagine being anywhere but by his side no matter his calling or where it takes him.
This is a hugely exciting time in the Hertzell House though not without its challenges. What does uprooting for church planting look like for a family with teenagers who are very cozy in the community they grew up in? What about their friends, their routine, their fabulous school? What about my friends and my coffee shop (the one that is a lot like Cheers in that they greet me by name when I walk in)?? All these questions whiz around in my head at dizzying speed until I stop and recall the promises of the One who gave his life that I might have life abundantly. Jesus, my savior, my redeemer. Sometimes its a verse we've all heard reminding me His yoke is easy and His burden is light - Matthew 11:28-30. Other times its the one where I say with Jehoshaphat "I do not know what to do but my eyes are on You" - II Chronicles 20:12. But always the peace of God's is round and about me as he daily demonstrates His care over all of us with his tender ways, whether a text message from someone who is praying or a clear pointer in a new direction.
Chad and I were overjoyed to launch the church plant last night with a great group of people who came out to begin the book study about marriage, "What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage" by Paul Tripp. It was a great beginning and we look forward to building on what we pray will be many years serving God at Coram Deo Presbyterian Church.
My husband has an impeccable memory...sometimes. Once in a while he affectionately reminds me of something I said like 7 million years ago and in perfect detail. Most times its stuff I forgot for good reason. I said some pretty lame things at the ripe old age of 20 and forgetfulness helps me maintain some level of self respect. Ha! So we were talking the other day about the church plant and how he is beginning to realize his dream of being a pastor. And by dream I mean calling and by calling I mean that when we were kids he asked that God make him anything but a pastor and send him anywhere but Africa.
Turns out God called Chad to the pastorate after all, just not in Africa.
It IS, however, in Fair Oaks and we are really happy with that.
Anyway, his memory recalled a conversation from our early years that went something like, "Hey Min, I'd really love to serve God by being a pastor" to which I replied, "I did NOT sign up to be a pastor's wife!"
That's right. I was hugely encouraging and supportive of the notion.
By God's grace we've both grown up a bit since then. Chad remembers less (in the best ways) and I am happy to be a pastor's wife. Truly. I realize its not the same as well equipped, but I am happy. In fact, I can't imagine being anywhere but by his side no matter his calling or where it takes him.
This is a hugely exciting time in the Hertzell House though not without its challenges. What does uprooting for church planting look like for a family with teenagers who are very cozy in the community they grew up in? What about their friends, their routine, their fabulous school? What about my friends and my coffee shop (the one that is a lot like Cheers in that they greet me by name when I walk in)?? All these questions whiz around in my head at dizzying speed until I stop and recall the promises of the One who gave his life that I might have life abundantly. Jesus, my savior, my redeemer. Sometimes its a verse we've all heard reminding me His yoke is easy and His burden is light - Matthew 11:28-30. Other times its the one where I say with Jehoshaphat "I do not know what to do but my eyes are on You" - II Chronicles 20:12. But always the peace of God's is round and about me as he daily demonstrates His care over all of us with his tender ways, whether a text message from someone who is praying or a clear pointer in a new direction.
Chad and I were overjoyed to launch the church plant last night with a great group of people who came out to begin the book study about marriage, "What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage" by Paul Tripp. It was a great beginning and we look forward to building on what we pray will be many years serving God at Coram Deo Presbyterian Church.
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