Decisons

A few months ago Chris & I made the decision that he would put his name on the "call list" for LCMS churches. What that means is he would be open for other other churches to contact him about job openings. This decision came about for many reasons and was not an easy one to make, but we prayed that we would be open to whatever God put in front of us.

About a month ago, Faith Community Lutheran Church (Faith), contacted Chris about a Family Ministry position that they were ready to create. Now, this church is not just down the road or even a few hours away - it's in Las Vegas. Yes, Las Vegas!! When Chris asked me about it I told him "Sure. Why not? We have nothing to lose by finding out more." Right?!?

Faith brought us out to visit at the end of August, which just happened to be the hottest week of the year out there (but hey, it's a "dry heat"). We had an amazing visit. It was crammed full with meeting people, seeing things & eating lots of food. We left feeling like this was where God wanted us, but was it where we wanted us.

I'll be honest, I laid out several "challenges" for God during this process. I wanted Him to show me signs that this was what he wanted.

• God, if you want us in Vegas you will let Chris' phone interview go great (they offered to fly us out before he hung up from his 1st interview) - check.
• God, if you want us in Vegas you will make our visit to Vegas fun and let us meet nice people - check.
• God, if you want us in Vegas they will offer Chris the job - check.
• God, if you want us in Vegas Faith will offer this much money - check.

Well, I decided I better shut-up and stop issuing God challenges because he may just set a burning bush in my yard. I've had my ups & downs about being so far away from friends & family, but I know that God would not put us somewhere to suffer. In fact, I feel a peace that this is exactly where He wants us. I know Chris will be happier. We will be happier. Our girls will get an amazing education. It will be a whole new adventure. And hey, nothing is forever.

So, I guess you've figured it out - We are moving to Las Vegas!

We anticipate being in Las Vegas by Thanksgiving. Chris may go sooner. Faith has offered to provide temporary housing for Chris and to fly him back to Tennessee until we sell our house and can all be together. We're praying about that.

This process has made me stronger in my faith, more than anything else I've ever been through. I have prayed more than ever. God has shown Himself to me more than I've ever witnessed before. It has been an awesome experience.

I do have some specific prayer requests that I would like to ask that you remember in your prayers:

• continued peace for me, Chris, Kendall & Lily, our parents, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Faith
• a quick, fair sell of our home (we just want to walk away even)

I plan to use this blog to stay in touch with friends and family as we begin this new adventure. The first few posts will probably be about moving. My hope is that it will turn into a blog about our new adventures, day-to-day happenings and how God continues to show us that this is what He's always planned for us.