Going, going... almost gone.

So I am very excited about moving this weekend, except I hate moving. Well I actually hate packing and unpacking and lifting and pretty much everything else that goes along with moving except for being in our new house. Tonight was a special night though. Tonight was our last night at Highland where Rachel has been working in the Children's Ministry for over 3 years. I have been helping her a lot over the past few months in the nursery and I have really enjoyed it. It was something that I was not expecting to like but I really do love the kids we've had and I'm going to miss them. If you know Rachel, then you know what a loving heart she has. That's not to say she doesn't have her moments when she gets frustrated with people, but she LOVES people. Which is why she's going to be so great as a Children's Minister. I watched her cry a lot tonight because she's sad about leaving the kids. Naturally I wanted to help her and go into problem-solving-mode. But all she needed was someone to listen to her express herself. I think I did a good job. She has taught me a lot about loving kids. The way she reacted tonight about leaving continues to tell me she's the right person for the job she's about to start.

If you're someone that knows me well then you know that I have been rather disenfranchised with the way that we "do" church. Admittedly, a lot of the problems are my own personal hang-ups about little things. But even so, I have found it hard to sit through church over the past several years. (I think that's why I enjoyed being in the nursery so much, it allowed me to serve and express myself rather than just sitting.) Anyway, all that to say that no matter how much going to church might be hard for me, the community of God never ceases to amaze me. Tonight Rachel and I went to the elder's meeting at Highland and were richly blessed. Suzetta Nutt (the Children's Minister) expressed her sadness over losing Rachel but her excitement over hearing about the wonderful opportunities Rachel will have in Longview. Then the elders and other members who were present at the meeting surrounded us as Suzetta and then Steve Hare (one of our teachers at ACU and a great mentor with whom we did pre-marital counseling), prayed over us. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by several who have watched us grow over the past 6 years: David Wray, Bob Strader (many more than 6 years), Steve Hare, etc. Rachel and I cannot thank the men and women of Highland enough for all the ways they have blessed us. It may be hard for me to sit in a pew but it's never hard to recognize the powerful work of God in the lives of people who surround and love others. That's what we experienced tonight and that's what we want to return as we continue to grow and have opportunities to bless. It is and will be hard to leave Abilene (even though I'm not extremely fond of the city). We called this place home for so long and actually made our first home here. I can't wait to see what happens next.