Following Jesus

A few weeks ago, we announced (in church and via TJ's blog) some news that will change our lives as we know it. We believe that God is calling us to plant a church in Winston-Salem, NC. We have a strong desire to reach those who are far from God and show them what new life with Jesus could be like.

This decision has not been something we have taken lightly, because there is much to leave behind. TJ's dad, my parents and both of my sisters and their families live here in Jacksonville near us. We live in our dream home that was built not quite 2 years ago. We live next door to some of our best friends. The list goes on. Yet, I hear Jesus saying, like he did in Luke 5:10-11, "don't be afraid, from now on you will catch people...so they left everything and followed Him."

Our girls have mixed emotions, much like their parents. They are excited about adventures in North Carolina and yet sad to leave behind our family, friends and our new home. I reminded them that we cannot take our house to heaven and most of our family and friends already know Christ.
We can reach out to people, however, who can join us in heaven once they accept Jesus.

There was a specific day when I truly began to feel peace about this whole thing. I had three different opportunities to speak around Mother's Day, and I was studying out the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 1. Hannah desperately wanted a son but she stated from the beginning that she knew He belonged to the Lord and would give him back to God. From studying this before, I knew that once God gave her Samuel, she had given him back to serve God, but I didn't remember reading what God did later. In 1 Samual 2:21, it says the Lord visited Hannah and gave her 5 more children!

The question in my mind had been, "Why, Lord, would give you give me so much and then ask for it back?" Reading through Hannah's story this time around made me realize this: "There is NOTHING that you can give to God that He didn't give you in the first place." In addition to that, if He asks me to leave it behind or hand it over, He has a plan in store that involves more blessings than I could ever imagine. So, the question became, was I going to share this truth with other people as I spoke on Mother's Day and not believe it for myself? Very convicting and yet very compassionate of God to give me the chance to really understand and remember why I could trust Him.

We are now at a point where we are waiting on God to continue to open doors to go to North Carolina, by helping us sell our home and raising prayer and financial support. Please pray with us that we will lay aside fear and choose faith as we follow Him.

My family:
My home: