God is moving!

I wanted to take a minute and fill you in on all that God is doing. Seems the "current" of God's will is moving us closer and closer to Ocean Park and back into full-time ministry. After almost 12 years of marriage, Russ and I know that when we start thinking alike, when we both have an unexplainable peace and are on the same page, God is working and moving us in a new direction. It almost gets kind of freaky! It's so exciting though! This never happened with the church in Orlando - but it is definitely happening now.

First of all, some of you have expressed concern about Russ leaving the school system. I had those same questions because God is using Him tremendously there. He was sort of excited about all that was happening at the school, but still down because he did not see an opportunity opening to go back into full time ministry. He was very frustrated because he has honestly felt this call in his heart for a few years and yet God closed every door and kept him at the school. One day, I got aggravated with his "attitude" and told him that "he just needed to accept where God had him, look at it as a ministry and get over it." Then, he told me a story - as only Russ can. Straight to the point with applicable word pictures.

He said - "Let's say we have passes to Disney - (okay - so he knows exactly how to get my attention!) We go to Disney all the time and it is our favorite place to go. Nothing else compares. The next year - we cannot renew our passes so we go to a different amusement park. We have a great time while we are there - but it is NOT Disney!" For the first time - I got it. Working at the school for him is great - and he's had fun - and he's had several neat opportunities, but it's not his passion - not his heart. He did a really great job with the Assembly a few weeks ago - but he was SOOOOO frustrated because he couldn't mention God! He couldn't pray! He couldn't quote scripture! He couldn't give those students the REAL Truth! He can give them positive tools all day long, but until their lives are changed by a relationship with Jesus Christ - all he's saying is falling on deaf ears. Yes - God put him there for a purpose. He has touched lives and provided for our family for the last 4 years. But God put a passion in my husband to preach and it will not be stiffled! This is the same Russell that would stand by the side of the road at the age of 9, with his Bible in his hand, and preach to the cars going by his house! Thanks to his latest Disney analogy - I get it!!!!!

So, God has been putting puzzle pieces together all week. I was kind of grumpy about this thing at first, I will have to admit. I guess it's because we will eventually have to move closer to the beach. Now, explain to me exactly what is wrong with that? I LOVE the beach! I grew up close to a beach my whole life. California, Hawaii and Florida. When we lived in Alabama it was the one thing I missed most! My logic often gets in the way of my faith. I just didn't see how we could afford to move to that side of town. If I could afford to live there - I would already be there!

God got a hold of my thinking, of course, and reminded me of my favorite verse. "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20 - It's carved in Russell's wedding band for goodness sakes! It's our life verse! I then began to look at this as a huge opportunity for God (who owns everything anyway) to once again go above and beyond my logical thinking. We are excited to see how God will provide for us over and above our expectations concerning our needs.

Let me give you a little history about us and Ocean Park. Russ grew up going to Youth Camp with the youth from this church. Every year, a hand full of churches would get together and all go to Lake Yale together. Even after Russ and I were married, they were still doing this each year and Russ and I would go as Camp Counselors and one year Russ was the Camp Pastor for the week. So, there are a few people from Ocean Park (not on the search committee) that have literally watched Russ grow up. We found out this past week that two of those people have been praying very specifically, for more than 10 years - for Russ to become the Pastor of this church! Now that gives me chill bumps!

We still have not made our final decision. God could still slam this door shut. Please pray with us for wisdom, clarity and that if this is NOT where God wants us - that He will make it obvious. Russell will be preaching there on April 26 and the church will vote May 17. We still have some questions to be answered, but have an exciting peace. We will continue to move forward until God show us differently. We will keep you informed....

On a much lighter note....While working on my blog, Anne walked in looking like this! What a nut!!! I couldn't resist a quick photo!