The Next Step

I am excited to announce that Christy and I have been accepted to a one-year volunteer commitment with The Voice Of The Martyrs. If everything goes as planned, Christy and I will move to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in March to begin serving with VOM!

Of course, a move like this comes with mixed emotions.

There are many things that are difficult to say good-bye to. We hate saying good-bye to family, friends, neighbors, True Life Christian Church, piano students, guitar students, The Williamsburg Community Kids Choir, Cookie's Coffee & Creamery, and The Williamsburg Community Band. We have built so many great relationships in the 4 years that we've been here. We will miss everyone greatly.

But, on the other side of it, we are looking forward to a new chapter in our lives. Transition is something that I find exciting. I've always liked it. I think that's why I love fall so much. To me, fall represents transition because it was always the time of year when I would transition to a new grade in school, a new school, or college. I've always loved the feeling of transitioning to something new.

This time is no different. And, what makes this transition so sweet is the fact that we are truly able to see God's hand at work. This opportunity and how it came about has totally been the work of God. He has answered prayer in an amazing way. The details of it all are mind blowing.

Between the sadness of saying good-bye and the excitement of something new lies another emotion - fear. Actually, I think fear is too strong of a word. Maybe the word "apprehension" says it better. No, that's not exactly it, either. I guess what I am trying to say is that there are some "unknowns" floating around that make me a bit nervous.

For example, we have to sell our house in 3 months. In today's market, most experts are telling us this is next to impossible. Our real estate agents tried to be positive. "In another market, this house would be easy to sell," they said to us. I know that God will handle this, and if you want to pray for us, pray that our house sells - quickly and for the right price!

We also have to think about what to do with all of our stuff. We will be living in a furnished apartment. This means that we don't have to move all of our belongings to Oklahoma. What a blessing! But, what do we do with it all in the meantime? Sell it? Store it? This is not that big of a deal, it's just something we need to figure out.

There are some other "unknowns" out there. I'll write more about them later. My goal is for this blog to be a way to update all of you as we take this step of faith and serve in a way that we've never served before. I hope it's as exciting for you to read as it is for us to live.

Anyway, more details will be coming about the specifics of our work with VOM and the church that we will call home in Oklahoma - East Bartlesville Christian Church.