Monday, April 28, 2008

I'm Not Sure What To Say

Yesterday at church was an emotional day for our family and the church that my husband pastored for almost 8 years. It was a day of some sadness and other emotions. It was our last day at the church. As those of you know who have been readers of my blog for a while now....you know that God has changed the direction of our ministry. My husband and our family have only known pastoring. We've known nothing else in the years since my husband was called to preach. But God has redirected us into missions. We are with Highways and Hedges Prison Ministries and are on deputation. We've been doing some deputation since March but really couldn't do much with it due to the responsibilities of pastoring still taking precedence. But yesterday my husband stepped down from that role.

The people at church were sad to see us go but they know we are following the Lord's will. They loved my husband and our family and took wonderful care of us while we were there as any church should take care of their pastor and his family. They have been family to us and always will be. Just as my husband told them yesterday...this is not the end. They have not seen the last of us. As with our own families....we will stay in touch. God knit our hearts together years ago and that will not change.

But now we are on a different journey. We have been in five churches so far...which isn't much when you think about it...but God has truly been blessing us. We are already at over 10% of our support. We have two supporting churches so far with the promise of one more and possibly two more in the near future that are praying and considering taking us on. We are very excited. We have already seen God bless us abundantly and meet needs. I know it won't always be easy and smooth sailing. There will be times that it will get tough...but I know my God and His promise to meet our needs is true. We will be going over to our new home church to join on this Sunday. We have a meeting scheduled this Wednesday night or we would go there then.

I ask that you please pray for Eagles View Baptist Church. They are beginning the process of having preachers in to candidate for the position of pastor. It will not be easy and the people are nervous about the process and the future of the church. But they know and we do too that God is in control and He will work all things out for His glory. Also please pray for us as we begin to get more involved in deputation. We were excited before but now we are even more excited since we are officially missionaries and no longer have the burden of pastoring upon us. My husband loved pastoring but there were burdens that came with it that were often times difficult.....but when you love the Lord and you love the people like he and our family did....you are thankful to be in that position no matter how difficult it gets at times. We sure do appreciate pastors and what they and their families go through having been in their shoes ourselves.


35 comments:

Paula said...

You are in my prayers! :)
Blessings,
Mrs. C

Sis. Julie said...

Mrs. C...Thank you so much!! We really appreciate it.

Lyndy said...

Hi Julie,

I am playing catch up as my computer has been down for over a week.

Praying for you and your sweet family as you adjust to the changes.

Love you, Lyndy

TO BECOME said...

Sis. Julie, I am praying for you and your family. You have an exciting journey ahead of you and may God bless you each step of the way.

I will also be praying for Eagle view Baptist Church. I have been in their place and I know how hard and sad it is to lose a Pastor. But I have found that God never closes one door that he does not open a better one. I know how hard that may be for your people to believe at this time but God does it for us all. They will always miss and love you but they will be happy that you are doing God's will and that they are doing God's will. Our prayers are with you all. God bless you. connie from Texas

Marsheila said...

Sis Julie ya'll are in our prayers I love your family very much and I thank God for letting us meet.

please keep praying for matthew and kristen she is really growing in the lord I can really tell she has changed. now if matthew would and I know he will cause all these prayers are not going up in vain.

Love you,
Marsheila

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Lyndy...Thank you so much for your prayers. It will be an adjustment for sure. Love you!!

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Connie...Thank you so much!!

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Marsheila...Thank you for your prayers. We are definitely praying for the church and for each family. We will also continue to pray for Kristen and Matthew. That won't stop just because we aren't there. Love you!!

Anonymous said...

Mrs Julie,

I agree with you Eaglesview was more than just a church it was family. I know when we left after after almost four years it was the hardest move from a church. You know what you and your family mean to us. I still miss the times we use to get together or the times I would come over after work on Friday and play video games or get whipped in video games. I know you met a lot to Eaglesview, but now the Lord has greater things in store for you and your family in the prison ministry. I am definitely looking forward to what God is going to do with you all. We love you all, and appreciate you all very much. You are in our prayers.
Bro Tim

Sis. Julie said...

Bro. Tim...Thank you!! You both mean a whole lot to us too. We miss you and all the time we used to spend with y'all. Thank you for your prayers. You continue to be in ours!!

Christopher Cline said...

We will continue to pray for you all on your journey ahead.

Lord Bless...

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tori Leslie said...

Praying for the whole change. Life is sure different as a missionary.
What a wonderful ministry God has called you into, looking forward to future reports.

Hint:

Make it to Texas for deputation, the support is usually double down there and the love offerings are usually also double. With the price of gas that sure would help!

Sis. Julie said...

Bro. Christopher...Thank you so much!! We are very excited!

Anonymous said...

Change is often bittersweet. Excitement on one hand and sadness on the other. I pray that you get your support soon and that your former church finds the Pastor that God surely has for them. And that lots of souls will be saved in both places!

Hugs and Many Blessings!

Cherish the Home

Sis. Julie said...

Cherish the Home...We are excited about this new journey. We look forward to hearing and seeing great things accomplished on both ends of this change.

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Tori...Thanks for that "hint". I hope to make it to Texas. My sister lives there and we'd like to visit her and her church. Plus Sis. Connie is in Texas and it would be so wonderful to get to meet her and fellowship with her and her hubby a bit as well. But I think my hubby is hoping that our support will be gotten in Georgia and the surrounding states so we don't have to go that far. I'm just gonna pray :)

Anonymous said...

You and your family are in our prayers. Also praying for the church!!!

Kate

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Kate...Thank you very much!

~~Deby said...

Praying that God will direct your paths, and that less stress on your husband will improve his health and the Lord would open the doors for your support.
Deby

Dave said...

Sis. Julie,

I had been praying for you and your family. I also did a post on IBF to tell my members about you so they can pray for you.

Dave

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Deby...We are looking forward to what the Lord has for us. Thank you for your prayers.

Sis. Julie said...

Dave...Thank you so much!! That is a blessing.

Anonymous said...

I will definitely continue to pray for you!

Sis. Julie said...

Bro. Nick...Thank you so much!!

Ginger said...

I was thinking of you today as I was reading Kristina's blog. I'll be praying for your family as you go through this change.
Ginger:)

Sis. Julie said...

Ginger...Thank you so much!! The support and prayers that everyone is offering is amazing to me. Everyone means so much to me!!

Michelle said...

You and your family are in my prayers..

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Michelle...Thank you so much!!

PamelaK said...

Sis Julie -
Here I am behind on things again but excited for you as you complete this next step in your new journey.
I will continue to pray for you and your family.

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Pamela...Thank you so much!!

Mimi said...

I am still holding your family in prayer as you go through this vast change in your ministry...
Blessings,
Mimi

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Mimi...Thank you so much!! God is truly blessing us and we are so excited about what the future holds for us.

Unknown said...

I'm praying for you and the family as you adjust to this exciting chapter in your life story. I have been a Pastor's daughter and a missionary's daughter, so I sort of know how you're feeling. Change becomes easier the more you do it. God will sustain you Julie. I know you know that, but its always good to hear it. Your church was blessed to have a Pastor's wife such as you. I pray the church recognized the exact man God sends for the next part of that church's journey. You are a blessing to me. Love and hugs!

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Pam...You are so sweet!! The church was certainly wonderful to us. It is strange knowing we won't be there for every service now.

You are a blessing to me too!! I love you Sis!!

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