Hey blogging friends! Just a quick word for you this beautiful Friday afternoon.
Preacher Billy and I are currently en route to Mount Airy, North Carolina, to meet our dear friends, Bill and Beth. A blogging friendship that began over two years ago culminated into a meet and greet last November between Beth and me and our two Billy’s. Guess what, we’re doing it again and are thankful for the thread that binds our hearts as one—Jesus Christ. Even more so, we’re grateful that we happen to really like them and don’t get on each others’ nerves too badly!
God is good; his timing is perfect. He knew, long before we did, that we would need this weekend. To say that this has been an exceedingly difficult week for me and my man is to say too little (as evidenced in my last post). Thankfully, and only by God’s grace and mighty intervention on behalf of his children’s many prayers, we’re on the other side of our “difficult.” I imagine I’ll be sharing about all of this more fully in days to come, but for right now, I wanted to tell you, my faithful friends, how very much your prayers and support have meant to our family this week. You stormed the gates of heaven and stood in the gap for us, and God has moved.
Not in the way we expected. But, rather, in a way that he expected, anticipated, and planned for behind the scene that unraveled before us this week. It took many twists and turns to get us to the place that we’ve arrived at today, but faith has won out over fear, and come June, our family will take to the streets of Fayetteville, NC, to live out the calling of the New Testament Gospel. To break free from the “church” walls that will surround us to be the church that is within us and that compels us to sow kingdom seed.
And so, for those of you who might be visiting me today from Fayetteville, your new pastor and his wife are exceedingly grateful and overwhelmed with the privilege of being able to come to the fertile soil of God’s sacred ground in Fayetteville and to join hands with you and him to interject his light into that darkened place. You are not alone; you are not forgotten. We love you already, and we are praying for you this day.
You’ve brought a fresh wind of hope to our spirits, and we are rejoicing over a God who would so creatively craft this crazy, wild adventure we’re about to take together. Only he could think it up; only he can make it happen. Let’s lean into God’s strength and take hold of all of that for which he has taken hold of us. And just in case you don’t know what that “all” includes…
It includes everything. With God we get it all. How thankful I am to him for giving us you. Until we get there, and as always, my blogging friends…
peace for the journey,
Wow, Elaine..How He loves you…and your obedience…looking forward with you to new grace…have a wonderful respite with your friends…
Love, Sita
Well, guess y'all left before the mailman got there! Mercy! Oh, well…surprise when you get home.
Fayetteville…it's closer to me! Whoohoo! I'll be praying for all of you!
Y'all have a wonderful time with Beth and her hubby. Give her a hug for me!!
Love you!
Susan
Be blessed this weekend! How fun that you get to fellowship with such friends.
Have a marvelous weekend Elaine!!! I'm so thrilled that you get to enjoy this vacation before diving right into a new adventure! 🙂 God is so good!!
Blessings to you and your group this weekend Elaine.
Enjoy those mountains…and each other….
Enjoy His beautiful artwork…the scenery…friends…fellowship! Hugs my friend for being a true living testimony of His work in and through you!
Have already gotten out my Atlas and looked to see where you will be moving to. It's not too terribly far from where you are now is it?? Not across the state at least. I know you are probably glad to at least know which direction you are headed.
What a blessing for you to get together with friends this weekend. Sounds like a great time is in store for all.
Looking forward to more pictures and a good time of sharing stories when you get home.
Love you sister!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Enjoy the journey and special times with friends along the way. B
prayers and blessings as you plan and prepare for this new adventure. As a minister's wife, I so understand the different emotions that go with a big change.
Enjoy your trip. Rest, relax and have some quality good fun. You deserve it!
Elaine, I think I've missed a few posts and must get caught up. But I'm so glad to read that you are spending some time with Beth and her Billy. Nothing like good blogging friends to encourage us is there?
Hugs to you,
Debbie
have a lovely, refreshing time with
your friends.
i can only imagine the hurts given
to pastors and their wives and pray
for that balm of gilead that makes
the wounded whole.
Whoa, so cool that you're meeting a blog friend for a second time! I did that too, with Jackie from 'Fresh Oil Today.' I just love it when God hooks us up!
In a word Elaine, FAITHFUL!
That's what our GOD is.
A big hug to you and Beth and enjoy your hubby and wife time together.
Love you. Praying still…
I'm going to have to catch up, too on your last couple of posts. Soooo very happy you're having a wonderful and special time with these great friends.
I'm thrilled for your new church family. How wonderful that they get a bit of a preview of your special family here…awesome!
Sweet blessings and prayers my friend.
What a blessing to have a blogging friend you can see in person and share with!
God is good! I'm so glad He orders our steps!
Love you,
Andrea
Dear Fayetteville UMC – I am so excited for you! Knowing that God is even more excited than me!
Blessings to you and your family – and your new extended family in Fayetteville , NC. My hear skipped a beat when I read Fayetteville – I live in fayetteville – AR!!. 🙂 Thot I was going to get to meet you too!
Enjoy your well deserved time away with friends!!
Patrina <")>><
His watchman on the wall
So glad God has seen you through your difficult week, Elaine. I pray you're having a wonderful getaway this weekend!
How great to have this special time with Beth and your hubby's. I know it will be refreshing for all 4 of you!
Exciting news for the days ahead. I will continue to pray for the day to day and all that goes into this move.
Enjoy these days Elaine, you deserve them and God knows just what we need, and when.
Love you.
Sonja
Fayetteville? Guess I have to add that one to my Bucket List too!
Have a blast. I can't help but grin just thinking of you four cookin' up fun & building bonds. How precious!
This morning, Debbie from Heart Choices is joining me for church. She lives about 30 minutes north of me. And tomorrow I'm having lunch with Melinda from Traveling the Road Home. She's visiting from Texas.
Leave it to the Lord to take the virtual and make it REAL!
Warmest thoughts, and much love,
Kathleen
So amazing Elaine!! God is so good. I am so looking forward to hearing about your new adventure. I will be praying for you and your family!
Have a blessed weekend.
Thrilled for your time away and God's timing for you and your family personally…..
Can't wait to hear any details you will come to share re. your next home….
So glad God held you through this week!…Good news is now you are a couple states closer to me. Keep coming south. 🙂 Love the Carolinas!