Goodbyes are just a part of life. They bring about all kinds of emotions depending on the reason for the goodbyes. Over the past 5 months our family has had to say all kinds of goodbyes leaving us to feel many things. We've been nervous, we've been excited, we've been anxious, we've been sad. God calling us out of one place and into the unknown was a huge leap of faith. We sold our house in H'ville and had to say goodbye to our friends there. While we were sad to leave, we were also excited to see what God had next for us.
Many questions went through my head the day we said goodbye to Huntsville and drove to Louisiana to "wait" for the Lord's next direction/next place of ministry in our life. Questions like "where was this place God would call us to next? Which city would we move our family and call home? Which church would Jake be doing ministry in?" What I seemed to have overlooked was the Lord's "next for us" was not in a job, but in a place of waiting. Louisiana was part of God's plan all along. Louisiana was our place to wait. And while Jake was not doing ministry in a church, ministry never stopped. I've learned, ministry is not in a job, it's where there are people; people who are affected by sin! So, really, ministry was happening within our own little family of 5 sinners who need Jesus.
While in this season of waiting and continuing ministry we had amazing opportunities to say several other goodbyes. Some were sweet goodbyes and others were more sad. We were able to see my brother and his family from the other side of the world (not really world, but Oregon is a LONG ways away). We don't get to see them much. We were able to go to Texas to see Jake's family twice. One of the visits, my sister-in-law surprised us all by going into labor and having her baby. Saying goodbye after those visits were full of joy in the sense that we got to see them, but sad simply because we would miss them. We said goodbye to two family members who went to be with the Lord. Those were sad weeks and we will miss them, but we are so thankful their pain is gone and they are with the LORD!
Today, I said goodbye to Jake. He loaded up a u-haul trailer (how we accumulated that much stuff in 5 mos. I have no idea) and began his trip to our new home--Greenville. It was sad to say goodbye even though the kids and I are only a week behind. It was also a happy and exciting time for this next season in our life. So, the kids and I have begun the countdown to move into our new house. WE CAN'T WAIT!
I am sad to leave Louisiana. It's been 13 years since I've lived here. I've loved living in the Louisiana culture again. I've loved living with/near most of my family. I've loved catching up with childhood friends. I've loved attending my home church. Next week will be hard. But, I'm ready!
There are a lot of "new" things ahead for our family, which tends to bring me anxiety mixed with excitement. Jake's going from youth ministry to assistant pastor. Laci is starting school. It's a new city, new places, new people.
We will be saying goodbyes until we are all united with one another in heaven. What a great and glorious day that will be. Until then, one more goodbye, one more adventure and there will definitely be a few sides of crazy in there.
