I Know the Plans I Have for You

It is so amazing how God changes our hearts.  Fourteen years ago when I first visited Adam in Owensboro, my only idea of this town was the place where I went for cheerleading All Stars when I was in elementary school.  As Adam and I dated, got engaged, and married we somehow developed an unspoken competition of whose home town was better.  Yes, I am crazy competitive.  I seemed to think everything in Owensboro was weird, especially how they pronounced their county: Daviess and the main street in town: Frederica. 

Through the years as we visited Adam's mom, we attended church with her if we were there.  We never envisioned ourselves serving there.  After we moved to Nebraska Adam reached out to other pastors for guidance and advice.  The pastor of Bellevue proved to be a great asset and encouragement to Adam.  Adam even spent a week of his sabbatical with him this summer. 

Whenever we visited Owensboro we enjoyed running there and rollerblading because it is so flat.  As I explored new streets and neighborhoods I began to fall in love with the town.  It was strange.  I could envision us living there, raising our children there, and serving this community. 

This fall we were approached and asked to apply for a pastoral position that was available at the church.  Last weekend, we visited Bellevue and were tremendously overwhelmed with the encouragement and support we received.  We found a house where we hope to raise our children for many years.  We are thrilled to be back in Kentucky near family.  We are anxious to begin forming relationships with new people and rekindling relationships with people Adam grew up with who do not attend church.  

After my Daddy died and we were moving to Nebraska, my mom told me how she would often say to Daddy, "I am worried Hope and Adam will move away to Owensboro."  Once we moved to Nebraska she prayed that we would just move to Owensboro.  Distance is so relative. My family is thrilled for us to be just 2 and a half hours away.  I am so thankful for my children to have the opportunity to grow up with their grandmothers.  I am eager to have their help and assistance with the children.  

I have developed several wonderful friends here in Nebraska.  It is going to be difficult to leave these wonderful ladies.  When we told Alexander we were moving to Owensboro he was initially thrilled.  After a little thought he realized what this meant.  He began to cry saying how much he was going to miss his Cubbies teacher and his friend Alexander.  We reminded him of the wonderful family and friends he will be near in Kentucky.  

It is amazing how God can mold our hearts, soften our strong wills, and prepare us for the next part of his plan.  We know our two years in Nebraska has been a necessary and vital part of preparing us for our next years of ministry.  In spite of some difficulties and many miles away from family we are thankful for our opportunity to serve this church and community.   

 Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."