It's time to write again...I think

You can't experience God's sustaining grace while resisting His will.

So, I opened up my blog tonight and found this sentence ^ ^

I have no idea why I wrote that in 2014 but tonight it seems heavy with meaning and challenge. You see a few weeks ago I stepped away from my role in the church. It was unavoidable really...it was time. 

My heart longs to be used to shine light in darkness, to see God use me to help, to restore, to reclaim, to see beauty grow from ashes. I don't know what the grand plan is but tonight I'm going to do my best to stop resisting so that I can experience God's sustaining grace. 

Nest is a bit more empty

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."  - Elizabeth Stone

We dropped another daughter off at school (college) recently.  Daniel and I have four amazing kids who insist on growing up, becoming self-sufficient and basically proving the above quote to be true.

We wouldn't have it any other way! 

my first 3 months at Suncrest

It has been about 90 days since my first day here at Suncrest Christian Church in NW Indiana. I have had several "first days" but none like my first day at Suncrest! I spent my first day on staff at Suncrest at Catalyst One Day at Willow Creek Community Church. At the time I didn't really think about the tone that day set for how I perceive Suncrest but it did impact my perception. Suncrest is led by people who are continual learners, people who believe that we should partner with those around us, learn from those who are ahead of us and lead those who are not as far along.
I am very excited about all that God is doing in this corner of the world and anxious to see how He will use our family in "the region"

Things I Carry with Me

I packed up my office today...books, pictures and stuff. You see, we have pretty clearly heard God telling us that it is time to move on, that my time leading Children's Ministry here is done. We are excited about where God might take us but leaving is never easy. This morning I was kind of feeling sorry for myself and just a little apprehensive about this new beginning in my life.

I don't think of myself as sentimental...but as I was going through those items that I carry with me, I realize that I might be a bit more sentimental than I thought. Here are just a few of the things that have moved from Michigan to California, back to Michigan, and then to North Dakota...
1. a small polished rock that was given to me by Rod Pierce - everytime I see it I am reminded to pray for him.
2. a snow globe type craft that my friend Lori Overbeek designed - it reminds me that God's voice is most often heard in those still, quiet moments, when I am really listening
3. a large framed photo from the Urban Family Ministry kids - I am reminded everytime I see it that God is faithful, and of the ministry that touched my family
4. a picture of a pack of hound dogs with a fox in the middle - the caption reads "when you are in trouble, look straight ahead and keep your mouth shut" makes me laugh
5. a scrap of paper that says "Debby's Mind" - reminds me that "losing my mind" can bring great laughter to a bunch of teens for several weeks/months. will pray for those kids all my life
6. picture of my family at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI - they are all pretending to be monkeys and laughing very hard! loved that day
7. Fridaze party agendas and game lists, because they remind me of Laurie Mahdasian and the fun we had planning those crazy events.

I have been blessed to have amazing friends, who know me well and still love me. I have a husband who lets me be me and loves me, even if I'm not the perfect wife. I have kids who actually like to hang out at home and enjoy one another's company. I have parents, brothers and sisters who are always there for me and for each other.

Wow! God has been so very good to me. Bring on the New Beginning!