New Adventures

Nathan and I went on our first date on March 26, 2009. We had spent the beginning of our spring break in Picayune, Mississippi with our closest friends and drove back early because Nathan had won tickets to a Chris Tomlin concert in Little Rock. Before going to the concert, he took me to my favorite restaurant, Carino's, and took the opportunity to lay out his life plan for me. We had not been sitting down at the restaurant for 5 minutes before he jumped right in telling me how it was going to be. I am not kidding when I say that our very first conversation when we sat down in the booth began with Nathan basically telling me that he was going into the ministry, he didn't know what that meant or where he would end up, but that he did know that I was going to be there with him. First date. We weren't even labeled as "dating" yet. But he knew. And I knew. God had very clearly brought us together in the craziest way for a very specific purpose: to glorify Him in our lives together. That night Nathan made it very clear that he could not promise where ministry would take us or what it would put us doing, but that he was ready to follow wherever God lead us. Of course, I was giddy over this out-going, smooth talking, goofy boy and agreed wholeheartedly that I knew life as a pastor's wife would be unpredictable, exciting, full, and overwhelming at times. But I was sold. I knew there would be no other life that I would want to live.

Three years later, I am experiencing that first-date conversation in a real, concrete way. Life is unpredictable. Life is exciting. Life is full. And life is even overwhelming. It has been ever since that night when we verbally committed to whatever God did with us in ministry. However, we've reached one of those mile markers in life where life is unpredictable, exciting, full, and overwhelming all at the exact same time.

Last Thanksgiving, Nathan was approached about becoming the worship leader for the youth ministry at First Baptist here in Conway. Along with leading the youth in worship, he would also lead the third service there at First called Thrive. We were immediately very thrilled for this opportunity because of the wonderful leadership at First and the experience that it would provide Nathan with. We would miss our close friends and church family at Antioch, but we had been praying for guidance and experience for Nathan as he got closer to graduating and moving into full time ministry. God provided in a perfect way and we knew very easily that this was an opportunity that we could not turn down. We made the move to First Baptist at the beginning of January and were welcomed with such open arms. We were amazed by the love and kindness that we were shown by such a close group of people and were confident that God was going to do great things. And great things He has done. To look back on our six months at First makes me want to cry with joy. God has softened our hearts in so many ways. He has revealed Himself clearer than He ever has before. He has taught us the value of true fellowship. He has given us a passion for loving students and teaching them the gospel. He has brought me out of my shell. He has worked on Nathan's heart and increased his desire to teach. Nathan has been able to teach the youth several times and lead several bible studies we have had on Sunday nights and has fallen in love! He has loved leading worship and has done an amazing job (I'm not biased at all!), but his heart has really been turned towards teaching. The Lord has been abundantly faithful during all of this.

And yet He has also kept us on our toes. Several weeks ago we were approached about Nathan taking on the full time role as high school youth pastor at Antioch. We were both surprised, caught off guard, excited, thrilled, and torn at the same time. My mind was full of thoughts that crossed the whole spectrum. Wow! We could be back "home" again! We could minister to kids in the way our hearts have been leading us! But only six months into this time at First? Nathan would be able to teach! But Just when we were getting used to where we are? My parents would be thrilled that we would be in Conway indefinitely! But right when we have been put in a group of people who has loved us as their own? To say it was an emotional day is an understatement. Nathan and I sat in our kitchen floor and just let our thoughts spill out until we knew that there were no "what if's", "but's", or "how's" about it. God was opening a door that we had prayed for (without knowing it) and we would be dumb to not follow where He was leading.

So we met with Jason, we met with Bobby and Shawn, and yesterday we met with many members of the church to discuss what this new structuring of the youth ministry would look like. We are thrilled beyond belief to be stepping into this new role at Antioch. We have prayed for an opportunity to serve the Lord, serve others, and build up the Church. Neither of us thought that it would come in this way this early in our lives, but we are thankful. So thankful. We are blessed. We are eager. We are nervous. We are terrified. We are full of faith that God will provide all that we need to minister to students and their families.

So with all of this said, would you consider praying for us in this time of transition? We have both served at Antioch in different ways over the years. We have built many relationships, we know many people, we know the church, we have worked in youth ministries. But this is different. This is a new role, a new mission, a new adventure, many new people and a new life in a sense. Pray for Nathan as he teaches, leads, and ministers to high school students in Conway. Pray that he would establish relationships that would encourage and build students up in their faith. Pray for him as he takes on a role that is brand new to him and learns how to lead in this new way. Pray for me as I support Nathan in this new role. Pray that I can minister to the kids in a very meaningful way as I spend time with them, as well. We are so thankful for the support and encouragement that has been given to us and we appreciate your prayers so much!