First Baptist Church of Galena, KS, located 5 miles west of Joplin, MO, has called Jeff to be their Sr. Pastor and he began his duties today. He'll stay part of the week with a church family, come home on Thursday and we'll go back together on Sunday. 
This is a “full-circle” kind of ministry for us. When Jeff & I were dating and only 18 years of age, we got very involved in a small mission work in Pittsburg, Kansas (near where we grew up). FBC, Galena was the “mother church” for the mission work and consequently, where Jeff was baptized. Then after we married and he surrendered to the ministry, it is where he preached his second sermon. Dr. Gerald Kellar, a wonderful godly man, was the pastor of Galena during those days. Paul Mooney was the missionary pastor in Pittsburg, and he and his wife Mary took us under their wing and Paul is one of the main reasons that Jeff is in the ministry today. Paul mentored and loved Jeff and he considers him his Father in the Ministry. We have so many fun, fun memories of trips together, late night crazy outings to parks to eat watermelon, and other very humorous events (no, Mary, I won't tell that story on my blog!! ha). So, in the full-circle" of life, Paul is now the Associate Pastor at Galena (part-time as he’s semi retired). So this is an exciting thing for Jeff and Paul to serve together again. They both started their ministries together and it would be a blessing to finish them together. Galena was the “big” church in the BMA state association and we attended many meetings there. I, especially, grew "up" knowing the people at Galena as Mom & Dad were very actively involved in the state association and we attended many meetings at FBC and I attended summer camp with many of those who are still active there today. Consequently, we know many of the people and they know us, so that’s a plus.
An added bonus for me personally -- Paula Harwell is Paul & Mary's youngest daughter. When we first started going to the mission work in Pittsburg, Paula was about 3 years old and I adopted her as my Sunday baby girl - taking her home with me most Sundays. Paula and her family (she is now a grandmother, oh my goodness!) are also members of FBC, Galena, so I look forward to enriching our friendship as adult women!So, as you can see, there are many positive things associated with this new ministry. In addition, it will be just 25 miles from Jeff's mother and 35 miles from my Mom. This is very important to us since they are both 80 years old. They have sacrificed us not living near them for these 35+ years so that we could "ministry" whereever God called us, but in their 'twilight' years, it is such a blessing that we will be close and can spend quality time with them and be able to get to them quickly in an emergency. The scripture "Honor your father and mother" (Eph. 6:2) has come to mind often these days. I feel God is allowing us this time to honor our mothers and hopefully be a blessing to them. Yes, they are both very excited about our move.
We are only a little over an hour from NWA and Josh, Erika, Andy & Carman - and then an extra hour from Rachel & Derek (making it about 3-1/2 hrs to Conway). One of the added blessings of this move is that I don't intend to work, so I will be able to have more time to see them, cook for them when they come visit.......and when those grandbabies start coming, I'll be available to help out as needed :-) !!
So yes, we are very excited about all the future holds. But as with every move.........it's so hard to say goodbye. This 18 months in NWA has been such a blessing for us to enjoy a time of rest and renewed vision. Our time supporting Andy and the Metro family has been invaluable. I never dreamed I would get to be a member of my Son's church. Andy has made Jeff & I very proud. It was especially heartwarming to us to worship with Andy & Carman and Josh & Erika. Additionally, our times of worship at The Church of Pinnacle Hills has brought revival to our hearts and we are thankful for Pastor Floyd and his preaching the truth of God's Word. Our involvement in the Small Group Ministry at CPH has given us some priceless friendships that we are certain will last beyond our time here. And my job at FBC, Springdale has been God's amazing way of providing for our needs. I will forever be grateful for Clint Smith and the wonderful caring boss he has been and for all the great co-workers that I have been priviliged to know and work with.
We will be moving the last weekend of August, as our lease will be up at that time. However, I will come back and work the first week of September finishing up my time as the Administrative Assistant to the Minister of Spiritual Development. (I'll stay with Andy & Carman - who only live 4 miles from my work). All our family are gathering at the lakehouse in Bella Vista Labor Day weekend, then I'll join Jeff in Galena full time after that.
Rachel is coming up this weekend to go with us for our first Sunday at FBC, so that will be a special blessing.
Rachel is coming up this weekend to go with us for our first Sunday at FBC, so that will be a special blessing.
We do appreciate so much the many prayers of our friends and family over these past 18 months. God showed us in amazing ways His love and provision and I know it was in answer to those prayers.
The majority of you are my Facebook friends - and what a blessing that has been. Such a tremendous tool to keep in touch with old, old friends, new friends and all those in between :-). So it's really not "goodbye" -- just perhaps not seeing some of you every week, but staying in touch via the social networking avenues our world of technology offers and reunions along the way when we come visit you or you come visit us!
Much love to each of you!!
