The Last Days...

I decided today that if I did not sit down and do this post it was not going to get done. I hope I have not become so overwhelmed at this point that I have forgotten everything! 2 after midnight nights this weekend with busy days have left me exhausted today so as I "rest" tonight and re-fuel for what lies ahead I will attempt this post.

Though this is actually not our last days of seminary, it is the last days of seminary as we know it. I am ready for A to not have class. I am more than ready for Greek to be out of our marriage! However, it is not because this has been a terrible experience. These last 5 1/2 years have been wonderful. I did not say easy, but the time as a whole has been a wonderful time of growth for us in so many ways. I remember when we first shared our feelings of being led to come here for Seminary a lot of people said to us, "can't you just go to an extension site somewhere?" Yes, we could have but that is not what we were called to do. We were called here and we needed this whole experience. The training for full time ministry is SO much more than what Aaron has learned in classes. The Lord needed to humble us, He needed us to learn to depend on Him more, He needed us to change our focus, He needed us to realize that many of the "things" we thought important are not important at all, He needed us to draw closer as a couple, He needed us to view parenting differently, He needed us out of our comfort zones (especially me), and many many other things He needed from us. He still needs much more and we have far from perfected any of the areas I mentioned but our time here has forced us to work on all of these areas. So, in these last days I reflect on what our time here has done to change us and pray that we NEVER forget this time.

I also remember being told by those who had been to Seminary that we would create friends who last forever. I never imagined just how true this was. In these last days I think of how not only did we walk through the tough times of Seminary with these friends but now we move on to our ministry knowing that those are friends we can still confide in when no one else understands. I think of how we are forced to be "real" with those friends and them with us and you just can't touch friendships like that. We have friends all over the world and thankfully with technology we are able to stay in touch and I am forever greatful for the one of a kind frienships we have. We also have many friends who we made while here (not Seminary affiliated) and I am very thankful for them as well. You need those friends also when you are just tired of talking about Seminary and all that it involves! The Lord knows what we need and he provides.

In these last days I think about how much I will miss Fort Worth. We love Fort Worth! It is larger than what we are used to but we have gotten so accustomed to the conveniences and there is always something to do and well, we just really like it here. Especially in the last few weeks with everything I do I think of how these are "last". As I drive by Starbucks that is about 2 min from our house I think about the distance that will be between me and Starbucks once we move!!! As we run out to get whatever we may be out of or "run" to this store or that store I am reminded that my life is about to change big time!

In these last days I think about the fact that we came here with 2 girls and we leave here with 4! Thank you Lord! Talk about changing our lives!!!

In these last stressful days I think about the way our marriage has grown. I think about how much more I respect my husband, not because he did not deserve my respect before but because the Lord as I said before used this time to draw us closer than ever and to make us realize the time we have to invest in our marriage. I think about how we have learned to make time for each other despite school and jobs and church and 4 girls. If that is as simple as having a cup of coffee together after the girls are in the bed, it is time together and it is important. I pray we never forget the many things God has revealed to us about our marriage in this time and that we continue to draw closer to each other through Him every day.

I think about the spiritual growth I have seen in Elleigh. I have no idea what the Lord has planned for her but because of the experiences she has been able to be a part of here and her openness to those opportunities she has developed spiritually in an amazing way. Once again, praise God!

I think about the wonderful doctors, therapists, etc that God has given to us for Sallie. I remember telling Aaron, "we can't move, all of Sallie's doctors are here" I am brought to tears just thinking of how our Lord has worked out the many details of medical caretakers for Sallie. As always, He was faithful to provide!

I think about the MANY supporters we have had. We have felt and continue to feel the prayers. The provisions that came from God through so many generous individuals will never be forgotten. The Lord has blessed us over and over and over through His people!

In these last days I think A LOT about what lies ahead. There is a wonderful peace that comes from knowing you are doing what God has called you to do. Our move here was by far the largest leap of faith for us and I know now what it means to truly do what God calls you to do. So, I do not worry about what lies ahead but that doesn't mean I am not anxious. I am already "the preacher's wife" but I am about to become a full time "preacher's wife" and "pk mom" and I admit that is a little scary for me! I think about all that I have to learn, I think about the many ways I have to let God have complete control, I think about the effects this will have on our girls, I think about the support I have to give to my husband while helping him minister to the people we have been called to serve with, I think of whether I can do this and be good at it. I think about God's perfect timing. A few weeks ago I saw that Lisa McKay (The Preacher's Wife blog) had written a new book "You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes" I thought I do not have time to read right now but A went by the bookstore and got it for me and I have read it. It is a quick read and I read a lot in the car. It is great! I needed it and I needed it now! For all my minister's wife friends-GET IT! I think I will try and read it once a year.

These are just a few of the things that spin through this crazy mind of mine in these last days but all of them go back to one thing: God has been and continues to be faithful to us and He teaches us more about Him and ourselves through our life experiences.

Through all these thoughts, this pic of Millie sums up the way we all feel in these last days!!! A little frazzled!