Quite
a lot has happened since my last post on the 19th...
One
of the things that many people do as we get to the end of the year is
to look back and then look forward and to make New Year resolutions,
or plans, or write a list of things they would like to do in the
coming year. We ask, “where would we like to be in a year's time?”
This
time last year I never imagined that by the end of 2013 we would be
moving house and saying 'goodbye' to the church where we had spent
the past 10 years and 4 months. The idea of moving was simply not on
my radar. We were part of a church that we loved and who loved us, we
were making good links into the local community, the girls loved
going to the local school... In my head I saw myself there for a lot longer yet.
But
back in March I woke up one morning knowing that it was time to go.
It was as if God had simply switched a switch in my head – and that
was it. Of course we talked about it and prayed about it and then I
entered into the Settlement Process.
This
is the process that the Baptist Union uses to connect ministers
looking for churches with churches looking for ministers – and
because it is a process with several stages it is itself a part of
the discerning process – is this really what God is saying?
Knowing
it is time to go is one thing – knowing where to go is quite
another – but God has been guiding us.
And
so, just a few days before Christmas, the removal van turned up
outside our house and all our worldly possessions were loaded into
the back of a lorry (and a small van). It's amazing how much stuff
you can accumulate in ten years – especially if you have three
children during that time.
And
then a few hours later everything was unloaded into our new house and
we were joined by a team of volunteers from our new church who helped
unpack boxes and assemble flat packed furniture.
We
travelled back to Edgware for the Carol Service, and Christmas Day
and then yesterday was our last Sunday in Edgware.
When
you've shared your lives in a church for over ten years saying
goodbye is never going to be easy. We came as two and leave as five.
Those of you who know us personally and know the church will know
that during those ten years there have been some great times, but
there have also been some really challenging and testing times. And
looking back I would say that it is the fact that we walked together
at the lowest points that has made our relationships what they are –
and therefore make saying 'Goodbye' that much harder.
As
we leave Camrose we do so with many many happy memories. And 'Thank
You' seems so inadequate – but we want to thank God for His
faithfulness over the last ten years. We also want to thank the
church for allowing us to be a part of your lives and for being a
part of ours. Thank you for all the things that were said yesterday –
and the things that were un-said – at least in words but were said
in hugs and tears. Thank you for your love and support and
friendship. You will always have a very special place in our hearts.
But
now it is time for a new chapter to begin...
