The past two or so weeks have been rough for me. . .but don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no complaints! It's just that the past few weeks have been full of a lot of first in my life.
- Today Sarah (my wife) and I arrived in Vero Beach, Florida.
- I've never lived in another state.
- I finished a position at a church in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
- I'm going to miss a whole lot of people who are on the Outer Banks.
- I'm starting my new position as pastor of youth in a few days.
- I just moved more stuff than I've ever moved in my life.
- Sarah and I are a long, long ways away from family.
- Nathan, Tricia, and Gwyneth are going through so much and it was really hard to leave when we did (if you're not aware of this you've got to click on that link and be prepared to be amazed at the power of God through their story, which is still unraveling).
- I'm really going to miss a lot of family who are so far away: my mom and dad, Rick & Gail (my other mom and dad), Rachel & Ramon, Tricia & Nate, Gwyneth, Andy & Misha, Ty, and Josh & Bethany (yeah, I know you're not really family but I love you guys like a brother and sister).
Something occurred to me a few days ago. Sarah and I were seeing her parents for what we thought was the last time for a long time (plans changed and we were able to see them again a few days later) and as we hugged goodbye Gail said to me, "I love you, Terry" and something clicked in me. I realized I've never told the Lawrenson's (and Sanchez's) that I love them and I'm really going to miss them. I'm really feeling that now.
Most of my prayers, both with Sarah and alone, have been about Nathan, Tricia, and Gwyneth. I can't help but praise my truly awesome God for such a miracle as Gwyneth. She's made an awesome guy a daddy and made me an uncle. This child and her parents have the fingerprints of God all over their story:
I've seen members of my own family return to God, heard from couples who have considered their marriage more deeply, read of mothers who have hugged their kids more tightly, seen Duke staff by Tricia's bedside in prayer, witnessed the increased faith in a real and tangible God of so many strangers and friends, and been told of people coming to know my God for the very first time...all because He has chosen to use Tricia, and now Gwyneth in an eternal way. (from Confessions of a CF Husband)Please keep praying for them!
So life, as of late, has been feeling like a lot of holding my breath and getting ready for the drop. I don't think it was until Gwyneth was born and we were able to go see her that I felt like I could breath again. I praise God for that moment.
The roller coaster isn't over. Sarah and I still have a lot of drops, dips, and turns left in the next few weeks, but we know we serve an awesome God that is greater than anything that comes. . .but we still miss loved ones back home.
12 comments:
Get some sleep now!
And don't be surprised at how quickly the home-sickness leaves because you'll be surrounded by a whole new family.
We miss you already, but are so happy at what God will use you both to do.
Thanks for the update. We miss you and can't wait to visit. Dido my dad.
You'll make a great uncle!
(I found your blog through Nathan's link and was compelled to respond)
A little perspective from the other side....
During our first 15 mos of marriage, we moved from Raleigh (where I finished school and we had met through Campus Crusade) to Blacksburg (for my dh to finish school) to South Florida. He started his first job AND we had our first child (now age 11). Talk about some stress!Having grown up only in NC (the west side and RTP), YES, South FL is a very different place. But you know that saying, "Bloom where you are planted".....we just moved back to the VA mtns after 11 years in Broward County. We also left friends in the midst of hard times who it seemed "needed" us there. We are happy, and living next door to my in-laws (and now 3 hours from my NC family instead of 14), but we desperately miss our friends there and the beach.
You know that saying, "Bloom where you are planted".....if you will invest yourself there just as much as you have in NC, and make the effort to love the people and join together in community with them, you will discover over a year or so that you will have the same kind of dear friends as the ones you are leaving. Easy? No. Possible? Yes. I still find myself (7 months since move)having pangs of missing FL friends and life, but have found much potential here. Let the new church love you, and don't hold back from loving them just because they are not what you left. You're right--the emotional part is very much a roller coaster ride, but when you get off most coasters, you say, "That was awesome--let's do it again!" May it be so for you in this new adventure.
God bless,
Lori in VA
@ Rick & Nate. . .love you guys!
@ Lori. . .thank you for the encouraging/comforting words.
"That was awesome--let's do it again!" So true! I'm just at the part where I'm riding this ride for the first time. I am excited about what will happen over the next few weeks and months.
I just wanted your family to know that I have been praying for Trisha and Gwyneth all of the time as well, which is definitely a not normal for me. You see I have/had given up for lack of a better phrase on the power of prayer. But by following their story has reminded me how precious life and prayer are. I would pray if the need felt strong between giving "up" and now, but driving to south Georgia today I found the need to pray and think about them was overpowering. I want to thank you and your family for reminding me about the power of prayer.
As for the roller coaster ride of moving and all of the emotions that surround that on a given day, we are going through it as well. Its tough even when you aren't leaving a loved one in the hospital. Stay strong.
Hi Terry & Sarah!!!!
Welcome to a whole new page in your amazing journey together!
I was the 1st one to move away from my family when Greg went to seminary. New State - etc. And this was back when it was too expensive to make phone calls! It was 2 weeks after my niece was born - it just about did me in!!!! I would have been the best babysitter and Aunt!
This verse has been a comfort to us:
Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:28-30
By the way, Sarah,
Do you remember the Leonard family from the OBX? Large family? They now live in FL - the oldest daughter lives only 2 hours from you. God connection!
I can connect you - maybe through Facebook - let me know!
Terry, we miss you already and Praise the Lord for your support in our ministry - we knew we could always count on you to help out with facepainting or whatever if you were available!
The Lord Bless You and Keep You and Make His face Shine upon You!
We love you
Greg/Cindy
Lifting you up to our Heavenly Father in prayer!
Just a midwesterner following your stories through Nate, Tricia and now Baby Gwyneth. I will add you and Sarah to my prayer journal. When your father in law posted that the two of you would be leaving I wondered how difficult it must have been for you to have to leave at all much less during this time. Your entire family will be in mine and my husband's prayers. Good luck and enjoy the ride!!!
A stay at home Mommy in the midwest.
Terry and Sarah,
I am glad to get an update on your travels. I have been thinking about you guys alot.Praying for your trip and that you will find Vero to be "home" soon.
I remember when Scott and I moved to Florida from California 21 years ago this month after being married a year and having a 3 month old baby. It was very hard leaving family and friends. But I wouldnt change it for the world. That was where we grew to really rely on God and each other. Not that we didnt need family but they were far away and it really taught us to go to God first and then each other.
We lived an hour south of you guys and made the best friends and found the best church family one could ever hope for.After moving to Lynchburg, VA 2 years ago I thought my heart was being ripped out leaving everyone.
I am so excited to see what God has for you guys there.
Love,
Aunt Julie
Isn't it just like God to be big enough to pick you up in the middle of a raging storm and plant your feet in a new place, all while keeping His eye on Tricia and Gwenyth and the hearts of all the family and the prayers all over the world. He has His eye on you in your new beginning and has so many blessings in store for you there. I know He will help you to make the adjustments you will be making as He keeps you connected at the heart with each member of your family. Distance here is not measured by miles but by heartbeats. And praise God for the internet, I never thought in all my life I would find myself saying this, but I mean it. I would not be witnessing this miracle without this and I am so thankful. Prayers for all of you are being lifted up daily from Ca.
May this roller coaster you are on be both blessed and gentle for you. Just remember to breath, deep heavenly breaths.
Glad to hear you and Sarah made it there safely. Mark and I will keep you in prayer as you begin this new adventure in your lives together. We know you will both be a real blessing to your new church family.
Thanks for calling us family in your blog. Bethany and I feel the same way, and can't wait to come and see you guys!!!
Patty, Cindy (IslandGirlArt), Greg (WereArt), & Laurie. . .thank you for the encouragement.
Aunt Julie (JullyLaw). . .thank you. I think Sarah and I will definitely have a lot of growing experiences, and I'm looking forward to what God will do to us through them. That's amazing that you two went through something so similar. Even Rick and Gail moved away (although there's was from one coast to the other).
Josh. . .love ya bro! We can't wait to see you guys!
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