In June, 2007, we came to visit southern Ohio. We loved the church and the people there. Our hearts immediately became knit together with the Reagan family. We so enjoyed our time here, and wanted to come and help in the faithful work they were doing.
We had a wonderful visit and knew we wanted to come here. But we took our time, waited, and prayed. Jamin was wise to wait a little longer to make a decision than I wanted to wait. ;)
In August, we officially decided to move to Ohio. We came up labor day weekend to look for a house and job. A dear lady in our church graciously and generously offered her home for us to rent for a shockingly small amount of money, a Virginia church helped us move, and another Virginia church supported us for $200/month for 1 year, and they have recently started that again for 6 months! God is good! He was good then, and He is good today! He proved to us in many ways that we were making the right decision.
On October 19, 2007, we pulled into our new Ohio home and set to work unpacking. I was 30 weeks pregnant with Jackson and had to get settled into a new doctor's office quickly. But all went smoothly.
Our first Sunday here:
Jamin's ordination: August 2008
There are so many memories and so many good times. We love the Reagan family so much. They have such a strong testimony of faithfulness to the Lord. They are not perfect. They are people. But their dedication to serve God does not waver.
2009 Mission Trip to Kyrgyzstan:
This past year has really been a trial for them. Alicia's health has been very bad and unpredictable at times. She can no longer walk and is in a wheelchair, but her spirit has been great. She has continued to love the Lord as His grace shines through. I don't know how difficult it has to be, but she can laugh. She can still live happily because the Lord is in control of her life.
It's wonderful that when it seems she should be sad and depressed, she can still encourage me. It's so hillarious thinking of the times when we've gone somewhere and had problems with the wheelchair unfolding, or it rains as she has to wheel herself out, unable to hold an umbrella, or she has been unable to reach what she needs on the shelf so she calls me her "servant." :)
Our preacher has been so faithful to serve the Lord while taking care of his wife. Now he has to take care of laundry and dishes. Their children have chores and take care of the house. They have had to rearrange the way they order their lives. But through it all, they are still faithful to God, and He is faithful to them.
We have learned so much about following the Bible, following the Lord, and simply being faithful. We have learned that people need the truth and we must give it to them. We have served together through VBS, music, and literature blitzes. We have spent Thanksgiving and Easter dinners together. We have shopped together, watched McHale's Navy together, and laughed together. We have also added to our families together. Well, four days apart. :)
Elisha Maclaren and Timothy Dale
They have encouraged us as we continue to learn about the ministry. They have helped us as we began our family here. They have a bit more experience in raising children :), and we have been able to glean from that.
There are not enough words or enough pictures to express what is on my heart as we think of being here two years. It has not been perfect (it's life), but it has been wonderful. Even the hard times have been good.
We are so thankful that God led us to this place. It is His perfect will. We are thankful for TWO YEARS in West Union, Ohio!
3 comments:
I'm blubbering! This is so special! If you can't be near me, I'm glad you are where you are.
What a blessing your post was to read! I am so happy that you have a wonderful church to serve the Lord in, and a wonderful pastor and his family to be a blessing and help to. You are a dear,sweet family.
Wow Joy! What a blast from the past! Part of me can't believe it has already been 2 years because time flies, but the other part of me feels like I have known you forever! You all have become such dear personal friends to us. The Lord knew exactly who to send to us in the hardest time of our lives so far. You both have been not only co-laborers in the ministry with us, but you have taken on so much of the "grunt work" here as our lives have taken such a major turn. We cannot even begin to tell you the comfort that you have brought to our family. Knowing that you know we are not perfect, knowing that you love us the way we are, knowing that you are always so willing to fill the gap, knowing that your hearts are here in this ministry and we have confidence in that, these are all things that are so important.
We love your whole family very dearly and thank God that He led you here and look forward to what God is going to do with your precious servants hearts.
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