Orange County Bound…
The Lord has sovereignly brought a new opportunity for ministry to us and we want nothing more than to follow His lead. Bobby will start his first day with Compass Bible Church on May 22nd, so we only have three weeks left here in Sunnyvale. I am looking forward to the work He is doing in our lives. At the same time I am so sad to leave the people who have become very dear to me.
I am stunned at how mixed I feel about this. I am excited to follow the Lord wherever He wants us to go. Bobby and I met our new pastor and his wife for dinner and it became increasingly more clear to us that God wants us to serve Him in this new position. I can’t forget how the pastor’s wife told us how she and her husband decided when they were our age that they wanted to be submissive to God by always saying to Him– “Anything, anytime, anywhere.” I want this to be true of me too.
The mix of emotions comes with having to leave a familiar place with people I love. I will miss people in our church, the high school students and especially my good friend Missy. She has been an endless encouragement to me as we have served in ministry to the high school girls together and sharepened each other in fellowship. I know that I will still keep in touch with these people, but I know that things will change. I think that is the hard things about change–we take on something new, but we also have to leave something.
As I think about the move and all the change that will happen I am thankful that God doesn’t change. He is our rock. I am encouraged by what God says in Revelation 1:8 –
the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord,
“who is and was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Surrendered, surrendered to a friend above all friends
Invited, invited deep into this mystery
Delighted, delighted by the wonders I have seen
Surroundered, surroundered but I’ve never been so free
Determined, determined now to live this life for You
Your’e so worthy my greatest gift would be the least Your’e due
This will be my song
You’ll always be my savior
Jesus, You will always have my heart
May 2nd, 2006
My sister lives in Orange County. I wonder how close this church would be to her. I would love for her to start going to church. I will have to check out their website. God Bless you in this new adventure.
May 2nd, 2006
My dad starts, Lord willing, his new pastoral job on May 22nd as well!!! It is a small church here in Colorado and his first go at senior pastor. God is so faithful… taking our sevrence pay down to the exact day. Pay ends from last job as pay for new job starts. He is so Good! I pray that God will bless you spiritually, emotionally and physically with strength and rewards! Many Blessings!
May 2nd, 2006
What a beautiful song! “My story.” That may be my new campaign. I say that alot of Judah’s birth…that was the story God wrote for Judah and our family. No, not the perfect labor/delivery story according to what is “normal.” But it is what God wanted us to have. And in that I can rest and be thankful for it all.
He knows our days before there is yet one! Praise Him!
May 2nd, 2006
hi. my name is ashley and my older sister, wendy, visits your blog. she told me that you were moving down the street from me (im in newport beach and you’re moving to aliso viejo). nothing would make her happier than if i tried your church out. please feel free to email me whenever. welcome to the oc!
ashley raper
amraper@hotmail.com
May 4th, 2006
Wow, another exciting new change in the Blakey household!! Your attitude towards this huge change is so encouraging! (oh and I also loved your meat story, wow does God provide or what?!) I can imagine it will be hard to leave Sunnyvale, and I know everyone at FBCLA will miss you, but Orange County is lucky to have you! And, if you ever need a babysitter, KKN’s newest location will be Biola, which isnt too far :] Call us up! :]