We took a trip to Estes Park, and the Rocky Mountain National Park for Leighton’s 41st birthday yesterday. It was an amazing day, and the perfect way to celebrate him.
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Packed
Once again, we have all of our worldly possessions crammed into a handful of suitcases and we stand at the edge of a new chapter in our journey with God.
Hi everyone. I have waited to blog until I had more details to share, but we do not have that luxury in this transition. God seldom gives us the entire picture ahead of our ventures and I am learning to be ok with that. So, this is a quick note to bring you up to speed on the details that we do know.
For the last two and half years we have been privileged to live and work in New Zealand. God has worked through us and in us in truly amazing ways. We have met so many beautiful people. Tomorrow we say goodbye to this incredible experience and step into a new one as we move back to the states.
I thought a good way to fill you in would be to answer some of the questions you have.
Q: Why are you leaving?
A: We simply feel that our work here is finished. I’m not sure if it’s that we’ve completed the things that God wanted us to do, or that we’ve given all that we have. As amazing as this journey has been, it’s been very difficult and we miss home.
I read back through my journal and came across a question that Jonathan Pool asked me during my life plan back in 2008. “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” My answer was: “Go to NZ to serve and represent Jesus there.” I am thankful for the gift of fulfilling this dream.
At the end of my last kids camp, the volunteer leaders and staff gathered to honor me by sharing how God used me to challenge them and change them. It was absolutely overwhelming, and a total tear fest. It was tremendously humbling. I am thankful that Gina and Samuel where there to share it with me.
Through this whole experience I have learned that I am nothing special, only willing, and that God loves to use people just like me to do big things in the lives of others. Later that night, Samuel commented, “Maybe the reason we came here was to do this work. God’s work.” It filled my heart to know that he gets it. I confirmed that indeed this was the reason. Just the week before, during their morning discussion time, Samuel shared with Gina, “I think I found Jesus in New Zealand.” Even now, tears…
It will be hard to leave tomorrow and even harder to start over but I am looking forward to what is next as I continue to learn to trust God for everything.
Q: What will you be doing next?
A: At this point we only know a few things for sure. First, we arrive in San Francisco Monday evening. We are staying with good friends and look forward to resting with them for a few days. Second, I will be officiating the wedding of one of my closest friends in the mountains of Colorado, May 22. After that we plan to find our way back to Traverse City to settle there.
Where we go in between we don’t yet know, but we feel that God is bringing us into a time of rest to decompress from all that has happened over the last few years.
As for other details: Where will I work? Where will we live? We don’t know right now. He has asked us to follow along and enjoy our time with him. He didn’t promise details or certainty. It isn’t easy but we’re getting better at living like this. This is what faith is for to us.
Q: How can we pray?
A: We want to stay close to him, hear him clearly, and not stress over the details of starting over again. God’s peace really.
That’s where we’re at. Thank you all for staying connected with us, for encouraging us and for supporting us through your prayers. We love you.
Leighton
Endings
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I’ve waited almost two years to get a picture of these birds up close, and today William spotted one among the trees behind our back porch. So thankful:)
And we learned today that Leighton’s work here is coming to a close. It has been an amazing season. We are thankful for the time that we’ve lived and worked in New Zealand! It has been a dream realized, although difficult at time, it has enlarged our understanding of God, how he works in us and in the world, and how he loves us.
Ending are sad, but beginnings are exciting. We are dreaming new dreams. Without this newly grown faith, these dreams would still be buried. Unearthing them has been hard work, but I am thankful for the gift. And God has been right here, all the time.
We don’t have plans yet, except for maybe a garage sale in the near future. When we know, you will know. Thank you to friends and family who have supported us in our time here. Your friendship and love have sustained us in our dry season. We love and miss you, and look forward to seeing you again.
Grace and peace,
GC
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