These two words capture the past two weeks at the Garman home. A little over two weeks ago we had no renters and no leads. Very quickly we felt blessed with what should be a great situation. Last week we took the Youth Ministry to summer camp, Global Youth Camp that it. If there is a better way for a group of students to spend a week of their summer together, I have not found it. The staff at Global Youth Ministry has been critical in the development of the Youth Ministry at Stafford Baptist Church, and camp was another great experience. I wish every adult in our church would take a turn accompanying the students.. We returned on Friday Night. That has been the whirlwind portion, but yesterday was the freefall. Yesterday I stepped down from my position as Associate Pastor at Stafford Baptist Church in preparation for the big move to Iceland. It was like a freefall for several reasons.
1. My work there has been the only job of my adult life. I know nothing else.
2. Iceland is on our doorstep and there is no turning back.
3. I have enjoyed it so much that I hate the idea of moving from the comfortable to the unknown.
To close, I wish every Pastor could say the sort of goodbye (if I can even really call it that, at least it is officially) that I did yesterday. A weeping, joyful, thankful goodbye. I now know what it means to love a church through the joyful growth, challenges, and changes of seven years. It was an exciting day to preach and I am thankful to Pastor Bill that he opened up the opportunity. Pastor Bill, the man who often sees things in people before they do., for this I am grateful.
6 comments:
Colby,
You've got me crying now as I read this. This last time that you were preaching at Pillar I was in childcare. I was able to hear your message on the laptop at home, sitting next to Andy on the couch. I was a complete mess not too long into it. When you talked about wanting to demonstrate faith like that but loving your wife too much, loving your self too much. . .oh man! Amazing stuff. I hope you and Annie know that you mean a lot to us even if we don't see you often to be able to express that. We are so excited for your upcoming move and so thankful that you have embraced this challenge. You guys are such an encouragement to my soul. You really have no idea. We love you guys and your beautiful, beautiful girls.
I will see you before these two years are out.
im thinking an extended stay?
You will be missed greatly, but I am hearing "hello Iceland, again". Maybe for two weeks this time!?! My only request, try to secure a car that doesn't smoke and the gas gauge reads correctly. We are so thankful for you and Annie and the girls and what you have meant to us. We will pray for you daily and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you guys and Iceland... Tell George we said hello.. (This is Jadey by the way)
i'm coming to Iceland. all i needed was an excuse.
So sorry I missed your farewell message, but am grateful for the quality time I had with Darcy in the nursery. Looks like you'll have plenty of guests while in Iceland. Get your calendar ready...we want a spot on it too.
Mrs. PBJ
Colby.. it's Josh Hatcher.. hey man.. give me a call sometime...
814-331-1721
or shoot me an email..
joshhatcher@openarmsbradford.org
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