“Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.”
Ezekiel 2:2
October has arrived, and with that so has our two year anniversary of living in Montebelluna. The past couple of years have literally flown by and, what may come as a surprise to many of you, the Lord is moving us on from this place.
We knew at the beginning of the year that we would have to eventually face the inevitable question, “Lord, what do you have for us next?”. Not that we were looking to leave Italy (it was actually quite the contrary). Nonetheless, with our two year commitment coming to a close, we wanted to be sure that remaining here would be the Lord’s will. So we began seeking the Lord and praying for direction. And (as the Lord often does) He asked us to wait. Waiting, for what seemed in our minds a very big important decision, was by no means easy. Looking back on it now, however, we can see how the Lord’s hand has been working on our hearts (especially mine) to prepare us for what is ahead.
Due to certain circumstances we began looking to go back to England. But in my heart I was so torn! Part of me wanted to stay in Italy, part of me wanted to go to England, part of me was saying going to England would be giving up on what the Lord called us to do, another part of me said that if we stayed because we wanted to that would also be a decision in the flesh- I was going crazy. But the Lord slowly and in His perfect timing showed both of us individually through His word that England is where He was now moving us. It was amazing how, once I knew the Lord had spoken, His perfect peace (the kind that surpasses all understanding) took hold of me! And although I grew up in Florida, where the weather is warm and sunny, and although when we moved to Italy I thought we would live here forever, I know He will sustain our family in cold rainy England! Because the Lord’s ways are perfect and His plans and purposes for His children are far greater than anything we could dream.
We will miss this place so much! Leaving is not an easy choice for either of us. It has been a place of so many of our “firsts”, both in our relationship personally with one another as well as in ministry. This body of believers really has become our family and we have seen them grow and ourselves grow while serving here. We truly are and have been blessed beyond measure!
Our tentative plan is to be in England by the end of the year. We will be moving to Oxford (James’ home town) where James will, hopefully, be starting a full time job. Before we leave Italy, we have to finish getting all of Logan’s documents in order (both British and American), which is taking a lot longer than we planned. Logan and I will most likely be returning to America sometime in February so that I can apply for my visa (which I have to do in the States). If James isn’t working at that point, he might be able to join us for a short time... but if he does have a job, then we are looking at another season of long distance. My visa can take up to three months to be processed. Obviously, we are hoping for a much shorter time than that but are planning for the long haul, if necessary.
And that about wraps up our future plans update for this sadly neglected blog! As much as I would like to say that I will continue to post on this, I can make no promises since blogging is very low on my “new mum” priority list! BUT I would like to try and do another post in the near future about what we’re doing now. But again, no promises!
Prayer:
James- as he teaches Ecclesiastes and does accounting work for the Bible College
All Logan’s documents to come through quickly
Applying for my visa in February.
All the many transitions that are heading our way
Continued prayer for the students and church body here in Montebelluna
