Coming to a close...

This Sunday will be our last Sunday at St. James. Wow. I cannot believe I'm even typing the words. I've been doing a lot of reminiscing lately about the memories, the laughs, and the relationships that have been formed through the years. When I look back, I realize I really grew up during my time here. St. James truly prepared both of us to go out and do God's work. Thank you for all of those who poured into us, ministered to us, loved on us, prayed for us, fed us, and more!

To the media department- thank you for being the first to welcome me and help me find my place at St. James. April, Lisa, Jacob, Chap, Cyle, Dianne, Shanna, Lamar, Mike, Rachelle, and Randy- I have so many wonderful memories with each of you that I will forever cherish. As you all know, we can probably give Jacob the credit for most of the laughs. I met Chris in that media room and will forever be grateful.

To my sweet friend Rachel that predicted Chris and our marriage. You will always be part of our St. James family to me.

To our first small group at Steve and Lil's house. Thank you for being those extra sets of parents who we could rely on. Lil and Steve- you truly are family. (That includes you Cyle, Joanie, Eleanor, and Nate, Mac, and Milly)

To the people we have said goodbye to in our time at St. James- Jeremy and Christy, Jonathan and Amanda, Jacob, Kristin, Lester and Janeese, Brad and Rachel, Trey and Abbey, Woods~ thank you for teaching us what it means to "go" when the Lord calls you. You set us a great example.

 

To my Esther's Group- thank you for the bond and truly showing me what Christian fellowship looks like. You have changed my impression of what a "small group" really is.

 

To all who took part in our wedding day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for the scriptures, the planning, thank you for the flowers, thank you for the musical talent, thank you for the song, thank you for the act of marrying us, thank you for handing out programs, thank you for the love.

To the worship team that supported both Chris and I through new jobs for me, our engagement, our wedding, my pregnancy, Huttons' birth. You have been there for it all- we love you so much.

To Vaughn, thank you for teaching Chris how to lead. Thank you for being that Godly example and supporting him. Thank you for giving him opportunities to grow. Thank you for the love, prayers, friendship and so much more.

To the Women's Leadership Team I served with. Thank you for the friendships, the fun, the laughter. I loved serving God alongside you and watching women grow closer to the Lord. Janeese- thank you for your example and leadership- it has been such a blessing.

 

To the women who have set such Godly examples of what it means to be a ministry wife- Janeese, Stephanie, Christy, Rachel, Abbey, Cindy- I will always treasure the models you set for me.

 

To our small group for our first two years of marriage- thank you to Bradley and Ann and Steve and Michelle's leadership. Thank you for the openness and the bonds that were formed. Small groups truly are second family.

To the people I have both seen and served alongside of in our youth ministry. Thank you for getting me involved, thank you for trusting me, and thank you for pairing me up some of the most wonderful girls.

 

To the women I spent a beautiful four days on a retreat with back in March of 2011. Those four days will never be forgotten and I love yall and the bonds we formed.

 

To my senior girls small group. Words can't even describe how much I love yall. This is not the end for us and we will keep up through this year and as you go on to college. I'm so proud of yall and will continue to pray for you daily as God rises you up to be strong women who serve HIS kingdom!

To the people who have cooked and served us dinner on Wednesday nights, thank you for giving me that night off, thank you for your smiles, your laughs, your love, and your friendship.

 

To all that loved on us and supported us during my pregnancy and the birth of Hutton. We will always tell him stories about his first church home and the love he received there.

 

Lastly, but not at all least~ to all the people who have been my friends. A girl to chat with, a shoulder to cry on, a lunch buddy, a shopping buddy, someone to vent to. You have shown me what true friendship is. I love all of you and treasure the friendships I have formed.

To everyone else for the smiles, the hugs, the prayers, the laughs, the pictures, the memories, the stories, the bonds, the worship time, the tears, and everything in between. It has been quite a ride and it is bittersweet to jump to the next one God has planned for us. Know we will remember you in our hearts, prayers, and stories forever. You will always be family.

 

I could never list everyone but thank you to those who have made our time at St. James more than we could have ever imagined....

Goodbyes

  This will tell you how weird I am- everytime I think about saying goodbye to people the song "Leaving on a jet plane" rolls into my head. So yes that is what I have been humming all day today.

St. James has been an incredible church for us and has brought us a multitude of friends, mentors, and more since we both became members there. A long time ago some leaders of the church decided on a mission for the church based on what they felt God was leading them to do. I may not have it perfect but it is something like

To build up, empower, and send out fully devoted followers of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Well God sure wasn't kidding about that SENDING OUT part. We have said a lot of goodbyes and been to a lot of goodbye parties in our time at St. James.

Jonathan and Amanda Solvason headed out to New Orleans and man has God been up to some awesome things in their lives! Amanda is now on staff with Church of the King and if you know her you need to get her to tell you about all God is up to there!

Jeremy and Christy Smith (and Aidan- Maddox wasn't here yet!) are down in Niceville, Fl and God is using their sweet fam in so many ways. Jeremy is getting to preach weekly (one of the best preachers I know) and Christy is sharing her angelic voice with those Floridians

Jacob Eubanks is on his third extended trip to Zambia with his project- Water 282. Look it up, dig a well! Thankfully he returns for visits about twice a year!

Lester and Janeese Spencer (and Harden, Ciara, and Josh) are now serving at Gulf Breeze UMC in Gulf Breeze, FL. They poured so much into St. James and we know the group down at Gulf Breeze is thrilled to have them! Those women didn't know what they had coming! :)

Youth Interns of past (Sam, Woods- we're so glad you're semi back Woods!)- They are out beginning their full-time out of college ministry and I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Brad and Rachel Goode (and Caroline and Amelia) are now at Dauphin Way UMC in Mobile as Brad is serving as their Pastor over their Contemporary Service (I'm sure there is a more official name) and Rachel is beginning to delve into using her many gifts of writing, speaking, encouraging, etc. to become a part of the adoption network there! In addition to getting to stay home and spend quality time with two of the cutest girls I know! The contemporary service is growing weekly as Brad shares his gift of words that God has richly blessed him with! He probably already knows everyones names!

Mike Rollins took a big step and is now the Youth Minister at Dauphin Way UMC in Mobile. Mike- we're so proud of you and know that God is using you in big ways! Those youth are laughing all the time we know!

Raleigh and Christen Price (and Adeline and Maralee- thankfully they aren't 100% gone yet) are in the process of returning home to Dothan as Christen is going back to work in the children's ministry at a Methodist Church there. She has a gift and love for children and they are blessed to have her!

And then last night we did another goodbye party for sweet Trey, Abbey and Lilly Broox Carey. Trey has been given the opportunity to return home to Murfreesboro, TN and will be their Associate Pastor/Youth Minister. Abbey and Lilly Broox will be a part of their amazing preschool there and they will continue to touch the lives of children and youth!

We are immensely thankful for all of these people and the impact each of them have had on our lives. You have each loved us, poured into us, laughed with us, and been a part of the most memorable and important parts of our own life (wedding, Hutton's birth). We could never thank you enough for that. God is doing so much with each of you in your lives. His hand is certainly on each of you and your families and I look forward to following each of you in your lives and ministry as you continue to follow His path for your life. I just wanted to share how much we love you and will always love you and you will always be in our hearts, prayers, memories and we love visits!

With that said, we welcome with open arms those people who God has planned to come to St. James. We will love you as we have loved them and cannot wait to meet you!