PEDDLING FORWARD. LOOKING BACK. Part 1

Peddling Forward. Looking Back. 

~ our Davis journey ~

(PART 1 - PEDDLING FORWARD)

Almost 2 years ago we made the decision, along with Godly counselors, to step away from our church in Davis.

I spoke to my Uncle about it and he said that "so many people move on because they don't see results, but that's not the reason to move on. You move on because God tells you to move on." It was so encouraging to talk with him.

We were deeply disappointed, but we knew God was moving us on from the church, however, we did NOT believe God was moving us from Davis. It was frustrating in a way, because it made sense for us to move, but you don't do something cause it makes sense, you do it because God leads you to do it... So we stayed put!

We continued to minister here as much as possible by passing out tracts and sharing the gospel.

We stood still for a while, praying for direction, seeking God's will, and many times not understanding why it seemed we were "just hanging around in Davis,  and what seemed to be "in-active" in ministry.

It. Has. Been. Hard.

Seems like a simple statement, but the last two years have been the hardest of our lives - the most trying & tested time we've ever been through. 

We had to trust that God had a plan and that this waiting, empty, silent  time was needful in our lives. 

Well, we recently received a VERY CLEAR leading that God wants us to move FROM Davis, but here's the twist... WE HAVE NOW CLUE WHERE GOD WANTS US TO SETTLE!!!! haha
WHAT? I know you're probably disappointed. Well it's just another journey you get to join us on. :) hee hee!  So we might not know specifics, but we DO KNOW that, after years of silence, God is working & leading and THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!

It's like Abraham. God told him to move, but at first, didn't tell him where!!!! We've been ready to pack up and move for months, but God hadnt' given the green light yet. 

Now we have the green light...

SO, we are packing up, stepping out by faith on a new journey, and trusting God to guide us...

We are SOOOO excited because, we know 
GOD IS IN THIS! 

You should have seen how quickly we
started packing! :) LOL

We might not know our destination right now, but we are excited to begin this journey.

*   *   *  

FOR NOW, we are moving only 30 minutes away to Fairfield. We will temporarily live with Neil's mom. Neil also has a temporary job that God provided. 

We will be closer to our home church too and look forward to serving there less encumbered...living an hour away greatly limited our ability to serve. Also, Neil had an on call job here in Davis which kept us from committing to anything. That was all really wearing on us.

We know that this is just a small stepping stone on the way to Gods plan...

We REALLY TRULY believe that God has a special opportunity waiting for us and believe that soon God will reveal it!!!

There are an exuberant amount of emotions as we pack up and leave DAVIS!!!

It's harder to say goodbye than I ever thougtht it would be. There are SOOO many milestones here and an unbelievable amount of special memories... Church planting adventures, Holidays, New Friendships, Annie, Adoption Beginnings, Bike Rides, going Debt Free, our 10th Anniversary, My sisters wedding, etc...etc...etc...

However, I do believe the majority of our time here was chosen by God to be difficult in order to grow us and prepare us for a greater good. I believe that the past 6 years have been full of trials that can't be numbered. Trials that shook our faith. Trials that only God's great mercy & grace brought us through. We were broken here, disappointed, attacked by Satan, and tested in our faith & doctrine!!!!!!

The other day I drove around and just cried.

I said goodbye...

I saw parks where I would go to cry and beg God for a baby, for health, for our church.
I saw paths where I'd ride my bike and praise God for His goodness.
I saw homes and neighborhoods where we shared the gospel.
I saw the school where we began our church - great memories!!!
I saw the restaurants where we would eat and converse about our trials, our hopes& dreams, and difficult church people. LOL
I saw our first Davis home where Neil and I made life-changing decisions about our marriage, our faith, and our doctrine.
I saw people. OH THE PEOPLE that we came here to show Jesus' love.
I saw the town that rejected Christ and my heart ached.

This is where Neil "became" a pastor,
Where we started our journey to parenthood.
We grew.
We were strengthened.
We were molded into vessels fit for the Masters use.
I believe that DAVIS is where Neil and I became the people God wanted us to be.


DAVIS WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PIECE OF OUR HEARTS!!!

(and bicycles will always have a special meaning in our lives)

PLEASE keep praying for us as we "PEDDLE FORWARD" - as we walk by faith toward His new plan for us...

Walking by Faith,

DeAna