Tomorrow we will make our journey to Alaska. We are both excited, even with the bittersweet taste we have in our mouths with the thought of saying goodbye.
However, I would like to challenge you not to say goodbye, but rather see you later… for that is more accurately what we are doing today, especially to those who are coming to see us this summer! I once heard from one of the more experienced Lt. Col.’s wives that it is never goodbye in the military but rather a chest bump and see you later. And with those we are so close with and those in the body of Christ, it is no more than that.
This season is an exciting time for us: we are going where God has called us to go, preparing us with much confirming scripture and peace with our new assignment rather anxiety, which makes us even more excited to be doing what He wills! And his will is that we proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth… and yes, I am SURE He meant Alaska to be included in that mix!
With all the blessed technology and new communication outlets, this should seem virtually painless (no pun intended).
However, it is never easy to depart in the beginning and know you are going a great distance away. Yet I am thankful God has given us these different ways to tap into each others lives whenever we start missing each other too much! What a gift!
Also, I want to ask of you all to pray for us as we prepare ourselves for the specifics of God’s will for us to be revealed on our drive up there. We want open minds and a sensitivity to His voice to better follow Him in this time.
We will be praying for you all as well in this time. You too, if you have been captured by His love, have a mission in the vicinity He has placed you in: to love and encourage others around you in His word. Philippians 1:27 tells you in this way: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything…” We want to encourage you not to lose focus of what is important in your walk through this life and strive for Christ to be made your own, as he made you His own (Philippians 3:12).
Thus, to do that we must be willing to ‘forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead’ (Philippians 3:13). That does not mean we forget you or anyone else that we love or have spent much time with (nor could we ever forget you!), but it means we cherish those times in our fondest memories and move forward towards the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (14). The Word says its mature to think that way, verse 15, so out of a desire to obey God, we are mat-UR-ing up and striving forward!
Thank you all for your support and love during a very hard move- for it is always easier for those leaving than those who stay behind. We appreciate your sacrifice to say see you later so we may go forward in His beautiful will. The Father is well pleased with you and we are most blessed to know we will see you all very soon… in Alaska!
Blessings! Xoxoxo
'With songs of joy I speak of Thee, for I know not how to cease',
Kati Thornbury
-- Jeremiah 20:9--