Pastor's Wife. A new title, and one that I'm overjoyed to be known as now. I don't know what God has in store for Kyle and I, but I know what the (almost) three years has held for us here. When we came here in January of 2009 I was angry because of what happened with Vennard, and unsure of what was to come. I was devastated at the idea of leaving Iowa and my family. Well...it's been almost three years here, and I've made it! Going to Oklahoma Wesleyan was a new experience, and while it ended up not being something that worked out for me, it has opened doors for Kyle and I. It opened the door up to Spencer Management (a janitorial service company) where Kyle and I started working as soon as we moved here. Through that, Kyle has seen the company make a move and gotten to experience life as a supervisor and because of that, meet and witness to co-workers, who have become saved and become very good friends of ours. Coming down here has given me an opportunity to get closer to a very good friend of mine, and someone who I consider to probably be my best friend (aside from Kyle of course). She stood up with me at my wedding and encouraged me all the while. Because of OKWU, we were blessed with being able to get married (which is the biggest thing that has happened since we've been here!!). I've experienced things like VOM Conferences and Taste of Home Cooking Shows, and ice skating for the first time. We got to take a spring break trip to Texas (somewhere I had never been before) and see the ocean. I got to see my husband accomplish his B.S. in Pastoral Ministries and start seminary with Liberty University. We got to add two wonderful energetic dogs to our family, Ginger & Bella. I started my own journey with Liberty in finishing my degree. We've been blessed to get to see how God is working through the Penn's & Jessie & Jake since Vennard, and have them as close friends. Through different instances, we've experienced The Holy Spirit's pull in our lives, as well as God shutting doors just to open new ones. I've experienced apathy and learning patience. I got to see my husband being used by God to touch the lives of others and because of that, get to baptize a close friend and his brother. I've gotten to see sides of myself that I'm not too proud of, and am pushing to change. I've learned that God is still here, despite how much I've hurt. I've learned to reach out. I've learned new ways in which to be there for Kyle. I've learned that I can be really prideful and am trying to be a better steward of that. Among other things. I've learned how deeply I love my husband, and was blessed by what God has entrusted me with. ***So many more experiences***
When we moved into this apartment, I told Jessie it was "cozy," and she said it was a good way of looking at it. Now as I sit here amongst totes and boxes of our stuff, it's hard to realize another new chapter of our lives is taking part. That we are leaving our first "married home." At times I felt like I would never get out of here, but now it's just surreal I guess. I pray that this new chapter of our lives is totally and utterly led by God and that we make just as many new friendships.
To our friends who've been right there with us and the new ones we've made-you've always got a place to come stay with us. We love you and always want to be a part of your lives. We don't see this as goodbye, but a beginning. We can't wait to share all of our new experiences!
