I was born in Canada and raised in Michigan. For those unfamiliar with geography you just cross some water from Michigan and you are in Canada. I moved 5 times before I reached the 6th grade.
I can't say that I had a horrid childhood. It was amazing in A LOT of ways... not so much fun in other ways.. but we live in a fallen world so we can't expect perfection! But I can say I always had a longing to be somewhere else. Which is weird.. you would think with all of my moving I would just want to stay where I was. Yet I always dreamed of moving to the beach or at least to a southern state where the weather was nicer. I longed to move away...
In elementary school I learned about the underground railroad and was proud of being born in a country where slaves ran to find freedom. I was proud to live in a state that was so beautiful. (Even if I disliked the snow that covered the ground more than half of the year) Even with my attachment to my place of birth and State I was raised in, I still had a longing to be somewhere else.
I went on mission trips starting when I was 16 and continue to do so now at the age of 27 (leaving for Haiti June 22nd this year) I had/have a heart to travel and share God's love with the nations.
Going on my first mission trips I learned that I wasn't called to be a full time missionary in the sense of moving out of the country. I knew God was calling me to work with young people... I just didn't know where.. This longing to move away wasn't answered yet...
I had an amazing time at Mount Hope Church in Lansing Michigan. I served there for years as a volunteer youth leader, and did an intense Summer internship.. yet something in me knew I wouldn't be there forever.. I longed to move away...
I took a job less than an hour away as a full time Youth Pastor. I felt God calling me to minister there. I thought maybe my longing to move away wasn't from God and was my own selfishness...
After about 2 years of ministry in that church with my fiance' and then husband. God obviously without a doubt sent us to a children's home in SW VA. Something I totally didn't expect to happen I had been trained to be a youth pastor. I have a 4 year degree in youth ministry. Why would God ask me to be a house parent in a children's home?
The location was beautiful. The job went really well at first. Then within 6 months I was going crazy. I thought oh no.. we picked up and moved left everything we knew all of our family and friends. Why would we be sensing God moving us after such a short time? The longing to move was still there...
We found out after a year at the children's home that God had sent us there to bring us to the church we now both serve in. (It was just down the road from the children's home)
For the first time in my life.. I have a longing to stay.... I have no desire to move away. I have no desire to find a warmer climate. (even when the snow comes and it gets cold in these mountains)
I don't know how long God has called me here for. I pray its for a long time. I didn't imagine raising my kids in this type of community. I always saw myself raising them in a big city. Working with inner city students with a church.
I now hope I am here long enough to raise my children in this community and in this church.
My ministry here at the church isn't perfect. I'm not perfect. Its not always easy in fact its not really easy at all. Though, It is absolutely where I know God wants me to be. I long to stay. I miss the family who lives so far away from me. I miss seeing my nephew's and niece grow up.
Yet I long to stay...
