6 Years Ago…

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Six years ago this month we were getting ready to wrap up what we’d thought was a 10-month working sabbatical living in Orlando. Carrie was pregnant with Fia, due in less than a month. Our own plans for our life and ministry had been swept away, and we were 4-months in to a period of floating and figuring out what the Lord had next for us… we had two options in front of us (one in Orlando, one in Portland, OR) without any clear calling. I was spending at least an hour every day seeking God’s lead.

Then, on 16 May (the same day as the very last Space Shuttle Endeavour launch) it was six words. The closest thing that I’ve ever experienced to an “audible” voice from God…

“I want you to stay here.”

Since…

We spent time thinking about all of the things that happened in 6 years:

  • The birth of all 3 of our children (so far).
  • 4 addresses and our first home of our own.
  • 7 job roles between the two of us.
  • 2 hurricanes & 5 Florida summers survived.
  • J started going back to school for design & stepped into a new vocational calling.
  • Struggled alongside a neighbor and a friend to overcome sin, and temptation. (It’s not over yet.)
  • Helped launch the Jesus Film app in 2011.
  • Led and designed the initial launch of our web app.
  • Invested in UCF’s campus ministry for 3 years.
  • Invested in the lives, families & spiritual journey of 15+ Orlando friends & neighbors
  • Worked on 28+ different projects (≥3 I still can’t share about).
  • Learned 3 new programming languages.
  • Trained hundreds of staff on how to use the Jesus Film app to share the Gospel clearly.
  • Hosted a viewing of the Story of JESUS for Children in our neighborhood.
  • Prayed for, and helped in our city after a series of high-profile shootings.
  • Designed resources specifically to help get the Gospel to Syrian refugees.
  • J preached at our church 4 times.

Each of these have stories upon stories attached to them, and almost all of them stemming from that call to stay in Orlando. We’re thankful for all of the ways that God has, and continues to lead us.

Thank you for all of the things you to to make it possible for us to live out our calling!

 Maranatha!

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