Adjusting...

We have been at our new home in Gainesville for a little over a week now and have been so busy!
School started on Monday, so I have been running around trying to get the kids ready for that.  We have had a painter painting in our house for a week, not to mention other issues that have needed attention.  I haven't really had a minute to sit down and write.
So far we are really enjoying our new home.  We haven't really had the time yet to go out and explore the city too much.  But we are in a very nice area (away from the hustle and bustle of the college life) and the kids LOVE their new school...which has been one of my biggest fears!  Mikayla has been so nervous about starting a new school and that has made me nervous for her.  But both her and Brayden love their teachers and the school.  Thank you Lord!

We are going to be trying out a church this Sunday morning that we have heard a lot of great things about.  I am super excited!  But I have had a bit of a fear when it comes to finding a new church.  The church that we are coming from is so blessed with a lot of very gifted musicians...the worship there is awesome.  Worship is so very important to me and I know with Ben being a musician, it is very important to him too.  I have been worried that we won't find a church that has as good of worship that we have been so used to.

A few weeks ago we visited Ben's parent's church for the first time.  It is a small church...a work in progress.  There isn't a "worship team" there yet.  Instead they worship to music from a CD with one woman that sings on stage.  I have to admit, I had a very hard time getting into it.  I didn't even sing at first, even though I knew the songs.  Then I looked down at my 8 year old daughter.  She was singing her little heart out.  She looked up at me and gave me the biggest smile.  I immediately felt convicted.  My little girl was singing and worshiping our Lord, while her mother just stood there.  I then started singing right away and soon found that it wasn't that difficult for me after all.

After the service when we were in the car driving, Ben and I began talking about the service.  Ben said that he felt the same way that I did about having a hard time getting into the worship at first.  He felt convicted as well.  He said that he felt like he was putting conditions on his worship.  He told me that we should never have conditions on our worship.  We should be able to worship Christ anytime and in any situation!  How true.  We both agreed that we really need to remember that when we are looking for our new church.  It's amazing how God works and uses situations to teach us things.

 "Worship is first and foremost for His benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to
discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our
richest and most wholesome experience in life." - Graham Kendrick

On a side note...
I have to say that I got pretty emotional on our last Sunday at Bushnell Assembly of God.  I wasn't expecting to at all!  Our Pastor said some really nice things about us and our move.  But it wasn't until after church was over and we were driving home when it hit me.  I was posting a little thank you to Pastor Crane and Merit on facebook and just started crying.  I realized just how important these amazing people are to me and my family.  Pastor and Merit have been there for us since we were dating.  They did our marriage counseling.  Pastor C. married us and Merit was my stand in wedding coordinator.  They were there for all 3 of our baby's births.  Pastor went to Tampa to see my Dad when he had open heart surgery and prayed with him, even though my parents didn't go to our church.  We have always been able to call or email them for advice or encouragement.  We could not have asked for a better Pastor, mentor, counselor, and friend.  They have really been a part of our family and that is what made me get so emotional last Sunday.  We have been so blessed to have them in our lives.  But the best thing about them is that we know, even though we won't be going to their church anymore...we can still call or email if we ever need anything and they will be there for us!  Thank you Pastor Crane and Merit, we love you!

Okay, so now that I'm done with all the mushy stuff.  I hope to be writing again soon about our new town and adding some pictures!  Until then, please continue to keep us in your prayers as we still have a lot of adjustments and of course our search for our new church.  Thanks!

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