Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Letting Go

You know how when you love something, you tend to hold on to it tightly? I had to turn loose of my full-time position in the operating room at Medical Park Hospital on Friday. Medical Park Hospital, in Winston-Salem, has the best group of people one could ever hope to work with. It's rather remarkable that there are so many wonderful people in one place! The surgeons, nurses, scrub techs, anesthesia group, surgical partners, secretaries, sterile supply personnel, central supply personnel, cafe' and kitchen personnel, and everyone in between; I love love love!

John is reluctant to leave his work for Winston-Salem Monthly and NC Signature magazines, too. He has so enjoyed free-lancing for them. The folks at Senior Services have been great to work for, also. They have all been so good to John and it has been a pleasure to meet each person he has photographed over the last few years.

But as hard as it is to close this chapter in our lives, we know that the Lord has called us to a great work with Mercy Ships and we look foward to using our skills and talents and experiences for His glory. Every part of our lives, every person who has guided and trained us and been our co-laborer each day, has shaped us into the people we are. And the amazing thing is that whether we realize it or not, it has all been a part of God's plan!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Blessings on you today!
Jenny

Saturday, June 14, 2008

SOLD

We are thanking the Lord for providing a buyer for our house! In this market, we were tempted to be anxious about selling our house. But, then, whose plan is it anyway?

When we knew that the Lord was directing us to service with Mercy Ships, we felt like we ought to sell the house and be free of the burden of a mortgage. We contacted a friend from church that we knew had been interested in our neighborhood and had looked at houses there off and on for about as long as we had lived there. As it turned out, our house was just what she was looking for and we closed the sale on it Thursday, May 29! And there was never a sign in the yard!!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:19-20

So now we're still trying to get ourselves turned right-side-up at Jenny's parent's in Pfafftown, NC. Their house is just 12 minutes from our "old" house. We've decided that we are going to have to just focus on the must-do list and forget about the would-like-to-do list. John and Jenny leave for the Gateway training program at the IOC in only 12 days! Joey, Bethany and David will be staying with Mom-Mom and Pop (Jim and Susan Horton, Jenny's parents) from June 26 through July 28 while John and Jenny are educated.

Smoky update: The cat is doing well, although he prefers to be inside ALL the time. Only the Lord knows what Smoky went through that long 24 hours that he couldn't be found! But this turn of events means that Mom-Mom's wild birds she loves to feed are safe and sound! Everybody seems to be happy with the situation.

Until the next update...
Jenny