Just Moved-Just What I Needed!

In the summer of 2007, God orchestrated a move in the life of our family in the form of relocation to the Columbus, Ohio area due to my husband’s job promotion.  Although we have lived in various parts of the country (NY, GA, SC, and KS) this move half way across the country from our Kansas City suburban home was painstakingly difficult.  Although God’s fingerprints were all over the move (He even gave me a script Ohio in the sand of Orange Beach as confirmation we should move!) and it placed us in closer proximity to both of our families, our kids (ages 14 and 11 at the time) and I did not want any part of a new life in Ohio-our old life was very nice, thank you very much.  We were comfortable in our home, schools, church, jobs, etc., perhaps a little too comfortable.  So God plucked us from our cozy nest and plunked us down smack dab in the middle of Buckeye country and started to do a great work in our lives.

The school year started and the kids were fledgling and doing their best to make new friends and fit into their new surroundings and as I attempted to manage their stress and anxiety, I was drowning in a sea of despair.  I became depressed and this Type A gal found herself spending whole days in her pajamas.  I loved my friends back “home” and was not finding any new ones, especially since my kids were too old for play dates or MOPS and they aren’t into sports.  There were a few neighbor ladies who gathered at the bus stop across the street but I felt ill equipped and insecure in approaching them, so most days I pulled my car in the garage and snuck inside the house without even acknowledging them-this was no way to make friends!  I prayed fervently that God would make the path smooth and just make this new, foreign land feel like home for the kids and me. 

One day as I tried my best to avoid the afternoon bus crowd, someone called my name (how did she even know my name?) and even though I wanted to shrink inside the house to my safe haven, I recognized an opening from God and approached the vehicle idling at my curb.  It was a neighbor from down the street and she had a new mum for my flowerbed and a flyer for me about a Bible study called After the Boxes Are Unpacked(now called Just Moved) that met at the church she attends, Heritage Christian (which we had visited previously).  It certainly piqued my interest that such a class was even offered-how could anyone else know how totally incapacitated and upside I was in this transition?  The class started the very next day, which was great because I had little time to talk myself out of it! 

The evening of the class came and the moment I crossed the threshold I knew I was in the company of people who truly understood every single aspect of what I was going through.  So I am not an emotional, overwrought, wimpy, wreck?  You mean what I am feeling is normal? We all took turns telling the class how we ended up in Ohio and we laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time) together.  These were my people-they “got”me!  I even met a woman who had a son the same age as my son and we exchanged contact information in the hopes of getting them connected, and they are close friends to this day (as are we).  Throughout the course of the 13 week study I learned how to release the memories of my old home and embrace starting over in this new land and how God was going to help me do it.  I was not totally recovered by the end of the class but I was sure on my way!  God had given me my confidence back and taught me how to have a peace in my life that was not dependent on my earthly circumstances such as where I live or who my friends are.   This class was a vital part of my transition here and I am now passionate about connecting with newcomers and telling them about the benefits of this study.  The next fall I was actually facilitating the study (God had made great strides in me by then!) and I have had women tell me that this class and God leading them to it, has literally saved their lives in the sense that they would not have had the tools and Biblical principles readily available to them or the connections and support with other women who are in the midst of the same struggles.

Since God turned my world upside down and called us to move, He has poured out His abundant blessings on my family and I have no doubt this is right where He wants us.  The family is flourishing and we have made great progress in our spiritual walk (such as being baptized) that we would have not had the opportunity to experience had we been left in our comfort zone.  So I am not exactly ready to yell OH-IO across the street to my neighbor, but I still think this feels like home.  Just Moved was just what I needed!

Amy Cooley

One great way to set aside purposeful time seeking God this summer is to participate in our Women’s Summer Study.

Ladies, you will never regret a summertime soak in Scripture or cultivating a daily habit of seeking God through the pages of His Word!  I want to encourage you to take the next 8 weeks to deepen your walk with Jesus and others.  Set yourself up for stepping into Fall refreshed and encouraged by a summer spent in His presence. 

Our Women’s Small Group Study, On Mission with God, begins next week (June 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th), Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 7-9pm and Thursday mornings 9:15 – 11:15am.  Online registration is open http://www.heritagecc.org/womens-events and childcare is provided for a fee. 

On Mission with God will be a wonderful reflective summery for where we have been all year in our focus on Devine Conversation’s and great follow up to the Missio Dei conference.  The heart of this study is to help you examine God’s mission and your experience through the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Peter, Paul and John. 

All through the Bible God reveals Himself to you so that you can know him personally.  God initiates a personal, loving relationship with you and invites you to join Him in His work.  How has He purposed for you to participate with Him?  Won’t you join us as we journey together On Mission with God?

Seeking Him Together with Joy,

Zoe Hafner

Women’s Ministry Director

Thank you to all the ladies who gave generously of your time and resources to bless others.  Through our Women’s Small Groups and Spring Event, we partnered with Becky Denbow to bless young girls with formal gowns and with Dave Walker to bless prisoners with cookies.  These may seem like small gestures, but the impact is profound as ones experience a personal touch from a God who sees and knows and loves them.

I asked our project coordinators Becky with Fairy Good Mother’s and Dave with Kairos Prison Ministry if they would share a short story, a glimpse of the impact your giving makes.  Their thoughts are below.

What a tremendous blessing it has been for me to watch you give; to give of yourselves for the Lord’s sake as you serve in this ministry, and Children’s, and Connections, and Music & Arts, and Missions and so many others and in your homes and workplaces, neighborhoods and communities.  God bless you!

Dave Walker of Kairos Prison Ministry gave me this letter from an inmate.

Receiving Kairos cookies are a wonderful gift from Christ’s ambassadors that cause others to receive God’s wonderful gift of forgiveness and reconciliation.  It’s an unmerited blessing that enriches all who receive them.  Everyone in our community rejoices upon receiving these homemade treats.  There’s praising, smiles, laughter and a funny way hostilities between rivals are diminished.  Acknowledging that others unknown to us personally prayed over our cookies also attracts many in out community to grow spiritually.  This act of love from my experience opens the door for many to allow God to come into their lives and help our everyday Christian walk.

In response to this generous act of love (cookies) I give thanks for every single thing that God is doin in my life.  I also open my heart in prayer for those wonderful men and women whom made it possible for me to feel agape love.

Mike

From Beck Denbow of Fairy Good-Mothers:

The Fairy Goodmother’s organization collects prom dresses, shoes, purses, wraps and jewelry all year long to prepare for our “Cinderella’s Boutique each spring.  At this event, we provide prom wear to girls who are in need. Last year we had over 90 high schools represented from all over the state. We outfitted a little over 700 girls for their proms.

I had one girl who had no idea what size shoe she wears as she has never owned a new pair. She wears whatever is given to her.  She was so blessed to have a brand new pair. (We are able to buy some new dresses and shoes with monetary donations) The girls leave truly feeling like “Cinderella’s”.  Some donate their dresses back to us for the next year.

I also helped a girl who assured me we wouldn’t have anything to fit her. It was so fulfilling to be able to find a beautiful dress her size and she left feeling so happy.

We are so grateful to all those who have donated and helped make a young girl feel like a princess.