Today has been a good day….but also an exhausting day (so this post may be a short one). Today has been a sad day as I leave this place….but also a joy filled day as I look forward to the future and look at the blessings the homes and families of DLC have been in my life. Today has been a day where I have felt loved but it also has been a day reflecting on the blessings this place has been to me (as well as I have been to them).

This place has wrapped me in their love and grace the last six years. Together we have been “christ-bearers” for each other. (My colleague preached this awesome sermon about being “christ-bearers” today…and if you haven’t guessed he didn’t preach on the assigned texts for the day. He focused today’s worships all around “service.”) This place has prepared me to follow the Holy Spirit’s calling and has prepared me to serve at First in Minot. I am so very thankful for all they have taught me.

Today DLC had this wonderful going away celebration for me. I was incredibly humbled by the cards and gifts that people gave me. I am still trying to take in the words of some of those cards. And I’m still trying to take a hold of it in my heart and mind tonight. The church presented me with this gorgeous wall hanging that says “Family and then underneath that it has the text from Joshua that says “For me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” They also had an inscription placed under the picture as well.

I am incredibly humbled by how much I have been blessed by the homes and families of this place. Tonight I am so very thankful for each and every one of those homes and families. Tonight I am thankful for all they have taught me. Tonight I am thankful for the love and grace they have always shown me these last six years.

And tonight I still feel wrapped in their love and prayers which will go with me as I follow the Holy Spirit’s calling.