Emerging Conservative

Some of the decisions I’m glad I made this year (some new, some continuing)…

– Staying at The Shepherd’s Fellowship – There were some options that came up earlier this year that would have been more pay and more resources but Jenni and I felt like God was allowing us to stay with our church family and have been amazed at the move of the Spirit in our church family. So glad we stayed =)

– Date night with my wife – Every other Saturday night, a friend stays with Emily while Jenni and I get the night to ourselves. This time together is critical and though it costs a little bit for babysitting, so worth have time together where we can just enjoy each others company.

– Florida with Ryan – I am thankful that it looks like my son will not be moving to Florida but the possibility drove us to take a trip down earlier this year to explore the area. We spent a couple days in the Tampa area and then a couple days at Universal Studios just for fun. While it wasn’t a planned trip time wise or money wise, it was time together that I will never forget. Plus, my son knows that I will do everything in my power to invest into his life and help him any way I can which is priceless.

– Florida with Emily – I was raised with a strong sense of family and community that I strive to pass on to my kids. It is important to me that they also get to travel and experience more of the world. Ryan and Emily both have been raised with the Smokies and I wanted them both to get the chance at Disney World. Ryan went when he was about 14, Emily last year at 5. We are taking her back again this year which may seem like much to some…. it certainly isn’t cheap but I am thankful to be able to do this with our daughter and give her these memories during this magical time of life of youth.

– Weight Loss – This year, I have lost 45 pounds. I have more to go but the level of health, energy, and comfort have risen greatly. It has given me more playing with my daughter, more strength in my daily movement, more energy for preaching, and let me scuba dive with my son for the first time in my life. I have plateaued over the last couple months but I am enjoying what I have lost and plan a second strong push the beginning of nest year.

– Planning ahead – While Jenni and I have been in a place of limbo in a couple areas of our lives over the last three years, we have also been able to plan ahead and put some things in place in case there is ever a sudden change in our lives. It’s not always easy but learning more about preparing for the unseen and future.

– Being in Community – We have also had several opportunities that I won’t go into detail on being able to invest into others lives as well. This is in many ways including giving of time, love, ministry, and resources. God has been bold in showing us areas to give up self and be the answers to others prayers as He leads and when He leads.

– Stewardship – All of this I find come from one key area, stewardship. I know I have nothing of my own but that God has entrusted people, time and resources to me. I have had times in my life when I have not managed these well and have been lead to crash and burn moments. However, by being mindful and purposeful with my time, relationships, and resources, I have found a freedom in my life that I enjoy and appreciate being able to invest. We are far from rich and it has been a decade of lessons but I am thankful for what God has entrusted me with and love the life we are living.

This did not come from man’s plans but God’s and I will continue to seek Him and learn His ways. Just a testimony of His faithfulness when we follow Him diligently.