When Rick and I packed up the kids over two years ago to move out to Port Hueneme in Southern California, more than just our own family thought we were crazy.  We came out here with no job, no place to live, and a savings that would not last us more than a few months in California.  Well, within the first week of moving here, God completely healed me of a 15-year colon disorder, so that seemed like confirmation.  But we continued to have ups and downs that always made us re-evaluate our call...Richard's passing, Rick getting a great salary-job for very few weekly hours, finding out Rick was not called to be a youth minister, me being called on as Parkview's worship leader, having a 3rd child that increased all expenses, Rick being ordained as Associate Pastor.

Well, last night we experienced the culmination and result of all we have been through since June of 2004.  Last night, Parkview Baptist Church voted with an overwhelming 97% majority vote that Rick should be the next Senior Pastor.  While we have both heard audible calls to the pastorate over the past six months, we honestly had no idea we would be in this position when we first moved out here.  God has done more than we could ever imagine or even hope for (Ephesians 3:20).  So, there it is.  It must have been His will when we rented that run-down U-Haul and trekked Abigail and Brennan 2500 miles away from home.  Fortunately, God has given us a wonderful 2nd home here with many who love us and the kids, and now they want us as their Pastor and pastor's wife.  Wow!  You're pretty awesome, God!  Thanks for using two very unworthy candidates.  It is great for us and for most of you reading this that God does NOT call the equipped, instead He equips the called.

Thanks for all the prayers,

Melissa