Soo...I'm(Kelly) gonna be an open book for a minute and share what I have been going thru this last month. Brad and I moved out to KC at the end of July and were so super stoked about this new journey. We had spent lots of time in prayer and felt this was where we were supposed to be. Things were great! We explored the new city, got settled in at our new home, and were enjoying this new place. Then life happened (see Brad's previous post for a glimpse into that fun stuff). During this time, I found that I was crying a whole heck of a lot - but I would do it when nobody was around. I had a 20-30 minute drive to and from work and this was my best hide-out! I would shed tears and question why we were here, why I was feeling this way, how we were going to pay bills, what would happen next. I was frustrated with God. I didn't understand why I felt this way and why nothing was happening to make me feel better. I started to not feel like myself. I was a bit more snappy with Brad and on the verge of extreme melt-down at any moment! Brad likes to tell people about the time he jokingly said something about having kids and I burst into tears at the dinner table - not subtle, quiet tears - but the can't-breathe-snot running-down-your-face-hyperventilating kind; quite attractive, I know.
Sooo all this was going on, and I kept it in. I didn't want to disappoint anyone or hurt anyones feelings. I didn't want to tell Brad that I wanted to move back to FL and ruin some ministry opportunities for him. I was just lost and confused. And, about this time I made a trip back home to see my mom for her birthday. It was a great trip! I had sooo much fun seeing mi familia again. But it was shadowed with the fact that I knew in 2 days I had to leave them. And that was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thought. While at lunch with my mom and sisters, I burst into that ugly crying again. I finally said all of my feelings out loud and it was sooooooo great! It was such a weight lifted off my shoulders! I felt terrible for what I was saying, actually admitting that I wanted to move back, but it felt SO good to get it out in the open!
Fast forward time - I got back and shared everything with Brad. We spent A LOT of time in prayer asking God to show us clearly where our next step should be. We were okay with staying here or moving back as long as God was in control and we were doing His will. Now, here comes the great part - I hope you're ready to be as shocked and amazed with God as we are!
After being back for a week, Brad got a message from a Pastor at the church we came from in FL about a job opportunity. He woke me up (NEVER a good idea!!) and told me I had to read it. At first I was SO crabby that he woke me up...until I read the message. We looked at each other and just said 'Whaaaaaaat?!'. Immediately we prayed. We prayed asking God for clear direction, asking that if this was indeed where He wanted us that we would know. Brad talked to the Pastor that day about the job and it was right up Brad's alley. We were confused about staying here or going; torn about hurting some very close friends if we left. Again, we prayed. And prayed and prayed and prayed. (Like Brad shared last time, we are super strong believers in the power of prayer! But not weenie prayers, oh no! You pray EXPECTING God to do things, and oh He will! Be ready to be blown away!)
After seeking some wise counsel and some more praying and spending time in His word, we made our decision. We are so super excited about this next chapter in our lives. Brad and I are moving back to South Florida tomorrow (yikes!) and Brad is the new Children's Director at our awesome church!! Yep, go ahead and re-read that again. You better believe we have said it over and over and still can't believe it sometimes! Take a moment and let it sink in :)
Now onto the lessons because I am so sure some of you are asking something along the lines of, 'Well why did God move you all the way out there to only move you back 2 months later?'. Okay, I am not God and I am not going to pretend to be, but we have asked this question many times ourselves too. We came to the conclusion that we learned some invaluable lessons and are beyond grateful that God did move us out here and put us through the fire because we came out that much stronger! We learned that it is only Brad and I - we MUST put each other first, communicate with each other first, rely on each other. Yes, we are newlyweds but man, we've got a kickin' relationship going now with God's help! We also learned that we must rely on God daily to meet our needs daily. We would pray every day for God to help us get through that one specific day and not focus on the tomorrows. Looking back, we don't know how we paid some bills, we aren't sure how we bought those groceries, but God is. He provided for us and met our daily needs just like His word says He will! Finally - prayer. I can't stress how much I believe in the power of prayer! But, like I said before - don't put God in a box with your prayers. Pray in faith that He will do the impossible! We prayed knowing that God would show us where to go and boy did He! After we prayed for the job, we started praying for a home - the perfect home. God moved again and and knocked our socks off again and opened the door for our perfect home! We are going to rent a townhouse from our friends right across the street from the church and right around the corner from my mom. You see, this townhouse was rented thru next August, and one week after I jokingly said to our friends, 'Wouldn't it be great if your tenants moved out so we could move in?!', they got a letter in the mail from their tenants saying they were moving out THE WEEKEND WE MOVED BACK!! Yep, go ahead and read that one again too! God is SO good all of the time. We have to pray in faith and expect Him to move the mountains He promised He would. He is still the same God that performed miracles in the Bible and you better believe He is still doing them today!
We are SO excited (I think I've said this a few times already (: ) about this move and job and everything that comes with it! We ask that you would keep us in prayer as we make this transition.
One last thing - I want to challenge you to go to God with something you think is impossible. Ask Him to do it, I dare ya! But - you have to really believe that He will. Be ready to be blown away :)
Much Love,
Brad and Kelly
