This Sunday was special for me! There's something about going home, seeing people who have influenced your life, reconnecting with those you grew up with and worshipping with those who've been part of your life for a long time. As I began to greet familiar faces in the foyer before first service, it was so wonderful to see so many familiar smiling faces. One family after another came through the doors and greeted me as though I'd never gotten married and moved off.
On the way to church I began to think about all of the times I had stood before this congregation of people. The countless number of times as a child/teen that I would participate in programs, sing in the choir, etc. When 9 years ago Joshua and I were saying "I do". Then a year later telling all of my friends and family that we were going to Bulgaria for 9 months through a program at Nazarene Theological Seminary.
As I said during the service, returning to Estill Springs Church of the Nazarene truly was primarily for me a time to say "Thank you". I know that many of the people in that congregation are not going to start praying for our ministry in Bulgaria... They are going to continue praying for our ministry. They've been praying for us for years! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to say thank you and to see you all again before we begin this next chapter of our life in Bulgaria.
Sunday afternoon we spent a few hours have dinner (my favorite dinner) with my family. It was a great time for us to get to spend together under one roof. The kids played and made a mess and we all ate WAY too much! It was a nap worthy day for everyone! It was a delicious meal and a wonderful time of fellowship with family.
We concluding the evening at Brownington Church of the Nazarene! There was a great crowd with all age groups represented. I loved the teen/young adult group in the back that was engaged the entire service. I remember sitting in some missionary services as a kid and teenager and thought that missionaries were such interesting people and that I didn't know if I could ever do anything like that... and here I am! We so enjoyed catching up with such sweet friends we haven't seen in years and connecting with new friends that are as excited for this ministry in Sofia as we are!
As we headed back to my dad's house Sunday evening, Joshua and I reflected on the day and Joshua made the statement, (as he has many times over the course of the last few months) "Who gets to live this life?!" As we travel and share about all that the Lord is calling us to and what we want to partner with our church families with we are excited to be living "this life". As crazy and weird as this life seems right now in the midst of so many things happening in our world we know God must have such amazing plans for Sofia and for "this life" He has called us to!