Oh...Hubs and I have just had a very exciting couple of weeks - first, two days at a church down south having a conference with Bill Johnson speaking, seeing both my sisters either side of that and then back home for a wonderful wedding of lovely friends.
THEN up to Harrogate for the European Leaders' Advance conference with Bill, KrisVallotton and Danny Silk speaking - how spoiled is that!!!
It was wonderfully inspiring in so many ways and Harrogate is a beautiful town.
I was amazed that this massive conference of over 2000 people was put on and organised by Harrogate New Life Church - a church of about 130 members of which 120 people were volunteers at the event - AMAZING. That is what I call heart in a church.
One of the things both Hubs and I felt during this period was that God is releasing us to move on from our current church - even as I am writing, the worship singer I have on in the background is singing, 'You have not in any way failed.'!!
We have 'considered this field' for some months now. Our church has gone through great heartache, great changes - which we have been saddened by and don't agree with, always believing that no situation is beyond God being able to repair and restore. We have sought to seek truth, challenge folk, pray, understand and pursue what we believe is God's way but now fear, that part of our journey is over.
Leaving church this morning, as so many Sundays since March, has left us with heavy, grieving hearts and we feel now, that it is time to seek to move on and find the place where we can continue to wholeheartedly pursue more of God and the growth that has excited us so passionately in the last years under the inspiring leadership of Nigel Di Castiglione.
For now, we will continue to lead our wonderful student group unless God clearly directs otherwise. My challenge whilst we remain is to continue to bless the church, honour and love the people there and leave well with doors still wide open in relationships, sharing kindness and being the greatest encouragement I can be to those whose lives I touch there.
God didn't say love and forgiveness would be easy but He did say it would work!
