Bittersweet Steps

The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Psalm 37:23

Have you ever tasted bittersweet chocolate? It tastes just as it is described. Both bitter and sweet at the same time. In life, some steps the Lord asks you to take are what could be considered bittersweet: both pleasant and painful.

When we moved to Hamilton last November, the transition was one that I would consider bittersweet. If you have followed the blog at all, you have heard the pleasant and the painful. The ups and the downs. Again recently, the Lord has brought us to another one of those bittersweet moments. When you are seeking direction He will give it. The answers won't always be what you are expecting, but He will speak.

At the end of April Eric and I went on an extended fast seeking more of the Lord. We were approaching our 6 month mark here in Hamilton and just wanted to press in deeper to Jesus...to be able to see Him better and hear Him clearly. During the fast, around the second week of May, the Lord began to stir in Erics heart a desire to go back to Virginia.

**Just as some sort of preface to this stirring from the Lord: Since being in Hamilton we have had no desire to go back home. No homesickness. No plans of ever returning there permanently. We did go back and visit in December, and while it was a nice visit and it was good to see family and friends, our hearts were in Hamilton. We talked often of spending many years here. **

Eric never spoke to me about this stirring from the Lord, as He wasnt really sure if it was the Lord, or just his own mind. About three days after Eric had this initial feeling, I woke up one morning and wanted to go back to Virginia.For the first time since being in Hamilton I just wanted to go back. I expressed this to Eric, but going home to visit wasn't an option. He had just started a job at Lowe's and could not take any time off. Strangely, I felt crushed at the thought that we couldn't go. Over the next few days I just couldn't shake this feeling of wanting to go home. In a conversation on our way home from Tupelo, Eric shared the stirring that he has also been getting from the Lord to go home. Needless to say after some seeking and praying we felt like God was saying go to Virginia and be a part of Crossroads (which is the church that Eric's brother pastor's). He has asked us to go there and do two things: Fast and Pray. We have no other direction but that.

During the time we were praying and seeking confirmation that this was the word of the Lord to us, we recieved 2 confirmations from two different people that cofirmed the direction of the Lord to fast and pray in Virginia. As you can see from the next step asked of us by the Lord, this transition too will be a bittersweet one for our family. Hamilton has now become home and we have gained a family here. We will be sent ones from here in Hamilton to Virginia. We are looking forward with great expectation to what the Lord has in store.

Kevin and Christa (Erics brother and his wife) and another couple, will be coming down on August 2nd to pack us up and we will be leaving Hamilton on the 3rd. Eric has not gotten a job yet in Virginia, so please remain in prayer for us in this transition.

To all of you that are a part of the Ramp Community: You are all such incredible people! We feel so honored to have been sent here by the Lord to get connected here and to have run with you pursuing Jesus. We will always consider this place home and you our family. We love you all so very much!!

Until Next Time-