Well, I suppose it’s time to tell you the news. I have not had the courage to tell my kids yet, but I will go ahead and tell you. My in-laws are moving back to Illinois. They arrived here on April 19, 2007 and have been working here since that time. They have been such a blessing to me and my husband during their time here. My mother-in-law has been our church pianist, made lots of clothes for the girls, they have both babysat for us occasionally.My Father in law was Terry’s soul winning partner. They have been faithful to services. To say they will be missed is an understatement. It feels like such a giant step backward in our ministry.
I am torn. My Father in law is called to pastor, and he’s been between ministries while he’s been here. He has an opportunity to preach in Illinois, so I’m happy for him about that. I’m only sad for us.
I was recently thinking about the void that will be left when they leave and was *very* depressed about it. I was telling the Lord all about it. “What will my kids do, now Lord? They don’t have any friends. They absolutely live for Friday afternoons so they can run down to the camper (which is parked on the property) and see their Granddad and Grandma, and “camp out” with them all night! What will they do when the camper sits empty and they sit lonely?” I went on and on crying on the Lord’s shoulder about it. Which, by the way, is the One to Whom we should complain. He understands that we are dust, and He’s the only One who can solve our problems anyway. He answered me. He asked, “Valerie, don’t you trust Me, after all we’ve been through together? Do you doubt that I do know what’s best? Don’t you know I love you, and I will never leave you – even if your entire auditorium sits empty, I am there.” He brought to mind the following verse: Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Make no mistake, I hate the word “Goodbye”. I hate the separation that that word brings. I will be sad about this, so I’m just embracing it. I know I’m going to be sad, but that’s okay. I also know to Whom I should cry, and I know the One who will give me strength to go forward despite the things that appear to be set backs to me. God can do anything. I believe that He is going to do great things through this “set back”. And even through my tears, I believe that He does know best.