Thanks to all for your support, prayers, and especially your patience over the last month and a half. The long-awaited blog update is finally here, although extremely long. Read what you can when you can to find out what has been going on with us since March 8th when we accepted the call to come to Kennesaw First Baptist Church.
Family Birthday Day for Erin’s Dad and Our Niece Emily
After leaving KFBC and hearing our exciting news, we went to Pop and Grandma’s house for a family birthday celebration. March 8th was actually my dad’s birthday, and a few days before was our niece Emily’s first birthday. Here are some pictures from the special occasion.
Erin’s Resignation
After returning from our vote visit in Kennesaw, the deed had to be done: I had to give my principal my letter of resignation. My time at Franklinton High School was a positive one. The Lord opened the doors for me to student teach there and the next year join the faculty. I’ve wanted to have a classroom of my own since I was a little girl, so teaching at FHS fulfilled my childhood dream. The administration and other staff members have been nothing but supportive and encouraging my entire time there. I have fallen absolutely in love with all of my students each year, too. Teaching at FHS was definitely far more than a job for me. I poured myself into my students and really saw them as “my kids”. To tell my principal on March 9th that April 9th would be my last day was very difficult. However, my principal’s encouraging and supportive words that followed made the difficult task a little easier and served as more confirmation that KFBC is where God wants us to be.
Eric’s Last Schedule
As a Chick-fil-A training coordinator, Eric was able to set his own schedule. Every week Eric would email his operators his schedule, and that was normally how it happened. As did I, Eric loved the people he worked with and the customers he built relationships with, but his heart has been on full-time ministry since he was 17 years old. Although sad to leave the people, submitting his last schedule was an exciting time anda milestone in our lives. Here is a video of Eric sending his last Chick-fil-A schedule.
Packing
Once the church voted us in, our packing days began. We made a schedule to help us get everything packed before our moms came up to help us move; the plan worked a little, but we were down to the wire with boxing everything up. Thanks to our moms, some dear friends, and the Stony Hill youth group we were able to accomplish the daunting task. Here’s a picture of Eric packing one of the first boxes.
March and April
The past month being incredibly busy is an understatement! Not only were we trying to pack up our apartment, but Eric and I were also both working full time. I actually worked until the day before we moved! While Eric was busy making sure everything was in place at Chick-fil-A for the transition and training new management, I was packing my classroom, grading papers, and working with my replacement teacher to make sure a smooth transition took place. It seemed as if thelast nights and early mornings would never end –especially during our last two weeks in North Carolina!
Not an April Fools Joke – I Found a Fork in the Road
On April 1st I broke the news to my students. Although very excited about the new venture, I knew that I would not be able to tell my students whatI needed to myself. I had my students write in their journals about a “fork” in the road that they have encountered. I provided them with time to share their responses, and then I shared about my “fork” in the road through a video. What I was doing really hit me hard when I showed my first class. I cried, they hugged me, and then I had to communicate with them the remainder of class by typing on the computer because every time I tried to speak I would start to cry again. Here is the video.
Erin’s Last Day at Franklinton High School
It truly was a blessing that I was super busy the entire month leading to our big move, because I did not have much time to dwell on the “good-bye” part of our move. April 9th came much faster than I realized it would. Although Eric and I were so ready to be at KFBC, leaving was hard.
At the beginning of first period, my class became quiet and my student Courtney presented me with a FHS t-shirt that had been signed by my students. I can’t even explain how much that meant to me!!! I have read it several times since that day.
During my second period planning time, some students came back to my room to hang out. Those that came even helped me load my car and finish grading papers. Some of the students even climbed in the trunk of my car!
A few students in third period brought some treats to share with the class, and fourth period threw my a surprise party. I had not even fully opened my classroom door when I found myself in the middle of a party-horn symphony and a rainstorm of silly string! I was pink form head to toe! I loved every minute of it!
That class even went as far as giving me a card and bringing snacks, cakes, and ice cream cones. All of my students really made me feel special. Thanks, my FHS kids! I love y’all! A flower and gift from the school was also brought to me during my forth period. Thanks for everything FHS!
The reality of leaving FHS hit me really hard after the school day was over. I said good-bye to some staff members, and once I was alone in my classroom I wept like a baby! I was so sad to leave everyone! Once I could breathe again I finished packing up my room and loading up my car. Although it was hard to drive away, it was much “easier” knowing that a great teacher was there to step in and fill my position. Thanks, Maggie! Early on in the church interview process I began praying that God would raise up someone to take my place who would love my “kids”, and God clearly answered my prayer, just as he always does. That was yet another example of God working everything out for our move to KFBC.
I am so thankful for every moment I spent at FHS, even for the challenges. I know without a doubt that that was where God wanted me for the last 3 ½ years. The staff was so supportive and encouraging, and I really grew to love my students. I know that God has a special plan for each of those individuals. Please continue to pray forthe students during this transitional time.
Leaving North Carolina
Eric and I were blessed beyond measure to have our moms come up and help us finish packing up the apartment. They sacrificed so much to take care of their kids, and for that we are grateful! Tara also came and helped the last night – thanks so much for your help, Tara! A late night of packing was followed by an early morning of more packing, cleaning, picking up the moving truck, and loading the moving truck.
God was clearly in every part of the “moving to Kennesaw” process, even down to the little details. God always pays close attention to details! No need for worrying with God! For example, we needed cones put on the road to block a spot for the moving truck. Right as Eric’s mom and I got to my car to go get breakfast, the campus security man came by and we were able to ask for cones. He took care of it right away. God answered every our “little” prayer by blessing us with cones. Praise God for His involvement in our lives!
We were so overwhelmed with the gift of ourStony Hill youth and two other Stony Hill men showing up to help us load the truck. Thank you Meltons, Abneys, Smythes, Derek, Gina, Chelsea, Rhett, Paul, and Jody. These individuals selflessly gave up part of their day to help, and they did an AMAZING job! While they packed, the moms finished up the apartment interior. Check out the packing job!
Surrendering my apartment key was difficult. That meant that we were really leaving the place that we had made our home for the majority of our marriage. Although small, our apartment was cozy and a place of refuge. We grew so much spiritually during our time at seminary; it will be different not being there.
Arriving in Georgia
We drove about halfway to GA on April 10th (Miranda’s Birthday), which worked out well because I was an emotional basket case and we encountered TERRIBLE weather. That evening Eric had a migraine, so he slept while the moms and I went to Waffle House for dinner. Eating there was a God-thing because we were able to ministerto our waitress. She was having a bad time at work, and God used us to cheer her up and spread the joy that comes with knowing Jesus.
The morning of the 11th was so nice because we had some sleep and were able to set our sad thoughts aside and focus on the excitement of the newopportunity God had before us. Instead of dark, gloomy, and rainy, the weather was bright, cheerful, and sunny.
Since Eric had to drive his car and the moms were performing their “Two Moms and a Truck” roles, I had to drive my car alone – that meant a lot of singing and dancing (yes, FHS first period boys – I was dancing J ). I had so much fun and had a great time of worship. Our Penske truck was actually white instead of yellow, so every once-in-a-while the sun would shine on the door
and turn it blinding bright; it made me smile every time because it was God’s reminder to me that He was with us as we traveled to where He was leading us to go. I love the Son’s light! I’ve never experienced true comfort like that from any other source but Christ!
We finally made it to our Kennesaw rental house around noon. Some people from the church and some of our family members were there to help us unload and start getting settled. The college students even unpacked our games and set up our entertainment center! We can’t wait for them to come visit and play our games!
Thank you family members and church family members for the enormous help you were with helping us make this big move to Georgia. You are all a blessing!
From Easter Egg Hunting to Deer Hunting
Now that we are "locals", we were able to spend Easter with family. After spending a nice time dining and hunting Easter eggs with my Mom's side of the family, Eric and I headed back to Kennesaw . . . at least we tried to. Not even five minutes had gone by after leaving my aunt's house did we begin a new Easter hunt - a hunt for a deer. Not on purpose of course, but Eric's car did gain a furry coat of pain and a new shape w hen a deer hit our car. Thankfully the car was drivable, but it did need plastic surgery. Everyone who heard the story said, "Welcome to Georgia!"Jeff's Birthday
Being near family has been an added bonus to the already amazing gift God has given us of KFBC. I don't remember the last time we were able to celebrate my brother's birthday with him. Here are some pictures from his birthday party at my grandparent's house.
Getting Settled – Our First Week
Getting settled has been a slow process, but we’re getting there. It’s different living in a big house instead of a very small apartment. It’s different for me “staying home” for now instead of teaching five days a week. It’s different having Eric working a new job instead of the same job he had for six years. It’s different transitioning out of living from boxes. We have just had so many changes. I haven’t felt settled since March 9th because we began to pack up our apartment, and now we still have boxes to unpack in our rental house. To help with that, I stayed up until 1 AM a few weeks ago just to get the kitchen completely unpacked. I felt MUCH better after that!
Our first week here was filled with transitional events. We went to the DMV to get new licenses. We applied for our carry permits (it’s a Kennesaw lawthat every household have a gun – we must be law-abiding citizens J ). We unpacked some boxes. We began a casual hunt for a house in case we aren’t able to stay in our current rental house for a long time. We went to the church to get Eric’s office set up. We browsed around town. We also tried to catch up on some well-needed sleep. It was nice to spend time with each other!
Eric’s first Sunday came around quickly! KFBC has two services, so we went to the first service, then to Sunday School (Eric teaches the college class right now), and then to the second service (Eric has to be at both). That is our new Sunday morning schedule.
Eric’s main duties at the church are to oversee the educational aspects of the church as well as the college ministry. I hate writing Eric’s job description in such a small sentence because he is truly responsible for so much. His job is definitely more complex than the simple statement I gave for it.
God is really working at KFBC. We are so excited to be a part of it!
Eric’s first week at work was super busy! His days were filled with meetings, and his brain was filled with an overwhelming amount of information and things to do. God once again displayed His grace and gave Eric the strength he needed.
While Eric began his first week at his new job, I began my first week at home. It was so weird not retuning to school with my students! I love my students and miss them dearly. On the Monday I was supposed to return to school but didn’t, I actually reread the notes and signed t-shirt received from my students. I spent my time unpacking more boxes, trying to make our house more like home, working on getting my Pampered Chef business going, and just being a wife! I have been able to have lunch ready for Eric when he comes home for lunch, so we get to eat together (when he doesn’t have lunch meetings). I’ve been able to have a real and tasty meal ready for dinner at a decent time. I’ve been available to take care of things at home so Eric can focus more on his job. Although the week was an adjustment, it’s really been a blessing.
Our Second Sunday – Pounded!
Our second Sunday at KFBC was such a blessing! We definitely felt more at home. We were overjoyed in Sunday School, because by the time Sunday School was over, ever chair was taken! Praise God! My sister and her boyfriend were even able to join us! We are so excited about working with the college and career group.
Eric had his first Sunday School teacher meeting the second Sunday, too. This was a training time for all the teachers.
Please pray that God will give Eric wisdom to know how to lead the educational and collegiate aspects of the church.
We were overwhelmed with blessings at church our second Sunday night. The church “pounded” us, meaning they brought pounds of items for our house. They provided items for breakfast, dessert, snacks, cookouts, and baking, in addition to pasta, canned goods, and even some fresh apples. The church above and beyond met our needs in all areas, including laundry items, soap, deodorant, shaving products, teeth cleaning products, paper products, all the way to a battery kit, a fire extinguisher, cleaning products, organization hooks, a cooler, and thank you cards! If that wasn’t already enough, our church family even pounded us with money, gift cards, and welcome cards from Sunday School classes and individuals. They thought of EVERYTHING!
All we could say that Sunday night was, “WOW, God! Thank You!”
Conferences – Education for the Ministry
Last week and this week were filled with conferences. Last week was spent in Nashville at a college pastor conference (College Metro and the Summit Conference). The days were filled with sessions by keynote speakers, including Mark Dever, Ed Stetzer, David Platt, and Thom Rainer. There were even two sessions for wives! We were both able to network and learn ideas for college ministry, but even more importantly we were refreshed by God’s Word as it was taught. If any of you need rest and refreshment like we did, all you need to do is dig into God’s Word and you’ll find a river of reviving water for all of life!
We returned to Kennesaw on Saturday just in time for me to attend a women’s dinner at our church. It was called “On the Dot”. The focus was on how God is ALWAYS on time, even if we think He is late. God has perfect timing for everything, and Eric and I have seen that truth played out throughout our lives in so many ways. It is on the dot how God brought us to KFBC and that He brought us here. It is even on the dot that we were able to attend these conferences at the beginning of the ministry. God being on the dot was also seen in other ways this past weekend, even in regards to our housing situation. I was struggling with our rental house being shown by a realtor, so I prayed and went to God’s Word. God was on the dot because He took me to a passage of scripture about temporal vs. eternal, which reminded me about our earthly vs. eternal home. I’m so thankful that God is ALWAYS on time!
God was on time at church Sunday morning. We had a one-day revival at our church, and God showed up in a powerful way in the heart of one of our college students. One of our college girls realized that she was a sinner (did things that didn’t please God) and that she needed someone to save her from eternity in Hell. She understood that God gave His one and only Son on the cross and that He rose from the dead. She turned from her life of sin and self and turned to God. She made the greatest decision anyone can ever make: surrendering one’s life to Christ by accepting God’s gift of salvation. Eric did that as a teenager and I did that as a child. I’m telling you, a life devoted to Christ has brought us so much freedom and joy; it will radically change your life!
In between unpacking and repacking, Eric and I made a trip to Fayetteville to see Eric’s grandfather. He was put in the hospital the end of last week, but hopefully he will return home this Friday. Please pray that God will heal his body, but also pray that God will heal the family spiritually and relationally.
Our car hit the road early Monday morning as we headed back to Nashville for the Minister of Education Beta Conference at LifeWay headquarters. We are both extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to meet other ministers of education, connect with the LifeWay staff, and have the opportunity to be trained on the role of the minister of education. I was the only wife in attendance during the sessions, and I am so blessed that I was able to sit it on the conference. The Beta conference really opened my eyes to all that God will be using Eric to do at KFBC. Eric has MANY responsibilities that I had no idea about. Now I will better be able to pray for and support Eric. As mentioned earlier, pray that God will give Eric wisdom to know what to do and how to do it. Pray that our staff will stay unified, and that real disciples will be made at our church and through the ministries of our church. I am excited to see what God has in store!
The past two weeks have been like being back in college because so much information has been poured into our heads during all-day “classes”. We both came back exhausted but fueled.
Jobs
Eric returned to work today. I am really proud of him! While he went to work, I went and interviewed for work. I really am going to need some other income, so I interviewed at a home school academy (the students only have class two days a week and spend the rest of the week at home studying). I’m really impressed with what God is doing there, and I am excited about the opportunity it looks like I may have to work there next school year. All I have to do is say "yes" to the school administrator by Saturday. Please pray that God will continue to give me wisdom about my part of our income.
Thanks
Thanks to everyone for your support during this transition.
Please continue to pray for us. Pray that God will give us wisdom and strength. Pray that God will use us to change lives in our community. Pray for our church.
The city of Kennesaw has 63,836 people. 56,814 do not attend church regularly (89%). 34,471 do not have a religious affiliation (54%). 47,239 are not members of a local church (74%). Pray that as God brings people our way that we will reach out to them.
We look forward to keeping you posted on the great things our Lord is doing at Kennesaw First Baptist Church – a church in the heart of Kennesaw with a heart for Kennesaw!
A Kennesaw Sunset (taken in the parking lot of KFBC)
