A Turning

After a long 18 months since leaving Colorado, Neil and I are now seeing the doors open for the next stage of our lives.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19).

On Tuesday, April 26, we received an update email from Jeff Nelson summarizing what was happening around the state on different campuses. One of the things he wrote was that the ISI staff person at Central Washington University in Ellensburg had resigned because he wants to get his Master's degree in Japan. This caught my attention, and I commented in my reply that this news might tempt us to consider moving back over there; but I was not too serious since we have so enjoyed our time on this side of the mountains, and have seen God's hand tie our hearts to people here. Jeff knows Neil and I are both CWU alumni and that all Neil's family now live in this college town, so he wrote back that we might at least consider it, because they would appreciate having someone continue the work that's been started there, and that there might even be a house available for us to live in since a woman from Mercer Island has purchased one near the campus specifically for international student ministry.

I phoned Neil at work with these pieces of information and he replied, "It's interesting, but what about my job?" He's developed some new skills with the company he's been with since last September, and has begun enjoying several aspects of this job (NOT including the hour-long commute each way through Seattle traffic every day!). Later that evening, I went to the Ellensburg newspaper's website to see if there might be something in the Employment section that would be a good fit for Neil. And sure enough (some people say Sure Enough and It Just So Happens are other names for God!) -- near the end of the list was a notice from a contractor Neil worked with a little bit, before we moved to Colorado; a Christian man full of integrity named Jamie Gordon. We emailed, and Jamie replied that he was in need of a Lead Carpenter.

Neil and I talked about it and decided that, since the door for ministry seemed open, let's submit an application and see what happens. We emailed off the application, and within an hour got a reply asking if Neil could come for an interview in the next few days. We were able to go to Ellensburg over the weekend, and Neil got together with Jamie then. After talking for awhile, he told Neil the job was his if we wanted it. He said he'd been thrilled when he saw the application come through. It would be a step up for Neil -- being a project foreman in addition to working on projects -- and on Wednesday, Neil called Jamie to accept the position. In just one week's time, our lives have taken a completely unexpected turn!

We took the kids out to dinner a couple of nights ago, and told them that God is opening the door through ISI and now with a great job for their dad, and that we'd be moving to Ellensburg probably in the next month or two. They all really liked the idea (smiles all around) -- although they had the same concerns as we did: what about our friends and church and family here? We assured them that we believe God gave us those relationships as a gift, and that we will be close enough to maintain them, too. Our kids have been such a blessing during these tougher times -- rarely a complaint.

All the while the ministry and job emailing was taking place, we also emailed about the house the ISI rep. had mentioned, and realized that -- for different reasons -- living there will not work out for us. So I sent an email to a friend who lives in Ellensburg, saying Neil and I might need some housing for a little bit, asking if they knew of anything. She wrote back and said THEIR house might actually be available come August or September (possibly sooner, but that is up in the air right now), so we're in the process of seeing if this would work out for a time. God is good.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ... " (Ephesians 3:20)

We'll be getting together with the ISI staff person before the end of the month, in Ellensburg, to see what has been developed there already, and to meet some of the contacts he's made. Neil begins working for Jamie about May 23rd.

" ... Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)