This Is the Place
I know it's been a while and you all have anxiously awaited an update and I’m glad to be able to spend some time to share what all God has been doing over the last month. January 1st was a day that will live in my heart for as long as I am alive. The day started with one of the greatest honors of my life. I was blessed to offer our daughter Hadley for public baptism. To those of you who were present or have seen the video, I had planned to say so much more but as I took her hand and she looked up at me I knew my time to speak was short. Praise God for that moment and what followed proved to be just as moving. Pastor Bill Morris and First Baptist Lyman commissioned Mallory, Maci, Lily, Hadley and I as the first ever missionaries to be sent out from First Lyman. As our beloved church family and our families from near and far gathered around us we were enveloped in some of the sweetest and most moving prayers we have ever heard. The love and support from all of you can never really be described. We feel it every day though. Through this entire journey we feel all of the prayers and thank you all for your love and support.
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
January 3rd I began the long journey from Lyman, SC to Layton,UT. over 2,000 miles in 3 days. I had never driven farther west than Tennessee. The journey that lied ahead was preceded by your prayers and the provision of God. I had lots of time to think. As I crossed the rolling hills of Oklahoma I saw thousands of head of cattle and recalled Psalm 50:10 (For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.) It reminded me that I bring nothing to this mission. Everything that is provided and every step that is laid out is from God. I crossed the vast deserts of New Mexico and Arizona and thought of the children of Israel as they left Egypt in search of the promised land. God provided manna and the pillar of fire and of cloud. God’s presence was with them. He knew the way but it was their responsibility to be obedient and follow. As I topped a hill on I-15 that leads through Las Vegas the bright lights and worldly trappings served as a reminder of the temptation that the enemy would place in our paths. As I entered Utah, I began to experience some difficulty with my car’s engine. I was pulled over on the side of the road praying and at that moment one of our dear friends sent a message that included the song “The Commission” by CAIN. As I listened I wept and for the first time the weight of all this hit me. We are living the great commission and just like Jesus told his disciples in Luke 22:35 “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” The answer of course is NOTHING. We have lacked nothing because God has answered all of our prayers and provided and we know He will continue to do that as we continue this amazing journey.
“This is the place.” That’s what Brigham Young said as he and his followers exited the mouth of Emigration Canyon and gazed over the Great Salt Lake Valley. For us, this is the place that God has called us. This is the place we will call home until He tells us otherwise. And this is the place where we will fully and totally rely on God’s provision along with your prayers and support to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Utah. Thank you all so much for your continued love and support and here are some ways you can pray for us.
Pray for me at my new job as I have several weeks of intense and difficult training and certification tests.
Pray for Mallory as she is presented with the unique challenge of parenting without me.
Pray for the people of Redemption Church and of Redemption North Davis as we continue to share Christ with the lost and un-churched.
Finally pray that other people who visit www.prayforutah.com will be inspired to follow God’s calling on their life to take the gospel to the ends of the earth!
We love you all so much and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14
