Michael and I were the only ones aware the evening was momentous... and that was fine. We led a small group in our home for the first time since Oct 19, 2023.
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| Photo from our church center profile |
As we began to feel it was time for us to get back on our feet and back into the game, we discussed the things we enjoyed doing most. We did NOT want to fill our schedule as much as it was in 2023. We loved meeting weekly in a small group. We offered to lead a group in our town. The small group coordinator felt the timing wasn't right. It was fall of 2024 and had been a year since Josiah's murder. She felt we needed to join a group and be supported and cared for, that our season of rest and being poured into wasn't over. We told her we couldn't find a group in the valley. She knew of a group in Palmer and though the group was closed they accepted us.
She was so right. She cared for us - rather than rushing us into service. It was so needed and such a tangible manifestation of compassion.
We loved our Tuesday night group, and they were a strong support to us through the trial and sentencing of Josiah's murderer. We even met the couple who now live in the home we had lived in in 2002. We continued with this group in 2024 and 2025.
We loved being back in community so much that in Oct 2025 we joined a second small group when our first group need to take an extended break. Through the fall and up to Christmas we attended both - our Tuesday and Thursday communities.
We both began to feel it really was time for us to volunteer to lead again. We contacted the Small Group Director at church, went through the process of applying and interviewing and made plans to start a 2nd group in Palmer in March. Our Tuesday night group had to disband in January, and we weren't yet prepared to lead in January. We talked with our leaders, and they agreed we should talk to the Small Group Coordinator as we are looking to start a campus out here and there will be a need for community in the valley.
Fast forward to this week. March is approaching. We've been praying...God has our yes, but we aren't sure how people will find us to begin attending. Our Thursday night group needed hosting this week. We stepped in and marveled that here we are...leading a life group in our home for the first time in 2 1/2 years...restoration.
We will begin leading Sojourners - a small group for sojourners in our valley next Thursday night...March 4th - but tonight was a big step back into serving the family of God again.
Michael has been able to do pulpit fill quite a bit the past few months and this has also been a blessing. We are back to doing the things we know we are uniquely called to do - wiser, slower, carrying a new depth...but we are so humbled to see God's guidance through the dark valley of the past few years.
