When our U-Haul arrived on Wesley Chapel Road in January of 2008, it was just Alicia, me, and our dog. I had been called to serve as Pastor of Students at Philippi Baptist Church. We had big dreams, and we were excited to see what God had in store for us. I was two days shy of twenty-three years old.
Almost fifteen years later, we find ourselves packing up once again. We have outgrown the small U-Haul, and that old house. Our daughter became a teenager this year, and our son is three weeks shy of turning nine. Union County is all they know. They have gone to school here, played soccer and took dance lessons here. Their whole lives have been spent here, and nearly half Alicia’s and mine have been as well.
That is what makes leaving so difficult. Our eight years at Philippi and six years at Putman have introduced us to so many wonderful people that have become like family. As we pack our belongings into boxes I cannot help but reflect on the memories that we will also take with us. Our time in Union brought us the miraculous birth of both of our children. It brought us a perfect match for my wife’s kidney transplant. It gave us friends that will stay in touch for a lifetime.
So thank you, Union County, for all you have done for us. You took us in and made us family. You allowed us to serve and minister, to volunteer and coach, to be in the schools, at the fair and football games, and part of your lives in so many ways.
Thank you to the people of Philippi for bringing us here, and the people of Putman for keeping us here. Thank you to the faculty of JEMS for investing in our children. And thank you to the Union County News for allowing me to speak to you every week.
Thank you for the pleasure of living here and the honor of knowing you. Like Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:2, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.”
This is not goodbye, just farewell until we meet again. God bless you!
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