Faiai Update.

We have been incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve God in a full time ministry role at The Church at the Triangle. Although our church just barely turned a month old this week, our lead team and core group of volunteers has been at it, getting the word out, and prepping for launch for well over a year. Steve and I have been serving alongside them for almost 9 months.

Since we've been here in Raleigh, we've been able to have a sort of CSI: Miami look into God's heart, and the things that matter most to Him. Topping that list is undoubtedly an intensified passion for the "lost" and making the True Living God REAL to the people who have never experienced Him in that way before. I truly believe there is NOTHING more rewarding than being used by God to show others the grace, hope, love and new life found in Christ.

We've made life long friends in the short time we've been in Raleigh. Steve and I have learned more about each other and our marriage. We've seen Cameron and Riley grow from babies into sweet little boys. We've been able to look at our past from a different perspective, and we're more thankful than EVER for every role in ministry we've had in the past 12 years.

As much as we love Church at the Triangle and our community, Steve and I have decided we're not the right people for the role that this church needs to reach its greatest potential. In recent months we've had an increasing concern about the well being of our boys as we've recklessly thrown ourselves into the HUGE task of church planting. Steve and I both hold a lot of value in having grown up with family always very close by. I know God is honored by the fact that we left home and our comfort to serve Him across the country for this period of time. But, more than anything God has shown us that Cameron and Riley are missing out on such a rich life in San Diego with the people who love and care for them most! Our calling into full time ministry has been absolutely put in check by this realization. With Riley's increasing health needs and Cameron's apparent love for his friends and family, our next season of life will focus less on our calling into church ministry and more on our calling and conviction to the ministry of our family.

We are so thankful to have friends and family in San Diego who will undoubtedly welcome us back with open arms. We are also torn and sad about leaving the amazing friends God has blessed us with here in the past 9 months.

Our current role at Church at the Triangle will be finished at the end of this month (September). The lease on our apartment isn't up until February, but thanks to the complex management, they were able to let us out of our lease early! We plan to be home by the end of October! We had NO IDEA how this would happen, but God has been faithful in each step so far, and we're praying that trend continues, as we continue to seek His will for our lives!

There's so much more to this process than simply finding a way to get ourselves and our stuff home. We'll need to find a place to live right away. We're also asking God to provide Steve with a great full time job in retail sales. He's never been able to give up his love for working with everyday people in a retail environment. So instead of doing it on the side, Steve's excited about finding an opportunity to do it full time. Please pray for us in this way. I'm confident that I'll be able to get the kids acclimated fairly quickly. I'm praying that there won't be a lapse in Riley's medical and therapy needs. These are such BIG needs, but there's not a doubt in our minds that God will provide. He's been so faithful!

We're leaving Raleigh with no regrets! We love it here. We are absolutely honored to have had the privilege to serve here with Lee and Carla and so many others! We're looking forward to hearing about the GREAT things God is going to do in the life of Church at the Triangle! Thanks to everyone who has prayed for CATT and for us this year. Your prayers have been felt throughout the duration of this season. For that we are so grateful!

God has given me so much peace and confidence personally through the psalms in the most recent weeks. I've been carrying this one around in my head wherever I go!

"Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass." - Psalm 37:3-5 (amplified)

What a great promise!!

Please note: Only family and a couple of close friends have heard about our journey back west. Posting the news on The Other Cause was the easiest way to get the word out while I'm still making phone calls to inform the people I want to update personally. We love you and can't WAIT to be home! Thanks!