Tonight I was going through the last two boxes that I never unpacked when I moved to this house over two years ago. I had opened them, but had never really gone through them and sorted out the stuff in it. Why I was doing this, I'll explain later.
I found a treasure of great price. Not in monetarily value, but the kind of value that's valuable for my heart. A note from Todd.
This is when he could still write a little bit, but you can also see, it wasn't flowing normal. Somehow this note reminded me of the scripture in Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us," HCSB
I felt like he was cheering me on from that great cloud of witnesses, and saying, "Kelley, you have so much in you, you're an awesome person. Go, Kelley, go! You can do this!"
This is such timely encouragement, as I'm making a major life change, of location and occupation.
You see, I was sorting through the boxes, cause I'm getting ready to start packing boxes, and moving again. Not to totally unknown territory, but instead, back to a place that Todd and I both loved a lot, to finish what we started a long time ago. Though, by now, I'm starting all over again, and this time without him by my side.
This coming Saturday, Nov 14, 2015 would have been Todd's 55th birthday, the next day, I will become pastor of Alive Christian Fellowship in Kenmare, North Dakota. Maybe it's a birthday present to him? Fulfilling the call on our lives, which now rests on my shoulders alone. I think finding this note, was a sweet way of knowing he's cheering me on from above saying, "Kelley you can do this! You have a lot in you. You are an awesome person."
It's kind of scary venturing out on this adventure on my own. But then again, I'm not alone, for Jesus has said he'd never leave me nor forsake me. Recently my four year old grand-daughter said to me, "I'm not scared of my fears." She was referring to her bad dream she had had. But her statement is profound, and full of wisdom beyond her little four year old mind would know. I'm agreeing with her, and saying too, "I'm not scared of my fears." If you're scared to do something, you know God wants you to do, well then just do it scared! The fears will fade in the face of faith.
So I am putting my lovely home up for sale, and will begin searching for housing in Kenmare too. Putting on the mantle of pastor, which I have never done alone, and moving away from family and the comforts of familiar. The Adventures of Todd and Kelley ended when Todd moved to heaven, but the Adventures of Kelley and Jesus are just beginning. Let the race begin!