Unexpected Turn...

"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21, NIV 

Life is full of unexpected turns, but it is the Love of God that brings us home!  It has been a a full year and a half of twists and turns - never before fathomed - but today we stand on the cusp of a turn that we did not see coming...so soon.  It was exactly a year ago to the day, when the incredible blessing of the moving trucks (if you remember that amazing story and gift of God's provision) unloaded our belongings in this amazing house that we have called home now for a year!  As the boxes made their way in the front door, it was bittersweet! This home is absolutely beautiful and more than anything we could ever dreamed of, but we knew that this was only a temporary place to lay our heads.  But we did not see it in our plans that the moving trucks would be back this morning...

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4, NIV

For more than two years now - Kelly and I, with our wise counsel, have been praying through a desire the Lord gave to us to move to Charlotte, NC.  It was only a few weeks into the interview process with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 2008 that we felt His leading - but there was always a clear reason/purpose presented by the Lord to let us know that the timing was just not right.  So for two years...we waited.  When we sold our home in June of 2009 there were conversations then about moving to Charlotte - but it was only 3 weeks into the sale of our home that we found out about Jackson's diagnosis of Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome, and the life-changing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual journey that we were thrusted into! 

Four months ago, an incredible brother in the Lord and my Managing Director, Ed, flew up from South Carolina to spend a week with me in Baltimore and Washington D.C.  We had several great meetings and conversations through out the week - but I will never forget the pivotal, life-changing conversation during the car ride home.  As we drove through Frederick, MD on the way to Pittsburgh, PA, Ed through me an curve ball I was not prepared for.  I did not see the "twist" that was right around the corner, until we were about an hour into conversation, when it became clear that the Lord was moving powerfully - and He wanted my attention!  

It was a week later that I was officially offered the new position of Regional Manager in Charlotte, NC - one that I did not see myself in nor think that I was the right person.  My response..."who am I that I should go"? 

For the next week, Kelly and I prayed - and prayed hard - with our wise counsel - seeking Peace and Oneness in the Lord as we discerned a response.  Tthe scripture reference that became very clear was that of Abraham and Sarah in their "wait" for the Promise of the Lord.  They were given a desire and a promise to have a son...but they took matters into their own hands, not waiting on the Lord's PERFECT timing and Abraham laid with a servant...and thus Ishmael.  The Promise - Isaac - was delivered on, but we still feel the effects of their sin today. 

So we said NO...or more like "not yet".  There were just too many obstacles medically, financially and within our family dynamics that just did not give us Peace that God was calling us to this position - at this time.  The Lord clearly said..."Wait".  And so we did...

Three weeks later - I was sitting down with one of Jackson's doctor's, and a great brother in the Lord, over a cup of coffee...when out of nowhere he asks, "So, when are you moving to Charlotte?"  My response..."what do you know?"  He knew nothing, other than that for the last year Kelly and I in conversation with him mentioned Charlotte several times, and he just felt led to ask.  I told him of turning down the position that we were offered a few weeks ago because of the lack of peace swirling around the medical and financial concerns of Jackson....and then our world was rocked. I will never forget his response - "Doug, Jackson has a life-altering medical diagnosis, but he is NOT an obstacle to what the Lord wants to do in and through you and Kelly, and your family."   So after another hour long conversation, a few days of research, and several phone calls to the "right" people/decision makers in the medical and insurance world - all the obstacles that presented themselves when first  offered the job were removed!  Every last one...His Grace is sufficient, no doubt! 

Knowing that several people had been thought of and interviewed for the position that was offered to me in the beginning of July, I shared this news with Ed just for future reference and to tell God's incredible story of Grace and Provision!  But again...God caught me off guard, for I was not ready for the next curveball..."Doug, are you open to continued conversation about the position?" 
You have to be kidding me...surely they would have filled the new position by now!  And so my response was..."I am always open to conversation to see what the Lord has in store, but Ed, Kelly and I are leaning towards setting our roots in Pennsylvania and calling this home." 

So a few days later - I was on a plane to our International Ministry Headquarters in Charlotte, and will never forget the conversation that morning held.  God showed Himself powerfully that morning as our Vice President, David, Ed and I talked and prayed over God's leading.  David spoke of Acts 1:8-10 and how the Lord had laid it on Ed and his heart that I was the man for this position...and again my response was "Who am I, Lord that you should send me?"  Come on...four years ago I was a high school math teacher, and my plans were set!  It was just all too amazing - especially in the circumstances that our family finds itself in...but God was and is clearly calling us to Charlotte - which was affirmed my phone call later that night to Kelly while I was waiting for my plane.  After sharing the day's events and conversations with her - my question was this, "Does this shock or overwhelm you?"  Her response..."not at all!  This is exactly what I have been praying for!"  "Are you kidding me...thanks for letting me in on the memo, Kel!"  The power of a praying wife!  And though our plans have been many...the Lord's purpose always prevails...and we are on our way to Charlotte (Fort Mill, SC to be exact)!

So this morning...the movers are here to pack!  They will be back tomorrow to load, and we will travel to Charlotte to close on our new house Wednesday!  And hopefully...our stuff will arrive to begin moving in on Thursday! 

Yall, I know that it has been a while - but life has been full of unexpected turns, and time has been very limited!  But that is not an excuse...and this morning when the Lord clearly laid it on my heart that it was time to write again...I wanted to bring you up to speed.  You have been so faithfully praying us through this journey...and please do NOT stop now!  This is a huge leap of faith and an unexpected turn, but we know that Love of God, the Grace of Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit will lead us home! 

And am I sure that you are wondering about our little, big man...so here is a smile for you to start the Jackson update:

He is doing well!  We had a bit of a reality check a few weeks ago...because just by looking at him, and the way that he moves through the house, you would never know that he only has one ventricle, and half a heart.  But our cardiologist shared with us that the tricuspid valve continues to have a mild to moderate leak and at this point, his heart is not functioning or healthy enough for the critical, third open-heart surgery.  But the big reality check came when we had the conversation with his doctor about the possibility of a heart transplant down the road...BUT we will go there if necessary.  We remain hopeful that the valve will improve in function and that we will be able to complete the series of surgeries as scheduled....because God can do all things!  But we do recognize that - just as all of us - are days are numbered here on earth - and great joy awaits us who believe in our hearts that Jesus was raised from the dead, and confess with our mouth's that He is Lord!  It is a waiting game with Jackson...as one ventricle will not sustain a "normal" life, but normal is relative!  He has given us so much life in these last 11 months...and we are so excited to celebrate a year with him on November 30th!  Our God is so awesome, and in Him there is Hope for Today, Tomorrow and Eternity! 

And yes the Lord continues to provide a great medical team in this move - as Jackson's surgical team will stay at Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital under the direction of Dr. Morell, but his pediatric cardiologist will now be Dr. Greene in Charlotte - who is very excited to meet his new "Fetal Aortic Balloon, Single Ventricle" patient.  Jackson is one of kind...literally!

Prayer Warriors - please continue to pray for God's healing and strength for Jackson.  Pray that his tricuspid valve would improve in function so that we can have his third open-heart surgery here in PITTSBURGH in the fall of 2011!  Pray that Kelly and I would continue to be sensitive and lean into the Holy Spirit's prompting, and that we would walk with our Lord every step of the way! 

Carter and Jordyn are so excited (as are Mommy and Daddy) for the move...but there is a lot of change and stress upon our family right now.  So much so, that we all came down with a severe sinus cold over the weekend!  The battle is on...physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually...but the Victory is already in the Blood that was shed on Calvary's Cross!  So we fight from Victory and for His Glory! 

Love yall so much...and thank you for continuing to reinforce the prayer foundation that has been laid!  We will keep you posted...promise!

In the unexpected turns of life...always remember that the Love of God will always lead you home! 

All eyes on Jesus!



Here are a few picture highlights from the last several months...enjoy the smiles!

 

Carter kneeling along a creek at Ben and Victoria's wedding in July...

Princess Jordyn running away from another photo shoot...

Ed Isley holding Jackson for the first time...

The Joy in those eyes...August 2010

Carter's first day of kindergarten...and "yes" his mom rocks!

He was so excited...check out the double-jointed elbows - just like his daddy!

Watch out ladies...funny story - this was actually the outfit that Kelly had set out for his first day, but he wanted to wear his "My Mom Rocks" shirt so that all of his new friends would know how much he loved his mom!  As if the first day of Kindergarten with our first-born wasn't emotional enough...

Three goof-balls doing what the do best...giggle!

Awesome day of adventure in the woods at North Park...

Penny for your thoughts...

Carter teaching Jordyn how to balance on a fallen log...

Ahoy there matey...

Carter and Jordyn 0n the bumper cars at Idlewild Park's Hallow-boo!  Don't ever go on a 70 degree, Sunday in October when the Steeler's have a by-week!  It was crazy...but a ton of fun!

Fun in the pumpkin patch with the Mathieu's at Harvest Valley Farms...

Anybody else hear wedding bells????

Cyclopes and Miss Kitty...the pumpkins silly!

Princess Jordyn turned three November 7th! 

She had an awesome birthday! 

Here we go Steelers!!!!