Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Change Is Inevitable

What defines a year? Is it the events, stresses, conflicts, successes? We've seen them all. Here are the HUGE ones in chronological order.

1. Change?
After 20 years in student ministry God is leading us to focus His church on worshipping Him individually and corporately.  Leading worship has always been a passion along with leading, teaching, and mentoring students, but the desire for the full time change of focus is finally in place. It is very exciting. God starting moving our hearts in this direction in March of this year. I am grateful for Trinity Baptist Church. The pastoral leadership is allowing us the opportunity to transition into this new calling by leading worship on Sunday mornings. We have been able to pray and offer input on whoever comes into TBC as the new the student pastor. God's timing is always perfect and we look forward to seeing God place the right person in the position at the right time.


2. ADOPTION!!! I'm A DADDY!!!
We started the process with fear, paperwork, anticipation and FEAR about how all this would end up. On August 5th while at a theme park with my students, we got a call saying a birth mother had chosen us to be the parents of her unborn baby girl. We met with her, started an awesome relationship, and awaited the coming of Sara Elizabeth Clair Stilwell. She was born on September 9th, and has changed our lives forever. After 16 years, 2 miscarriages, and numerous tests, this little girl is definitely worth the wait. More on Sara Beth later.

3. The Passing of my Grandmother.
Memaw, Elizabeth Day Sparks, 90, passed away on thanksgiving day. Her health had been steadily declining over the last year and a half. She got to meet and hold Sara Beth, her namesake, before she passed. She was surrounded by her family when she left this life, peaceful, but tough to swallow. I have no more grandparents. I think it hits me a lot harder than I expected

4. My AWESOME Wife
Kim has been fighting female health issues along with fibromyalgia since July. Within the last 2 months, she has become pretty much incapacitated. It is very disheartening to her because she is so excited to be MOMMY, but it has allowed us the awesome opportunity to pull together as a family, with our parents, siblings, and their kids, to take care of Kim and Sara Beth. I am so grateful for all our family. We are prating for a resolution and hopefully will get a treatment plan in place when we return to the doctor next week. I will withhold all the details until then. Please pray for us as God shows us His incredible love, patience and endurance.

So that's it in a nutshell. It may not seem like much, but to us, this year has seen MONUMENTAL CHANGE. All of it hasn't been pleasant, but all will be beneficial when it's all said and done. Change may be good, but it's tough. I'm looking forward to a new year, a new ministry, a new little girl, a renewed dedication to my awesome wife, and growing in Godliness. O yeah, and I think I'll blog a little more. I know, you don't believe me...




2 comments:

Rebecca said...

safe to say it has been an eventful year for your family. praying hard for you all especially over the next week. much love for all 3 of you (still love the fact that i get to say 3 of you now)

Jeff Stilwell said...

For those who I confused: We don't have a new student pastor yet, and we don't know who God has in store for this awesome role, but it sure is nice to be able to offer prayer and input into the process. Please pray for the pastoral staff as they continue to seek God's face. His timing and plan is PERFECT!