Today, on this cherished holiday, I get to let everyone know how the good Lord is living in our lives!!! We are embarking on a new journey together, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to share this with you.
For a couple years now, Taylor has been feeling the pull to leave band directing. He loves teaching; he loves music; and he's loved his students. But, the demanding schedule has caught up with him and neither of us are satisfied that a band director's schedule will fit into the way we would like our lives and family to look. Last June, we were blessed to join the Park Row congregation in Arlington here in the metroplex; and Taylor has been serving in a part-time role as the worship minister. Our time with Park Row has been incredibly fulfilling and has allowed Taylor to see more clearly the new passions and direction God is giving him! The elders at Park Row have invited us to stay on with Taylor serving as one of the full-time ministers, and we have accepted their invitation!!! Beginning June 1st, Taylor will be serving full time at the church; and we could not be more excited! He will continue his work with the worship ministry still fulfilling his passion for music. In addition to worship Taylor also has a little-known passion for college-aged young adults. Park Row is situated right next to The University of Texas at Arlington and there is a huge need for a college ministry in this area. This summer, Taylor is going to embark on the journey of building a college ministry from the ground up. At this point, this is one of the most exciting things for us on this new journey! We are getting to be totally open to the Lord's leading and getting an opportunity to get out into the community around the church in ways that have not yet been pursued. It's a very exciting time for both us and the congregation.
So, what does this mean for me? Well, this new season just would not be complete without me making a big change as well. After much praying and talking, Taylor and I have decided to allow this change in his career to also be the time for me to go ahead and transition to staying at home. We knew that would happen when we had kids anyway, and have just decided to go ahead and make this change a little earlier. There are really two reasons for this decision. First of all, as you know, last summer I joined the Premier Designs Jewelry team as an independent consultant. This business has filled areas of passion in my life that I did not know existed. I have loved the ease with which this "job" has allowed to me to get out into the community and minister to women outside of my congregation! I also did not realize how thoroughly satisfying having a home-based business would be to me. I love how I can help our family out financially while being at home and also fulfilling my role as wife at the same time. I am in the process of transitioning this business from part time to full time beginning in June. This will, Lord willing, be able to seamlessly transition into motherhood as well. Secondly, I wanted to have as much flexibility and time as possible to help Taylor out with his new endeavors at the church. I'm fully involved in his worship ministry, and we are still exploring all the ways I can be involved in a college ministry. It is SO exciting to us to work side by side on this journey, and by working from home I will be much more flexible to join him (and HIM) in this work.
Am I done with teaching forever? I hope not. I will be finishing up my training as a dyslexia therapist at the end of this school year. Sometime in the next year I will be taking my Academic Language Therapist exam, and intend to keep up my teacher's license and my C.A.L.T. even while working from home. My goal is to eventually begin private therapy for dyslexia children. Taylor and I are unsure as to the timeline on that journey, but it is something both of us want for me at some point in the future.
For now, this is where God is leading us. Taylor into a full-time supported ministry position, and me to stay home, minister to women through Premier Designs, and serve alongside my husband. In several ways, this is a huge "Abraham and Sarah," leap of faith decision; but it is one we are fully at peace about and so excited we can't stand it!! We will be moving from Lewisville to Arlington this summer to be closer and more involved with the congregation, so that will be a huge thing as well. :)
So many changes...so much God! We love you all! Thank you so much for praying us through this journey!
