a new journey.

So about a year ago we decided that we would start blogging. It lasted a day, one blog; we are truly over achievers J As life has taken its turn and as we venture off to new lands, our hope is that we will use this blog to stay in touch and to share our thoughts with our dear friends and family; maybe even strangers. So here’s to new adventures! J

It is crazy to think about life and how it drastically changes from one day to another. You make plans, draw maps, write stories… then you wake up to new walls. After getting married, we had planned to make a “pit-stop” in Fort Sumner, NM, Tim’s hometown, where we would live for about a month before traveling on to bigger and better lands. Before we knew it, over two and a half years later, we lived in a little two bedroom home, in the middle of a valley, near the river, enjoying the “simple life” and a comfortable one at that.

Fort Sumner, NM (home of Billy the Kid’s gravesite J) is a SMALL village with a population less than 2000 people. It has four restaurants, two gas stations, eight churches, a drug store, a small bowling alley and not ONE stop light. When we say its small, we mean SMALL.J We never believed that such a small place could have given us so much and here at the end of it we stand so full. Living in this small town grew us into, not only lovers but also best friends … lovers of Jesus, peace, family, Haiti, community, gardening, animals, simplicity, art, music, time and adventure. We were given more than any newly married couple could have ever asked for.

Our life was mostly typical. The both of us had very secure jobs that provided us with sufficient finances and then some, which also afforded us the opportunity to pay off debt so that we would have the freedom to stand where we are today. We had always contemplated the option to move or a change in occupation; it was always a wrestle, for me especially (Misty). Growing up I had always believed that I needed to strive for perfection, work for a perfect college degree, then graduate and make a lot of perfect money to make sure that I could survive comfortably in this world. After getting two degrees, one being an MBA, and getting married I thought I was on the perfect track, which in the world’s eyes, I probably was. Then, after moving to Fort Sumner, I was given the chance to work for nearly three years in the medical industry where I grew into the IT/Operations manager for the facility. Tim also wrestled at the thought of leaving, knowing that working as a monument designer for his family’s very successful business, we would always be “okay.”  Moving was far too “risky” so we always casually brushed it from our minds until we were faced with a decision that would change our hearts and mind… the drafts of our pages were slowly being re-written.

Most of you that know us know that we have been going to Haiti annually, sometimes bi-annually, for many years. During the summer of 2003, my sister and I (Misty) started a child sponsorship with an organization called New Missions. I truly had no idea that that summer would change “my” and eventually “our” lives forever. I remember distinctly going on a walk during a youth camp with Brent Gambrell, telling him that after seeing his presentation about Haiti that I knew I was supposed to go. A child sponsorship was not enough and there was something I needed to “do” to help. The next spring I joined a team from Nashville to Haiti. It was a week that changed everything. I first got to meet Wilna, the little girl that we have now sponsored for eight years and I was also exposed to extreme fifth world poverty for the first time in my life. The nation stole my heart; there was more to be done and I needed to give what I could to make a difference. No matter the circumstances or life scenario I always dropped everything to at least return to Haiti on an annual basis. The spring of 2008 I was joined by my best friend on another journey to Haiti where we both fell in love with ministry amongst a people we learned to passionately love. After this trip we knew that this nation would be a part of our lives, together, forever.

Our plans of living our small life, in a small town, a small distance from family, comfortably, was shaken this past spring when I received an offer to go to work for Brent Gambrell Ministries in Nashville, TN. Our wrestles, doubts and fears were quickly dissolved when realizing this was a chance for us to live one of our dreams and to do it in love and in beat with God’s heart. We would be lying if we didn’t admit that we sporadically fear giving up our “comfort,” physically, emotionally and financially; we would be lying if we didn’t admit that we fear giving up “ideal” jobs according to the world; we would be lying if we didn’t admit that we are fearful of being so far from family and friends we love so much… but its worth it; every day, minute and second of it… to venture off knowing that we aren’t risking anything; knowing that there is nothing we are “giving” up because it wasn’t ours. We have only today to live (that we know of) and to breathe in love for the sake of Jesus. We pray that we would live our lives with a unique selflessness and humility that truly exemplifies our Creator; giving back to a world that beats because of His hand. We get a new chance every morning and we pray that when we fail, it is another chance for us to grow and to understand His true grace and mercy. Thank you family and friends for supporting us once again as we chase our dreams and partner in God’s ministry around the world. We couldn’t do it without you…  thank you for following our blog and praying for us as we partake in this new journey… We pack our U-Haul July 30^th to begin our trek to Nashville!