Why Delaware?

For ten years I have been sending out an annual family letter to friends and family to keep everyone up to date on the goings on in our lives. This year I think it would be a 40 page letter with all the changes going on. I have recently been introduced to the wonderful world of blogging and so here we go...

We have been feeling the leading to leave our comfort zone and find a way to develop a ministry to Christian families. We are especially drawn to the idea of having an RV park that provides a safe place for Christian families to come and rejuvenate family relationships. We even spent quite a lot of time and energy looking into moving to a wonderful little town in Northern Alabama after our trip up there last September. We never were able to get a clear open door there and so eventually let it sit on the back burner.

As most of you know, we spent November and December of last year working on a "While You Were Out" type of surprise for my parents while they were in New York. As time came for them to return, we realized we weren't going to be ready and we were trying to find a way to stall them a few more days. We have friends that moved to Delaware five years ago and so we were trying to figure out how we could convince my folks to stop in to see them when my dad called asking for their contact info. (A direct answer to prayer)

When my parents got home, all they could talk about, besides how wonderful the house looked, was this beautiful farm in Delaware. As it turns out, Sam and Effie Yoder, the owners of the farm, live in Arcadia, Florida during the winter. My parents also live in Arcadia and so my parents wanted to invite M/M Yoder over for their open house. And so we had the opportunity to meet this wonderful couple.

As we spent some time visiting with Sam and Effie we discovered that they wanted to use their farm to develop an RV park and draw Christian families there to rejuvenate family relationships through exposure to rural farm life. It seemed like a perfect match, especially after Sam asked Patrick if he would come up there to work with him on this dream.

Patrick, my dad and I drove up there and spent almost two weeks on the farm. There are many obstacles to overcome, but the Lord gave us such a peace about our involvement. We came back to Florida and informed all of our friends and family that we were planning to move.

Now you understand why we chose Gen. 12:1 and Jer. 29:11 for our heading. Patrick has always said, "Lake Wales is my bread and butter. I have a good reputation here. I can always provide for my family." We are stepping out on faith, following God to "a land that He will show us" and we are holding on to the promise that He has "plans... not for calamity to give us a future and a hope."

We are planning to leave in a little over a week for our first trip of the move. Patrick will be pulling the 5th wheel and I will be pulling his box trailer (something I have never done before). My parents are also coming along. This will be phase one of the move. We're planning on about 700 phases apparently : )

Friends have asked us, "What will you do if things don't work out up there?" Patrick's answer has been, "As long as I have my tools, I can always provide for my family." Well, on July 17th, Patrick went to work and discovered that all of his tools had been stolen. The thieves broke into the house he was working on and cut the locks off of his trailer. He no longer has the same answer. We recognize that the Lord provides for our family. It was an expensive lesson, but one well learned! And as to things working out up there, we believe that they will go according to God's will. It is scary, but the Lord has told us to move and so we are moving. He may have plans for us other than what has been revealed so far. We don't know, but we will obey. The Lord provides for our family and we are thankful that the lesson wasn't more painful.

So, as to the question of, "Why Delaware." Our new answer is, "Because He said so!" Patrick is not given to questioning Him anymore. We are putting our trust in the Lord. This kind of stepping out on faith isn't easy for Patrick, he likes logical, progressive transitions. This is neither logical nor progressive, and what a transition! This is a complete walk of faith, and sight is not an option. We appreciate all of the prayer support that we can get.

I will try to post regular updates as we begin our new journey and I hope you will travel with us through this wonderful medium of blogging.