Goodbyes...

As a family that has been in the ministry together for 25 years, we’ve said a lot of goodbyes over the years.  They’ve never been easy.  When it’s you that’s leaving, often it’s a little easier simply because it’s tempered by the excitement of a new adventure, a new challenge, and a chance to start fresh and new.  It’s a weird combination of sadness, happiness, excitement and nervousness, all rolled up together.  When you are the one sending someone else off, saying goodbye is a little harder.  It’s not that you feel like you’re being left behind, it’s more the feeling of losing something that you’ve come to take for granted, something that was warm and comfortable and always there.  Now we must get ready to say goodbye to our Youth Minister, James Strickland, and his beautiful wife, Donna, and send them off on a new adventure.  They’ve become more than just friends...they’re family.  I’m at a loss for words when it comes to trying to find a way to say thank you for the friendship, support, love and Godly teaching they have given my family, especially my three boys.  The impact James has had on their lives has changed them for the better, forever.  There are no words to explain to you the blessing of having someone you can completely entrust your children to like James.  When Donna and I first became friends, I shared with her that each time we’d moved to a new church, I prayed that God would send me a “heart” friend, someone I could open up my heart to, and trust.  I have someone like this in nearly every state we’ve lived in, and they have remained my heart friends no matter the miles between us or the time that has passed.  This will be true of Donna and I as well.  I am so very thankful for her friendship, encouragement and trust.  James & Donna, as you set out on this new adventure in life we want you to know that we love you, we are blessed to call you friends, we think of you as family, and there is no distance between us that will ever change that!    

Blessings & Love,
Amy, Scott, Alex, Taylor & Jarod York

Friends by Michael W. Smith

Packing up the dreams God planted,
in the fertile soil of you.
I can’t believe the hopes He’s granted,
means a chapter in your life is through.
But we’ll keep you close, as always.
It won’t even seem you’ve gone.
Cause our hearts, in big and small ways,
will keep the love that keeps us strong.

And friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them.
And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end.
Though it’s hard to let you go, in the Father’s hands we know,
that a lifetime’s not too long, to live as friends.

Endurance

The last few months have been a struggle.  I've really been feeling ragged.  The journey God has laid out for me, and for my husband and children, has never been an easy one.  Don't get me wrong, we are indeed, very blessed in so many ways.  But I'm not gonna lie....the life of a Minister's family is not for wimps.  You have to be very tough, and at the same time very sensitive, keep your anger under control, but not be a push-over....balancing life in a "fish bowl" is never easy.  Sometimes I just want to run up to the glass and stick out my tongue at the world, haha!  But, I know that no matter what I'm feeling, be it exhausted or energized, depressed or encouraged, happy or sad...that I'm not doing it alone.  I have the One who placed every star in the sky walking with me, and if I fall down, He is right there to pick me back up every time.  Sometimes, you go through something that you simply don't know how to handle.  Just remember, if you place your trust in God, He will never leave you and with Him by your side, you can....Endure.

Endurance by: Amy Hartman York

This life sometimes throws things at me I think I can’t endure.
I think I can, I think I can, and then...I’m not so sure.
I try and try and try again, and fall down every time.
I long to just sit down and rest, yes that would be sublime.
But I can’t give up, I must press on, I need to run this race.
Because I know when all is done, I’ll see His precious face.
Yes, when I cross the finish line and my time here is done,
Into His precious arms I’ll walk, the race here, finally, won.


Hebrews 12:1-3

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because He knew that later on He would be glad He did. Now He is seated at the right side of God’s throne! So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.

Forever...

This life is but a vapor, you blink and then it's gone. Treat every moment as a gift. Do your best to show love to others, so that when you're gone and they think of you, the memories make their hearts smile.


Forever - by: Amy Hartman York

I’m tempted to be sad and blue
every time I think of you.
Because time swiftly moves along
and soon, I fear, you will be gone.
I find my heart so filled with grief
on thinking you, too soon, shall leave
this earth behind and so me too.
I just can’t fathom losing you.
But then my heart doth smile again
when memories of you begin
to flood my heart and mind, and then...
I realize tho time is swift
I need to treat it as a gift.
And you, indeed, a gift of love
sent straight to me from up above.
So when my heart starts feeling blue,
I’ll simply smile and think of you,
and how your smile lights up my day,
and all my blues will melt away.  
Yes, tho I hope you’ll leave me never,
one day these earthly ties you’ll sever,
Yet within my heart... you’ll live, forever.