After almost 5 months in Louisiana, our family is quickly making a home in West Monroe. God has planted us in a wonderful church at First West. In Lead Pastor Michael Wood and throughout the rest of the First West team, we sense God’s hand and favor on this place.
I moved in to the Executive Pastor’s office at First West and hit the ground running on Monday, August 2nd. The pace has been brisk, but God is doing a great thing!
What’s the best part of the job? It has to be the people—both paid and volunteer—on this team. They are high capacity leaders with a sincere desire to see to it that no one misses the grace of God. I am pumped about 2016!
Continue reading to find out more about Suzy, William, Daniel and Katie.
Suzy. Suzy accepted a 4th grade teaching job (and calling) with the Ouachita Parish School Board in July. It’s great to see her excel at something she was clearly meant to do. She started a women’s LIFE group at First West and made new connections with the women and wives on our leadership team. Suzy has made a home for us all in West Monroe, and I am thankful!
William. William started his senior year at West Monroe High School in August. He’s made new friends and he continues to develop his love for singing. And for the first time, I’m known for his singing, rather than him being known for mine. He sang Tenor I in All-State Choir this semester down in Baton Rouge. William stays busy working at Chick-fil-A as he continues his college search.
Daniel. Daniel started his 10th grade year at West Monroe High School on our first day in Louisiana. After our Sunday evening reception in Collierville, we drove the entire distance to West Monroe so he could start band camp the next day. After a great Fall semester and a memorable marching band season, Daniel is taking trumpet lessons at ULM (The University of Louisiana at Monroe). His perseverance in developing his talent is an inspiration to me!
Katie. Katie is a 7th grade student at Good Hope Middle School, a short 5 minutes from our new home. She’s got the perfect GPA and loves music almost as much as our cat (named Leo). She earned top marks with her clarinet at solo-ensemble festival and had her first choir solo at this year’s school Christmas concert. The highlight of my Fall was a dad and daughter trip to New Orleans for the Louisiana All-State Youth Honor Choir concert.
The prayer that Suzy and I have had for our family throughout our move to Louisiana is that we would each uncover and refine the core of who we are. I believe we’ve seen that happen—spiritually, relationally and in other ways—in each member of our family.
When everything is stripped away, what remains?
That’s the question we wanted our kids to answer now, and not next year or later on in their lives. They (and us) have learned that true significance doesn’t reside in a place, in friends or even in a church building.
Who we are is all about WHOSE we are.
And that’s the Big Idea.
Resources
- The Search for Significance by Robert McGee
- My Utmost for His Highest
- “Family, Friends and Faith” on Serve. Grow. Lead.
- “Like Father, Like Son” on Serve. Grow. Lead.
- First West
