The Journey

Many of you have asked me how it is going in our new church building and I have to tell you, I still can't believe I get to worship my God in that pretty place! We are five years old as a church and at every point along the journey, God has placed us exactly where we needed to be and He has provided more than we could ever ask.

When I packed up my things in 2007 and moved to Nashville, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into!  I had just bought a house and I had an incredible job at one of the best Orthopaedic clinics in Tennessee.  I loved my church and my friends and I had settled myself into a pretty good life in Memphis.  If you asked me at that point, I probably would have told you I had no desire or intention to leave West Tennessee for anything!  And then I met a boy...

When I met Mike Harder, my world changed forever.  People will tell you that waiting is hard and it is.  I even read my husband's book, In Transit, before we ever went on our first date! I had been waiting on my husband for a really long time and at twenty seven years old, I had watched most of my friends get married and start having babies.  In the South, you can often feel that you missed the boat and I was frequently reminded of that as my sweet patients would ask me " Why aren't you married?  How old are you?"  But when Mike came into my life, I clearly felt the Lord leading me and things began to happen quickly.

I'm pretty sure my close friends and family thought I had lost my mind!  There was no sparkling ring on my finger, and yet I rented out my house, left my incredible job where I had made a name for myself, and moved to Nashville, Tennessee to help start a church.  I had never been a part of a church plant or stepped behind the curtain of ministry before.  I had no idea what marrying a Pastor would mean for me, but I could see God on the move and I wanted to be a part of it!

{My last night in Memphis.  Picture taken at Benihana's in East Memphis}

I am so thankful that I moved to Nashville when Green Hills Church was just a dream.  I am forever grateful that God led me here when He did so I could see all that He had planned.  I remember sitting around a conference table at the YMCA in Green Hills with twelve other people discussing vision and what it might look like to launch Green Hills Church.  So, as I stood in the back of the room for our first service in our new building, I just let the tears fly.  Of course, I can always blame it on being pregnant!  But honestly, I was overwhelmed with God's goodness and for the journey.

Our church has never been about a building and as thankful as I am for our new space, I know that it could be taken away tomorrow.  Of course, I can not express to you how excited I am to sit in a comfortable chair that doesn't hurt my back and leave my daughter in the nursery where there are doors and clean carpet!  But if you notice me crying in the back of the room, those tears are about the journey.  I am thinking back to the conference room at the YMCA, or the first time I watched God pack the walls of Cabana Restaurant with college students.  I am remembering all the places God has led us along the way and how He always whispered to my heart to trust Him.  I am thinking about how much my husband has grown as a leader and a teacher and how proud I am to be his wife.  This journey is hard at times, but it is so sweet and I am thankful for every step along the way!

{August 2012: Calvary Baptist Church hands us the keys to their building}

{Green Hills Church has a Home}

 {July 14th, 2013: Our first Sunday to worship in our new building}

Newport Beach California { Acts29 Pastors' Retreat}

This was our first year to attend the Acts29 Pastors' Retreat and we had a fabulous time in Newport Beach, California!  I am so thankful for this global network of Pastors and their wives because having community with other ministry families is something Mike and I both desire.  We feel that we are called to be a part of a church that plants other churches and right now the Acts29 Network has over 450 churches on 6 different continents which fires me up!  If you want to learn more about the network, check out THIS website. 

Our week in California was filled with sweet worship, incredible speakers, and deeper community.  It was my first time to attend a church planting retreat and I was so thankful to be able to meet other families in a similar stage of life and ministry.  I was also grateful for a little time away with my sweetheart in beautiful Southern California!  This was the view from just outside our room. 

We were able to bring miss Abigail along for the trip because child care was provided during the sessions.  She is an adaptable little trooper and even though she was completely off her schedule, she was the best little baby and we were so glad to have her with us.  

Mike and I are explorers at heart, so each time we had the afternoon off, we were out the door and on an adventure!  Our first destination was the beautiful Laguna Beach area!  We packed Abigail up in our backpack carrier and set out to walk the coastline and soak in the California sunshine.  I totally understand why people move to California and stay.  It is absolutely beautiful and the weather is amazing!  Here's our sweet little hiker happy as can be!

Our last day of the retreat was pretty special for me.  Mike watched Abigail so I could attend the Pastors' Wives Session.  I met some amazing women and I truly feel that the Lord spoke to me through them and told me a few things I needed to hear.  

My role seems to be shifting more and more because I now juggle being a mom too.  Five years ago, I was able to help set up, tear down, train volunteers, attend both services, meet new people, and disciple girls in between services.  Now...I show up with Abigail hoping to be on time!  I'm lucky if I get to engage in conversation after the service because in the back of my mind, I'm already thinking about her nap and a diaper change.  I walk past volunteers that probably don't know my name because our church is growing and I haven't had a chance to meet them yet.  As Abigail's eyes get heavier, I try to slip back into the sanctuary to give my husband a kiss and tell him I'm proud of him before I leave.  Things look different now.  I also work part-time, so my availability to meet up with young girls or attend service projects is more limited now that I am in mommy land.  

And so, just as the guilt monster found his home in my head, the Lord allowed me to hear wisdom from women who have been in my shoes and knew what I needed to hear.  So if you are a pastor's wife or a new mom who serves in your church and you are struggling to balance your new role, let me share my epic wisdom!  Your first "role" is to be a daughter of Christ.  If He is the focus of your heart, you will be able to love your husband, children, and church well.  For me, my "ministry" is to my husband and our girls.  I needed to hear that.  I needed to hear that loving Mike well and encouraging him is my primary ministry.  Leading by example in how I serve my husband and our children is my ministry.       

I walked out of our session so encouraged and so inspired that I couldn't sit still!  So we set out for Balboa Island to celebrate feeling recharged with the infamous Balboa Bar! We found the first ice cream stand on the island and enjoyed our treat as we strolled the quaint streets of this little paradise. 

Balboa Island was a two mile walk from our hotel and Abigail fell asleep on the way there, so we took our time walking around and enjoyed being tourists for the afternoon.  Bless her heart, she was a trooper!  Mike is also a trooper because I know this little peanut got heavy after a while!  As for me, it's just another Tuesday when I get out of breath walking up a hill! This four mile excursion wore my little pregnant body out, but that ice cream bar was totally worth it ya'll!

It was the perfect end to a very refreshing week in Southern California.  Thank you Newport Beach for all the sweet memories!  I think it is safe to say that we will be back!  

Rest.

Rest.  Rest is exactly what my little family needed these last two weeks and I am very grateful that we were able to take a little time off and recharge! Two weeks ago, we started our vacation in the beautiful Gulf.  I have grown up traveling to Gulf Shores in the Summer and it has been so fun making memories there throughout my lifetime. 

My little brother was able to come down for part of the trip and I was so thankful to spend time with him.  In just a few weeks, he will be off to College which seems a little crazy to me.  I am so proud of him and excited for his future!!

Veronica and Allison were also with us for part of our vacation and I can't tell you how much I love these two ladies.  Our families have taken more trips together than I can count, and I have seen Allison grow into such a beautiful young lady.  I remember hours of watching her swim to me from the ladder in this very pool when she wasn't much bigger than Abigail! And now she's all grown up!  

Abigail wasn't quite ready to float on her back or swim to the ladder, but she loved to jump in for you.  We would sit her on the side and try to count to three, but after a count of one, this is what we got!

My sweet little fish loved the water this trip and I am so glad!  She actually sat up in her pack n play each morning saying " beach, beach".  My dear husband entertained her so I could swim laps each day.  How awesome is he?!?

After about an hour at the pool each morning, we would make the trip down to the ocean where Abigail would nap in her swing, I could read and relax, and Mike could go for a run.  It was incredible.  Mike has been in a busy season of ministry selecting elders and preparing to move into our new church building.  He's also been taking care of me for the last four months while I was sick and needing extra help with Abigail.  He needed a little break and I was happy to see this smile on his handsome face! 

Our nights were also relaxing because our little person goes to bed around 7:00.  This worked out well for us since the NBA finals were on!  Veronica was also super sweet and let us go on a date our last night there!  It was amazing; I was able to eat my food hot and actually look at Mike while he was talking.  It's the little things...

I was also really excited to take Mike and Abigail to the Original Oyster House!  I remember pacing this boardwalk when I was a little girl waiting for our name to be called.  I would sit in the big chairs and swing my legs.  Dee Dee tried to keep me entertained with all the fun shops and feeding the fish around back.  Each year I got a picture with my face in the hole of the alligator board!  So of course, I had to stick Abigail up there!

Check out these curls!  Aghh, love her to pieces!  And I know where she gets them.  Her handsome daddy has the same curls!

These two are absolutely precious to watch.  Abigail loves her daddy and Mike doesn't stand a chance against her sweet little cheeks and blue eyes.  

Yeah, she looks all happy right now, but don't put that baby in the sand!  We tried a few different times thinking she would eventually warm up to the sand.  We even thought shoes might help ease her in.  That didn't happen.  Each time, we got the " landing gear" legs like this...

Maybe next time?  Bless her.  Thank you Gulf Shoes for all the memories!  We hope to see you next year!