feel like I should feel ‘crazy, chaotic, and completely out of touch’, yet I
don’t… I have this deep sense of peace surrounding me. Within the four weeks, I have returned from
the World Race, planned a wedding, celebrated my sister’s graduation, gotten
married to the love of my life, moved to Durham, North Carolina, and began
seminary at Duke Divinity School. I
apologize for not writing sooner… but I want to first start with a huge THANK
YOU for all that each one of you have done in my life, the way you have prayed
for me continuously, and the way you have encouraged me on the Race, whether
supporting me, keeping up with blog, posting comments, sending emails,
etc. I can’t thank you enough for ALL
THE LOVE AND SUPPORT I have seen and felt over this last year, or better yet –
my journey through life.
junior in college, I felt a calling to go to seminary; I just wasn’t given the
time. I continued on the pathway God was
leading, one year at a time. I looked
into seminaries, yet I never had the energy to complete an application. Right before I left for the Race, God gave me
focus and helped me through application process of Duke Divinity School, and in
November, I was accepted into the Master of Divinity program. My mother helped me find scholarships and
continues to of great help in this area!!
I battled actually going to seminary, knowing that in order to share
Christ’s love to others takes NO education, but God continued to press it
deeply on my heart that I was to continue my studies at Duke. So, now four weeks after I returned home…
here I am… I finished three days of first year orientation and classes begin on
Monday, August 25th!! (Side
note: I ask prayers for focus and studying, but I truly know that if God calls
you – He does equip you!)
So I knew I
was going to seminary, but at the beginning of the Race, I didn’t know that I
would be moving to North Carolina with my best friend – and better yet,
marrying the love of my life. On August
16, 2008, I married Matthew… now the story of us is one only God could write…
I met Matthew after my sophomore year of
high school (ten years ago) on a youth mission trip. I journeyed to Mineola, Texas with the United
Methodist Temple youth group for UM ARMY, a youth mission trip within Texas
Conference of the United Methodist church.
One of my best friends (Beth Edwards) kept up with Matthew, so I always
knew what was going on in Matthew’s life – never really talking to him. Three years later, I attended college UM ARMY,
where Matthew happened to be also. We
hung out and parted our ways at the end of the week.
After college, I moved to Swaziland, truly
desiring to live God’s plan for my life – not Molly’s Plan for Molly’s
life. After spending a year as a
missionary in Africa, God called me to live with my sister to help with her
son, in order for her graduate (which she successfully graduated the
August). Only knowing my sister in the
San Marcos area, I found Matthew, who was working as the College Ministry
Coordinator at the First United Methodist Church of San Marcos. We met up for lunch – and the adventure
began. We dated over a year, until God
laid it on both of our hearts to part.
Although it was hard, we both knew we must be obedient in the places God
was calling. (This was November 2006.)
In January 2007, God called me to pursue the
World Race, and in March 2007, God called Matthew to a stint in Mozambique
working with Center of Hope, a Methodist-based, non-profit organization that
focuses on the treatment and well-being of the people living in Chicuque and
surrounding communities. I left in June
2007 for a month to lead a trip to Ireland (which may I note was amazing – with
a wonderful group of girls), Matthew left in July 2007 for Mozambique, and I
left again in September 2007 for the Race.
I didn’t know what communication I would
have or where I would be going, which led Matthew and I having to sacrifice
talking to each other and/or seeing each other.
Through the year, I found I was able to communicate with him, which I
give complete thanks to God!! However,
it wasn’t until God allowed Jeanette and I to work alongside him in Cambine,
Mozambique that God clearly showed me (in more than one way) I would marry
Matthew.
I came home for Nathan and Sarah Beth’s, one
of my best friends, wedding in April.
This is where my friends, family, Matthew, and I began talking about
getting married in August. God continued
to confirm the date through His words, mentors, family, and friends. It wasn’t until Matthew drove to Mullin,
Texas that August was confirmed. When I
arrived to Texas, Matthew proposed on a pier overlooking a pond on old, family
property!!
Looking back
over our story, I see the importance of trusting God EVERY step of His journey
He leads us on. When Matthew and I
parted ways, we only knew the need to be obedient. God has given me a true man after God’s heart,
a man who has learned to trust even when things don’t seem “humanly”
right. I thank God everyday for him.
I’m so
thankful that I was able to see my sister walk across the stage to receive her
Bachelor’s degree. It wasn’t an easy
road, especially with a preschooler, but Jenny persevered and made it through. I must add that Monday, August 25th
is also Brayden’s first day of school!!
I’m so proud of my sister and how she has chosen to continue her
education despite what mountains she has to climb.
I’ve began a
whole new chapter of my life, and I thank God for every mountain and valley
that will come. One thing I do know is
that we must live a life of obedience and trust as we reach out and love
others!!
Thanks again
for being the person God has created and formed you in!! LOVE YOU ALL!!
