Years have been leading up to my parents relocating. In middle school, I would confide in my friends that my parents were thinking of moving. I remember sitting at the fold out lunch tables in the gym turned dining hall telling my friends Haley, Vanessa, and Hannah that my parents wanted to move to the middle of nowhere. It seemed as a distant, far off event that was very unlikely to happen. Almost a decade later, it has quickly become a reality through a whirlwind of events. Reluctant for years and even more recently, I was dreading even visiting anywhere remotely far from Illinois. Thoughts seem to race through my mind such as what am I going to do without my friends that I have spent years building these relationships with? What about my cousins that I have shared every birthday celebration with? Or what about my connections that I have made through networking at school? Begrudging and treating this venture out west to find our new home as a vacation instead of part of the moving process, my heart was changed.
I should know by now that I can’t plan or be reluctant to anything because God has a sense of humor and likes to do things his way. After days of driving, pulling up to Cody, WY was relieving. The next day we went to a neighboring town, Powell, to go to church. Walking up through those doors of the church was peaceful. It was a strange feeling as it felt like home. This feeling has not been present in the last couple of weeks/months as we have sold my childhood home, moved into a rental, and I left the school I love. As the projector rolled the words of the exact same praises that run at my home church, I was ashamed as I judged this big move as less than advantageous for me and my family. I shed a tear (Sappy, I know… get over it) as I realized that this was the place that my parents were supposed to be and that they could have a better life by living here. It gave me contentment with all the insecurities I have had for leaving them behind for an entire year. Even more so, before the service my dad spoke to the pastor about my upcoming mission’s trip and I handed him my prayer card not expecting anything to come from it but a “Hey that’s really neat, be safe kid.” The Pastor, Mike (I hope that you don’t mind being written about) got up there to give his message but he was so contained with excitement for me. I thought he might cry with eagerness and astonishment as he called me forward to talk about my trip in front of his congregation holding up my prayer card. I was nervous, not knowing what to say in front of complete strangers. They had never heard of my hometown let alone of me. I stood there and spoke with complete nervousness and even forgot what countries I was going to, struggling with utter shock as he took up an offering for me. When handing me the check to support my trip, Mike had said “we are very proud of you.” Someone I had never met in my life had said that he was proud of me. Taken aback, I fought back tears as I glanced down at the check and these people gave some outsider more financial assistance than I have raised thus far. Still fighting back the tears as all I could say was thank you but my parents weren’t as strong because when I looked over my shoulder at my mom she was crying. Scanning to my left my dad was also teary eyed. Saying thank you never seems like enough for all the prayers and financial sacrifices. There are honestly no words that I can say that come close to expressing my gratitude. That day was the first day that I knew that it would be all okay, everything was going to pan out for my trip, new changes for my family, all the worries and it was all because a place in Powell.
Thank you Glad Tidings Church in Powell, WY. Thank you for not only for your contribution to my trip but also for the prayers and the belief in me to God’s work. Your open spirit, arms, and warm welcome have reassured God’s promises and providing nature. I am still in awe of the selflessness that this church has and am looking forward to spending more time with the people of Powell when my parents move out there. Pastor Mike, thank you for saying that you are proud of me those words echo in my mind on a daily basis since I have visited your church that Sunday. I am deeply humbled.
After letting go of some of the financial worries associated with set deadlines from visiting Glad Tidings, The next day I had received emails from two parents of high school friends saying that they would support me and that they were also moved by the mission’s trip I am about to embarking on. More praises and shock had fled my body as I read their caring words. The rest of the week, we were looking at houses to rent and shopping for some supplies for my trip. Thank you to Christine at Sierra Trading Post and Sonya at Sunlight Sports for the joyful interest in my trip and outstanding customer service. The kindness displayed throughout my visit to my new home from you two made realizing moving to Wyoming would be one cool adventure along with the generosity that I had experienced from Glad Tidings Church. I’ll be seeing you all soon, I’m sure of it. It is just neat to see some stories unfold in the matter of moments.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
-Matthew 23:12
