Soooo...it might have been 4 years since I posted on here. I blame Facebook and Instagram. Ha!
But as one chapter ends and another begins in the real life of the Stanfield's, I find myself wanting to write a little more about our adventures. I'm going to start with a little reminiscing.
Eight years ago, our family began a new chapter in Chandler, Oklahoma, with Chandler Friends Church and it has been a wonderful but at times, challenging, adventure. We have been loved on and cared for in a way that will always warm my heart, always! We have made life long friends here.
When you are in ministry, it is healthy to reevaluate where you are and where God is calling you often. Church leadership asks Chris every year to pray about if we are still called to minister here in Chandler and last year, the answer was unclear, so Chris and I kept praying and constantly asking (more like crying out) to God for guidance in whether or not it was time to go. For many months, His answer was "not yet" but I could tell it was coming.
It all started for me a year and a half ago while driving home from Colorado Springs, where we had just celebrated Christmas with Chris' family. As I watched the stunning Pikes Peak disappearing in my rear view mirror, glowing a gorgeous hue of pink and orange in the early morning sunrise, the tears began to fall. I didn't want to leave, and somehow I just knew that someday soon I wouldn't have to.
Sorry, the pic is a little grainy, I took it with my phone (not while I was driving! Chris thought I was crazy when I pulled over and got out of the truck.)
Fast forward a year and a half and the Stanfield's are moving to Paonia, Colorado! Wow! It has been a wild ride but we have learned a lot in the last year and a half, especially about trusting in the Lord's timing. Chris and I did not receive peace at the same time about leaving Chandler Friends and that really bothered him. My peace caused him more anxiety and there wasn't anything I could do to help him.
In January, Paonia Friends Church posted a job opening for an Associate Pastor, with emphasis in Family Ministry. At first, we really didn't think it was an option. I mean, come on...the Colorado mountains do not really sound like suffering for Jesus. Heehee! As we continued to pray and search for God's will, Paonia kept coming to the forefront and we couldn't ignore it any longer, so Chris sent his resume in. My birthday in February found us flying to Colorado, the kids loved getting to fly for the first time, to interview with Paonia Friends Church and the answer was very clear for us. A couple weeks later, they offered us the job and now we are packing up 8 years of memories and trying our best to say goodbye to some very dear friends. It's not easy and we knew it wouldn't be but that's how we know we loved and served Chandler Friends Church as God called us to, with all our hearts!
Move date is June 6th and it will be here before I know it. If you think of us, please say a prayer that we will finish well here in Chandler as the love and desire for Paonia grows in our hearts.
