Our Mississippi church family - Willow Pointe

Several years ago, we moved in closer to the Hattiesburg area. We felt God leading us to serve in a church closer in our community. We had visited some, then decided to visit Willow Pointe. I already knew the Watts family (they lived in where we used to live). I also found out that we had a lot of connections there. There have even been guys who worked at one time or another with Mike and my brother-in-law!

I will never forget that morning in September of 2008. I had seen where the children's director's name seemed familiar...so familiar that I thought I may have taught her little sister when I first starting teaching years ago.

We walked into the doors and were showered with love. I also had a devasting blow. That children's director was not there....she had just received a call that her mother had passed away. I knew her mom. My heart was so broken!

However, through that sadness, Lennie and I had a bond that no one else had in that congregation. I also had a bond with one of the elders....he was very good friends with a family member (who is also now my parents' pastor). Years ago, he and his wife adopted twins...from South Korea! (Yeah, I think God was planning this trip of ours over twenty years ago???)

I also have met so many who have mutual friends of mine. They supported us during my second pregnancy. They help me with the boys when Mike is gone. They prayed and prayed over us during Mike's dad's illness and death. They checked on the house for us when we were gone those months to Texas. Even one of our prayers warriors tried to call Mike when he was in with his dad during his last minutes before death.

God is moving in this congregation in a mighty way! When I came, I was able to get involved with the youth and children's ministries. That is where my heart is...since I had been in church ministry for 15 years prior to becoming a mom. The youth and kids at Willow Pointe are more than church members and friends...they are family! They have literally helped me raise these boys with Mike gone so much. The whole church has helped me raise them! There are so many Godly men who have stepped up and given me support when I needed it!

My boys are in no lack of spiritual guidance when their dad has to be overseas. That is for sure!

We love you more than you will ever know, Willow Pointe. You will always be home to us! :)