New Beginnings

It is August first on the east coast (it is still but 11 here in the Midwest) and today is my first official day of ministry at Bethel Baptist Church in Independence, MO. The Taylor house hold has been full of excitement over the last few days. We are settling into our surroundings, meeting new people, and beginning to feel at home.

Today, as we drove around looking at some furniture, we were talking in the car about all the things around us that remind us about our former ministry and home in New York. We were laughing at the "traffic" we experienced on the way to Wednesday payer meeting that made us a few minutes late. We have seen signs and reminders of people and places all around us. Many times we have been brought to tears as we ponder about our ministry with those on Long Island. Tears of sadness, tears of amazement and tears of joy abound these days.

We keep reminding each other that God has directed us each step of our lives: from moving to Louisville to attend seminary, to Long Island New York to serve in our first church, seeing three girls given to us by God to care for, nearly losing one daughter to an undetected illness, bringing us Mrs. Fouskis to help with our daughter,...the list could go on and on.

So it isn't much of a surprise to see God bring us half way across the country to a small city in the Midwest. With God, nothing is ever a surprise, just divine placements for his glory and purposes. As we begin a new today, some things have changed immensely. Some things have barely changed at all. We have two more children this time around. We still have a mini van, although slightly newer. We still live close to church, although not as close. We will begin ministry again during the Olympics although this time it is the summer games. But our God is still the same. Our Savior is still on the throne. Our purpose has not changed.

We still serve by His Grace and for His Glory....
...we still serve in and for His Kingdom, just at a different outpost!!