Laughing Stock Farm

WV Here We Come

Well, today was our last day at our wonderful church home here in Michigan.  It was a sad day, to say the least.  At the end of the service, our Pastor had the entire church family stand around the church in a circle holding hands and he prayed for us.  Then everyone came past us and we hugged and cried and said good-bye.  I found great comfort in knowing that we will all meet again in a much better place.

Back Row:  Dad holding Sarah & Mom holding Elijah;  Front Row:  Lexie, Hannah, Chase & Eric

Our church is a relatively small one with probably about 50 families.  It was our first, real church home.  We've been attending for twelve years now.

I'd like to share just a few things that are very special to us about this church.  It was the first church we went to where we actually felt like the people there truly lived their faith walk each and every day.  It wasn't a Sunday-only church family.  It was also the first church we went to where it felt as though everyone truly cared about and loved us no matter how flawed we might be.  Through thick and thin, they were there for us in every part of life.

We enjoyed such genuine fellowship and encouragement. 

When I gave birth to our daughter in 1998, I was shocked to find that one lady from the church came while I was in the hospital and cleaned our home so we wouldn't have to worry about it after coming home.  Then for nearly two weeks, church members showed up each and every evening at dinner time with meals (for our then-family of 5) including main course, side dishes, bread and dessert.  I was stunned.  Never in our lives had we been treated so kindly.

When my DH was laid off during one winter, the Pastor and his family delivered two huge boxes of food to help get us by.  We were so embarrassed (but thrilled) to have this kind of help.  As we unpacked the food and put it away, we were shocked to find $200. in cash at the bottom of one of the boxes.

These are just a couple of the many, many ways that our church family here have shown us their love and concern.  I could go on and on.  They shared with us, encouraged us and loved us through our infant Christianhood to this very day.

As we move on to our home in West Virginia, we thank G-d that he led us to this incredible church family.  And we pray that we will take a part of them, and what they taught us, to our new church home.

As I get ready to pack, I pray that each of you knows the love of an incredible church family in your life.