"Sorry, Can't Move Here"

 

While we were in Arizona, I had jokingly been telling Myron that I just couldn't go. Go- meaning, Go to Arizona to live. I would give him real excuses, like:

1. Too Hot
2. Too Far
3. Too City-ish and Desert-ish at the same time
4. No Trees
5. No Cotton Fields or Tractors

And the list would continue. I wasn't really serious, but just talking about the major differences. (Ok, #2 I was serious about)

I really couldn't believe all of the shopping and places to go and do as a family. I would tell him a store that I love, and say, "I bet they don't have this store! Sorry can't move here." (Only joking!) Well, one store that I was sure they didn't have, which is one of my favorites is Charming Charlie! Charming Charlie is a small warehouse of jewelry! Pretty jewelry at pretty awesome prices. (For all of my local readers, there is one near Triangle Town Center Mall!!) As I was sitting in the hotel room, I even looked it up on my phone. Nope. NO Charming Charlie.

That was it. It was my red flag (joking, but not really). I had finally found a red flag.

We had made plans to meet with some friends, Mike and Misty Cash, who minister in Mesa for supper. They told us to meet them at the SanTan Village. SanTan is an awesome shopping area with restaurants and even a water-spray park. In fact, one thing I do love about Arizona, is that while you are walking on the sidewalks from store to store or even while you are waiting outside of a restaurant to eat, there are spray mist everywhere that help to keep you cool in the 115 degree weather!

As I got out of the car to hug Misty, she smiled at me and said something like this, "I wanted to take you to Charming Charlie--Have you ever been to one?" Almost immediately after I hugged her she said the words-"Charming Charlie!!"

Speechless. Looked at Myron and he busted out laughing. Red flag- gone.

I began to tell her the story, and learned a new one had opened up in the SanTan Village. In fact, it was just right behind us. I couldn't wait to go and see it! I thought about how humorous the Lord is sometimes. How something as small and crazy as a little jewelry store could be something He knew I would like.

So, the deciding factor for me to move to the desert was because of Charming Charlie  God answered so many prayers and made it crystal clear to Myron (and me) that it was His perfect will!;)

How it all Began- Part 2

 In Part One, I mentioned 3 prayer requests that the Lord answered for me while we were in Arizona. We landed in Phoenix on late Friday afternoon, viewed the church just from the car and planned to meet Bro. Thompson at 9am the next morning! I had been praying that the Lord would give me some type of sign that was personal to me. As we headed to meet Bro. Thompson, I was really nervous! I could hardly eat my breakfast just thinking about all that we were about to see and talk about! We got to the church and spotted Bro. Thompson making his way to us. (Insert Big mistake here- the high for that day was 112- and I left my make-up in the car! BAD!) We got out of the car, and as I was walking to the main entrance, I happened to notice this plaque on the wall.

 I casually glanced at it, trying not to slow us down, but had to stop. The sign said: "Heritage Free Will Baptist Church- Founded on May 6, 1983." I re-read it to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Yes, it said, "May 6 1983!" That is the exact day-- the exact year that I was born. The church was founded on the day that I entered the world. To many, this might have been really "no big deal." But to me, this was God's answer to my prayer- my personal sign. He answered my prayer request before even entering the building. How much more personal can you get than the day you were born? From that moment, I knew. I knew that God was leading us to Heritage.

One of the 3 playgrounds- the boys will really enjoy this!

I can just see my boys sliding on the slide!

Computer Lab



gym kitchen- one of the 2 full kitchens on campus

Main entrance to gym- where the preschool children eat lunch.

Gym- the Patriots was the school mascot!

Wow! Lots of thermostats to keep up with!

The stage is set to hold many school and church programs and dramas. We hope to rebuild that again.

 Another prayer request was that I would meet good friends- just someone to connect to and keep up with once I returned to Goldsboro. While we were there, the Lord didn't just show me one friend, He gave me lots of friends! I have enjoyed keeping up with one of the ladies through email since August. She is so sweet to check up on us, and send me bulletins each week so we can keep informed. I am thankful that the Lord has already given me many friends at Heritage! (I will sure miss all of my G-boro friends!)

Charter School Classroom

Charter School Classroom

Charter School Classroom

 My final prayer request, that we are still praying about, was that the Lord would show us where to send the boys to school. While on the trip, my dad kept texting me about a school he wanted us to check out. He knew the Pastor and had already emailed him that we would be in the area. We really didn't have time until the last day that we were there because it is 25 miles from the church. We finally decided to check it out, and when we drove up I was amazed! It is a brand new campus with a church, school and seminary! We toured the school and really loved what we saw. The curriculum was just like what we were use to, and the teachers and faculty were so very kind. We are still praying about the possibility of sending the boys to this school. It is so very expensive. However, we believe that is is so important to raise the boys in that type of environment and we will do what we can to make that possible!

 

Heritage does have a preschool that is from baby to Kindergarten. These classrooms are totally separate from the Charter School. Two years ago, when HCA shut down a Charter school began leasing the facilities. This has actually been a huge blessing, because their lease has helped with the giant mortgage bill. When we visited in August, we were able to visit each classroom and meet the principal and teachers. It happened to be their Open House that Saturday, so we were able to go and see the auditorium fill up with so many unchurched families. These families will be on Heritage's campus every day during the school year, and we are so excited of the potential we have to invite these people to our services! Myron will also be able to conduct chapel with these students once a week! What an opportunity the Lord has given us from this unusual circumstance.

The view from the 2nd floor of the School Building.

Upstairs in the educational building- getting books ready for school to start.

Bro. Thompson's office

 We spent hours in Bro. Thompson's office as he shared with us how it all began. His sweet wife has been in an Alzheimer's facilities for a few years now. I know that she was a very Godly Pastor's wife and she stood behind him when things were very tough. Their strong faith and sacrifice (spiritually and financially) for God is amazing.

Church Nursery Hallway

One of the nurseries

They have a sweet lady who has spent hours painting all of these beautiful murals.

 

 

Yes, we have an Ikea. Just minutes away! Why did I end with this picture? Because, I wanted to invite you all to come visit us! I tell everyone that the shopping in Gilbert is like Raleigh on steroids! Countless malls, outlets, restaurants, beautiful scenery---what else could you want?

 

(Post coming soon: A very humorous prayer answered---that I didn't even pray about?)