The Rouse House is moving to.......

KINSTON, N.C.

Wow! What a 10 days it has been!  We went from April 8th deciding to stay in Raleigh on Young Life staff because there were no openings as an area director to then receiving 2 phone calls asking us if we were interested in becoming the area director in the towns.

We have had 2 interviews, 2 town visits, and 1 decision be made.  And we are headed EAST!  Moving to Kinston, NC.  For the past 3 days I felt like Clint and I were on the Bachelor and we had to hand a town a "final rose," not exactly about romance... but a very big decision! This is an exciting decision, but also a bitter sweet decision.  In accepting the position in Kinston we had to turn down the position in South Charlotte and to staying in Raleigh.  I love Raleigh!  I will miss this town and the people here more then I can put into words!

So, Kinston here we come!  Clint will have such a fun opportunity of being the first Area Director in this town.  There is volunteer led Young Life at Parrott Academy, where they took 35 kids to fall camp.  He will be leading and training a sweet Jesus loving committee.  He will be helping raise the budget for Young Life! Please pray for the budge to be met.  This is the step of faith we are taking.  As of today Kinston does not have the budget to hire us, but they are having a banquet on May 17th to begin raising money for Clint to begin August 1st.  We are confident the Lord will provide this budget!!  HE has faithfully called us to Lenoir County and Greene County, so we are not worried that HE will also provide the means to do ministry!

We are so excited to buy a house, join a church, and to invest in this community!

Mean while in all of these interviews and town visits, life has carried us on some fun journeys!    We had a very sweet visit with my Bunkle Buh in the Charlotte Hospital (He has an awful infection in his body around his liver, so please pray for my uncle!). Bigdaddy had a heart attack, but is doing great!!  Praise the Lord for great medicine and doctors!  He had two stents put in his heart!  In all of these things we are reminded how sweet life is!!  What a gift it is to live this day and to take advantage of each opportunity and moment.

So, in closing!  We are so excited to invest in Kinston, NC.  But, it isn't about us... It isn't about Clint and Mary... It isn't about what town we choose to live in... It is ALL about Jesus!  Jesus could do this work with out us, but he chose us because He has something for us in this journey!  Bring it on!!  He is faithful!

My nugget of truth that I have clung to in this stage of life is John 10:33...

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world!"