OUR FINAL MOVE BEFORE HEAVEN

Doug and I are moving soon to a retirement community in Laurinburg, NC.  After over 21 years ministering here in Florence, SC, at Greenwood Baptist Church, it's a huge step in a new direction.  New steps in ANY direction can be a challenge at our age!

http://www.scotiavillage.org/



"Why in the world did you decide to do this?"

"Why did you choose to go there?"

"How are you feeling about this move?"

We hear these questions almost weekly.  Let me answer them and share a bit of our journey.



This is home.  We had no plans to retire and move.  God DID have plans for that, however.  Mama used to remind me, "God has no intention to keep His will a secret from us."  

He also knows I can be hard of listening, so He speaks my language and repeats Himself for clarity and reassurance to ADD me. Our choice is not for everyone but He has shown us what is right for us.  Family will not have to yard sale our stuff.  We did that!  They won't have to sell our house.  Waiting on that buyer now. They won't have to be our care-givers.

One of my love languages is food, especially steak.  So when Trudy Miles called with, "Hey, Kathy!  Just got an invitation to Victor's Restaurant for a free dinner.  Want to go?" she already knew my answer because it's something we do often.  Reaching a certain age comes with perks.  One of those is an upgrade to spiels.  So we go, never buying anything, but for free food!  Doug and Donnie often join us but this day they golfed while we dined.

That was 3 years ago and God's first whisper of His plans for us.  A second invitation from the Scotia Village folks took us there for an overnight visit, again not intending to buy into anything.  "Doug, it'll be a nice get-away."  So we went.  Were very impressed as we toured.  They have 250 residents, ranging from living in 3 bedroom homes to nursing care.    

When Norm, the sales manager, left the room to crunch our numbers, I whispered, "Doug, this is when he comes back in and gently asks us to leave, not being qualified."  We giggled, waiting.

Norm returned and told us we were more than qualified.

Thus, began our consideration of a possibility not even on our scope.

It's a bit embarrassing to admit freebies were our hook.  God got our attention.

Why?

This is a gift to our own children.  They are all happily willing to take care of us in our old age.  We 3 siblings gladly took care of Mama after Daddy died.  So we know what that means.  Having the choice allows us to take that responsibility off them, while still enjoying their visits as family, not care-givers.

The kids' first look at Scotia Village and our future there last July

Standing in our soon-to-be living room

Florence friends largely are surrounded by their family.  We are not.  Ours are scattered from Canada to Florida.  Moving to NC puts us closer to one of them, Kent, a minister of music in Kinston, NC.  We began our ministry there fresh out of college.  So it's a full circle season.  

Kingdom work is wonderful but comes with Sunday responsibilities not allowing us to be with family during many holidays.  Our kids are also in ministry.  So we spend Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter alone.  NOW we can visit them freely.  We can see our grands' special school events, attend our kids' church services, take trips with my brother and wife, Ricky and Gwen.

Ricky and Gwen with us on the Alaskan cruise

Last week Kimberly called, "Mom!  We just bought a house! Why don't you and Daddy fly down for Thanksgiving with us?"  We bought plane tickets to Tampa the very next day.

So many things we do and enjoy are becoming burdensome, like lawn care, cooking, cleaning.  This will be done for us at Scotia Village.  Our daily questions will go from "What do I need to do today?" to "What do I want to do today?"

We will continue to minister to others.  How God will guide in that is yet to be seen.  Opportunities abound. We will have purpose. We still have our gifts of hospitality, teaching and music.  So we've already scheduled THREE Open House events to sing and enjoy friends, new and old.  Not having room for both pianos, I donated my childhood one to Scotia.  I suspect I will visit it and play it occasionally for events there.

God's given special friends to help us in this move.  What a blessing they are to share in our joy and help us in the planning and preparation!

Sandra Dail has guided my decorating choices
and helped so much in decluttering!

Bobby and Phyllis Parker celebrated our 50th with us. 
They were there on our wedding day as well!

Phyllis gets her first look at our villa (2 bedroom duplex)
about to undergo renovation!

CHANGE.  That word scares old folks like us generally.  But Doug and I are learning to embrace it.  Why?  Because God made His will, plan, timing and means abundantly clear.  We are called.  Just as we have been in every other move of life for over 50 years in church ministry.  A lot is unknown.

"Do you know anyone there?"

"Met a few but no, not really."

"What church will you attend?"

"Not sure yet.  We'll enjoy visiting a lot.  I'll sit on a pew instead of the piano bench for awhile!  God will let us know."

"What will you do?"

"We have so many choices--educationally, in hobbies, ministry, recreational activities, Bible studies, clubs,  trips, etc.  I know we won't be bored.  God will let us know."  

I've already looked into a creative writing class at the college next door.  I can walk to St. Andrews University!  Doug is considering painting again with an artist who is also a resident and owns her own gallery there.

A little phrase in the most familiar chapter in the Bible took on new meaning to us:



ALL the days of my life.  Looking back, it has!  So we know it will!  That little word follow does not mean gently like a little puppy dog trailing us.  In Hebrew it means pursuing us with a passion, like hounding or chasing after us to give us good things, show us mercy!

It will be our last move.  Sometimes I tell close friends, "We're going there to die." Actually we have a lot of living to do and this frees us up to enjoy it. Hopefully death won't be too soon but more than likely, this WILL be our last move until glory.  God's got that covered too, in His time.  I don't have to pack for that one!  We're all ready for it. . .whenever He calls one or both of us.



I've got free food waiting there too!  A banquet table!  Just waiting on that call as well.

Ready when He is!