THE BROWNS: Changes..

Well... where do I begin?!? It's been over 5 weeks since I've posted and SO much has happened. Hence the reason maybe, I haven't posted! :)

For a couple months now it was becoming evident that the Lord was leading us in a different direction. Adam resigned from the position at Leonard St. Baptist Church. He got a promotion with Lifeway Christian Bookstore into Management and this was what led us to a final decision. LOTS has really happened over the last 6 months or so that has made us realize that this church was not going to be a place that we are meant to stay at. BUT.. the children and youth of this church have literally pulled at our heart strings. We saw the Lord work in amazing ways in the youth and children's department and actually the youth really just started picking up in the last few months or so. These kids and youth are not just "church kids". They are special! We felt like they NEEDED us. This kids come from broken families'/ homes, low income, starving for attention, as well as many other physical and emotional needs. Through the van ministry and by the GRACE of God.. we were able to serve these children and youth and were able to share Jesus Christ with them the 1.5 years that we were there. We look back now, and we see WHY God put us here! It hasn't been an easy journey to say the LEAST but man, God has taught us so much!!

For one, we have learned of a lost and dying world right here in our own town. It has opened up our eyes to a need right here in our own town!! We see the effects first hand on children who are raised in home's such as these. We have loved on many people who don't look like us. They kind of people you might hear about but they are ALL around us here. Their living situations and their family life stinks!! Parent's who aren't really there for their children... who are feeding their habit instead of their children.. and so on! We see the behavioral effects of children who are acting out because they are starving for attention. Needless to say, we knew we just couldn't continue to be at this church forever but this is what kept us there for the past 6 months.

The decision was VERY hard!! Many tears were shed.. Many prayers were prayed. But this is where we are at..

So on Sept. 5th , it was our last day at that church. The youth were so wonderful and made us a going away poster and cards with messages to us. They took it hard too when we announced it them. It was a tearful announcement. You see, the last 6 months, I have been teaching the youth on Wednesday nights and Adam was teaching the kids. The church took it gracefully too. We told the youth we were not leaving them forever and have seen them a couple times already since our last day at church. They helped us move and spent the entire day with us and then I had them over again last Saturday to hang out with me while Adam worked. :) We really have so much fun with them. I always say that they make me laugh and keep me young! :) They also text us and we plan to go to some of their sporting events also.

With all this being said, since we resigned from the church, this meant us moving out of the parsonage. So, we found a house to rent on the south side of town. We LOVE it! We love the area and the neighborhood and it is in a great school district. The area was very important for us. We feel very blessed with where the Lord has brought us. We have been going to a large church in town called Crossgate and are going through the process to join the church. This church reminds us a lot of Highview (our church in Louisville). The pastor and the church has a heart for missions and we just love everything that is going on there. We plan to get plugged in as soon as possible and serve wherever needed... probably with the children.

I don't ever want to forget this sight.. Adam reading the weekly Bible story to the kids.. Such a sweet time! (too bad some kids were sitting on the floor so you can't see them)

Grace and her sweet buddy Tyler. . This is moving day.. he took the time to read Grace a book :)

The youth.. last night! :( L- R Aaron, Christian, Dennis, Me, Aubrey, Leann, Lexi, Laci, Tamesha, Michael and Nicole (on the floor)

The kids! :) Alexis, Sarah, Sara, Joshua, Hannah, Daniel, Tyler Samuel, Kaitlyn, Alberto and 2 new ones..

Another of the kids..

Isaiah's not being photogenic! :)

Love them!!

These next pictures are from weekend before last when some of them came to our new house to hang out with me.. :)

Dennis and Aubrey :)

Kallie and Leann

Grace loves them too!

Just for fun.. :)

Adam is doing great as Assistant Manager at Lifeway. I always knew that his gift is organizing and managing.. He is very detailed oriented with planning and likes things done right. Thankful he is uses this gift!

Our new house :)