I Guess It's Official

Nearly six years ago, our older son, Jay, his wife, Michelle, and our oldest grandson, Quint moved to New Orleans. Yesterday, I shipped the final items of their furniture to them that had been stored here all these years. I guess it's official now. They're staying in the Big Easy. Of course Linda and I had come to grips with that fact some time ago. It just seemed to add a note of finality to the situation when we saw those last few items of furniture head down the road.

Jay had served in his first pastorate in South Shore, KY for about five years. Knowing he needed to complete his formal education he began to make plans to attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. All that changed six years ago this month when he agreed to go to France on a short term mission trip as a percussionist with a musical group from Roswell Street Baptist Church in Atlanta. On that trip he met Gary Halquist, a music professor from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Gary began to "sell" NOBTS to Jay, and God opened his heart to the concept. The wheels began to turn, and by September Jay had been called to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church of Westwego, LA and Michelle and Quint began to make preparations to move away from family and friends.

It was not easy. It never is. It was especially tough for Michelle, whose family had experienced two losses, and her father was terminally ill. Looking back at that time I can only imagine the stress that she carried. Those were dark days for her and difficult for all of us, but as always, God's Grace was provided as needed.

Jay completed his undergraduate work at Leavell College there at NOBTS and subsequently enrolled in his graduate studies. We missed them so much, but we were relatively sure they were doing God's will and therefore (somewhat grudgingly) accepted "our loss". We got news that grandson number three was on the way when Michelle told us he would be born around Thanksgiving time. Again, mixed emotions. We were happy at the thought of another new baby, but saddened to know he would be so far away from us.

Linda made her plans to be in New Orleans for the birth of Canon. She looked forward to welcoming the new grandson into the world, seeing Jay, and helping with housework and caring for Quint while Michelle recovered. The date for the C-Section was set and Linda was off to New Orleans to spend Thanksgiving Holiday with their family. A couple of days after Canon was born I was hospitalized here in Ashland and Linda rushed back home to be with me. Tests revealed that I had incurable cancer that was already in the fourth stage. The 1,000 miles separating our family seemed more distant than ever before.

Then, eight months later came Hurricane Katrina. We relived the anxiety that we had felt several years before when younger son, Benji, was with the Marine Corps going into Kosovo. Why had God taken our kids so far away to be in such a dangerous situation? It was just too much to understand. However in the 23 months since Katrina, God has given us peace concerning their move. In the words of a song that Michelle used to sing, "The will of God won't take you where the Grace of God can't keep you. You will never be out of His care."

God has shown us why He called them to that place. Jay and Michelle have been used in a tremendous way to minister to the people of that area during the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. In the midst of all the ministry activities, Jay completed his Master of Divinity degree in May, many people have accepted Christ, and their church is growing and prospering. This fall, Michelle will begin teaching 8th grade in the Christian School that Quint attends. We have come to an understanding that God has placed them there for His purposes not ours. God has given them a love for that city and its suffering and lost population.

So, it looks like it's official. They've settled in New Orleans. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have it any other way!