Just after I turned 40, I memorized parts of Psalm 71 as part of a Scripture Memory Challenge hosted by Beth Moore. I chose these particular verses, because they so specifically outline who God has been and what He has done in my life. Though they feel like they were written just for me, I know many of you will relate, because it’s your story, too:

For You are my hope;
O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.
By You I have been sustained from my birth;
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb;
My praise is continually of You. v. 5-6

O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You? v. 17-19

I turned 49 on Tuesday, and this is still my story. From when I was just a girl of 7 or 8 years old, God revealed Himself to me, granted me a child’s version of repentance and faith, and faithfully taught me of Himself. He has sustained me for nearly 50 years giving me confidence through Christ when there was nothing external to have confidence in.

Birthdays are fun with Facebook. Hearing well wishes from people who’ve been a part of my life at some point over the last 49 years was so encouraging. I traveled (along with Cooper) from Texas back to Massachusetts that day, and reading messages all along the way definitely made up for one missed flight and an entire day on airplanes and in airports. (Special thanks for the texts and phone calls, too!)

When I couldn’t check messages during flights, I read Psalm 71 over and over, thanking God not only for sustaining me and teaching me of Himself all these years, but also for allowing me the privilege of declaring His wondrous deeds, His strength, and His power to the next generations – though I am old (relatively) and gray (absolutely).

The pilot did stop me on the way out of the last plane to tell me never to dye my hair, so I guess that was a nice birthday consolation, and also a confirmation of the absolute nature of the grayness in case I am ever tempted to deny it. Which I am.

We spent the last week or so in Texas – and in Oklahoma for Robert and Kayla. I still don’t know how Robert musters the strength to preach in multiple locations, do presentations, and meet with folks the week after Christmas and at the end of a non-stop fall semester, but he does, and it’s always a huge blessing and encouragement. Kayla especially enjoyed spending time with older people of faith. She’s hardly ever around anyone over 35 (except her parents), and so to be in the presence of those in their 70’s and 80’s who still walk with God and love the church had a profound impact on her.

Speaking of those in the latter years of their life, Cooper, Kory, Rebecca and I got to spend time with my grandmother and aunt and uncles over lunch one day. We had not gathered like that in over 20 years, and it was such a joy to listen to my uncles tell stories on each other and for my grandmother to declare that Cooper must have a hollow leg when he ordered a second round of eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns at the diner where we met.

And I loved that my grandmother got to spend time with her great grandkids and even her new granddaughter-in-law!

We’re back in MA now, but not for long at all. There’s a wedding rehearsal this afternoon, Kory flies in from a training in Denver tonight, a wedding tomorrow afternoon for one of Kory’s dear friends (and the son of my dear friend, Betsy), and then Robert and I leave for our sabbatical in North Carolina first thing Saturday morning.

When we haven’t been meeting people for goodbyes or running last minute errands we’ve been packing for life in a new, one room studio apartment for the next five months. Shoes, clothes, toiletries, a few towels, and our favorite coffee mugs are all we’re taking. Oh, and books. Lots of books.

Though we are both really excited to finally get away for this adventure (second honeymoon! a seminary library next door!) and time of rest (definitely feeling the need for this), we are also very much aware of what we are leaving behind for a time. We love our church and we will miss the close knit community and meaningful ministry that it holds very much.

When we return, we’ll celebrate 20 years of ministry here in New England. 20 years of MERCYhouse. Wow. I remember feeling pretty exhausted and even depressed at the ten year mark when Robert said something like, “It’s gonna take at least ten more years.” That sounded like an awful eternity at the time, but here we are. It went by like a flash, and we’ve gotten to see the Lord do so many great things in that time. It’s kind of overwhelming to think about His great power and faithfulness over that span.

And I don’t think I’ve ever felt His sustaining power so much as in these last ten years. I honestly did not think I would make it this long, and I couldn’t have if He hadn’t been my help, my confidence, my teacher.

It’s time for a short break, yes, but I can honestly hope and pray that God would continue to let us declare His strength to the next generations – even when (and even though!) we are old and gray. Even for 10, 20, 30, 40 more years – whatever that may look like. He has truly done great and miraculous things. There is truly no one like Him. 20 years in New England has shown us that without a doubt.

Pray for us if you think of it. We’ll drive to Virginia on Saturday, stay with old (and original) MERCYhouse folks (Hey, Goldshlags!) and then finish the trek to Wake Forest, NC on Sunday afternoon. Seminary orientation (which we opted in for because of the promise of good food and t-shirts!) starts on Tuesday and classes start on Thursday. (New Testament II and Missiology are my last two classes for graduation.)

Thank you for being excited for us. Thank you for stopping by to hug us and say goodbye. Thank you for one last coffee or lunch date. Thanks to those of you who gave of your time and your money to make this happen. Thanks to those who sent Hiking North Carolina books and gift cards to cool local Wake Forest coffee shops. All of it is truly an overwhelming gift, and we hope to honor you and God by stewarding it well.

And I can’t stay away from my blog for long, because I love sharing life with you here. So…check back on occasion for updates on our North Carolina adventure. And promise you’ll keep me posted with your own updates while I’m away!

Until then…