Ten years ago, we were ready to downsize. Our home was much too big for the two of us. We’d lived in that house for 24 years. It was a place of rebuilding for us after we lost our home to foreclosure. A very dear friend made it possible for us to move into one of his rental properties and purchase it with a contract for deed. Our youngest daughter would join us there for a few years. When you look at a house it’s hard not to imagine all the memories that occurred under that roof. The family gatherings – the wedding and baby showers – the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays – the new adventures that happened weekly – and the restoration of a somewhat broken life.

When we put the house up for sale, there was a bit of trepidation and a lot of concern. We were both supposed to be retired but still maintained enough energy to work a few more years. Paul was at the beginning of his major health issues at that time. We needed a house that would decrease our physical workload. We wanted something convenient to health care, shopping, church and family. We preferred a house that was on one level. We also hoped to find something in the country. After viewing what seemed to be about 1000 homes, we were about to give and time was running out.

The house we found was in the heart of the city of Anoka – a town that was founded in the 1800s. It’s close to churches, shopping, health care and family. We arrived to view the home and before we got inside, Paul (in his very dramatic fashion) dropped to his knees. I knew this was the house we would move into. It met most of our requirements, however it’s a two-story home with one bathroom, located near a major highway.

Before moving. we decided to check out the churches nearby. It was a Sunday morning. We attended our church home for over 25 years and afterwards decided to check out one that was near our new location. It turned out to be the day of their church picnic. It was fun to reunite with old friends and enjoy a great potluck gathering. The friendly atmosphere was awesome. We immediately felt at home. It’s hard to leave a church family, but God brings us to places where He wants to plant us. We said goodbye to the old and proceeded to another beginning.

In the past ten years we’ve experienced a change in pastors – a drop in membership – the lack of funding for a full-time pastor. We also saw our granddaughter confirmed in the church where she was baptized – our great grandson was baptized and many funerals for friends and for Paul. It’s a lovely church that preaches the Word of God as the true inspired message from God alone. We are an evangelical church which means we preach the Gospel of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sin. We believe in a virgin birth and the Holy Trinity. The heart of the church is God, Himself – not the building. It also includes the people within those walls. This was the perfect place to begin the next chapter of our story.

THANK YOU, JESUS FOR ANOTHER DAY! Your church is filled with love for one another as you commanded. It is an honor to be a part of it. Amen!