Several people have messaged me to ask if I’m okay, since I’ve
been so quiet in this space lately. I apologize for very little blogging and
scarcely posting on the Adoptee Restoration Facebook page lately. The last
thing I wanted to do was cause concern that I wasn’t okay. (I'm sorry!) I am finally catching my breath for just a
moment today to explain. Lately I have not had time to shave both legs in one day.
I’m more than okay! I’m thriving.
I have a new job!
Yes, I know. Complete shock! I’ve been a pastor for 27 years.
And, Larry and I are still at Celebration Church Tampa as lead pastor…however –
my role has changed.
After going through a very long process the last few months,
I went through a vetting process that
was more intense than what Obama went through, I have been appointed the women’s
director for our state. I am now the Women’s Ministries Director for the
Pen-Florida District of the Assemblies of God.
This is an amazing door the Lord has opened up for me. It’s a real honor to serve thousands of women and teen girls,
our state and our denomination. This position opens up countless opportunities for
me to make a major impact in hearts and lives and I am humbled, and overwhelmed at the
goodness of God.
Although Larry and I are still at Celebration Church Tampa,
I will be working full time for PFDC (Pen-Florida District Council). My
office is now there in Lakeland, Florida which is about 45 minutes from our
house. For the first time in 27 years, I will not be working from an office right down the
hall from my husband, or working side-by-side with him in our daily ministry. I will still preach
and teach and be involved at Celebration Church as I am able, and be known to
them as Pastor Deanna, however my day-to-day pastoral role has changed as my
full time job is now with PFDC. My new job is very demanding and involves a
lot of travel as well.
So what does all this mean for Adoptee Restoration?
I’ve explained to our church what it means for them, so I’m
going to now explain what it means for AR.
I am still making the transition here and as such have been managing my full time job at the church, my part time coaching job, and going
through the process for my new job going all at once. That is why I’ve been
scarce here.
Last week when my appointment was final, I resigned my part
time coaching job. Larry and I also began to make the transitions with my role at
our church and explained that I would now be working FT for PFDC.
My new job is going to require an enormous amount of energy
especially leading up to October which is our main conference. I know I need an
entire “life tweak” as it were, to be effective in my new position, HOWEVER…that
doesn’t mean I can’t still do the things I enjoyed doing before taking on this role – I just need to make some adjustments. I’m still finding my way.
Here’s my plan going forward.
Blogging
My pattern previous was to blog here three times a week. I
can’t keep up with that right now, and do it well. I mean I could post a bunch
of drivel, just to post something here but who wants that? In order to post something that is of the
level of quality of what those who read here really appreciate, I believe at this time I
can handle posting here once a week. I am
not sure what day yet, as I am still finding my way. Thanks for your patience as I figure out the best schedule.
My Book
YES! My story is still coming out as a book, in fact it will
be two books in rapid succession. “My Story” will be released hopefully by the
end of this year, if not then very early 2015. And very quickly on the heels of
that will be the “what I’ve learned since then” book. Count on it! I have
finished the first round of edits and am now preparing the second round to send
to the publisher. I will give updates
here about the book and also exclusive ones through the AR Newsletter.
(Subscribe by going to the box on the sidebar to the right, under my photo at
the top.)
Adoptee Restoration Tampa Bay
Most of you know I lead a support group for adoptees here in
the Tampa Bay area, that meets once a month. That support group will continue.
What God Has Done
I want to share in a post upcoming all the ways that God has
helped me since February of 2013 when I had the falling out with my first mom,
and since last August 2013 when she died. Most of you know my story and are
already aware of how broken I was over what took place. Although my faith was
still strong, my life was shaken in a way that is really indescribable even for
a wordsmith.
After the February and August happenings, I made a decision
to pursue forgiveness. It is a daily commitment, not a one time deal. Reminders
pop up all the time (fresh triggers) of what took place and I have to make a
daily decision to forgive and move forward. And, I got a help to do that too…from
Jesus, from counseling and from this community.
In August when she died, and I was in the throes of grief
deeper than I have ever experienced, I asked God for two things.
1) Revenge on the enemy. (To be clear, “the enemy” to me is Satan,
not a person.) He's the one "person" I can legitimately hate and believe me, I hate him. He's such a liar with no other motivation than destroying lives. I asked God for serious damage to his kingdom.
2) An unprecedented harvest. A ridiculous this-has-to-be-God-because-it’s-so-much-bigger-than-you
type thing. I wanted something to happen that would open up my life to make a
greater impact on people, for the Kingdom of God.
God has answered my request!!
I am flourishing!
The enemy's kingdom is being damaged!
It’s harvest time!
Thank you for your patience and grace as I navigate these
new waters. I know it’s not just a good thing, it’s a God-thing.
More than ever, I stand on what I have preached time and
again in person and also here on this blog, to you. The story doesn’t end with
what OTHER people do. They may try to control our lives, or the story but they don't have the last word!! My story has the power to end differently because of
what I decide to do. I can change my story’s ending by carefully selecting my response to what happens to me.
Respond rightly and watch the hand of God move!!!
Sometimes people do things that aren’t right, but as we do
what is right, God blesses what’s left!
In scripture, Joseph (of the Old Testament) had family
members that tried to harm him. They actually threw him in a pit and left him
to die. Yet He did what was right and lived true. And God blessed him beyond
his wildest dreams.
Of this situation that he faced, when the story ended and he
was walking in victory he said to them:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
When I get to heaven, I want to sit down with Joseph and
have a cup of coffee! The dude and I can seriously swap stories.
Last August I was in so much pain, I never thought it would
subside.
Today, I’m walking in victory, with God taking control of
the pen and writing a greater ending to the story than I ever envisioned for
myself. Believe me, I had no idea the
journey was going to go this direction for me. If you would have told me just a few months ago that I would have this job, I would have said, "you're crazy!" God has a greater purpose and plan for us than
we have for ourselves.
People won’t always do right, but as we give God control and
allow Him to move in our lives as He wants to, He will work things for our
good.
I appreciate your grace as I navigate this new journey.
I love you all.
