After serving at an ECC church in our home town for 6 years or so, holding
multiple positions, from the Worship Pastor, Associate Pastor and Interim
Pastor, Rob and I have decided to leave and see where God is calling us next. A
new head pastor had been elected for our previous church, and so we were
certain, and had the inclination that God was planning something for else
somewhere.
We started praying every evening that God would have His way and do His will in
our lives. We prayed that He would be in charge, and we were ready to go, to do
and be whoever He asked us too.
So the job applications, resumes and interviews began. Some very positive...but
not the ONE. Until Rob got contacted from the church in Hawai'i, which he
thought was a complete hoax at first. After the first zoom conversation with the
people from Puna Covenant Church...Rob was hooked! The digital meetings and
interviews continued for 6 months, until we were both invited to come visit the
island, the church, and canidate. Normally this lasts 3-4 days at most churches,
but we stayed 14 days and met/spent the day with 200+ people, in order to get to
know the congregation.
We were voted in by the congregation in an almost unanimous decision, and we
moved to Volcano, Hawai'i 2 months later. I don't think we have made a better decision ever than to come to where we have been treated equally; where we have been loved as ohana "family"; and we knew we listened to what God was saying because we do quickly fell in love with our church.
XOXO The Fricks
The adventures of Mr & Mrs Frick
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Pain, Perseverance, Passion and Purpose
Sorry for the serious post today, but I feel inclined to share something with you. It's been two years since my last post, and there is reason for that. The past two years have been rough, but they have also been redemptive. Let me explain.
About two years ago, God shook our lives up completely. It felt like we were figurines in a snow globe, that some toddler was shaking up furiously. We didn't know which way was up, or which way was down. There was no one to help us because they were either in the "snow globe" with us, or they were completely oblivious to what was happening. It happened so fast, but looking back, it was actually a long time coming. About two years ago, we left our church.
This may not sound like a big thing to some, but for us, it was like leaving a family. It had been my family for 16 years and 4 years for Bobby. This wasn't an easy choice, in fact, it wasn't much of a choice at all, it was forced...by God. You see, the previous year we had been praying about where God would have us go, and He clearly said we would be leaving our church. So we casually looked at other places, but nothing really grabbed our attention, and things felt good where they were...so we stayed. But God had other plans for us. He was preparing another church, leadership, a new pastor and disciplers for both Bobby and I. It was at just the right time that God drew us out.
I'm reminded of the verse in Genesis, when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers who betrayed him. Joseph did not blame his brothers for his misfortune, but instead, viewed all that had happened to him as God's doing. He saw the end result, and knew that it had to happen that way in order for God to use him for his plan and purpose. Genesis 45:8, "It was not you who sent me here, but God." This so speaks to my heart because God has done this to me before, just like He has to so many others. Our Father has a plan for our lives, and when we resist, or hold on to the things we are supposed to let go of, He lovingly but sometimes forcefully takes it away. He will use whomever, and whatever details to get you where He wants you. Though extremely painful, it was worth it.
This push resulted in immediate disillusionment with God, the church, our friends, and each other. Without going into too much detail, Bobby suffered a time of depression and severe anxiety, and I myself felt lost, angry, abandoned, helpless, hopeless and worthless. But God was there to catch us. He provided healing, therapy, love, friendship and hope for our broken hearts and broken spirits. Our Savior rebuilt us and our faith into something that endures. Best of all, He provided for us a new family, a new church community, and new leadership roles. Jesus walked with us through the pain, helped us persevere, and has brought us into a season of passion and newfound purpose.
XOXO The Fricks
About two years ago, God shook our lives up completely. It felt like we were figurines in a snow globe, that some toddler was shaking up furiously. We didn't know which way was up, or which way was down. There was no one to help us because they were either in the "snow globe" with us, or they were completely oblivious to what was happening. It happened so fast, but looking back, it was actually a long time coming. About two years ago, we left our church.
This may not sound like a big thing to some, but for us, it was like leaving a family. It had been my family for 16 years and 4 years for Bobby. This wasn't an easy choice, in fact, it wasn't much of a choice at all, it was forced...by God. You see, the previous year we had been praying about where God would have us go, and He clearly said we would be leaving our church. So we casually looked at other places, but nothing really grabbed our attention, and things felt good where they were...so we stayed. But God had other plans for us. He was preparing another church, leadership, a new pastor and disciplers for both Bobby and I. It was at just the right time that God drew us out.
I'm reminded of the verse in Genesis, when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers who betrayed him. Joseph did not blame his brothers for his misfortune, but instead, viewed all that had happened to him as God's doing. He saw the end result, and knew that it had to happen that way in order for God to use him for his plan and purpose. Genesis 45:8, "It was not you who sent me here, but God." This so speaks to my heart because God has done this to me before, just like He has to so many others. Our Father has a plan for our lives, and when we resist, or hold on to the things we are supposed to let go of, He lovingly but sometimes forcefully takes it away. He will use whomever, and whatever details to get you where He wants you. Though extremely painful, it was worth it.
This push resulted in immediate disillusionment with God, the church, our friends, and each other. Without going into too much detail, Bobby suffered a time of depression and severe anxiety, and I myself felt lost, angry, abandoned, helpless, hopeless and worthless. But God was there to catch us. He provided healing, therapy, love, friendship and hope for our broken hearts and broken spirits. Our Savior rebuilt us and our faith into something that endures. Best of all, He provided for us a new family, a new church community, and new leadership roles. Jesus walked with us through the pain, helped us persevere, and has brought us into a season of passion and newfound purpose.
XOXO The Fricks
Saturday, June 13, 2015
I ♥ Saturdays
This Saturday was a lazy one for sure! We did something long overdue...we slept in! We awoke at 11:15, and it was glorious!!! The only problem is we had a date with some friends at 11:45! Talk about adrenaline. While guys may be able to put on pants, shoes, change their shirts and call themselves ready; this little lady needs some time. So much for washing my hair, thank goodness for dry shampoo!
We made it to our new favorite Thai restaurant in town, called Renoos. It is sooo good! For Las Cruces, it tastes pretty authentic to what I was eating in Chaing Rai 5 years ago. We met up with Daniel and Theresa, two of our favorite people, and spent the next 2.5 hours catching up on each other's lives. Our conversation quickly changed as the boys chatted away about the scary video games they were playing, and the girls talked about movies and TV series they just finished. It was effortless, natural...it was fun.
I so enjoy days like this. Good food, great people, and fun.
XOXO The Fricks
We made it to our new favorite Thai restaurant in town, called Renoos. It is sooo good! For Las Cruces, it tastes pretty authentic to what I was eating in Chaing Rai 5 years ago. We met up with Daniel and Theresa, two of our favorite people, and spent the next 2.5 hours catching up on each other's lives. Our conversation quickly changed as the boys chatted away about the scary video games they were playing, and the girls talked about movies and TV series they just finished. It was effortless, natural...it was fun.
I so enjoy days like this. Good food, great people, and fun.
XOXO The Fricks
Friday, June 12, 2015
Nothing Like A Game Night
It has been faaaaar too long since Bobby and I have hung out with another couple, one on one! This may not seem like a huge deal, but it is something my soul longs for. The extrovert in me is crying out for it. My better half could not be more different. He is a wonderful introvert, who recharges on silences and isolation. But alas, he gave in!
So like I said, we had our friends Christy and Lucas over. They brought their adorable 20 month old son, Daniel, who became bffs with our pups, Google Maps and Penelope, pretty quick. They are the leaders of the Destino, the hispanic college ministry at NMSU. We got to catch up on life, ministry and break bread together...well they were more like pita chips, but anyways. Not to mention, we christened our new Settlers of Catan board game, which is a must play if you are affiliated with Cru!
It was so nice to be able to connect again with someone outside of work (not that I don't LOVE my work homies). But to have the freedom to talk about life; the good, bad and ugly of it, and to talk about faith and our relationship with Christ...it was refreshing.
We need this to be a reoccurring event!
XOXO The Fricks
So like I said, we had our friends Christy and Lucas over. They brought their adorable 20 month old son, Daniel, who became bffs with our pups, Google Maps and Penelope, pretty quick. They are the leaders of the Destino, the hispanic college ministry at NMSU. We got to catch up on life, ministry and break bread together...well they were more like pita chips, but anyways. Not to mention, we christened our new Settlers of Catan board game, which is a must play if you are affiliated with Cru!
It was so nice to be able to connect again with someone outside of work (not that I don't LOVE my work homies). But to have the freedom to talk about life; the good, bad and ugly of it, and to talk about faith and our relationship with Christ...it was refreshing.
We need this to be a reoccurring event!
XOXO The Fricks
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