When God calls....

"When God calls someone, that's all that really matters. Don't let yourself be afraid." That's what Pastor Jim Cymbala's father-in-law told him many years ago. Jim Cymbala was a great basketball player, not a pastor.

Maybe you know the story. Jim Cymbala is now the pastor of the well-known Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in NYC. He stepped out in faith and did what God called him to do. You can read more of his testimony in the great book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. It is one of my top 5 favorite books ever; life-changing!

"When God calls, that's all that really matters"... How true that statement is. I can attest to that on a much smaller scale. 4 years ago this coming May, God called the Vail family to step out...to leave their comfort zone of 17 years. To leave Wilson, NC. To leave it when they had THE best of friends in the whole world. To leave it when their oldest daughter, Heather, would be entering her senior year of high school. To leave it and take their 3 children away from all they had ever known; to take them out of a thriving teen department at church; to leave a house they had built and called their own.

God is in control. God knew that Kim loved Scott enough to trust in him to step out in God's will. And God took care of every detail for Kim...because He knew she was weak, and she would question at times. But God also knew that Kim loved Him enough, trusted Him enough, and wanted to be in His will...no matter the cost. God knew that Kim could trust Him to take care of her children...His children...even better than she could.

And that He has done! It has been awesome to see how God is using Scott in amazing ways! And how He has stretched me spiritually...oh boy! Charlotte is our home...and we love it! He has given Scott an amazing ministry here at Calvary Church. He's given him another building project. I laugh (not really) when I think of the number of building projects God has put Scott in charge of (in the secular workplace and in both churches he has served). God has also given him a wonderful ALG (Sunday School) class to lead...thriving, with over 250 on our roster. And God allows me to serve right alongside of this amazing man that I call my husband. And He has put such amazing friends in our path, once again. Amazing prayer-partners (friends both in Wilson and in Charlotte that we know will be on their knees in an instant if we need them to...and a Dad and step-mom that CONSTANTLY cry out to God on our behalf time and time again). We are so blessed!

Was it easy to pick up and leave? Not one bit. But when you pray and God calls, you'd best be ready to answer!

What is it you are praying for? Are you praying for God to stretch you...to use you in mighty ways? Maybe you are praying for another job? To enter the mission field? Be careful what you pray for. If God calls, are you ready? Step out in faith and watch Him work in mighty ways!

Quote from Pastor Cymbala: "I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him. our weakness, in fact, makes room for His power".

Oh God, thank you for being attracted to ME!

I'm so blessed and thankful that God gave us 3 children who trust us because they know we trust in a GREAT God!!!!!

January....

Well, once again it's the end of a month and I've only blogged one other time. Can't get my act together. Actually, truth be told, there's nothing in my life that would really interest you :)

Two people in our household grew another year older.... Heather turned the BIG 21 on January 3rd and my hubby, this past Friday, turned ..... well, let's just say next year really WILL be the BIG one!!!!!!! Half a century he will be. Okay, I won't tell you his age....

Scott and I took Heather to New York City for her birthday this year. We told our children that they could choose, within reason (really, within budget) where they wanted to spend their 21st birthday. It was one of the best trips we've ever taken. We arrived Saturday, January 8th, and spent 3 fun-filled days and nights there. Thankfully, we missed the big ice/snow storm here in Charlotte while we were away. Unfortunately, that almost kept us from flying home on Tuesday, January 11th. And combined with the fact that NYC was due to get over 12" of snow that same evening made me, a person who can't stand to fly anyway, quite nervous!
But as you can see we made it back safely.

This past Thursday night while Scott and Caleb were away for the evening, Heather and I decided to go and decorate his office at church. He was quite surprised when he walked in on Friday morning to lots of balloons and many other decorations. It was so much fun!
I am so blessed with such an amazing husband and children! And thankful that God has given me another year to celebrate them!

Seeing the Broadway Musical Wicked

Times Square

Our sweet Heather!

Hey, it was freezing!!!

Heather and I with our tour guide :)

On a carriage ride in Central Park

Me with my man!

Calvary Church: We visited there Sun morning :)

Scott's office!!!!!

21 years ago....

Today, we have an adult! 21 years ago (at 1:43pm), I gave birth to our precious Heather. Words cannot describe her. She is full of joy, has a heart for the Lord, loves to give of herself to others, and truly is a blessing. I ask myself quite often, "how can I possibly be so blessed"? I am so undeserving of the 3 children God has given us.

Heather, we wish you the happiest of birthday's today! Your Dad and I continue to pray daily for the man He may one day give you. A man who has no idea yet how fortunate he is.

Thank you for loving us so much! But even more than that, thank you for loving our Savior so much! We received one of His greatest gifts 21 years ago. We love you so much!

NYC, here we come!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Doesn't every mother love a picture like this?

21st Bday: Breakfast in bed :)

The end of 2010...

Hard to believe another year has come and gone. These last couple of months have flown...literally! I can't remember ever having been this busy. Hence the reason for very little blogging.

December was a great month! We've attended parties, had our Christmas concerts at church (which included lots of rehearsals), shopped, wrapped gifts, celebrated the birth of Christ, while still balancing job and home. I'm sure my schedule has been no busier than any of your's!

This year we were blessed, as most of you, of having a white Christmas. I can't remember ever having one here in the South. I've had the privilege of experiencing several of them when Scott and I used to travel to New York for Christmas when our children were small. Back then, there would be tons of snow and we would ice skate at his parent's house (they lived on a lake) and snow mobile through the woods. It was glorious!

We had a great time this past Sunday with snowball fights, sledding and even playing croquet. It was a very relaxing weekend and we are doing more of the same this week.
All that will come to an end soon when we head back to work and kids back to school/college...yuck!

I hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas celebrating our Savior's birth!

Our 2010 Christmas picture

Christmas Eve Candlelight service @ church where over 10,000 attended. So hard to describe the beauty!
Heather still loves to put out cookies for "Santa"
Christmas morning!
Lindsay's gift to Max...his own hoodie!

A day at the Biltmore...

This past Tuesday, I was able to take my first trip ever to the Biltmore Estates in Asheville. Heather surprised Scott and I with tickets about a month ago and also let us know that she would be going with us :)

We had such a great time! I could not believe my eyes when we drove up. We enjoyed touring the house...especially at Christmas-time. Who in the world needs 101 bedrooms and 65 bathrooms? And Mr. Vanderbilt himself was only 27 when he moved in...and single!
We went in to all the shops and really enjoyed every sampling of food they had out...some of them we enjoyed 2 and 3 times :)

That evening, we went back into the house where all the fireplaces were lit and candles everywhere. They had choirs singing and dancing groups dancing. It was wonderful!

Thank you, Heather, for allowing us to be a part of your "bucket list"! We love you.