The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Crystal and I have boxed up our lives, labeled them, loaded them onto a moving truck and driven them to New Albany, IN. We’ve spent countless hours alongside close friends and family packing, painting, and cleaning our home so well that I would buy it again. Seriously, it looks really good…you should buy it.
Ezra has honed his negotiation skills through the purging process and I’ve learned it is vital to not leave an unattended box half packed, lest it will be completely empty upon return. “Daddy, just Craigslist it,” has become a common phrase in reference to everything of mine…not so much his.
Its been exhausting…oh, and we’ve had to unpack our lives and begin settling in…to a new house in a new town, so I can begin a new job, at a new church and minister to new people. How appropriate for a new year. A new beginning. A new start.
We’ve seen God move through this entire season in so many ways, proving His unswerving faithfulness. Sometimes in giant ways, like an amazing ministry opportunity and sometimes in small ways, like a toilet tank cover I’ll tell ya about later.
I just know I’m supposed to be here.
I’m humbled to join this team at this church in this place. And I’m so excited to pursue people and pour into them however I am permitted.
I’m excited about what God is going to do in 2012…screw the Mayan calendar.
THE WOODS 
I am thankful to read your post and see that you are always relying on HIm, especially in the new things. You be a blessing and I pray many will come alongside you and lift you up and encourage you. HE is your constant companion and will lead the way. Stay faithful.
ps…. gotta love the Ezra comments, that kid needs a book deal.
Can’t believe I missed this! Thanks Dale for all the encouragement! And yeah, I’m actually compiling a list of Ezraisms or Ezoisms as they have become to be known by…we shall see…maybe with publishing, I could put all the untweetable things this kid has to say in there:)!
Glad you are “settling in”. We have attended your new church several times so you never know when we may show up! Be on your best behavior, Ben! 🙂 Enjoy your blogs, and hearing from your son – you soooooo deserve whatever he dishes out to you! Hope you love the new job & town. God is at work in your life and it is a joy to see you following him. Love ya, Toshes
Thanks Nancy for the encouragement and its been way too long since you slapped in the face at church :)…definitely give me a heads up next time you visit Northside, we can get lunch or something! Love you guys…tell Dale we are “hunkering down :).”