Maplewood's Building Dedication Sunday

Wow, I hardly know how to begin this post or even hope to get all the emotions it brings into words. We have truly been blessed to be part of Maplewood for 4 1/2 years now...most of which has been in the building process, either planning or the actual construction. From the very beginning, our church committed to following the Lord's leadership and giving Him glory for all He would do. Because of this, we felt like the entire process has been dedicated to Him. But on this special day, we were able to celebrate together God's faithfulness with those who have been a part of the process through prayer, financial support, and physical labor. Several of our Constructors for Christ were able to be here for the occasion as well as friends and family.We began the morning with a Meet and Greet so that people could tour the building and also have a chance to catch up on friendships. Afterward, we had a wonderful Celebration Service with worship, a video of the building progression, a testimony, and a powerful sermon...all pointing to God's faithfulness. The worship service included, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Your Faithfulness, Jesus the One and Only, Jesus What a Mighty Name...it was awesome to give God the glory He deserves for completing a task that could've only been accomplished through His power and grace!After the service, the ladies headed to the kitchen to finish preparations for the meal while others remained in the sanctuary for a hymn singing :) There was so much yummy food...worthy of a celebration of this magnitude! As I reflect on the past four years, I know that this time has grown my faith and trust in the Lord. This process has not been easy, but it has been such a blessing! I know that for the rest of our lives, our family will look back to this experience and thank God for letting us be part of His work. He has really taught us that: 1)we can trust Him in any situation...He will fulfill His promises, 2) when His people are dedicated to seeking His will above their own, He can lead us through even the most challenging situations with unity and peace, and 3) I am so grateful that God has called our family to the ministry. It is truly a blessing to be able to serve the Lord and His people full-time. I cannot imagine life apart from the fulfillment that comes through Jesus Christ and serving Him.