A Look Back Over the Years!

Lately I have been thinking back how I got to this place in my life.

 I have gone all the way back to being born in Lubbock, TX and growing up in a VERY modest 3 bedroom 1 bath home with 3 siblings.  I wouldn't say that my up bringing was the best, but it was all that I knew so it was okay with me.  I do remember going to other friends houses and thinking, "Wow, their family seems to have it all together.  I mean, they actually all eat dinner together."  I was also very impressed with the fact that their houses were big enough for each child to have their own bedroom (and some had their own bathroom).  I grew up always having to share a room.  There was one point where me, my sister and my brother all shared a room.  My oldest sister who is 10 older got her own room.  I still don't understand that to this day...but it was what it was.


I grew up in the same house up to the day I got married.   I mean, I moved out here and there in college and what not but "home" was always the home I grew up in.  Now I am sure that when my parents first bought the house it was probably a decent neighborhood but by the time I reached Elementary School the neighborhood was starting to get pretty rough.  And then by the time I was in High School....well...let's just say, there was a couple of drug dealers that moved in and out of the neighborhood. 

So....this began the journey of embarrassment for me.  If I ever had a date I would have them pick me up at a friends house.  If anyone asked me where I lived I would simply say 52nd street.  You see the streets in Lubbock either went north/south or east/west and they went the whole distance of the city.  Only I knew I really meant east 52nd.  My life was very similar to the movie Pretty in Pink only I didn't have a friend named Duckie...his name was Jason :)

In High School I also met a wonderful couple named Tommy and Maxine at my church.  I called them my adoptive parents.  Through them and a few others investing in my life, I began to see myself in a different light.  Even though my life (materially) was way different than theirs, I realized that they too were human.  And not only that...they had something that I longed for...PEACE. 

To make this long draw out story short...
-I became a Christian in High School
-I went to Texas Tech University
-In February of 1996 my dad passed away
-5 months later I went on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in 1996 where I met my wonderful husband, Paul.
-In 1997 we went to Chattanooga to join the staff at UTC.
-In 2000 we joined the staff here in Knoxville at UT
-In 2001 we left staff with Crusade and pursued other job opportunities

(In between here is 6 years of having kiddos and trying to figure out our identities)

-In 2007 we bought a new house and moved my mom in with us
-In 2008 she passed away
-In 2009-2010---sweet journey with the Lord of trying to figure out exactly what it is He has called us to.  Both Paul and I were sensing God drawing us back to Him and pursuing things that are eternal and investing in the lives of college students.

Today---I am pursuing my passion of discipleship and evangelism with college girls on the campus at UT.  God had blessed me with 6 sweet girls who all have a heart for the Lord and have been longing for someone to come in their life to walk alongside them.  I count it a blessing to be chosen to be that person. 

So as I sit here today and look back on my life, I can honestly say and believe that we have a sovereign God who is omnipresent, omniscient and all-knowing.  He is in control and I am excited to see what he has in store for Paul and I in 2011 as we reach out to students at UT. 

Did I think that I would be in this place 25 years ago?  Absolutely not! 

Am I thrilled?  You bet! 

Is the journey hard?  You bet!  But it is worth it to be in the will of our Father!

"Look among the nations!  Observe!
Be astonished! Wonder!
Because I am doing something in your days--You would not believe if you were told."  ~Habakkuk 1:5

The journey is hard and the road seems long at times, but He is FAITHFUL!

~Kerry