Foundations and Farewells

It is hard to believe that just six months ago, I cried out in private tears as I was overwhelmed by the weight of decisions I knew would come. I felt the heaviness of the future pressing on me. I was facing tough decisions about our church, feeling incredibly alone in it all—but in those moments of uncertainty, God didn’t leave me there. My dear friend Rob stood by my side and helped me more than anyone will ever know. He sacrificed so much, put in the hard labor many times. My love and appreciation for his friendship, servant's heart and commitment to God is so deep.

There were other's too that served but I don't want to risk leaving anyone out. Thank you for everything! All of you are so precious to me.

God divinely orchestrated everything, almost to the second and I almost missed a few opportunities but God in His mercy made a way. In His kindness, He sent me another dear friend from across the globe to live with me unexpectedly. She spoke harsh truths to me in love. Conversations we had pulled me from the pit that I had found myself in, and when I said "yes" to God once more, He showed up—not just once, but ten times stronger. He set a table before me in the presence of my enemies and opened doors I’d been praying for years to walk through. I have an amazing global community of faith, new friends, and renewed faith. What’s incredible is that these doors opened effortlessly. I simply walked through them, and in the last five months.

If I had not closed some doors, these truly would never had opened. The work God did behind the scenes has been nothing short of life-changing, and I will never forget it. Now, as I prepare to wrap up my assignment here in Illinois, I look back with deep gratitude—and ahead with excitement. In just seven days, I’ll be embarking on a new chapter in Florida. The road hasn’t always been easy, but God’s faithfulness has been evident every step of the way. I know He’s not finished yet. The best is still to come.

So, as I step into this new season, I’m filled with hope. God has proven time and again that He’s a God of restoration, provision, and unexpected blessings. I’m ready for the new doors He’ll open, the new people I’ll meet, and the ministry He’s called me to in this next phase. If you're in a season of uncertainty, take heart. God sees you. He knows the weight you're carrying, and He will not leave you where you are. Trust Him, keep saying "yes" to His plan, and watch as He opens doors you never thought possible. EPH. 3:20 The journey is never easy, but with God by our side, the blessings that follow are always worth it. Looking forward and pressing onward to the southern east coast! My love and blessings to the Midwest!.

LOVE is the FOUNDATION

If we want to be able to move with the Holy Spirit, we need to be empowered by LOVE. It must always be our motive.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

When we truly give God our “yes,” we must be willing to be MOVED. He will call us to action. Words are cheap, but action is everything. Too often, we hear talk—people saying all the right things, reciting the right prayers, and doing the “right” actions to check the boxes of faith. But the truth is, this isn't what true discipleship is about. It's not about just going through the motions. It's about surrendering everything in obedience and allowing God to transform us from the inside out.

This season, God is calling the church to rise up in maturity. It’s a season of purification, where true maturity in the Kingdom is not defined by our human knowledge or how holy we seem, but by the overflow of love in our lives. Love, the kind that mirrors Christ's love, must be the foundation of everything we do. Love is the demonstration of transformation and true maturity in Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 13, we find the perfect blueprint for this kind of love—a love that moves us to action, that purifies our hearts, and that transforms us into who God is calling us to be.

1. Love is Patient

Patience is a fruit of love that goes beyond simply waiting—it’s about showing grace and kindness to others, even when they don’t deserve it. Christ, in His perfect love, exhibited unparalleled patience with humanity. He waits for us, forgives us, and lovingly calls us to follow Him. In our walk with God, patience also means waiting on His timing, trusting that His ways are higher than ours.

How can you practice patience in your relationships, especially with those who challenge you the most? How might God be calling you to be more patient in your own journey of surrender?

2. Love is Kind

Kindness is the outward expression of God’s love in action. It’s not about doing good deeds for the sake of recognition; it’s about selflessly serving others because of the love that overflows in our hearts. Christ’s kindness was radical—He reached out to the broken, the forgotten, and the sinners. He didn’t just speak kind words, He lived them out through His actions.

How can you show kindness to others today in a way that reflects Christ’s radical love? What actions are God calling you to take?

3. Love Does Not Envy or Boast

Envy and boasting come from a place of insecurity, but love in the Kingdom is not about elevating ourselves. Christ humbled Himself, never comparing Himself to others, and instead lifted others up. True discipleship is rooted in humility—understanding that our worth is found in Christ alone.

Is there any area of your life where you struggle with comparison? How can you surrender that to God and choose to celebrate others’ victories?

4. Love is Not Proud

Pride divides, but humility unites. Christ, the King of Kings, demonstrated the ultimate humility when He washed His disciples’ feet. His love was never self-seeking or about His own glory—it was always about serving others. As believers, we are called to follow His example and lead with humility.

How can you choose humility in your actions this week? Is there an opportunity to serve someone else in a way that reflects Christ’s humble love?

5. Love Does Not Dishonor Others

Love honors people, no matter their circumstances. Christ honored the outcasts, the sinners, and those who were despised by society. He didn’t condone sin, but He loved people with a love that saw beyond their mistakes. We, too, are called to honor others with our words and actions, remembering that each person is made in the image of God.

How can you honor someone today who may not deserve it? In what ways can you show love through respect and dignity?

6. Love is Not Self-Seeking

In a world that encourages self-promotion, love calls us to a different standard: selflessness. Christ demonstrated this perfectly through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He didn’t look out for His own interests; He gave Himself up for the good of others. True maturity in Christ means loving in a way that seeks the well-being of others over our own.

In what areas of your life can you put the needs of others above your own? How might God be calling you to lay down your preferences for the sake of someone else?

7. Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs

Forgiveness is central to Christlike love. When we choose to forgive, we release the hold that past hurts have on us and allow God to heal our hearts. Christ’s love for us is unconditional and unending, and He calls us to extend that same forgiveness to others. True discipleship is marked by a willingness to forgive, to let go, and to move forward in grace.

Is there anyone you need to forgive? How might forgiving them be an act of love that reflects Christ’s transformative power?

8. Love Rejoices in Truth

Love embraces the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Christ loved us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves—the good, the bad, and the ugly. And He loved us through it all. When we love like Christ, we embrace truth, and we rejoice in it because we know that the truth sets us free.

How can you embrace the truth today, even when it’s difficult? How can you love others by speaking truth in a way that builds them up?

9. Love Always Protects, Trusts, Hopes, and Perseveres

At the heart of Christlike love is a deep sense of hope and trust. Love doesn’t give up—it perseveres. Christ’s love never fails, even when we falter. He protects us, trusts in us, and continues to hope for the best in us. This love is transformative—it changes hearts, minds, and lives.

What does it look like to love with perseverance in your relationships? How can you trust and protect those around you through the love of Christ?

In this season of purification and growth, God is calling the church to rise up and mature in the fullness of His love. True discipleship goes beyond words—it requires action. It is a love that moves us to serve, forgive, and give sacrificially. It’s not about doing the right things or praying the right prayers—it’s about allowing God’s love to overflow from our hearts and become the foundation of everything we do.

GOD is love and love is the FOUNDATION! It is the key to true transformation. When love is the foundation of our lives, EVERYTHING changes.