It all started when ...

It all started when....

Several years ago, Brushy Creek had a tent revival out at the fair grounds.  That night at the service, the preacher (i don't even remember who it was, but I think it was Johnny Hunt) said something about missionaries and someone being called, blah, blah, blah.  I felt a sudden tug at my heart, really felt like I was supposed to go forward and commit to being a missionary, but I ignored the feeling and went on my way.  After all, I was newly married, and what in the world would Aaron think about that?  He wasn't even there that night b/c he had to work.

I guess I should actually say it all started when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.

Anyway, back to the rest of the story!  Fast forward many years to the day that Aaron told me he felt called to the ministry.  Many people started referring to "us" as being called to ministry, and I quickly told them, "Aaron is called to ministry.  I'm not."

Fast forward again to September 2004 when I felt called to go on a mission trip with BCBC to Brazil.  That was an awesome experience.  One of the ladies there, sweet Mary Smith, who was once a missionary herself, kept saying she felt someone there was called to be a missionary.  She thought it was Candace.  She was wrong.  I knew in my heart that it was me all along, but I never said anything for fear that I might have to accept the calling!

Aaron was pursuing his degree in Media Ministry from North Greenville University in the mean time.  I was working at the church in the children's ministry with Tammy Lee.  I found out I was pregnant, decided to work part time, and Aaron continued schooling and working.  

I became involved with the Beth Moore Bible Studies (awesome stuff!) that our church offers and it was during one of those studies - Believing God - that I FINALLY agreed that God was definitely calling me to missions and I FINALLY SURRENDERED to Him.  That Bible study just so "happened" to coincide with Aaron being on a mission trip to California with North Greenville.  I was wondering how in the world I was going to tell him that God was calling me to missions.  I think God was working on him that week while he was away in California.  I did what I do best - write.  I wrote Aaron this long note that explained everything to him.  He agreed that he felt called to missions to.

We still didn't do anything about it.  We told a few people that we "thought" we might go into missions one day, but that was as far as it got.

In September 2007, my dad had the opportunity to go to Brazil on a mission trip.  At the service at BCBC where the team was telling about their experience, I felt God tugging and tugging at my heart.  Preacher Jim said something (that I had heard him say once before) about hoping God would call a young person or a couple from our church to missions.  During the invitation, I practically ran down to the front to tell Jim that I knew that he was talking about me and Aaron.  No one had any idea that I was going down front that night - I didn't even know.  But sometimes we reach a point where we can't tell God "no" any longer.  And for me that night was it.