Yay! We have the keys to the theater in Turtle Creek Mall. There are some maintenance things that need to be fixed and some cleaning. Hopefully the staff will be able to set up offices next week. I am still waiting on my test score for the Life/Health/Accident licensing insurance exam. If I pass, which I am assuming, I sign the contract on monday with Aflac and start working Tuesday. I am excited but ready to finish the training and begin the actual work. We will keep the blog updated on progress with the church and our lives.

(Image source: www.aflac.com)

Hey guys. It's been a while since we have posted. We will be posting the status of the Grove Church more once we have a permanent location. Just a quick update: We are moving to a movie theater that has been closed for about two years. The location is prime. The theater is connected to Turtle Creek mall, the only mall in Hattiesburg. God has truly blessed the church with this opportunity. The liability insurance is completed and we are waiting for the keys. As soon as we recieve the keys, the offices can be set up and we can start cleaning up and preparing for the preview services. I think there will be three preview services before the actual Launch. Volunteers from other churches will be used along with the Grove team during the Preview services. On another note, God has formed the band. We have been praying that God would show us the muscians that would be spritual leaders in the band. A Worship leader (vocals and lead guitar), a bass guitarist, a drummer, a background vocalist, including myself, have all joined the Band for the Grove Church. The name for the band is Bridge so if you hear me mention the name, you know what I am talking about. These are a few pictures of most of the band (we did have an insturmentalist missing). Thank you for your prayers and support. God is really moving things to reach people through the church.

So, we have moved successefully to Hattieburg. This answer to God's calling has really tested and strengthened my faith. When Jesus spoke to the rich man, he said to leave all of his things behind to follow him. We have known from the start that God is using us in his will right now and he will take care of us- and he has. I am reading Amazing Grace by Jeremiah. I guess I never really thought about how truly amazing God's grace is. The difference between Mercy and Grace is that Mercy witholds punishment and Grace not only witholds punishment but gives special gifts in return that we do not deserve. I don't know if yall know but ever since I was old enough to talk, I have been singing. Now, I know that I do not have the best voice but every word that I sing is real and is a way that I hope to tough people's hearts and lives. The Grove church has allowed me to use the gift of song. For the first time in my life, I feel as though I am using God's will and ministry purpose in my life to the fullest of my ability. It feels so great to know that it is God's work and I am trying everyday to let him flow freely through me. Hattiesburg is great. It's definately not Texas but it looks like a great placeto live and reach a bunch of people. They don't have contemporary churches like Texas has so we are aiming to reach the lost un-churched people. We have a few leads on job so we need your prayers. Some Johnston family friends are in town so tomorrow we will have a bigger crowd. Britt is on weight watchers and looks fantastic. I am so proud of him! What a blessing! We are so excited to start the journey with the Lord as ourstrength.

Ok, here are the highlights of our life since 2007. Immediately after our honeymoon, we moved to Happy Hill Farm on April 20, 2007. We were a relief couple the first six months there and lived in three different apartments. God had a mission from our lives in the beginning and protected us. After six months with the ministry, we were asked to be a permanent couple on the farm. We moved into unit three and lived in one main apartment apartment. We were finally able to start developing closer relationships with the teen boys that lived there. We were pulled in so many directions and could not escape the troubles of the children and daily pressure. We learned about how to respond to everyone in a Christ like manner. For example, we put so much of our effort into a child and would have a hard time at seeing how we made a difference in their life. We know that we were getting a taste of what Jesus went through. In January, Kay was trying to struggle with a demanding school shedule and working in the unit by herself with Britt sleeping in another unit. She entered a depression and it was really difficult to see the light at the end. Things started to ease after prayers. We prayed for the right doors to open. After months of waiting, God revealed his plan to us.
Britt began working with the Boyscouts of America in June of 2008 with God’s hand preparing, teaching, and guiding us toward a bigger goal. God has been preparing us to plant a church. In 2009, we will be moving to Mississippi to plant a church with Britt’s parents in the Hattiesburg area. We are super excited about God’s plans and the way He is directing our life!
Right now we are living in Burleson while Kayla finishes her last semester of school. Following her graduation, we are moving to Hattiesburg.